Page 80 of Second Down Darling

The entire time she talks, the shrink takes notes. “Now, I just want to note that you were both eighteen at thetime.”

Actually, I was seventeen, and Dakota was almost nineteen because she got held back a year when she was young, but she always lies about it even though seventeen is the age of consent in Texas. Guess she didn’t like the optics of dating a youngerguy.

She nods. “Unfortunately, the condom broke that night. In some ways I wasn’t surprised because of his size…”Christ. What the hell is wrong with her? Why would she say that on national television? “I took the morning-after pill, but it didn’t work. Nine months later I had my son, Asher, who’s the light of mylife.”

Sure. The light of her life she hasn’t seen in twoyears.

Dr. Fields nods. “If I understand correctly, Jake got custody ofhim.”

She sniffles and wipes her eyes again, but her chin wobbles. “I can’t discuss the details due to an NDA, but I had some personal problems I was working through and thought that was best at the time. It’s a decision I regret everyday.”

I roll my eyes.Está loca.She’s crazy. She mademesign an NDA, not the other wayaround.

“Why do you think things between you and Jake didn’t work out?” the therapistasks.

Her chin wobbles again and her voice cracks. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because there was always a third person in ourrelationship.”

I’m shocked she’s going to admit to sleeping with Troy almost our entire time at NTU—more than half of our relationship—but I’d love for that to come to light. Maybe then people will realize what I was dealing with while I playedthere.

“Can you tell me who that was?” Dr. Fieldsasks.

She nods as tears stream down her face. “This is really messed up, but it was mysister.”

What. The.Fuck.

31

CHARLOTTE

I’m tuckedin the far corner of the computer lab where I hope I’ll be left alone. I don’t know if I’m being paranoid, but I could’ve sworn people were staring at me all day. It was something I’d gotten used to at NTU because Kota was always posting things, and sometimes I’d end up in her footage or pics. I’ve loved having some privacy at Lone Star State, and I hope this is all in myhead.

I’m still seething from last night’s episode. Kota has the nerve to blame me? The episode ended with her telling the entire world thatI’mthe reason she and Jake broke up. No mention of her sleeping with his teammate or partying hard every weekend or treating Jake likecrap.

The season isn’t even over yet. How much more will sheunload?

My mom must be loving this stupid show. If I had to guess, she thinks I deserve whatever public humiliation Dakota levels at me. Because without me, one of them had to step up and actually take care of Asher. Which, according to Jake, they blew off once he broke up with mysister.

What’s that saying? Birds of a feather? My mom and Kota are both spoiledbrats.

It’s probably no surprise they’re supertight.

They were always whispering, always keeping things from me. Always hoarding secrets I wasn’t privy to. Always making me feel like a third wheel in my own freakingfamily.

God, I hate cliffhangers. Even more so now when I’m the one being hung out todry.

My phone buzzes for the third time, but I ignore it and focus on the images on the computerscreen.

“You gonna get that?” Billy asks as he plops down in the cubicle next tome.

“Nope.” A part of me feels guilty for avoiding Jake, but I need some time to think. We live together, so I’ll see himtonight.

After I show Billy the shots from last weekend’s game, I drag everything I think his grandma might want onto a drive, which I pop out and give to him. “Here yougo.”

“Thanks. Those images are prettydope.”

“Hope your granny likesthem.”

He dips his head until our eyes connect. “You okay? Last night’s episode wasrough.”

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