Page 20 of Second Down Darling

It’s what I’ve been telling myself this whole time. That Charlotte had a good reason to leave. She must’ve. But what? And why didn’t she tell me what it was when I saw heryesterday?

I’m not gonna share my thoughts on this with Babcock, though. “What’s it to you? You guysdating?”

He smirks. “Now why in the world would youcare?”

“I don’t.” It’s a lie. I obviously do care. Not sure why. “Justcurious.”

“Hmm.Interesting.”

I hate the smug look in his eyes. “Treat her well, asshole, or you’ll have to deal withme.”

His smile widens. “It’s good to see the stoic has some emotions in there. You’d best channel that on Saturday.” We play Texas Tech thisweekend.

My attention snags on that word. Stoic? Me? I feel like the whole world can see through me, see that I’m a volcano ready to spew lavaeverywhere.

Against my better judgment, I decide to ask him about Roxy. They seem to be friends, and I don’t want her to be upset with me and go to her father tocomplain.

“Listen, I didn’t mean to bail on Roxy. Can you tell her that for me? Tell her I’m sorry for taking off before we took thephotos?”

“You know it’s not Roxy’s project, right? It’s Charlie’s. She’s trying to keep that animal shelter open. She can’t adopt more of them since she already has two.” He chuckles, and I hate that this douchebag knows more about Charlotte than Ido.

“Charlie’s doing thecalendar?”

“Yeah. She’s been volunteering at Second Chances for the last year. I think it’s been good for her. It’s drawn her out of hershell.”

I’m still thinking about Charlotte and her shell and the fact that Billy is all wrapped up in her business when I get home that night. I could really use a long shower, beer, some pizza, and a hard fuck, none of which are plausible at themoment.

I pick up my wiggle worm and smooch Asher’s sticky face. “Hey, bud. You have a goodday?”

He’s rambling about his Legos and sandcastles as I hoist him onto my shoulders so we can walk Miss Louisa out to her car. It’s getting late, and this isn’t the bestneighborhood.

She’s unusually quiet. After Miss Louisa opens her car, she turns to me. “Jakey, I have some bad news. My son wants me to move down to San Antonio next month so he can keep an eye on me. My hip’s been giving me trouble, and I can’t get up and down steps like I used to. He has a nice one-story with a spare bedroom that he’s going to set up forme.”

Fuck. “Next month?” I rub my throbbing temple. I knew I was going to have to find more babysitters. Just didn’t think I’d need to do it soquickly.

“Maybe six weeks. It depends on my son.” She pats my shoulder. “I’m so sorry to do this to you right now. I know how busy your scheduleis.”

Inside, I’m freaking out, but the rational part of my brain knows I need to chill. As much as I want everyone to make my football season the center of their universe, it isn’t. “I’m not gonna lie, this poses a challenge, but nothing’s more important than your health. I understand. We’re gonna miss you,though.”

She opens her arms, and the kid and I give her ahug.

Asher and I watch her drive away until her taillightsdisappear.

What the hell am I gonna donow?

8

CHARLOTTE

Iflinchwhen Roxy gets too aggressive with that curlingiron.

She lets out a little huff of annoyance. “Hold still or I’m going to burnyou.”

“Is that a threat?” Itease.

“I’m almost done, I swear. Your hair’s gonna lookfab.”

I’m sitting on the edge of the tub while she does her thing. I’m not great with hair and makeup. That was my sister’s domain. I can’t count the number of times I milled around taking photos of Kota while she was getting ready to goout.

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