Page 90 of Second Down Darling

Billy watches her go, and after the front door shuts, I clear my throat. “Any progress with you and Roxy?” It’s the worst-kept secret that Babcock has it bad for Coach’sdaughter.

He groans and flops back on the couch. “Not much, since Ezra’s being such acockblock.”

That would be a problem. Not that Ezra is anywhere near deserving of RoxySantos.

Our discussion of Billy’s love life pauses as credits forTheHell Houseroll, and I say a prayer Dakota reins in her bullshittonight.

My eyes glaze over for some of the stuff. Because who really cares which of these dumbasses wins an audition or how these divas apply makeup? I’m annoyed I need to sit through it once aweek.

During group therapy, the contestants are challenged to make a declaration of what they want moving forward in theirlives.

It cuts to Dakota in the confession booth. Her eyes are teary as she dabs the corners, which I’m sure is for sympathy. I never genuinely saw her cry when we were together. Not even when she had Asher. It was like her tear ducts were solderedshut.

Dakota’s voice wavers. “I’ve done my best to block out the past. To block out the ways my sister and ex betrayed me, but honestly, it still hurts.” Tears well in her eyes and her lower lip quivers. “Charlotte had a huge crush on Jake. She told me about it when we were younger, but I hoped by the time I dated him that she was over it since he obviously didn’t reciprocate. But I was wrong. She wasn’t over it, and she was so pathetic the way she’d follow him around like a stray puppy. All of our friends would comment about her being a little creeper aboutit.

“Who defended her?” She raises her hand. “Stupidly, I did. I trusted her, like I trusted him. I can’t say definitively whether they hooked up while Jake and I were together, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. I remember telling him how uncomfortable I was that they spent so much time together, and he blew me off. Said I was making a big deal out ofnothing.”

“What the fuck is wrong with her?” I rarely lose my cool, but this shit has tostop.

Charlotte isn’t even looking at the screen. Her head is tilted down at her lap. I wrap an arm around her and try not to jostleAsher.

Dakota dabs her eyes again. “Moving forward, I’d like to come to peace with that so I can see my son again. To do this, I need to be able to openly communicate with my ex. I might be in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future, but he and I have to find a way to share custody. I might be an actress, but I’m a momfirst.”

Jesus Christ. Is she doing this for the ratings? I have difficulty believing she gives a shit about ourkid.

Dramatically, she appears to be trying to get ahold of her emotions. “Jake, if you’re watching, I’m sorry about whatever you think I did, but you hurt metoo.”

Does a sociopath get their feelings hurt?Doubtful.

I’m curious how she thinksIhurther. She probably means that time I walked in on her and Troy and ruined their fuckfest.

By the time the show is over, I’m shaking withanger.

Where has Dakota been for the last two years? I’ve never gotten even one phone call or text from her asking about our son since she took off for LA. Who’s changed his diapers and wiped up vomit and bathed and fed him? Me. Who rocks him to sleep when he’s afraid during thunderstorms or sick? Me. Who knows all of his favorite toys, stories, and movies?Me.

Even before we broke up, she wrangled everyone she knew into watching Ash so she could run off andparty.

Dakota wants to take Asher away from me? Over my dead fuckingbody.

35

CHARLOTTE

Even though it’salmost December, the afternoon is bright and sunny but chilly. Basically perfect footballweather.

As we wait for the team to get introduced, the Lone Star State band plays theRockytheme while Bronco fans shadowbox. People are so excited for today’s game against North Texas U, I can almost forget the crap my sister said last night on hershow.

Shake it off, Charlotte. You can do this. Don’t give Dakota any morepower.

Biting my thumbnail, I scan the crowd. I think I get more nervous for Jake on game days than he does. We’re so close to the playoffs, and I know how badly he wants to win the championship this year. Plus, this is his former team. Bragging rights are on the line. Hopefully, he can block out my sister’s drama andfocus.

I’ve taken photos all day, starting in the parking lot with the tailgating parties. The game hasn’t even started yet, and my energy is lagging. I should’ve eaten more than a granola bar this morning, but now it’s too late to do anything about it. Pretty sure staff photographers shouldn’t be seen chowing down on thesidelines.

When I catch a whiff of someone’s nachos, my stomach lurches. I’ve felt nauseous all day. Another reason I didn’t eat more this morning. I think it’s because I was so upset last night. I didn’t want to worry Jake, so I took a long shower until I could get my emotions under control. I hate crying around him. I don’t want him to think I’m some delicate littleflower.

By the time the team charges out of the tunnel, I’m a nervous wreck. I know how badly Jake wants to have a great game. He says he needs amazing stats for the entire season to make up for his sophomore and junior years at NTU. I can’t imagine how hard it was for him to play with Troy knowing he and Kota were hookingup.

But now, today, he has to play against his former best friend. I hold my hand against my stomach and pray I don’t projectile vomit from nerves. NTU is undefeated right nowtoo.

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