Page 33 of Second Down Darling

Closing my eyes, I flop back in bed, disgusted, but I really must be messed up because the motion makes my lungshurt.

“Uh, thanks. I’ll call you. Maybe we can set up some time later thisweek.”

I wave my hand at them. “Can y’all go set up your date somewhereelse?”

The room goes silent, and I crack open an eye just in time to see a flush creep up Jake’s face. “Matilda offered to babysit. That’sall.”

It might’ve started as an offer to babysit, but based on the way she’s checking him out right now, that’s not the only thing on her mind. “Whatever. Just do whatever you’re doing in the hall.” I curl up on my side, which makes it difficult to breathe, but I can’t stand to watch this go down right under mynose.

They step out of my room, and the ache in my chest grows. When will I learn? Just because a man pulls you out of a burning building or drives you home late at night doesn’t mean he’s in love with you. It means he doesn’t want you to die. Bigdifference.

The door creaks open again, and Jake clears his throat behind me. “That really was aboutbabysitting.”

“Not my business.” I pull the blankets up closer to my chin. “Thanks for saving me, Jake. I’m gonna nap now.” I’m sure I sound ungrateful. I don’t mean to be, but my emotions are all over the place, and I’m afraid I’ll start blubberingagain.

“Everything will work out, Charlotte. You’llsee.”

I don’t have an apartment, my cat died, all of my possessions went up in flames, and I have no way to supportmyself.

Sure, everything will beokay.

13

CHARLOTTE

As we waitin the drive-thru of a burger joint, Roxy shakes her head. “Just think. All those times we smelled potpourri wafting from downstairs foreshadowed our fierydemise.”

“Roxy! Don’t talk likethat.”

“I’m just mad. Things could’ve gone so differently that night. All because of that girl’s dumb electric potpourriwarmer.”

Roxy’s dad spoke with the fire department this morning and confirmed the cause of theblaze.

“I know what you mean, but she didn’t do it on purpose. I’m just grateful no one got injured.” Roxy gives me a look when I cough, and I wheeze out, “You know, besides me.” I grab my inhaler and take apuff.

Despite feeling a little crappy still, I’m grateful to be alive. To not be hooked up to any more machines or prodded by nurses all night, checking myvitals.

After Roxy gets our order, she hands me themilkshake.

I take a sip. “This is so good. It’s been a million years since I’ve had any decent food. Thankyou.”

She slurps her drink as she pays through her window. “I’m trying to butter youup.”

“Why do I need to be butteredup?”

We head out of the parking lot. “Remember I told you I have a place where you canstay?”

“Yes, and I’m so thankful. I hope it doesn’t bother your parents to have me crash in their pool house.” She suggested it yesterday, and while I’m not crazy about staying with Coach Santos and his family, I know it’ll be a safeplace.

When she doesn’t say anything, I turn to look ather.

“Well, about that…” She gets really focused on her driving, but I already know it’s badnews.

Bummer. I knew it was too good to be true. “Don’t worry about it. I knew this was a long shot. Who wants a stranger and her rescue dog living in their poolhouse?”

“It’s not that. Usually my parents would be cool with it, but after I moved out, they decided to renovate everything back there because there was a plumbing issue. I hadn’t been home since I moved in with you, so I had noidea.”

“It’s okay. Iunderstand.”

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