Page 109 of Second Down Darling

“Then you know what I want to do,right?”

He said a lot to the press, but with the way he’s looking at me right now, there’s only one thing he canmean.

Smiling, I laugh as another tear slips out. “You want to wife meup?”

“Damn straight. And I definitely want to have our own little brood together down the road. I don’t have the money to get you the kind of ring you deserve, but when I do, you can bet that will be the first thing Ibuy.”

I grab his handsome face and press a kiss to his lips. “I don’t care about aring.”

“But you deserve thebest.”

“I’d say I’m getting a pretty great deal regardless.” I kiss him slowly. “We’ve only been dating a fewmonths.”

“Cupcake, you’ve been burrowing your way into my heart foryears.”

We kiss, and it suddenly feels like all of our starsalign.

But there’s still one thing I need toask.

Leaning back, I ask, “You’re not mad about the video I sentKota?”

He kisses my forehead. “How could I be upset? Honestly, you’re a genius. Dakota deserves everything coming to her. And if that video gets her off my back for a few months, even better.” He explains how his brother can float him a little money if he needs an attorney, but Jake hopes he gets drafted, and then he’ll have an advance to afford it himself. “Should we call her and get thisover?”

“I’m dreading it, but yes.” My stomach twists with anxiety, but he grabs my hand and brings it to hislips.

As he dials, I get out my phone and hit record. He nods inapproval.

Texas is a “one-party consent state,” meaning at least one person who’s being recorded has to approve. I checked before I sent her that video compilation. I even have her recorded as saying I should record all the time, even between shoots, because “there’s no telling when I’ll say something funny or do somethingcute.”

Insert eyeroll.

When Dakota answers, all she does is screech like her hair’s on fire. “What the fuck, Jake? How could you let Charlotte make up those lies? How could you say all that shit at the press conference? Don’t I mean anything to you atall?”

Jake and I look at each other. His eyes bug out comically as he circles his finger around his temple in the universal sign that Kota’scrazy.

He clears his throat. “Charlotte and I have you on speakerphone. You should know we plan to hire an attorney if you don’t cut yourcrap.”

She starts crying. “Please promise me you won’t release that video. If my fans see that, I’ll be over.Please.”

Irritated she’s trying to be a martyr, I lean forward. “Kota, take a good long look at that video. That’s the real you—snarky, mean, and selfish. None of your friends really like you. They only want to hang out with you because of your fame. All I ever did was support you even though you treated me like your slave. Go get some therapy. Stop trying to use Asher for your social media, because I know that’s why you’re suddenly interested in himagain.”

When she doesn’t say anything, I know I’mright.

I finish unleashing. “As long as you leave us alone—me, Jake, and Asher—you won’t hear from us. But if you slander us again or try to manipulate us to get to Asher, I swear to God, I will fuck up your career so hard, starting with that modeling sponsorship you might land. Because I have a lot more footage. What I sent you is just the tip of a big-ass iceberg. There are so many more clips, including a lovely little bitchfest you had about Gypsy Glam oneafternoon.”

That’s the clothing brand offering a modeling contract to one ofThe Hot Housecontestants. I know Kota won’t want to piss off the sponsor before the show’sfinale.

She sniffles, and for a minute, I feel bad. Because deep in my heart, I wish my sister and I were close and that she loved me like I always lovedher.

But then she opens her mouth again. “Fine. Whatever. Just remember that I had Jakefirst.”

I smile at my beautiful boyfriend and take his pinky in mine. “Yeah, but he’s mine now, and I’m not dumb enough to let himgo.”

Jakeand I walk hand-in-hand to his car. After we pick up Duke and Winkie, we head to Jake’s apartment, where Buffy gives me a hug and takes off. Asher squeals when he seesme.

“Charwotte! I missedyou!”

I cry when he wraps his arms around my legs. “Hey, Ash. How’s my favorite boy?” Kneeling, I hug him to me. It’s only been a week since I saw him, but that felt like aneternity.

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