Page 48 of Second Down Darling

He’s quiet for a moment. “So, um, you still going on a date with KyleGreen?”

“Thursday night.” I turn my face up to look at him. Does this bother him at all? That I’m going out with another guy? Roxy set it up the other evening, and I didn’t want to chicken out, but if Jake gave me any indication at all that he cared about me like that, I’d bail in aheartbeat.

But hedoesn’t.

“Cool. Just wanted to make sure so I didn’t accidentally schedule you tobabysit.”

Inside, I deflate like a popped balloon. “What about you? Any hot dates set up?”Please sayno.

“Nah. Kinda have my hands full right now. Besides, when would I have time to goout?”

Thank the good Lord forthat.

He nudges me. “Have you been practicing your flirtingskills?”

I snort. “What skills? Roxy told me to blink more so I don’t look like a serial killer.” Apparently, the only time I blink is if I’m taking aphoto.

“Oh, shit.” He laughs so hard, he has to stop and bendover.

“Please don’t tell me you think I look like a serial killer too,” I say. He won’t stop laughing. “Great. I’m destined to die a virgin,” Imumble.

His laughter fades and that crinkle forms between his brows as he straightens to his full height. “Wait. What? Did you say you’re avirgin?”

Damn. He heardme.

The astonished look on his face really bugs me. “Yes, okay. I’m a virgin, but guess what? It’s my senior year, and I’m tired of saving it for ‘some special guy’ who doesn’t fucking exist. This is my year to lose it. Maybe it’ll be with that hotshot baseball player I’m going out with this week. Who knows? Or maybe he’ll be the lucky guy.” I point to some rando walking by us, who startles as my hand waves near his face. “Sorry. I…sorry.”

Jesus, I sound hysterical, and when I catch a glimpse of the amusement on Jake’s face, I lose it all overagain.

“If you laugh again, I’m punching you in the nutsack.”

He holds out his hands while mirth dances in his eyes. “Calm down, cupcake. No nut punches necessary. I’m not laughing at you.” The asshole chuckles. “I’m merely laughing in your generalvicinity.”

“Shutup.”

After hooking an arm around my shoulders, he starts walking again. I roll alongside him with my arm around his waist and try to keep mybalance.

He clears his throat. “What’s wrong with waiting for someonespecial?”

“Jake, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m almost twenty-two. I’ve never had a boyfriend, I never go on dates, and I’ve never had sex. That’s all pretty sad in my book. Look, I was freakishly shy in high school and could never admit when I liked someone.” I want to yell,You’re the someone, dummy!And Billy doesn’t count because he was ‘practice.’ “Now that I’m not a total wallflower anymore, trailing behind my gorgeous celebrity sister like I’m invisible, I’d like to do the deed. Get it over already. Isn’t our generation all about the hookup culture? Well, I’m ready. Bring on thesex.”

I’ve watched porn. I’ve learned some moves. I nod and tell myself I’m notterrified.

Stopping, Jake turns me to face him. “What are you talking about? You’ve never beeninvisible.”

Says the guy who’s never reciprocated mylove.

“Let’s forget this conversation, okay? It’shumiliating.”

That large hand tips my chin up. “You never have to be embarrassed with me. You already know all of my dirty laundry.” He gives me one of those sweet smiles that made me fall in love with him when I wasfourteen.

He’s so close. With the way the sun is shining, his dark brown eyes turn the shade ofwhiskey.

What would happen if I leaned forward, pushed up on my toes, and kissed him? Admitted that I’ve been crushing on him for years? Admitted that my feelings for him never went away? Because he obviously thinks I got over him since I movedhere.

If he kissed me back, it would be amazing. I’m pretty sure fireworks would go off behind us like it’s the Fourth of July while a full symphony orchestra serenadedus.

But if hedidn’t?

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