Page 106 of Second Down Darling

He stares at me in that ice-cold way he has and finally waves me in, thankGod.

Some of the guys scoot over to make room for me. I’m grateful to sit a ways down from Santos so he doesn’t reach over and strangleme.

“Sorry for interrupting, Coach,” I say into the mic in front of me. “But there are some things I’d like to clearup.”

Coach clears his throat. “Any more questionsfor Thomas orSmith?”

The room goes silent, and I mentally note I should apologize to the guys for hijacking this pressconference.

Ezra and Diesel head out, and Coach waves mecloser.

Damn.

I grab the seat next to him and pray he doesn’t choke meout.

Reporters start shouting questions and I answer several about the game, grateful that my performance is taking centerstage.

But then someone asks about Dakota’s accusations that I cheated onher.

Fuck her stupid NDA. Pretty sure signing that doesn’t mean she can outright lie the way she has on hershow.

I lean forward to talk into the mic because I don’t want anyone to miss this. “Let me put it this way.Iwasn’t the one who cheated. And just to clarify, I’ve been best friends with Dakota’s sister Charlotte since we were fourteen. Charlotte and I were one hundred percent platonic until we met up this past fall. In fact, it wasn’t until I pulled her out of a burning building that I realized she meant more to me. Life-or-death situations tend to crystallize things for you. By that point, I hadn’t heard from Dakota in two years. We broke up when I found out that she was”—I debate how to phrase this next part—“that she was seeing one of my NTUteammates.”

“Why do you think she made thoseaccusations?”

“Frankly? For ratings. That sounds harsh,pero es la verdad.” I clear my throat. “It’s thetruth.”

Will Dakota lose her shit when she sees this press conference? Definitely. But I’m done letting her have her way. Because if I give in, I’ll never be rid of her. This has to stop. I can only hope to postpone any custody hearings until after I’m drafted, when I’ll have the money to fight her. If worst comes to worst, my brother told me he can front me a little cash if I’m desperate and need an attorney immediately, but I hope it doesn’t come tothat.

“Are you still dating Charlotte? And is that the same girl who got harassed at last weekend’sgame?”

“Yes, I’m dating Charlotte. And if I’m being honest, I hope to wife her up someday.” My ears go hot at the thought she might be watching right now, but it doesn’t matter. I fucking love that girl. “She’s an amazing woman and my best friend. I’d be lost without her. And this might shock some of you, but I love her more thanfootball.”

People chuckle, and I brave a glance at Coach, whose icy demeanor is thawing. Weird that my statement about loving something more than football does thetrick.

I return my focus to the room of reporters. “Unfortunately, she was the same person who was bullied at the NTU game. Speaking ofCharlotte…”

This is the part that might get me in trouble, but fuck it. We’re a goddamn team, and it’s about time someone stands up for her the way she’s always there for everyone else in her life. “Some of you might have seen her on the sidelines because she’s been covering our home games. She’s an incredible photographer. But due to the harassment from some of Dakota’s fans, Charlotte wasn’t allowed to attend today’s game and her invitation to cover our playoff games has been revoked. I’d like to respectfully ask the team to reconsider. I don’t think it’s fair to punish the victim for being harassed and bullied. The Broncos need the best photographers to cover our games, and that should include Charlotte Darling.” I hold up my hand. “I swear I’m not being biased. She kicksass.”

I refer everyone to her website to check out her work and explain how she volunteers at Second Chances and is raising money to keep them open. I give her calendar a little sales pitch and hope it helps theeffort.

“Jake, why haven’t you been available to the press?” another reporterasks.

“Coach and I thought it best to hold off so the team could focus on finishing strong. Neither of us want to turn this fine program into a circus.” I clear my throat. “I also want to thank the Lone Star State coaching staff for their support this season. It’s been a wild one, but thanks to this man sitting next to me, I can also say it was the best one of my college career. That never would’ve happened if I didn’t have Coach Santos in mycorner.”

Braving another glance at the guy who has my career in his hands, I lay it all out there. “Coach, I know you would’ve preferred that I not make a statement today, so we could focus on the playoffs. Generally, I would be on board with that one hundred percent. But you once told me you brought me into this program despite my baggage because I was honest with you and leveled with you about what I had going on. That’s precisely why I needed to get these things off my chest. That’s why I had to stand up for Charlotte and make sure everyone knows she’s not the home-wrecker people are making her out tobe.”

“I know, son,” he says quietly with anod.

Turning, I face the reporters again, letting out a sigh of relief to have this over. “Thanks for coming today. I won’t be making more statements about my personal life anytime soon. I’d much rather focus on football and theplayoffs.”

“Jake! One more question. What’s your dream NFL team? If you could get drafted by anyone, who would youwant?”

I chuckle. “My dream team is the one that wants a kid from Texas who loves the game as much as I do.” A team that knows my family—my son and Charlotte—are the most important people tome.

I’m almost light-headed by the time I hit the locker room. Between the exertion of the game, the stress of the press conference, and the chaos of the last two weeks, I’m surprised I’m still standing. But now that I’ve hopefully set things right, I need to find Charlie. She needs to know she’s the girl for me and I’ll do anything to have her in mylife.

Unfortunately, the bus ride home from Fort Worth will take at least three hours.Probably the longest three hours of mylife.

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