Page 47 of Second Down Darling

He looks dubious. “Why don’t I pull you, and you can try to stay upright? Just to start off so you can find yourbalance?”

Wow. He really doesn’t think I’m cut out for skating, but maybe letting him pull me isn’t such a bad idea. “Lead theway.”

With my small hand in his huge paw, he walks ahead along the sidewalk, and I follow behind. At first, I’m only trying to stay upright, but after a few minutes, I have the hang ofit.

He glances back at me, his expression so serious. He’s probably surprised I’m still on my feet. His thick, messy hair falls in his eyes, and I catch a whiff of that ocean-scented body wash he’s alwaysused.

Why does Jake have to be such a thirst trap? I seriously have no defenses against thisman.

Trailing behind my roommate gives me a chance to covertly check him out. He’s wearing worn jeans that mold to his tight ass and thighs and an old t-shirt that shows off his broad, muscularshoulders.

I love that he doesn’t care about clothes. That always drove my sister crazy. Kota would bring home expensive brands and try to dress him up like he was her personal Ken doll. He hatedthat.

When he turns, I catch sight of his strong jaw that’s covered in bristles since he didn’t shave thismorning.

He’s been pretty quiet since ourHot Housewatch party the other night. “Are you freaking out aboutKota?”

Stopping, he turns back to me. “How can youtell?”

“You’ve been brooding since we watched theshow.”

He scoffs. “I don’tbrood.”

I push off on one skate and pull up next to him. “You’re brooding now.” I wave a finger around his handsome face. “You have that pouty thing going on even though you scored a touchdown yesterday.” He looked fierce out on the field. I babysat Asher, and he and I had a blast watching his daddy play onTV.

He smirks. “Careful, cupcake. I’m the only thing standing between you and theconcrete.”

I yank my hand free. “I’m a big girl. I can do this on my own, you know.” Feeling more confident, I skate faster. The wind blowing through my hair is exhilarating, which is when I get the bright idea to turn around and try to skate backwards like the guy I saw on a YouTube video lastnight.

Only the wheel in my left skate gets caught in a crack in the concrete. My arms pinwheel, and I let out a girly squeal ofhorror.

I’m pretty sure I’m going downhard.

Jake catches me at the last second, only my momentum sends me straight into his chest. Clinging to him, I close my eyes and try to catch mybreath.

He sets me upright as I pant. A moment later, his thumb grazes my cheek. “Youokay?”

It’s my turn to pout. I gaze up at him and whisper, “I don’t think I should take the roller-skatingjob.”

“Won’t you be busy shooting footballanyway?”

“Potentially, yes, but that doesn’t pay anything. It’s just an opportunity to build my portfolio, maybe get some shots in the newspaper. But that won’t pay the bills, not if I’m trying to save so I can buy my own equipment again. It’s not like I’ll be able to borrow cameras from the athletic director after I graduate. How will I get the funds to get my own apartment if I don’t take thisjob?”

I melt under the attention of those big brown eyes. “Charlotte, you don’t need to move out anytime soon.” His deep voice, low and rumbly, makes me want to rub up against him like a needy cat. “My scholarships cover the rent and utilities. And it’s not like I’m gonna let you go hungry. I can always snag extra to-go boxes from thecafeteria.”

This is humiliating. “I’m not mooching off you, Jake.” It’s bad enough my family abandoned him and Asher. “I’m not a charity case. I can pay my ownway.”

His eyes go soft. “I’m not saying you’re charity. Just… you helped me and Ash so much freshman year. Think of this as me returning thefavor.”

When he says it like that, he’s hard to resist. I agree, but deep down I know I need to make my ownway.

“Hang on. I’ll get us back to my car.” He holds out his arm, and I cling to his huge, sculpted bicep as we make our way around thepark.

“I’m bummed this job won’t work out. I like how tall I am with skates. Without them,I’m…”

“Fun-sized. Like a mini-Snickers candybar.”

Ichuckle.

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