Page 41 of Second Down Darling

He wraps a strong arm around my shoulders and pulls me to his chest. “Glad you’re okay,cupcake.”

I chuckle at the nickname. He hasn’t called me that since high school when he stole my mini-cupcakes to explain how the team’s new offense worked to one of the freshmen. Funny that he started using it again when I movedin.

We sit on the couch as coverage cuts to last weekend’s press conference where Jake stoically sits next to Coach Santos and answersquestions.

“Jake, can you tell us about the female you rescued? Was that your girlfriend?” a reporterasks.

My heart pounds in my throat as I wait for his response. This is the first time I’m seeing his post-gameinterview.

“Charlotte is a friend of mine from high school. We had English together. She sometimes kicks my butt in chess, but I’ll deny she’s better than Iam.”

Everyone laughs, and Ichuckle.

“Was that herdog?”

“Duke is the dog Charlotte is fostering from Second Chances Animal Rescue in Charming. They do amazing work. In fact, they need help keeping their doors open. If you’re looking for a great organization, they could use the donations. I’m hoping to volunteer there in the off-season.”

I turn to look at him. “Really? You want tovolunteer?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t just bullshit to lookgood.”

His expression is so sincere, I want to kiss him. Especially when he asks if we can make up that photoshoot that he bailedon.

“As a matter of fact, I just got my hands on a new camera, so yes, we can definitely do thatshoot.”

Duke trots over and sits between our legs. I reach down and scratch behind his ear as I explain how Roxy talked to the athletic director forme.

“I plan to tell him if he’s not happy with my shots from the next game, he can find someoneelse.”

“He’s gonna love your work.” Jake gives me a proud smile. “That’s awesome.” But then he gets that furrow between his brows. “Just be careful on the sidelines. I’ve seen more than one cameraperson get mowedover.”

Highlights from his game against Kansas start playing, and I whistle. “Look at you, studmuffin. Forty-five-yard carry on that touchdown.” I hold up my hand and we high-five eachother.

He has that cocky grin I love. “Kinda feel like I’m getting my mojo back, which is a huge fucking relief. You have no idea how much my last two seasons at NTU sucked. Unless you Googled me. Maybe you doknow.”

I shake my head. “Sorry, I didn’t follow football when I moved downhere.”

Leaning forward, he drops his head into his hands. His voice gets quiet. “Did you know Dakota was sleeping withTroy?”

“Shut up.” My eyes bug out.Troy Snyder?“As in your old quarterback? Weren’t you guys bestbuds?”

He nods. “Until I found him fucking your sister in mybed.”

Yikes.

That had to hurt. But knowing Dakota, I’m not surprised. She goes after what she wants, damn theconsequences.

If I had to guess, she probably wanted to place equal bets on the guys she thought would be drafted. Whoa, that’scynical.

“How long did that goon?”

His jaw goes tight. “Almost the whole time we were at NTU, based on their texts. I unapologetically went through her phone when she swore it was ‘only one time.’” He tells me he grabbed her phone, locked himself in the bathroom, and went through theirmessages.

“That was quickthinking.”

“She was always on her damn phone. It used to bother me. She’d be smiling at the screen but swore she was talking to one of her girlfriends. Basically our whole relationship was a lie. I feel like the biggest dumbass for trustingher.”

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I would’ve told you if I knew.” Now that I think back to our freshman year, shewassuper secretive with her phone. I assumed she was sexting Jake and being coy aboutit.

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