Page 46 of Second Down Darling

Not that I’ve done anything wrong. My conscience is clear. I never treated her badly or did anything that can’t stand up under scrutiny. My mother would take a frying pan to my head if I ever mistreated awoman.

But Dakota has a way of spinning things that always makes her look good, regardless of theconsequences.

Like she can read my mind, Charlie groans. “If my sister brings me or Jake up at all, I promise you she’ll twist things to make us lookbad.”

Exhausted, I sink back on the couch and tilt my head back. “How many episodesagain?”

“Ten.” Charlie sounds just as crestfallen as Ifeel.

Roxy hugs her. “Maybe no one will watch and you have nothing to worryabout.”

It’s possible. Unlikely, butpossible.

Still, I’m bracing myself for theworst.

17

CHARLOTTE

Charmingstreets pass by in ablur.

As Jake drives me to the park, I can’t stop thinking about last week’s episode. Kota’s even more beautiful now, if that’s possible. No wonder I always felt invisible next toher.

Seeing those images fromLittle Darlingsmade my heart hurt. At the age I was then, you don’t understand death, but we’d just lost a pet. Our cat got hit by a car, and I found his broken body in the alley behind our house. If Roscoe’s lifeless eyes were anything to go by, I didn’t want my sister to end up likethat.

Watching Kota wail from her hospital bed while that guy recorded from his spot in the corner haunted me for years. I didn’t like the way the man watched our every move. Even as a kid, I never welcomed that kind of scrutiny. The rest of my family seemed to thrive when they were the center of attention, while all I wanted to do was crawl into bed with Kota to make sure she keptbreathing.

When Kota got better and sat up in her bed to spontaneously sing “Tomorrow” from that musicalAnnie, fans went crazy. Her hospital room was packed to the ceiling with gifts and balloons from well-wishers. According to my mother, that episode almost broke the internet. My sister was trending everywhere, on every social mediaplatform.

I know Kota would never believe me, but I was happy for her success. I always wanted the best forher.

Jake parks, and we grab our gear. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.The past is the past. There’s nothing I can do to changeit.

“It’s your one day off,” I tell him as I tie my roller skates. “Wouldn’t you ratherbe—”

“Nope. We’re doing this.” Jake holds out his large, calloused hand. I place mine in his as I bite my bottom lip to keep from smiling toowide.

He has no idea how much I need this. How much he centersme.

Now that I’ve shaken off the Kota funk I was in, excitement courses through my body at the thought of me and Jake spending the afternoontogether.

We’re holding hands.I take a few calming breaths so my heart doesn’t gallop out of mychest.

Miss Louisa got her wires crossed and showed up to watch Asher this morning even though Jake didn’t need her. She patted his cheek and told him to get some time for himself. I love her, and I’m super bummed this is her last week intown.

I’m finally feeling well enough to exercise. My wheeze is gone, and my doctor says I’m in the clear to be moreactive.

When we’re done with my skating practice today, we promised Asher we’d take him out for burgers. I think Jake and I are both trying really hard to go about life as normal, even thoughThe Hot Housefeels like a ticking timebomb.

Slowly, I stand and wobble. “See? I can dothis.”

Feeling brave, I let go of his hand, push off, and almost fall on myface.

Strong arms wrap around my waist and keep me from breakingsomething.

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” Jake says. He waits for me to stop wobbling before he letsgo.

“I’m not a wuss. I can dothis.”

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