The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(10)

Studying me carefully, I see the war waging in her mind, in her clear-blue eyes. I can still remember the jolt I felt when I got my first glimpse of her up close. Fiery dark hair, bee-stung lips, and perfect features. At twenty-three, she was a stunner when we met. At twenty-nine, she’s a fucking knock out. She seems to read my mind and her eyes narrow. “Don’t ever let what you’re thinking past those lips.”

“You’re even more beautiful than you were the night I met you.”

Her eyes narrow to slits. “If you’re that bad at following simple directions, how do I know this will work?”

“Sorry, couldn’t be helped. It’s just…good to see you from less than ten feet away.”

“You’re not helping your case at all.”

Sinking where I stand, the idea of being so close, coming this far just to get the door shut again is too much to handle. I reach in deep and speak straight from the heart.

“I can’t stop myself from being here anymore. This is tearing me apart and has been for years. I need to know him. I have to know him. I can’t live with myself any longer, and I can’t live another minute without him knowing me. All I’m asking for is a chance to prove myself a worthy father. I’m not discrediting anything you’ve done. I just…” I close my eyes, willing myself to stay strong, my words coming out in a ragged plea. “Please, just give me a chance.” Opening my eyes, I take a step forward, my hands covering my chest, imploring her. “I’m not here to hurt you. And I would end myself before hurting him. Please.”

After the longest minute of my life, she sets the bag down on the porch and holds out her hand. “Give me your phone.”

Heart singing, I hand it over as she programs her number in and slaps it back in my hand. “You are the neighbor. You can start that way, and we’ll see how it goes from there. Don’t you dare come around unannounced. You have no say in his life until I decide otherwise. All decisions concerning him are up to me.”

“You’ve done an amazing job with him.”

“I had no choice.”

Anger flaring, I push that to the side and try to reason with her. “I’m telling you now that you do. I want this job more than I want to play pro ball. But I’ll respect your wishes. You call the shots, neighbor.”

“Neighbor first,” she props open the screen door with her hip, and I hold it for her while she palms the door handle. “Then we’ll see.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I don’t want to give this to you, but you’ve given me no choice.”

“And you’ve done the same. Does I’m sorry matter?”

“No.”

I exhale a heavy breath. “Didn’t think so.”

The pulse point at her neck jumps as I crowd her a little at the door. “Eventually, maybe, we could be friends? It wouldn’t hurt to try.”

She snorts out her disgust. “You can’t be serious.”

“Right,” I nod and take a step back. “I’ll go.”

With the door open an inch, she pauses, seeming to run through her thoughts. Hopeful, I step back into her space as she leans over in a whisper. “He could use some new shoes. Boys size seven and a half.”

I chuckle. “Big feet, huh?”

She glares at me.

“Sorry. Okay, what else?”

She bites her lips, and I know it’s her pride keeping her silent. “Nothing.”

“Clarissa, please.”

Her shoulders drop. “I wasn’t able to get him many new school clothes. I’ll text you his sizes.”

“Thank you.”

“I should have known better.” She seems lost in her thoughts. “Speak, or even think of the devil, and he shows up at your door.”

“So, you’ve been thinking about me?”

My comment snaps her back into the present. “Get over yourself, Troy. This is for him.”

“I know.”

I have no fucking idea how I’m going to dress my son because I just gave the last few hundreds I had to my new roommate. Her voice cuts through my rambling thoughts.

“I’ll never forgive you.”

Lifting my eyes to hers, I see the hurt there. It’s residual. And it’s then I know she does remember that night, and exactly how good it was, and it strikes me hard just how badly I fumbled with her.

“I don’t expect you to.”

She hesitates briefly before she opens the door and shuts it soundly behind her.

The ball lodged in my throat as I cross the grass is nothing compared to the voice screaming inside my head.

Don’t fuck this up.





Erica’s Crockpot Fiesta Chicken

Forensic Scientist, Indiana



Makes 6 servings





45 minutes


4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Packet Fiesta Ranch Mix

1 Can Black or Pinto Beans





1 Can Rotel


1 Can Corn (not drained)

1 8 oz. Block Cream Cheese



Place chicken in crockpot and pour Fiesta Ranch Mix evenly over chicken. Pour beans, Rotel, and corn into the crockpot but do not stir them together. Lay block of cream cheese on top of mixture.