Page 49 of Second Down Darling

Or if he only returned the kiss because he felt bad forme?

I’d feel so pathetic, I’d want to crawl in a hole anddie.

I take a deep breath and regain some sense. It’s not worth it. I won’t put myself out there because Jake is the only person preventing me from being homeless. I’d be an idiot to jeopardize that. I don’t even have any family anymore. I have Jake and Roxy, and I need to cherish these relationships. Not make a pass at myroommate.

I pretend like my heart isn’t trying to burrow out of my body and resume our trek back to his car, where we exchange the roller skates forsneakers.

On our way home, we stop off at the grocery store. We need to pick up a few things for the week before we take Asher out for burgers. I’m bent over the rotisserie chickens, trying to find a good one for Duke, when a group of girls stroll up to Jake and start fawning all overhim.

“You were so great yesterday!”Giggle.

“Why didn’t you come to the party last night?”Giggle.

“Will you sign my cleavage?”Giggle.

My gag reflex kicks in. Would it be rude if I puked on them? I roll my eyes and head for thecheckout.

Jake calls out behind me, “Charlie,wait.”

When he catches up, I joke, “Next time I’ll tell them you’re getting over a raging case of chlamydia. That’ll thin theheard.”

“Jesus Christ,Charlotte.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to note you’re onmedication.”

Chuckling, he hooks an arm around my neck and rubs his knuckles into the top of my head. “Turnabout is fair play. What if I tell Kyle that you drool in your sleep? Or that you never shower?” He snaps his fingers. “I’ve got it. I’ll tell him the photoshoots for the calendar are really an excuse to stalk the hot guys on the baseballteam.”

I freeze and turn to glare at him. “Jake, I’m already dealing with a serious serial killer vibe. Please don’t blow this forme.”

His voice lowers to a whisper. “I’m kidding, cupcake. I’d never do anything to derailyou.”

“Promise? Because I’m already anxious about that date, but I can’t keep bailing on things like this. It’s time I take life by the horns and make it mybitch.”

He laughs. “Okay, ball-buster. I promise not to tell Kyle anything gross about you, but I might need a favor inreturn.”

“Anything.”

As we wait in the checkout line, he jams his hands in his pockets. “My mom is worried I’m becoming a recluse, so I promised I’d go to the bonfire and homecoming dance and whatever. You know, live the stereotypical college life for one weekend before I go back to the grind. She even offered to help with the extra babysitting costs. The only catch is all of the guys havedates.”

His words hang betweenus.

“And… you need me to… babysit?” While he goes out with Yvette or Buffy or Matilda? Oh my God, does that mean he’ll bring one of them home? I’m not sure I can handle hearing Jake hook up withsomeone.

Those big brown eyes meet mine. “Uh, no.” He swallows. “Actually, I was wondering if you’d be mydate.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.Hold up. Is he asking meout?

He rubs the back of his neck. “I mean, since you’re making an effort in the dating department, I thought we could kill two birds with one stone. But fair warning, it’s a two-day event. You’ll probably be sick of me by the time it’sover.”

Would it be wrong to leap into his arms and kisshim?

I feel my face getting hot. “I’d be honored to be your date.” Smiling, I look down at myshoes.

“Charlotte.”

Turning my face up to his, I’m caught off guard by his serious expression. “Yes?”

“The honor would be allmine.”

---