Page 15 of Second Down Darling

The downtown area has cobblestone brick along the main drag and Bronco-colored flowers on every corner. Locals say ‘howdy’ or nod in greeting, not just to me but to everyone. And the baristas at the Rise ’N Grind Coffee House remember my name and how I like my coffee and save me empanadas on Sundays. It’s hard not to fall in love with thisplace.

Once we get to the park, Asher swings from me like I’m his personal jungle gym. We trek under the giant brick archway and onto a grassy hill. It’s warm and sunny, and I have the whole afternoon to love up on my kid. It’s gonna be a goodday.

I switch Ash to my other arm because I’msore.

Yesterday’s game was close, but we pulled it out in the end. We’re now two and oh. I got a little game time. Not a ton. Not as much as I was hoping to get, but it’s still early in the season. Coach knows what my goals are, and I just have to trusthim.

It’s a scary concept. I don’t want to trust anyone anymore, but Coach Santos is basically the only person in my life besides my mom who thinks I can hack D1 football, and I aim to prove I was a goodbet.

Across the field, I spot my teammates. They’re waiting around under some trees next to several dogcrates.

“Hey, bud. Race you to that tree.” I point it out and watch my kid streak across the park. I chuckle and jog after him. I have every intention of wearing him out so he goes to bedearly.

After I scoop him up and toss him over my shoulder, I join my teammates Cameron Fletcher and Billy Babcock, whose eyes are glued to the ass of some blonde who is bent over one of thedogs.

“I didn’t know we were supposed to be wearing our football gear,” I say. The guys are sporting white t-shirts, football pants, andcleats.

Billy shrugs like he can’t speak and check out a chick at the same time. Cam points over his shoulder. “I only heard about ittoday.”

One of the cheerleaders I’ve seen around the field house jogs up to me. She’s decked out in her cheer outfit and full makeup. She looks like a young Zoe Saldana with thick, beautiful hair and a winning smile. “Hi, I’m Roxy. I think you know mydad.”

“Yeah, I know theSaint.”

She rolls her eyes playfully and grabs my shoulder. “Don’t call him that. It’ll go to hishead.”

This girl is definitely flirting with me. She’s a stunner, but there’s no way I’ll go there with Coach’s daughter. I’m not adumbass.

And after that fiasco called Dakota, I’ll never do another hookup. Hell, I might never date again. Yes, I’m at risk for a serious case of tendonitis in my hand from all the jerking off, but if it keeps me from ever engaging another drama queen, it’s worthit.

I smile politely and turn my kiddo around so I have a reason to move away from Roxy. “This is my son,Asher.”

“Oh my God, you have a son! He’s gorgeous just like his daddy. Hi,cutie!”

Roxy is definitely a cheerleader. She’s loud and excited and her energy makes menervous.

That’s when the blonde stands up and whips around, her ponytailflying.

Stunned blue eyes meetmine.

Eyes that look exactly like myson’s.

And myex’s.

What thefuck?

I open my mouth. Closeit.

It probably takes me a full minute before I can say anything. “Charlotte?” I’m so shocked, I almost drop Asher. “What the hell are you doinghere?”

She flinches like I’ve slapped her, and I’m suddenly so fucking mad at her for how she disappeared, I can barelybreathe.

How does your best friend of five years up and leave without a word? Why couldn’t she tell me what was going on? Leave me a message. Something. Anything. Even if it was to tell me to fuckoff.

When she doesn’t say anything, I turn to leave. I can’t dothis.

“Wait! Jake, wait. Please.” The pleading in her voice makes mefreeze.

In the back of my mind, I hear my grandmother.Ten paciencia, mijo.Bepatient.

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