Page 107 of Second Down Fake

Becca groaned, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “Forget this. Let’s go to Bob’s for a drink.”

I nodded. “Quick hello and then let’s get out of here.”

We walked to the living room, pushing open the heavy wooden door that kept the heat from the stove in.

“Welcome home,” Mom said, standing from her seat on the couch. Dad sat behind her, and I stopped cold as I recognized the back of the head of the person sitting in the floral armchair across from them.

Diego sat up, a tentative smile on his face.

“Diego, what are you doing here?” I blurted out, a mixture of raw emotion and shock.

“You’ve got an absolute pair of balls to show up unannounced,” Becca said, eyebrow raised and hand on her hip. “What were you thinking?—”

“Rebecca,” Mom said, her voice low but firm. “Why don’t you help me in the kitchen? I’m sure Diego and Cassie would like a couple of minutes alone.”

Becca’s eyes narrowed, gaze set on Diego, but she followed Mom and Dad out of the room.

“Cassandra.”

My name dripped off his lips with a tinge of sadness. I bit back a sudden surge of tears.

“Hey stranger,” I said shakily. “Fancy meeting you here.”

He stood stock still, eyes locked on mine and his breathing slow.

“What are you doing here, Diego?” I asked with a fake, desperate levity. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“Cassandra,” he breathed, bridging the gap between us and wrapping me in his arms. “I thought…”

“I boarded a plane to New Hampshire?” I murmured into his sweater, inhaling clove and turf. An all-too familiar scent that made my entire body relax and my mind block out the anxiety of the last few hours.

“You left. You wanted to leave.”

I laughed. “Says the man who booked me a one-way ticket back home.”

He shook his head, tipping my chin up. “Not me. James. He was doing me a favor. You a favor. Or he thought he was, anyway.”

“Some favor.”

“I’m firing him tomorrow,” Diego murmured, his lips tipping up in a grin.

“Poor James.”

“Poor me.” His grip tightened on my shoulders. “I should have taken the day off practice, asked you as soon as the contract was signed.”

“Asked me what?”

“Cassandra, date me. Fuck, live with me. Don’t leave Norwalk. Or, if you need to, tell me where you’re going, and I’ll follow.”

A rush of relief flooded me. “Seriously? What if I plan to move to Alaska?”

“I’ll transfer to Washington. The commute can’t be that bad.”

I laughed. “Australia?”

“Not a huge football country, but I think Aussie rules are close. I’ll make a career change. How hard can another sport really be?” He grinned. “Honestly, it’d be easier if you just came back to Norwalk with me, but that’s all up for negotiation. As long as you say you’ll be with me.”

I took a step back, pressing a finger to my chin as if considering the offer. “On one condition.”

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