Page 30 of Second Down Darling

I take a deep breath, scared as hell of what I’m gonna find on the other side of thedivider.

Please, God, let her beokay.

And then I swing back thecurtain.

12

CHARLOTTE

My lungs are on fire.I try to yank away whatever’s on my face, but a huge hand wraps around mywrist.

“You need the oxygen, Charlotte. Leave italone.”

It takes me a minute to realize who’s speaking. “Jake?” My throat is killing me, and his name comes out arasp.

I crack open my crusty eyes to find the haggard-looking man sitting next to mybed.

Myhospitalbed. “What happened? Why am Ihere?”

“There was a fire. I just spoke with the fire department. They think some electrical device in the unit beneath yours caused it, but they’re stillinvestigating.”

A fire? Oh my God. “Is Roxyokay?”

He nods. “I didn’t know you guys were roommates, but thankfully she wasn’t home. She just went to her parents’ house to change. She’ll be back in a littlewhile.”

“What about Duke andWinkie?”

“Duke’s fine. I got him out, but…” He rubs the back of his neck, a pained expression on his face. “Shit. I forgot you had anotherpet.”

“Winkie’s my cat.” My little demon fur ball might not have made it. A tissue appears before me. I didn’t realize I wascrying.

Grateful, I accept it and wipe the tears streaming alongside the oxygen tube and into myhair.

“I’m sorry, Charlie. I didn’t see him, and after I got Duke, there wasn’t time to sweep your apartmentagain.”

“When? When was thefire?”

“Saturday night. It’s Mondaymorning.”

Holy crap. “I’ve been asleep all thistime?”

“You’ve been out of it. This is the first time you’ve been reallylucid.”

I start coughing, and he holds a cup with a straw to mylips.

“Take small, slowsips.”

Our eyes connect as I drink, and I’m caught off guard by the emotion on Jake’s face. That’s when I remember what hesaid.

“Yougot Duke out? Not afirefighter?”

He sets down the cup and rakes his fingers through his hair. “I’m told I have a future with the company if football doesn’t work out for me. Which, after my game last weekend and missing practice, is a strongpossibility.”

Shocked, I spill the water. “Why are you missingpractice?”

Jake has never, in all of his years playing,evermissedpractice.

“Kinda hard to play when I’m being observed for smoke inhalation.” He sighs. “Coach’s orders. I told him I’m fine, but apparently you can have complications up to thirty-six hours later. I have to check in with the team doctor tomorrow to see if I’m clearedyet.”

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