Page 55 of Second Down Darling

Billy jumps out of the car. “Then I guess you’ll get to watch when she eventually moves on with another guy, huh?” He struts off like he hasn’t just tilted my world on itsaxis.

Dread forms in my chest as I think about last night. I all but pushed Charlotte out the door with Kyle. She seemed glad to be home, but what happens next time? What happens when she does meet someone? Eventually, she will. She’s a beautiful, sweet woman. Any man would be lucky to dateher.

I think about calling one of my brothers to get advice, but Charlotte is a sensitive topic, and David and Eli are not sensitive guys. I can’t handle them saying crass things about her rightnow.

Cam reaches forward and pats me on the shoulder. “Billy lives to give people crap. I’m sure you’ll figure out what to do aboutCharlie.”

I look down at my lap. “I asked her to homecoming, but I don’t know if that was the smartest move. I don’t want to give her the wrong impression about what I can give her. And even if we do date, her sister will lose her shit when she findsout.”

“Why tellher?”

The words hang in the air, and Istill.

That’s a damn goodquestion.

And it makes me wonder. Dakota’s in California. Is it possible she won’t give a shit what Charlotte and Ido?

On the wayhome from practice, my phone rings. I put the call on speaker as Idrive.

“¿Como está mi hijo favorito?”My mom’s sweet voice fills thecar.

I chuckle because my mom calls each of her sons her favorite. “Hi,mamá.”

“Did you get a date for thedance?”

“Idid.”

“And? Is shepretty?”

I really don’t want to discuss Charlotte with my mother, but I have to give her something. “Ella es hermosa.” Swear to God, I have no idea how she and I have been friends all this time and I never really appreciated how stunning sheis.

“Well, are you going to tell me her name or do I have to drag it out ofyou?”

I consider lying, but what’s the point? I’d rather get this out of the way now. “It’s Charlotte,Ma.”

The line goes quiet. And then, “You mean,yourCharlotte? From highschool?”

“I don’t know that I’d call hermyCharlotte, butyes.”

“The same one who, how do you kids say it, ghostedyou?”

I cringe. “She had her reasons. Anyway, she’s a senior now at Lone Star State too. We’ve talked it out. We’re good. Especially now that Dakota is out of thepicture.”

My mom gasps.“Esa es la chica delfuego.”

I’ve been wondering how long it would take for her to piece it together, that Charlotte was the girl I dragged out of thefire.

Weirdly, the focus of the reports was on me jumping into the building and not the unconscious woman. The fire department didn’t release her name early on, which I suppose is good since Charlotte hates being in thespotlight.

A few reporters called my mom after that video went viral, but she was so freaked out that I’d deliberately run into a flaming building, she really didn’t pay attention to much more than the fact that I’d made it outalive.

She goes quiet again.“Mijo. Ten cuidado.”Becareful.

“Ma, I was upset when she took off. She told me she left me a note, and I think Dakota found it and trashed it.” The more I think about it, the more that seems the most likely scenario. Charlie never lies to me, while Dakota’s specialty is deceit. “Anyway, I’m not gonna get hurt or anything. You don’t need toworry.”

“Jacob, I mean be careful thatyoudon’t hurther.”

My head jerks back. “What does that mean? Why would I hurther?”

---