The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(103)

“You made it happen. You’re an amazing player.”

He shakes his head as I linger on the fact that he’s no longer mine.

“Troy, what about your…personal life? Don’t you eventually want to start a family?”

He leans down and presses his lips to my temple before pulling away, his eyes penetrating mine. “I started my family seven years ago. Goodnight.”





Clarissa



Dante exits the ride all smiles as he runs toward me with Troy on his heels. “That one wasn’t scary at all.”

“You did good,” I say as they join Parker and me where we wait by the ticket booth.

“I’m ready for that,” Dante points to the mile-high cage ride that flips twenty times within a minute, and Troy, Parker, and I all shake our heads in agreement. We’ve been at it for a few hours and covered most of the carnival. After our resounding no to his request to ride adult rides, he’s dragging us all to the dollar games.

Troy picked the three of us up earlier this morning, and it’s been all smiles and niceties. I’ve been caught staring at him a few times today, making me feel like a damned love-sick fool. Parker’s elbowed me twice to keep me from completely humiliating myself.

Feeling this way is slowly killing me inside. As soon as Dante’s bedroom light is off, Troy leaves, leaving me alone in the house to miss him. Ever present, he’s kept things painfully platonic. This man, who invaded my life nine months ago with promises I was completely unsure he would keep, promises I hoped with all my heart he would, for my son, and now admittedly, for me, is ruling my heart and mind. I can’t push myself past the new normal. I can’t for the life of me accept it. I’m losing my mind trying to find a way not to feel so much, not to want him the way I do. I’m so deep, I’ll never be able to find my way out.

I can’t unlove Troy Jenner. He’s made it impossible.

“Plans for this summer?” Parker looks between us as Dante tries his hand at the ring toss.

“I just got a call back at one of the real estate firms I applied for,” I say as Troy’s eyes flick to mine in surprise. “You passed?”

“Yes. I took it last week.”

“That’s awesome. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just…” I trail off. Didn’t think you cared? Because it’s one of the reasons why you’re still pissed at me? Instead of voicing those thoughts, I remain mute as he studies me.

“Can I try again?” Dante asks as Troy and Parker both pull out the cash.

I roll my eyes as Parker smirks with victory, giving Dante a twenty. “Fill her up.”

Troy gives her the win turning back to me. “So, you took the job?”

“I applied for it before…” I trail off again as Parker perks up.

“Before what?” She looks between us, and I widen my eyes at Troy in warning. I don’t want Parker blowing a gasket in the middle of a carnival about the possibility of us moving. She’ll give every temperamental three-year-old in a one-mile radius a run for their money.

“Vacation,” I say, saving both our asses. “I can’t take a new job and then ask for vacation. We were thinking right after Troy’s graduation.”

“Oh, yeah?” Parker says. “Where?”

Dante looks up to me. “Yeah, where?”

“I thought I would let Daddy decide.”

Troy’s eyes, still on me, soften considerably, and I shrug. “I mean, if you have time.”

“I’ll make time.”

Parker’s eyes ping pong between us.

“We’ve never been anywhere,” I say, ruffling Dante’s hair.

“Stop that, Mommy, I have gel in.”

“Not for my lack of trying,” Parker gripes indignant. “I’ve been trying to get us on vacation for years.”

“You’ll be coming with us,” Troy says, without missing a beat.

Parker turns to him. “Ah, will you buy me a pony too, rich athlete?”

“I would like a pony too,” Dante says seriously.

“No ponies,” he says, his eyes trailing over me in a look that’s anything but platonic. I shiver, and Troy’s lips lift in recognition before he pulls his son away from the money pit and hauls him on his shoulders. “Where should we go?”

“Disney?” Dante suggests.

“Maybe,” Troy says, absently glancing over at me. “When will you know if you’re taking the job?”

“Soon,” I promise as we exchange another look. I’m seriously considering the move despite the state of our relationship. I don’t want either one of them suffering without the other. Also, I don’t want the distance away from Troy.

“Oh, it’s the blue kind!” Dante says, pointing to a nearby concession stand. “Can I have one?”

“You just had a pushup, bud.”

“It’s the fair,” Parker scolds. “He should have one of everything.”

“True,” Troy says, looking over to me, seeking permission.

“Up to you.”

“Come on,” Parker insists, forever the doting ‘yes’ aunt.

A minute later, and after twenty questions, Dante stands on the table as a man guides his arm to catch the sweet fluffy cotton. Dante’s smile is breathtaking. He’s still somewhere between a baby and a boy, and it both hurts my heart and fills me with pride.