Page 53 of Second Down Darling

After I brush my hair, I strip out of my clothes, about to jump into the shower, when I realize I left my stack of clean clothes on a stool in thekitchen.

I glance down at myself. I’m just wearing undies, but no one’s here. Jake never comes home in the middle of the day and Yvette and Asher just left, so I don’t bother coveringup.

With the shower running, I run out to the kitchen. And then I smell the coffee I made earlier and forgot to drink, so I reach for a mug in the cabinet and pour myself acup.

Behind me, someone coughsdramatically.

I gasp and turn around to find Jake, Cam, and Billy sitting on the couch with sandwiches spread out on the coffee table. They’re frozen, eyes glued tome.

And then I realize I’m almost naked. It’s like a bad high schoolnightmare.

“What the hell!” I start to run, only I forget I’m holding a hot cup of coffee and it splashes all over me. “Damnit.”

I don’t bother trying to dry it. Instead, I march back to the bathroom and slam the doorshut.

I shut off the water, wrap myself in a towel, and plop down on the side of the tub. Why is my life like a bad rom-com? Only instead of winning the guy, I come off like a serial killer and burn myself? I dab the towel over my chest where it’s red from thecoffee.

A minute later, someone knocks. “You okay,Charlotte?”

Jake.

“Goaway.”

“Sorry we scared you. I called out that I was home, but I don’t think you heard me over theshower.”

I hang my head. I have the worst luck of anyone Iknow.

When I don’t say anything, he lowers his voice. “I brought you some Subway. Roast beef and Swiss with that oil stuff youlike.”

Why is he so damn nice? Why does he always remember my favorite foods? Why can’t he be adick?

“Thanks. I’ll be out in afew.”

After regaining my composure, I decide I can’t hide in the bathroom all day. Besides, my clothes are still in thekitchen.

With a towel securely wrapped around me, I unlock the door and tiptoe down the hall. The guys stop eating to look up at me. “I think I should have to see y’all naked too now. Payback, youknow?”

Billy stands and whips his shirt off before the words are out of my mouth. I’m laughing when he reaches for the button on his jeans, but Jake yanks him back down to thecouch.

“You’re not getting naked,” Jakebarks.

“Well, I’ve already seen you in the buff, so I guess you’re exempt, but I’m not opposed to seeing Billy and Cam,” Itease.

Billy and Cam turn to look at Jake, who shrugs. “It was a video call gone wrong. Longstory.”

There wassomethinglong allright.

And thicktoo.

My neck gets hot just thinking about it. “Thanks for the sandwich. I’ll eat itlater.”

“Did you burn yourself with the coffee, Charlotte?” Jakeasks.

“I’mokay.”

“Hey, Chuck.” Billy swallows a huge bite of his hoagie. “I heard you’re shooting the game this weekend.” When I nod, he continues. “Think you could get a good action shot of me? My grandmother’s been on my ass to send her a photo of me playingfootball.”

“Sure. But full disclosure, I’ve never shot football before, so I might suck. If I can’t get a good pic of you, though, we could set one up where you’re in your uniform. The guys can pretend they’re tacklingyou.”

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