Page 38 of Second Down Darling

I hold out my hand and dry the next dish when she finishes washing it. “Stay as long as you need. Ash and I are happy to haveyou.”

She’s quiet for a long stretch, but she’s tense and keeps glancing at me. Finally, she takes a deep breath. “When, uh, when is Dakota coming by to see Asher? I just want to know so I can make myselfscarce.”

I’m a little shocked at the question. I don’t know why. She told me she didn’t talk to her family, but I didn’t realize she’d gone completely no contact. “Dakota doesn’t visit. Especially not now with her newshow.”

Charlie pauses washing a glass to look at me, her brows pulled together. “Ever?”

“Ever. She basically abandoned Asher to go ‘find herself’ and audition in LA. She gave me full custody two years ago if I agreed she didn’t owe me any childsupport.”

“Wow. Okay, so sheneverseesAsh?”

“Never.” I clench my jaw at the thought Dakota could be soheartless.

“That’s crazy. And my mom was okay withthis?”

“She’s the one who said Dakota would sign anything if it meant your family didn’t have to pay childsupport.”

“Oh, Jake. I’m so sorry. That’sterrible.”

Charlie’s slender arms immediately wrap around my waist. I rest my chin on the top of her head. “We’re getting by. It’sokay.”

“It shouldn’t be like this. You shouldn’t have to do thisalone.”

I think about that a lot. What raising a kid would be like with a real partner. Someone who always had my back. It’s obviously a pipe dream. I’d need time to find and date this hypothetical person, which I don’t see happening in the foreseeablefuture.

Charlie lets go of me and gives me a sympathetic smile as she turns to the sink. “What kind of show did sheland?”

“The Hot House. It’s a reality show. Starts airing nextweek.”

“Oh God.” Her shoulders slump. “What are the odds she won’t drag us into herdrama?”

If I know Dakota, slim to none, but I don’t want to freak out Charlie. She’s had a rough week, and the truth is anything is possible, so why not be optimistic? “We’re not in her life. She probably doesn’t even think about usanymore.”

Her head tilts. “That’s kinda sad, but also the best possible outcome if it keeps us out of her dumbshow.”

We continue washing dishes. I finally nudge her and ask her the question that’s been on my mind since Roxy left. “You gonna tell me why you need practiceflirting?”

Her neck turns red and she sputters. “Just… I’m terrible at it. Guys never know I’m interested in them because my whole face goes blank. Some girls have resting bitch face. I have disinterested bitchface.”

I’d laugh, but something about what she describes reminds me of all those times we had class together in high school and I’d catch her looking at me. But she never gave off interested vibes. And yet she just told me she left NTU because she had feelings for me.How far back do those feelingsgo?

But I guess… yeah, she should work onthat.

“You are pretty bad at flirting.” I nudge her again, and her mouth dropsopen.

“That’s mean. You’re supposed to say, ‘Aww, Charlotte, you’re not that bad.’” She flicks me with soapywater.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” I get a scoop of bubbles and fling them at her. They smack her in her neck andchest.

She squeals and pulls her white t-shirt away from her chest where her nipples pebble. I look away as soon as I realize I’m checking her out. But it’s hard to forget those perfect breasts. Round. Perky. Just the rightsize.

Don’t think about her that way. She’s your friend,asshole.

“I’m gonna get you back for that.” With a cup of water in hand, she growls. I laugh and take off around thecounter.

When her arm pulls back, I cut in the other direction. Water goes flying, but it misses me. Spotting an opening, I charge at her, hoisting her over myshoulder.

She laughs as she pounds on my back with her little fists. “Put me down right this instant, yousavage.”

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