Page 39 of Second Down Darling

I’m about to spin her around when she starts to cough. That drops the smile from myface.

I slide her to the floor gently and pat her back. “Sorry. Are youokay?”

Her head turns up to me. She barely comes up to my chin. We’re so close, I can see those gorgeous amber flecks in her eyes. “Yeah. Just need something todrink.”

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and open it for her. She takes a few sips and nods. “See, I’m okay. And I’ll do another breathing treatment beforebed.”

Seeing her out of breath reminds me of how much she’s been through. How I almost losther.

I rake my fingers through my hair. “Charlie, I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while, since I drove you home that night, but I’m sorry for the way I treated you at the park. I get it now. I get why you did what you did, and I’m pissed at myself for not being more sensitive when we were at NTU. You did so much shit for me and Asher.” And for Dakota, but I don’t want to say her name. “I don’t think I ever really thanked you for beingamazing.”

My throat gets tight when I think about that fire. It could’ve killed her, and I’d never get another chance to tell Charlotte what she means to me and how much I’ve always treasured ourfriendship.

“For the record, if I’d had your number, if I’d gotten that letter, I would’ve called.” Her eyes get teary, and I hook my pinky into hers. “Just wanted you to know I’ve missed you and I’m really glad you’re staying with us. Maybe this will give me a chance to kick your ass at chessagain.”

She blinks, her eyes still misty. But she cracks a smile as her pinky squeezes mine. “You wish,sucker.”

I chuckle and pull her into my arms. Holding her feels like coming home. I kiss the top of her head and whisper, “Get ready to lose,cupcake.”

15

CHARLOTTE

Roxy clasps her hands excitedly.“You’re going to love me when you hear mynews.”

“I already love you,” I mutter as I squint at the computer screen. We’re in the bowels of the communication building, down in the photojournalism lab. With a few clicks I burn in an underexposed portion of the image until I can clearly read “Lone Star State Baseball” on the athlete’s t-shirt.

She ducks her head next to mine. “Ohhh. He’shot.”

The guy holding the German shepherd and staring into the camera is attractive, but he doesn’t give mebutterflies.

Unlike my current roommate, who runs around the apartment shirtless and gives me heartpalpitations.

On one hand, living with Jake is like being on a perpetual high. Seeing him rumpled first thing in the morning when he snuggles Asher is my personalcatnip.

On the other, it’s also my personal hell. Because as sweet and accommodating as Jake is, he can never bemine.

The closer we get to the airing of my sister’s new reality show, the more afraid I am she’s going to say something to humiliate me or Jake. The first episode is three days away. Pretty sure I’m going to have an ulcer by the time theseason isover.

Needing to get out of my head, I swivel my chair to look at Roxy. “Tell me what’s goingon.”

“I found a camera you canuse.”

I sit up straight. “Are youserious?”

“It has some strings attached, so hear me out before you get too excited. It belongs to the athletic department. The new athletic director wants a student to shoot the football games so he has content for his newsletter and whatnot. He has a camera and some pretty awesome lenses you could use. Plus, I’m guessing the school newspaper might be interested in those too. AD Armstrong said that was fine as long as he got first pick of thoseimages.”

My shoulders slump. “Rox, I’ve never shot sports. That’s a whole genre. I’m used to setting up shoots and making sure the lighting is good. I’m more of a human-interest photographer. You know, the man on the street or that stray cat sitting in someone’s backyard. Football is really unpredictable andfast.”

“Think of it as a challenge. You said you needed a camera. Well, I found youone.”

She’s right. I can’t do any of my photojournalism assignments if I don’t get some equipmentASAP.

“Do you think Mr. Armstrong would let me do a trial run? And if he’s not happy with my shots, I can just return theequipment?”

She gives me a look. “Charlotte Darling, look at your work.” She points at the monitor. “You’re amazing. Own it, girl. I mean, sure, you can return the equipment if you bomb, but come on. You’re not going to screw up. You’re too conscientious. Besides, he took one look at your online portfolio and said you have the gig if you wantit.”

By the time I get home later that night, I’m so excited to talk to Jake about this opportunity, I’m practicallylevitating.

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