Page 102 of Love at Second Down

“I know,” I say with a nod. By now, I’m used to his lectures on discipline.

“No trouble.” He points at me. “No complications. Nothing that might derail what you’ve built.”

“Dad, I get it.”

“Just making sure.” He holds his hands up, his smile tight. “You’ve worked too hard to let anything—or anyone—stand in your way.”

This is about Avery again.

“I understand you having some reservations about my relationship with Avery,” I say, shifting in my seat. “But I’m happy now. I thought you’d want that.”

“Of course I do. It’s just that timing is everything. And right now, your time needs to be focused on your career.” My father pauses to hand the waiter the check and his card, picking right back up where he left off once he’s gone. “The NFL is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Relationships come and go.”

“Not this one,” I say with the shake of my head. “I know you don’t get it, but you just have to trust me. This is what I want. It’s what I’ve always wanted, so you need to let it drop.”

My father’s throat bobs, his eyes hardening. “I’m just looking out for you, Damon. That’s what fathers do.”

“I know, and I appreciate it, but there’s no need.”

Dad studies me for a long moment, then gives a short nod, more out of resignation than agreement. The silence that follows is heavy—less comfortable than before, and more final.

As we step out into the cool night air, I’m hit with the quiet certainty that this conversation isn’t over. Not really. It’s just been paused, filed away for the next time he thinks I need reminding of what’s at stake.

And maybe he’s right. Maybe there is something to lose.

But for the first time in a long time, I know exactly what I’m willing to risk it for.

CHAPTER 31

AVERY

I wake early the next morning, wanting to get a jump-start on packing my bags before I meet Damon for breakfast. The girls and I have a flight out this afternoon, and while our time herewas incredible, I’m more than a little excited to return to AAU where I can experience campus life on Damon’s arm.

That is, if he still wants me after his night out with his father.

By now, Vinny must know we’re back together. Even if he hadn’t known about my transfer to AAU, I have no doubt Damon mentioned me at dinner, and if my mother was telling the truth, what will he think when he finds out we’re back together? Will he try and convince Damon he’s better off without me? Will he go to the press with everything he knows?

I shake my head, not wanting to get ahead of myself. Chances are my mother is exaggerating the truth. This is a power play—just another way to control me, to get what they want. And what they want is for me to return to Harvard.

But what if she’s not lying? What if she’s telling the truth?

The niggling thought picks at my brain. After I got off the phone with my mother, I’d researched the collapse, cross-referencing the list of victims with the NFL commissioner’s last name, but I couldn’t find a match. The only way she was among the dead is if she’d taken another surname name?something which is not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

I lift the pajamas I changed out of just this morning and press them to my nose, remembering my night with Damon. The silk still smells like him—like cedar and spice—and it makes my heart clench.

Placing them inside with the rest of my clothes, I zip my carry-on shut, then head out into the living room, keeping quiet so as not to wake the girls. They got in late last night, and I expect they won’t wake for another couple of hours.

Sliding my phone from my pocket, I check for any texts from Damon, but it’s still early, and I’m disappointed, only to hear a knock on the door a minute later.

With a giant smile, I cross the room and swing the door open, sure it must be him. “Look who’s up—” The words die on my lips,and my mouth clamps shut at the sight of Vinny Huhn hovering in the doorway to my suite.

“I’m guessing I’m not who you were expecting,” he says, a dark glint in his eyes that chills my bones.

A prickle of unease creeps up my spine. Stepping closer, I search the hallway for signs of Damon but find none. He’d told me his father was staying at a different hotel nearby. “How did you get up here?”

Vinny raises his hand, a key card clenched tight in his grip. “Some people are really careless with these things.”

Did he take Damon’s or find someone else’s?

---