Page 14 of Love at Second Down

“For more reasons than one,” the blonde grins, then adds, “Why is post-win sex so much better than other sex?”

The brunette’s lips quirks. “It’s all the adrenaline. They’ve got to release it somehow.”

The blonde raises a hand and laughs. “Well, if I have to volunteer as tribute, so be it.”

My stomach roils, and I instinctually wrap my arms around myself to ward off the pain. The thought of Damon with one of these women churns my stomach.

You don’t know anything yet. You’re just assuming. Don’t jump to conclusions, Avery.

I inhale through my nose, trying to ease the churning of my insides.

For the first time since I transferred schools, I wonder what I’ll do if Damon has a girlfriend. What if he’s hooked up with dozens of women since we broke up? What if he’s become some kind of manwhore? And what ifIwas the one to change him? What if I broke him?

I press a hand to my stomach, convinced I might be sick as the customer in front of them leaves, and the women step up to the counter.

“Gosh, it’ll be nice once the season is over, and we can actually see our men without them having to run off to an extra practice or to watch film,” the blonde says.

“Totally.” The brunette grimaces, and before I can stop myself, I swallow the bile rising in the back of my throat and plaster on my biggest smile. “Can I help you, ladies?” I ask them.

“I’ll take a hot caramel macchiato, and this degenerate over here,” the blonde says with a grin, “will have a chai tea.”

She ordered Damon’s drink.

It’s all I can think as I punch their drinks into the register?as if it’s proof she’s “the girlfriend”—while the churning in my stomach intensifies.

“Sure thing,” I manage as I start to fill their orders, working on the chai tea first.

Swallowing over the nausea rising to the back of my throat, I clear my throat and ask, “So, you guys know Damon Huhn?”

“Oh, yeah.” The brunette stares at me with interest. “I mean, everyone at AAU knows Damon.”

“Right. Because of football,” I say, feeling like an idiot.

I push her tea across the counter, fighting the blush rising to my cheeks. Of course everyone knows who Damon is. Half the country knows who he is.

“Doyouknow Damon?” the blonde asks, tilting her head as she watches me pump syrup into a paper cup.

“Kind of.” I shrug. “I’m new here, but we have a class together. He seems . . . nice. I guess I was just curious about him.”

The blonde smiles instantly. “He’s hot, right?”

My heart twists as I nod in agreement. “Are you his . . .?” I trail off, unable to choke out the word and hoping she’ll fill in the blank. “Sorry, like I said, I’m new and?”

“His girlfriend?” The blonde’s eyes widen for a moment, and then she flaps a hand as if dismissing the idea. “Oh, God no.”

My heart kicks in my chest as I turn my gaze to the brunette, waiting.

“Me?” She points to herself, eyes wide, and laughs. “Definitely not.” She shakes her head. “Damon is,” she glances up at her blonde friend, dark eyes glittering, “shall we say, relationship-adverse?”

The blonde laughs. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“We’re dating two of his teammates.”

“Gosh, I’m sorry. I must’ve read that wrong. I saw you outside.” I motion to the windows at the front of the shop as relief floods through me, quick and sharp, and my heart gallops at the confirmation he’s single. I should probably be focusing on the wholerelationship-adversething, but honestly, I’m so relieved to hear he’s not dating anyone, I can’t think about much else.

With a secret smile, I move to the espresso machine and set about brewing the shots for the blonde’s coffee when she asks, “So, where are you staying?”

“Staying?” I ask with a start, surprised she’s asking about me at all.

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