Page 78 of Second Down Darling

When he returns from the bathroom, he has a warm, damp washcloth. “Spread your legs,baby.”

Surprised, I do as he asks. I’m about to tell him to be gentle, but the worry evaporates when he carefully wipes me down, pausing to give me a mischievous smile before he presses a kiss to mybelly.

“Gotta take care of my girl.” He winks, and Isigh.

I’m blissfully happy when he curls his warm, naked body aroundme.

That elation lasts exactly fivedays.

Until my sister’s nextepisode.

30

JAKE

“Earth to Ramirez.”Ezra bounces the football off my helmet, thatdick.

I glare at him, and he laughs as he holds up his hand. “Just checking in. You look spacedout.”

Was I fantasizing about pounding my girlfriend into my mattress? Why, yes, I was. “Thinking about the game this weekend,asshole.”

He rolls his eyes, and I try to focus on the new routes Coach wants us to practice, though my mind strays back toCharlotte.

We’ve been sneaking around after Asher goes to bed. I’m not exactly sure how to handle things with my son. It seems too early for Charlie to move permanently into my bedroom, though that’s what Iwant.

But I realize my son won’t understand what’s going on. If, God forbid, my relationship with Charlotte goes south, I don’t want him to get hurt. Well, there’d be no way around that, but him accepting her as my girlfriend squarely places her in a mother role, and he’s been through too much with Dakota for me not to becautious.

After practice, as I head to the locker room, Billy slaps my shoulder. “How are things with Chuck? You two looked cozy at homecoming lastweekend.”

I can’t contain my smile. Even though it’s still tough to open up to my teammates, I want to share this with someone. Despite all the shit Billy’s given me since I joined the Broncos, he’s a good guy, and I appreciate the effort he made to help me figure things out with mygirl.

“It’s going well. Charlotte is…” Honestly, I don’t even have thewords.

Her beautiful smile first thing in the morning makes my heart beat faster. Seeing her at the end of the day feels like coming home. Making her come all night gives me a high like no other. Does life get better thanthat?

He chuckles when he sees my expression. “That good, huh? I knew once you got your head outta your ass, things would work out for youtwo.”

There’s no way I’ll ever share details about my sex life with Charlotte, but there is one thing I can talkabout.

“You know what’s really cool? The way she loves my son. The way Asher’s always a priority in her life.” I shake my head, ignoring the tightness in my throat. “It means a lot tome.”

“Bro.” Billy pounds his chest. “You’re giving me thefeels.”

“Shutup.”

He laughs. “I’m being serious. I mean, yeah, I’m also giving you shit, but Charlie’s a great girl, and I’m glad you two are working things out.” Pausing, he glances around. “Has there been any blowback from that show your ex ison?”

“I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far so good.” It’s possible I’ve been worried over nothing. I’ve gotten calls from reporters doing pieces on Dakota, and I give them the same line I did at the press conference. I wish her luck. That’s it. Maybe if I stick to this approach, shit won’t blow up in myface.

“Good to hear. Listen, Roxy’s doing some big Thanksgiving dinner in a few weeks at the Stallion Station and wants to invite you guys fordinner.”

We have a game the following day, so most of us are hanging around campus. “Thanks, man. Let me check with Charlotte to make sure she doesn’t have anything planned for us, and I’ll get back to you. But that sounds like fun.” I side-eye him. “Something going on with you andRoxy?”

He blows out a frustrated breath. “I wish. She friend-zoned me a long time ago. Said I was ‘toowild.’”

“But isn’t she…” I don’t know the right word to use. Dating? Seeing? Fucking? I go with the most benign term I can think of. “Hanging aroundEzra?”

Billy snorts. “Exactly. He’s a bigger manwhore than I am. I’m guessing she’ll figure it outeventually.”

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