Page 83 of Second Down Darling

Evelyn gives me a patient smile. “Part of why she’s dredging up this sob story is for ratings so viewers continue to vote for her, and if you give in and react defensively, you’re playing right into herhands.”

Shit, she’sright.

Coach nods. “I know this is tough, Jake, but do it for me. Do it for the team. That’s why you came here, right? To play football? Well, it’s time to prove it.” He pauses. Clears his throat. “I know Charlotte is important to you, but I really think you two should cool it for a while. No reason to give the media more fodder thannecessary.”

What thefuck?

Stunned, I sit there, mute. Coach gets called out to talk to one of our physical therapists. Evelyn excusesherself.

And I wonder what the hell I’m gonnado.

I’d lovenothing more than to take a long drive until I get my head on straight, but I haven’t seen Asher all day. My stomach is in knots, though, as I debate what to tellCharlotte.

I can handle holding off on making a statement. Maybe. But the thought of separating from my girl for any amount of time is downrightpainful.

Until I figure out what to do, there’s no way I’m telling her about Coach’s suggestion to cool off our relationship. It’ll crush her. Especially since she’s also having to deal with those baseless accusations from hersister.

When I get home, Asher’s wearing PJs and sitting on the couch with Charlie, who’s reading him a book. Duke is curled at theirfeet.

“Hey, kiddo.” I drop all my shit by the door and stalk to my son. I drop to my haunches as he flings himself in myarms.

I never want to be one of those men who’s too cool or busy to show my kid affection. My dad wasn’t big on hugs, but my mom never missed an opportunity to show me and my brothers she lovedus.

I ask Ash a couple of questions about his day, and he rambles on about playing in the sand and making mudpies.

“What time did Yvette leave?” I ask Charlie, who’s staring at the dark TVscreen.

“An hour ago.” She looks down at her lap and tugs a loose string from hershorts.

“Did everything go okay with her?” I stand with Asher in my arms, worried by how quiet Charlotte isbeing.

She turns her red-rimmed eyes to me. “Yvette said she wasn’t surprised you picked my sister instead of me because Kota is the better-lookingsister.”

What the hell? “Why would she say something likethat?”

Her harsh laugh is something I’ve never heard before. “Uh, maybe because it’s true. Empirically, Kota is the more attractive of the two of us. She’s taller. Her boobs are bigger. Her nose is perfectly straight, and her teeth are perfectly white. Her hair looks like something out of a shampoo commercial—perfectly sleek and smooth. She’s the life of every party.” She waves her hand. “You know, all the reasons youactuallypickedher.”

Fuck.

Guess I deservedthat.

“You know that’s not true, right? You’re absolutely more beautiful thanDakota.”

She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Sure. Listen, I’m going to bed. Asher already brushed histeeth.”

It’s not even eight o’clock yet, but I have the feeling she wants to escape me right now, whichsucks.

Yeah, I’m definitely not mentioning what Coachsaid.

Except now she’s thrown down the gauntlet. There’s no way I can let her go to sleep thinking I find my ex more attractive than her. It’s simply nottrue.

After I get Asher to sleep, I gently knock on her door. When I don’t hear anything, I crack it open. I don’t want to wake her, but I can’t leave so many things unsaid betweenus.

My mom always tells me and my brothers not to go to sleep mad at your significant other. I think it’s a lesson she learned from shit going south with myfather.

Charlotte’s room is quiet, and I’m about to sneak back out when I hear hersniffle.

Fuck it. I’m not letting her run away from me. Not thistime.

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