Page 108 of Love at Second Down

“He loved football first,longbefore you ever entered the picture.”

My heart aches as his words take purchase, hitting their target. I want to say it’s not true, to insist his love for me?our love for each other?surpasses everything and anything else, but I can’t. The niggling seed of doubt in the back of my mind won’t let me. Because what if his father’s right? What if the truth came out and it killed his career? Would Damon come to resent me? How would he handle a life without football? Of knowing his dreams were ripped away from him because of something horriblemyfather did?

Was I naive to think love conquers all?

“He deserves to know,” I say, thinking back to the conversation I had with Damon after I told him the truth. “He deserves to make a choice for himself about what he wants. At least let me tell him. Let him choose.”

“That’s not an option.” Vinny shakes his head, his expression thunderous. “Because the one thing I’ve learned is that he’s afool when it comes to you. His judgment is clouded. He’s not thinking clearly, and I won’t allow him to make this mistake.”

“He’s twenty-one, not twelve,” I snap, hating the man standing before me.

Vinny heads for the door, brushing past me while my heart threatens to pound out of my chest.

Panic claws up my spine as I follow behind him, knowing I’ve lost. One way or the other, I’ll suffer the consequences of my father’s actions. “Don’t do this.”

“Keep this little meeting between us, and end it for good by the time he steps foot back on campus, and I won’t do anything. Your father’s secrets die with me.”

“And what if he chooses to stay?” I arch a brow, forcing my shoulders back and my voice steady. “What if you go to the authorities and Damon still chooses me?”

Something dark and ominous flickers through his eyes as he turns, his hand on the door. “Once the news breaks and he sees the writing on the wall, he’ll want to be as far away from you as possible.” A cruel smile coasts over his lips as he adds, “But if you care about him, if you really love him like you say you do, you’ll make the decision for him. You won’t let him risk everything he’s ever worked for.”

He’s manipulating you, trying to play the upper hand. When you decided to win Damon back, you knew this was a possibility. You knew the risks.

But not at his expense . . .

“You’ll do the right thing,” Vinny says, breaking through my thoughts. “Just like you did two and half years ago.”

Chapter 32

DAMON

Amonth ago, I would’ve thought it was impossible to be this happy.

A month ago, I could’ve only dreamed I’d win the National Championship.

A month ago, I thought love and happy endings didn’t exist.

But in the span of just a couple short weeks, all of that has changed.I’vechanged. My sharp edges have softened. The bitterness I’ve been living with for more than two years is gone?vanished.

I’m on top of the world when I wake and head toward the hotel restaurant for breakfast, stopping short in the lobby when I find her already waiting for me.

“Avery.” I pull her in, wrapping my arms around her in a giant bear hug. “God, I missed you.”

She chuckles into my chest before she pulls away. “I saw you just yesterday.”

“For, like, two seconds. And now I have so much to tell you,” I say when she reaches for my hands, and guides me to a nearby sofa. We sink down, shoulder to shoulder, and thighs touching with that familiar electric energy coursing between us.

“I have something to tell you, too. But you go first,” she says, giving my fingers a squeeze.

“The Patriots reached out to Coach. They were asking him if I thought about putting in for the draft early.”

Her eyes widen, the golden flecks glowing with the news. “That’s . . . amazing.”

I nod. “If that wasn’t crazy enough, I went back to my room and put on ESPN, and they were talking about it too, like my spot in the NFL is a given.”

“That’s amazing, Damon. Congratulations. You’ve earned it, and so much more.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. And for the first time since I spotted her in the lobby, I notice something’s off.

My stomach clenches as I take her in, hoping it’s my imagination as I tip her chin so our eyes meet. “Hey,” I say, my voice soft. “What’s wrong?”

---