Page 81 of Second Down Darling

My stomach tightens. “I’m used to Kota doing this kind ofcrap.”

Why I couldn’t see how she would twist things around when we were younger makes me feel like a complete idiot. It’s so clear to menow.

Billy clears his throat. “You know Jake doesn’t have any feelings for her, right? They were a hookup gonewrong.”

My eyes flood and the words rush out of me. “He and I hadthree yearsbefore he met Dakota. It took himone nightto sleep with her.” I shake my head. “I know I can’t hold the past against him. We weren’t together then, but it still hurts to hear thedetails.”

Yes, Jake swore up and down things weren’t like what Kota described, and while I believe him, I also know he was taken enough with my sister at the time to sleep with her. At the end of the day, that’s all thatmatters.

Billy scratches his bristly jaw. “I have a theory about this. Did you know I used to play quarterback in highschool?”

I have no idea where he’s going with this. “Don’t you play defensenow?”

“Yeah, but being QB is in my blood ’cause that’s the position my father played. And yes, I’m a huge disappointment to him. Anyway, the reason I brought this up is because a lot of times, a quarterback will test the waters on the first down. He’ll see what the defense brings to the table. He’s not really gunning for a touchdown yet. He’s warming up and getting a feel for the other team, but on the second down, he’s serious. He’s looking for the big play.” Billy points at me. “You’re the big play. You’re the seconddown.”

I blink, still trying to make sense of his analogy. “You’re saying that Jake wasn’t serious about Dakota, but he is withme?”

He snaps his fingers. “Precisely.”

I wish I could take this to heart, but Billy wasn’t there. He didn’t see how committed Jake was to my sister. Sure, things weren’t ideal. He was under a lot of pressure. They’d just had Asher and his football schedule was intense, but I never got the impression that he wasn’t trying his best to make itwork.

Billy reaches over the desk and picks up a copy ofThe Bronco Times. “Is this your pic on the frontpage?”

I nod, and the first smile I’ve had all day finally emerges. I’m damn proud of thatphoto.

He whistles. “Pretty hotstuff.”

It’s an action shot of Jake stretched out as he reaches for the football in the end zone. The ball, which he pulls in for a touchdown, grazes his fingertips. I’d gotten lucky and positioned myself in a good spot. I’ve been watching where the other sports photographers shoot from and how they move around the field and trying to emulate that, which helped me snag thatimage.

While Billy starts talking about a party he went to, I click over to the calendar spread for the shelter. It’s all done except for the one slot I’d been hoping Jake would fill. Only a photoshoot with him is the last thing I feel like scheduling thisweek.

Not that I think last night’s episode is the end for us. I don’t. I’m just upset because I thought I was done having to deal with the past. It hurt enough living through it the first time. The last thing I want to do is watch it replayed for the world to see. I’d been hoping I could skipThe Hot Housealtogether, but maybe that’s naive because it leaves me with a huge blindspot.

“Can I get a copy of the calendar too?” Billy asks as I email a PDF proof to Merle with an explanation that I’ll get the final image placed by theweekend.

“I’m getting two complimentary copies for all the models. I just spoke to the printer the other day. I should have these ready by the first week ofDecember.”

The best part is the school offered to pay for the printing since I’m featuring Bronco athletes, so all the proceeds can go to SecondChances.

As soon as Billy takes off, my phone buzzes again, and I see Jake’s name on the caller ID. With a sigh, Ianswer.

“Hey, you okay?” he asks. “Been trying to reach you. I have twenty minutes before I need to head topractice.”

“I’mfine.”

He’s quiet for a second. “I don’t know much about women, but my brothers always say that when a girl says she’s fine, she’snot.”

I nibble my bottom lip. “There’s some truth to that. I’m just… I’m having a hard time. It’s nothing you need to worry about,though.”

“Charlotte, we’re a team. I’m still pissed about the episode last night, but we’re stronger if we weather this together. Talk tome.”

He has apoint.

I glance around to make sure no one is close enough to overhear my conversation. “I don’t want to relive the past, Jake. If the roles were reversed, would you want to hear how I jumped into bed with another man ten minutes after we met when I’d friend-zoned you foryears?”

He curses under his breath. “Of course not, cupcake. I’m so sorry. I know I can’t apologize enough for that. And for the record, I never deliberately friend-zoned you. Everything she said last night was full of half-truths.”

I get it. I do. “Can we discuss something else? Have you touched base with Coach Santosyet?”

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