The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(40)

“Wooo weee, boy, I’m so damned proud of you. You killed it tonight.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“I texted you to see if you wanted to celebrate with Luis and me. He wanted to buy you a beer.”

“Sorry, I got caught up in the post-game and just wanted to shower and get home.”

“So, no party tonight?”

“Plenty of them, but I’m opting out.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I’ve got something better in mind.” Instead of picturing Dante’s reception, I see Clarissa on the Jumbotron, dressed in a Grand hoodie and matching beanie, holding our son close. She was glowing, her smile stretched across her face, and something inside of me flipped the minute I saw them.

“So, what’s the big plan?”

Win her.

“Just going to take it easy.”

“The news is highlighting the game now.”

“No shit?”

“Yeah! They’re talking about you, son! HEY, RECORD THAT!”

“On it,” I hear Luis reply. “Good job, Troy,” he says by way of conversation. Luis is soft-spoken and treats Mom like gold, we aren’t exactly best friends, but we’re friendly. As long as he treats her well, we have no issues.

“Tell him I said thanks.”

“I will, and you’re getting drafted,” she adds proudly. “I know it.”

“Let’s hope so. Then I can finally buy your dream house.”

“I’m happy here.”

“You’ll be happier on that front porch you’ve been dreaming about. Keep dreaming, Mom. I’m going to give it to you.”

“You earned that. I wouldn’t take a dime from you. I hope you know I don’t expect that.”

“What’s the fun of becoming rich if you can’t spoil the people you love?”

“You’re going to make some lucky lady very happy one day.”

“Hope so.”

“Oh, you will.”

Clarissa’s scowl crosses my mind, and I can’t help my chuckle.

“Yeah, well, I have a feeling she won’t come easy.”

“You’ve met her already?” Her voice lifts, hopeful. She’s been hard on me growing up, especially when it comes to the ladies. I’m nowhere near ready to deal with the confrontation that’s coming once I reveal the truth but decide to use her mood to start the process.

“Mom, there’s something I need to tell you. Something that—”

My words are cut short when I pull into my drive and see Clarissa wrapped around her boyfriend. They’re kissing and not in a friendly way. Every bit of my high evaporates when I see her grab his hand and pull him inside.

“You there? Troy?”

“Yeah, I, shit Mom, something’s come up. I’ll have to call you back.”

“You okay?”

“Fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Just keep those good thoughts coming, okay?”

I run a hand over my jaw as Clarissa’s porch light clicks off.

“What happened, you were just chipper. Who pissed in your Cheerios?”

“Nothing. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay. Love you. Proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Is she about to sleep with him? With Dante in the house? I can’t say shit, I would’ve gladly taken a side of her bed if she’d given me the opportunity on Halloween.

Resisting the urge to shoot off another text, I white knuckle my wheel. The hardest part of wanting what you can’t have is the realization it might not ever be yours. And that’s where I am, swallowing the verdict after years of the same woman closing the door in my face.

Jealousy for the man who’s taking what I desperately want courses through me, my eyes burn as I keep them fixed on the house I want so much to call home, the family inside to claim as my own.

The idea of what’s going on behind that door is ripping at me, and there’s not a fucking thing I can do about it. Her mind’s been made up for years, and I’m the one who needs to face facts. I have got to let it go.



Clarissa: I’ve got company. See you in the morning?



The burn inside my chest worsens as I raise my phone to my ear and put my truck in reverse.

Kevin answers on the second ring.

“Sup?”

“Where are you?”





Jennifer’s Sausage Dip

Biologist, Montana



Makes 10 servings





30 minutes


2 Lbs. Sausage

1 Lb. Jalapeno Velveeta 1 Lb. Velveeta

1 Envelope Garlic Dressing Mix (May use garlic powder.)





1 Can Evaporated Milk


Brown sausage until no longer pink. Drain. **Place all other ingredients in a saucepan. Heat on low until cheese melts. Stir sausage into cheese mixture.



Serve with tortilla chips.



**Time saver—Cheese and other ingredients can be combined in a microwave dish.





Clarissa



I’m two sips into my morning coffee when I see Theo angrily bound down the steps of his house before throwing an instrument case in his back seat. Seconds later, Troy is in front of him, his posture deflated.