Page 17 of Second Down Darling

“It’s just… I needed somespace.”

I wait for the rest, because what the hell does that mean? But when she doesn’t say anything, I let out another unamused laugh. Un-fucking-believable. “So you take off, change your number, and ghost everyone you know because youneeded space. Totally reasonable. And you’ve been here the wholetime?”

She looks down. “Yeah.”

Coach Santos always says we have to talk through things. That not bottling up our feelings when we’re butthurt is the key to working through ourissues.

But after this conversation, I sure as shit don’t feelbetter.

Roxy trots up to us. “Sorry to interrupt, Charlie, but we’d better finish our shoot before we lose the good light. Plus, some of the dogs are gettingrestless.”

Asher grabs my face. “Puppydogs?”

“Yeah, bud. Puppy dogs.” Damn, as much as I wanna bail, I promised the kid. I turn to Charlie. “Can I show Asher theanimals?”

She nods, her eyes lighting up. “Sure. Ofcourse.”

“We won’t be staying, though. Hope you have someone else you canshoot.”

That light dims, and once again, I feel like a dick, but what the hell am I supposed to do? Sit there and smile for the camera like an asshole? Pretend Charlotte didn’t torpedo our friendship because sheneededspace?

Roxy looks back and forth between us before she frowns and wraps her arm around Charlie. As they’re walking back to the others, Roxy yells over her shoulder. “No worries, dude. The baseball team is coming next weekend. We’ll be rolling in hot guys. We don’t needyou.”

That’s when I remember who I’m dealingwith.

Coach’sdaughter.

Damn, I hope I didn’t screw myself by bailing onthis.

6

CHARLOTTE

I’m so shaken,I can barely hold the camera. Roxy steps up to me and whispers in my ear, “You’re doing great. This is the last guy for theday.”

I nod, grateful to have Roxy. I try to focus on Cameron and the bulldog he’s holding, but it’s tough to concentrate. Somehow I manage to get through the shoot. In a daze, I thank him and Billy, who nudges me with his elbow. “Wanna grab a bite to eat when you’re donehere?”

After chugging some water, I roll my eyes. “That’s an improvement. Usually you just ask if I wanna bang.” I wipe the sweat off my forehead. I’m exhausted. Hungry. Embarrassed. No,humiliated.

Because even though Jake tried to keep our discussion from prying eyes, I get the impression everyone working on the calendar heard us talking—cheerleaders, football players, bystanders at thepark.

Billy hums. “Just thought you could use a pick-me-upafter…”

I appreciate him not spelling out what he witnessed. “Billy, are you trying to be nice?” He and Cam used to rent rooms from my friend Maggie because she has a huge house, so I got to know them a little over the summer. Billy’s attractive with dirty blond hair, scruff along his chin, and several intricate tattoos along his muscular arms. He’s a decent guy, but a total horndog. And if the rumors are true, he and Cam sometimes tag-team their dates, which will never be my scene. I’m a one-guy kind of girl. Not that I’ve ever had aguy.

Billy chuckles. “I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. Take girls out instead of just asking if they wanna fuck. Besides, I told Maggie I’d keep an eye out for you. Keep your cute ass out oftrouble.”

“I still won’t sleep with you.” Despite my better judgment, I turn to where Jake and Asher are playing on the jungle gym on the other side of the park. It hurts to know Asher doesn’t remember me, but what did I expect? He was a baby the last time I sawhim.

“Really don’t want Ramirez to beat the shit out of me, so I get it. That’s fine. But I’m starving, and I figure you are too. Cam and I want to take you and Rox out.” He holds out his hands. “Just as friends. Iswear.”

“Trust me, Jake won’t care.” It’s like we were never friends. My eyes sting, but I can’t be upset with him. I did this to myself. I was too chicken to tell him how I felt in high school, and I only compounded everything when I left NTU without talking to himfirst.

“I don’t know about that.” Billy’s voice lowers. “Aww, hell, Chuck. Don’tcry.”

I sniffle and blink several times. “I’m not crying. It’sallergies.”

Jake stops playing with Asher to glance over at us, and my heart sinks at the cold expression on his face. There are icebergs in the Arctic warmer than the look he givesme.

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