Page 1 of Second Down Darling

Prologue

CHARLOTTE

“Jake, do you want—?”I stumble in the doorway of the baby’sroom.

“Shh.” Jake Ramirez, my best friend, local football god, and the object of all my high school fantasies, shoots me a boyish grin as he drags a finger over his sleeping son’s perfect nose. Asher, his almost-one-year-old, is sprawled across his father’s bare chest. “Just got him tosleep.”

“Sorry!” I whisper, desperately trying to ignore how handsome Jake looks. His dark hair is in disarray, damp from the shower he took when he got home. The muscles in his shoulders bulge enticingly as he cradles Asher, but it’s the sweet, soft look in his beautiful brown eyes as he stares at his baby that really does it forme.

No, Charlotte Darling. We do not ogle thisman!

When I can’t remember why I came into the nursery, I scramble to say the first thing that comes to mind. “How did your econ examgo?”

“Great. Those flashcards you helped me make did the trick. You’re agenius.”

His compliment makes me jittery like I’m on a sugar high. I finally remember the question that prompted me to search him out. “I’m making sandwiches. Do you wantone?”

“Thanks, Charlie. You’re the best.” His smile goes crooked, and my heart batters my ribcage.

No, I’m not the best. I’m actually the worst person on the planet, and I’m likely going tohell.

Or maybe I’m already inhell.

Because the thoughts in my head are so, sowrong.

For a flash, for just a second, I’m staring atmyboyfriend.

Who’s cradlingmybaby.

And not mysister’s.

I shake my head, ashamed and embarrassed. Thank God no one can hear what I’m thinking or I’d have to move toBolivia.

It was so easy to fall for the charming, epically handsome JakeRamirez.

With dark, soulful eyes, a smile punctuated by dimples, and a body like a Greek god, Jake has been my quiet obsession foryears.

To be fair, he was my friendfirst.

My best friend. The reason I got up in the morning and dragged myself to highschool.

But that was before he met Kota at a party our senior year, and everythingchanged.

My stunningly gorgeous older sibling sidles up to me and lets out a huff of annoyance when she sees Jake. “Are you seriously still trying to get him tobed?”

The baby jerks awake at the shrill sound of his mother’s voice, and Jake glares at her. “I’m doing my best here,Dakota.”

“But does it really need to take an hour? I’ve barely seen you this week. I thought shit was supposed to get easier once football season ended. The second semester is almost over, and if anything, you’ve beenbusier.”

Actually, Jake’s been around quite a bit, but if I butt in, she’ll bite my headoff.

His nostrils flare as he whispers harshly over Asher’s head. “Just because we don’t have games doesn’t mean I can sit on my ass. I’ve explained this. I still have daily conditioning, a heavy class schedule to make up for the easy one I had last fall due to football, physical therapy on my shoulder,finals…”

As their voices get louder, I tiptoe out of the room and distract myself by making ham and cheesesandwiches.

“Please don’t tell me you’re going to be a gym rat all summer!” My sister streaks out of the baby’s room and crosses the hall into their bedroom, slamming the door behind her. A minute later, Jake follows without the baby. It’s miraculous the kid isn’t wailing right now, but Jake is so good with him. I shouldn’t be surprised he was able to put him down despite theruckus.

I sigh. This is what they do. They bicker all day, but when the lights go out, they bang like the world is ending. Or at least that’s what my sister tells her friends. I make a point toneverspend the night. Because thevery last thingI want in this world is to know whether Jake and my sister fuck likefiends.

---