The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(39)

“What in the world?” I can’t help my laugh. Parker hates social media but uses product reviews to speak to strangers online about real-life issues. She claims it’s therapeutic.

“Would you like to hear it?”

“Of course.”

She ceremoniously clears her throat. “Here goes. Here I am in 2019 with four failed relationships, on the verge of thirty years old. I’m currently in one of the best cities in the world. It’s noon, I’m drunk and bitterly alone, so I’ve resorted to writing a review on a toilet brush. What can I say? It’s a great toilet brush. It cleans very well, getting all the marks left behind after drinking too much. The design of the brush is your typical looking brush with over 100,000 bristles and a handle large enough that you won’t be covered in toilet water that looks delicious to dogs but not humans. I thought it would be larger, kinda like I thought I’d be more successful in life than I am now. So now here I am, writing metaphors while listening to Radiohead about said toilet brush—that’s what I’ve got so far, what do you think?”

“I think you need to come home.”

“Don’t. I hear the worry in your voice, and I’m fine. Really. Just…”

Her voice trails off, and my eyes water.

“I’m just…lonely. I mean, I know I have you and that kid, but I want someone to spend my life with.”

“You’ll find him.”

“Yeah.” She doesn’t believe me, but I refuse to believe the opposite. Parker is far too special to walk through life alone.

“Are you still happy with your job?”

“Sure,” she says with a sigh. “I love it.”

“Then you’re exactly where you need to be. Just keep the faith.”

“Okay, pity party over. What are you and the munchkin up to?”

“We don’t have to change the subject.”

“Yes, we do. I’m sick of me.”

“I’ll never be.”

“Sake-to-me. What are you up to?”

“Cute. We went to Troy’s game. It was incredible. It reminded me of the best of times. I felt, I don’t know…nostalgic. Definitely made me miss you.”

“Yeah, we were awesome, now we’re all grown up and boring.”

I sigh my reply, “That we are.”

“So, did he play well?”

“Yes, Dante was so proud. He’s passed out now.”

“And what does Mommy think?”

“I think he’s an incredible athlete. And nothing more.”

“Girl, you’re lying to yourself. Has he talked to you anymore about, you know, since Halloween?”

“No. And it’s for the best.”

“Uh huh.”

“Parker, I’m serious. It’s a bad idea. What if it doesn’t work? How will that affect Dante? This would make an already complicated situation even worse.”

“So, you’re saying you want to give him a shot, but won’t because of your common bond, which just so happens to be the best reason to try.”

“It was so awesome seeing him in his element tonight. I’m a little dazzled, but at the end of the day, he’s still the same old dog, same tricks.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Brett’s doing well, thank you.”

“Yeah? Great,” she spouts dryly.

“Why don’t you like him?”

“He seems to be taking his sweet assed time wooing you. That’s not sitting well with me.”

“It’s an adult relationship. And to be honest, my first real one.”

“Well, give me fireworks and passion over that bullshit any day. It sounds truly boring.”

“It’s not. It’s comfortable.”

“Whatever you say. Kampi!” I can hear the clink of her bottle as she pours and then swallows.

“Isn’t that Japanese?”

“Yep.”

“Babe, you do realize you’re in China, right?”

“Yep. But the cities are getting blurry now. One of these days you’re going to have to come with me on one of these adventures.”

“I will.”

“Okay, I’m going to finish this bottle and see if I can turn this day into a segue for something better, maybe like in Lost in Translation, where I end up with the love of my life in a karaoke bar while we party with complete strangers and do strange things.”

“Do it, babe, I have all the faith.”

“Yeah, and do yourself a favor and bone your neighbor, because you’re missing out on the best sex of your life.”

“No.”

“Fine.”

“Love you. Don’t Sake and drive.”

“You know I won’t. Konnichiwa!”

I giggle. “Still Japanese, Parker. And I think that means hello.”

“What’s your point?”





Troy

I ride the high my whole drive home, eager to try and catch Dante before he goes to sleep. I send off a last-minute text to Clarissa just before I head into our neighborhood in hopes she can keep him awake just a few minutes longer. My phone rings, and I answer without checking to see who it is, my smile already in place. She doesn’t bother saying hello, but dives right in.