Page 95 of Second Down Darling

Her nostrils flare. “Let’s forget the part where you think I’m a delicate little flower who can’t handle anything. Had I known Coach didn’t want us seeing each other, I wouldn’t have thrown myself in your arms athalftime.”

I shrug. “Okay. Yeah, I can see that. But come on, cupcake. I don’t think you’re helpless. It’s not like that. And I’m sorry if my actions got you hurttoday.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Jake, fuck that girl, okay? I’m fine. I look like hell, but I’m gonnalive.”

There’s my little fighter. “Can I have a hug? How’d you get home, anyway? Did Roxy give you aride?”

Her eyes widen as she growls. “You don’t get it, do you? This morning, AD Armstrong said I could travel with the team to your last game, and if the Broncos made the playoffs, I could cover those gamestoo.”

Holy shit. “That’s awesome. I’m so proud ofyou.”

I scoop her in a hug. She’s stiff for some reason. Aww, hell. Maybe I’m hurting her. I set her down gently, and she shoves out of myarms.

“Yeah, itwasawesome, Jake. Literally the highlight of my college career.” I’m not sure why she’s so pissed if that was all good news. “I was walking on clouds all day. Until I got beaned by that asshole at halftime. Do you know what happened when I got to the hospital? I got a call from the athletic director. He said he has to retract that invitation and I need to return the camera gear. Something about liability because my sister’s show is so high profile and me getting caught in the crosshairs of her fans or whatever puts the school in a bad light. Because of all the negative press the team got before he came on board, he said he can’t take any chances. So I’mout.”

“Are you serious? That asshole. Look, let me talk to him on Monday.I’ll—”

“No. I’m not asking you to fight mybattles.”

“Charlotte, we’re a team,remember?”

Her eyes go flat as she whispers, “Then why didn’t you tell me Coach Santos didn’t want me around? Why didn’t you confide in me? Why would you keep that a secret? I’m so fucking tired of secrets, Jake. My family never told me shit when I was growing up. I was always the odd one out while Dakota was in on everything.Everything!”

Okay, I’m out of my depth here. Clearly this isn’t all about me talking to Roxy. And I’m really damn tired of Dakota’s ghost lurking around every corner. Not that I’m upset with Charlotte for that. She’s the innocent bystander in all ofthis.

Charlie turns around and starts tucking her clothes into a bag. “What are you doing?” Iask.

“Movingout.”

I freeze. She’s leaving? “Charlotte, no. Come on, baby. Don’t dothis.”

I walk up behind her and gently wrap my arms around her shoulders and push my face against her neck. “In six months we’re graduating. Are you really going to let these people win? Fuck that bitch at the stadium and fuck Armstrong. Fuck Santos too for all I care. You and I are bigger than all this crap, Charlie. Don’t run away because you’reupset.”

She stills in my arms and hangs her head. “I’ve worked so hard for this, Jake.” Her voice cracks, and I close my eyes, hating that she’s hurting. “You have too. I’m not saying we break up, but I want… I want to take a step back. I need some space to think, and I can’t do that here. Roxy said I could sleep on hercouch.”

“Babe, no.” I scramble to think of a solution and turn her around so I can see her face. “Look, stay here. We’ll cool off until the season is over. I’ll sleep in my bed instead of cramming into yours at night. I’ll give you all the space youneed.”

Her cheeks are streaked with tears and she’s biting her lower lip so hard, I’m surprised it’s not bleeding. She sniffles and her whole body quakes withemotion.

When she doesn’t say anything, I lay it on the line. “I need you to believe in us, Charlotte. To trust me. I fucked up by not talking to you about what Coach said, but I honestly believed it was for the best. I wanted to tell you, but Yvette had been a bitch to you that day, and I didn’t want to hurt you more. I promise I won’t keep something like that to myself in the future. Let me make it up to you. Let me show you I’m a man of myword.”

After the longest minute of my life, she nods, and I’m so relieved I lean down to kiss her, but she turns her face away. I stop a few inches away. It shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t want me to kiss her, but itdoes.

“Okay. I get it.” I hold my hands up and step back. “You’ve got all the space you need.” I swallow, hating the mountain range suddenly jutting out between us. Because I have no idea how to scaleit.

38

CHARLOTTE

“You knowyou’re always welcome at my place. My bed is too small to share, but my roommates said you can have the couchanytime.”

“Thanks, Rox. I appreciatethat.”

As Roxy and I sit in the cafeteria, I pick at my lunch. I haven’t been hungry for the last fewdays.

“Did you hear they arrested the two girls who harassedyou?”

“Great.”

---