Page 72 of Second Down Darling

At least he hasn’t snooped into my past. Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard onhim.

I ask him about the bonfire, and he prattles on and on about his night. At least it gets his focus offme.

Getting into a beef with my QB is the last thing I need, so I force a smile while he tells me about some chick he hooked up withafterward.

I don’t know if I’m feeling energized from being with Charlotte, having her on the sidelines, or if I’m just clicking with my team, but I have one of the best games of my college career. It’s worth every second I had to hold my tongue with Ezra in the lockerroom.

As soon as the game’s over, one of the team’s press coordinators corrals me to the side to beinterviewed.

A tall brunette with a media lanyard smiles at me as she talks into the mic. “Jake, you had twenty-nine carries, three touchdowns, and an impressive two hundred and thirty rushing yards. You were unstoppable out there. What was going through your mind this afternoon?” She angles the mic towardme.

“I just want to give my best every game, and the stars aligned today. Coach got us pumped up with a bonfire last night, and my teammates played their hearts out. I’m grateful I got to be a part ofit.”

“This is your fourth game with over a hundred rushing yards. ESPN is calling you one of the rising stars of collegefootball.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Charlie and smile. “Honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started. The Broncos have set me up for success, and I plan to take advantage ofthat.”

The press conference afterward isn’t quite as easy to maneuver. Especially when a reporter asks about myson.

I’m debating how to answer when Coach puts his hand on my shoulder and responds. “Jacob Ramirez is a top-notch athlete who’s juggling D1 football while raising a son as a single father. Many of you already know this. However, I’ve instructed him to keep comments to football to maintain his privacy. I hope you’ll respectthat.”

I love this man. Kinda wish he was myfather.

The reporter completely ignores Coach. “Jake, what about your ex, Dakota Darling? Is she in your son’s life at all? And do you have any comment about her new show? Are you nervous about this week’s episode ofThe Hot House? They’re supposed to be digging into her past with herexes.”

Before Coach can intercede, I lean forward. “I have no comment about her show, but I wish her thebest.”

Coach nods like he’s happy with my answer. I’ve been prepping that response since I heard about that damnshow.

There’s no way I’ll address whether Dakota is involved with Asher because that’s opening up a can ofworms.

It isn’t until I’m in the locker room and taking a shower that I begin to process what that guy said about how the show will talk about her pastrelationships.

And then I say a prayer Dakota doesn’t fuck up mylife.

But tonight isn’t about my ex. It’s about my beautiful, sweet girlfriend Charlotte and taking her to the homecoming dance like I should’ve done in highschool.

27

CHARLOTTE

Nervously,I pat down my dress. It’s another slinky number out of Roxy’s closet. I’m not used to putting this much skin on display, but she swore it would make me feel sexy. She’s notwrong.

“Damn, girl.” Billy yanks me into a bear hug, and I laugh. “Your boy is gonna go all caveman when he seesyou.”

Feeling my face heat, I laughawkwardly.

I don’t know that I’d call Jakemyboy.

After the game, Roxy and I booked it back to my place so we could get ready. The guys always have to deal with the media before they hit the showers, so I told Jake I’d meet him at the homecoming dance, which is being held in the ballroom of a swanky newhotel.

After Billy lets me go, Roxy hooks her arm into mine. “Told ya you’d look hot inthat.”

“Thanks for playing fairy godmother, Rox. I love this outfit.” The hot pink halter dress ties behind my neck and leaves my back exposed. That’s the one benefit to having a modest chest. I don’t need a bra, but I am wearing nude-colored pasties on my nipples in case I take photos because the flash might make this fabric see-through.

Not only did Roxy let me borrow another outfit, she also did my makeup. We’re talking lashes and lip liner and base that she patted carefully on my face with a sponge and made my skin look flawless. I’ve never been one for making too much of a fuss when it comes to makeup, but I have to admit I had fun getting ready with Roxy tonight and love the finalresult.

I’m anxiously eyeing the entrance. I don’t know why I’m nervous. Actually, I’m a strange mix of nerves and excitement. I freaking live with the man, but at the thought of seeing him again after what we did lastnight…

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