The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(47)

Staring down at her, I wrestle with the fact that she’s wary of me hurting her, and I’m not ignorant as to why, she’d explained it to me the day we had it out on the lawn. Her father was a player, and she sees me in his light. But my hesitancy to commit to anyone is no longer due to my insane schedule or my son.

The truth becomes crystal-clear as I drink her in. She’s the only woman I want.

And if I want any chance with her, I have a lot more to prove.

Clarissa does nothing half-assed, that includes the handling of her heart. What I do know is the less pricey model is fucking going down. I’m going to make damn sure of it. Fingers itching to touch her, I try to reel in what I’m feeling. No matter what steps I take from here on out, if I want her, I have to put both of them first.

Clarissa’s phone buzzes next to her on the bed, and I see it’s Regina Leighton, the mother of the boy hosting Dante’s sleepover. Ignoring the spectacle Kevin’s making outside with the horn, I swipe to answer, making a quick exit out of Clarissa’s bedroom softly shutting her door.

“Hello?”

“Troy?” Dante sniffs. “Where’s Mommy?”

“She’s asleep.”

“C-c-can you wake her up? I need her to come and get me. I don’t w-want to stay here anymore.”

Kevin honks again, and I quickly walk to the front door giving him the finger.

“Hurry the fuck up, man!” He shouts as the rest of the car raises hell.

I turn my back, stepping into the house.

“I’m coming to get you.”

“What?”

“Can you have them text Mommy the address?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Please hurry.”

“I’m coming, bud. Don’t worry.” Once I’m armed with the address, I do a quick check around the house before locking Clarissa’s door, knowing Dante has a key in his backpack for emergencies. Kevin meets me as I bound down the porch.

“I’m not going. Take off. I might catch up later.”

His demeanor shifts. “What the hell, man? We were counting on you to help pay for the hotel.”

Annoyed, I pull some twenties from my wallet and hand them to him. “There, that’s enough for one night.”

“You’re hard up for her, aren’t you?”

“Kevin, I don’t have time for this shit.” I pull out my keys and start toward my truck when he blocks me. “I have to go pick up Dante.”

“This, this, is why you’re bailing on everything? You’ve fallen for her?”

“I’ll explain later, okay?” I move around him, and he blocks me again.

“No, not okay, we’ve been planning this trip for a hot minute. What the fuck is going on?”

Kevin, though clueless most of the time, has been my wingman for four years. I get why he’s pissed, but Dante’s cries have my heart seizing.

“Get the fuck out of my way!”

“Fuck that,” he slaps my shoulder, and in a flash, we’re toe to toe.

“It’s not that fucking serious,” I say, pushing at his chest. “But it’s about to be.”

“Just tell me.”

“He’s mine!”

“What?”

“Dante is my son.”

Kevin rolls his eyes. “Dream on.”

“He’s mine,” I repeat as Kevin swallows, his expression turning to disbelief.

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah. It’s a long story. But Dante needs me like right now.”

“Y-yeah,” he says, stepping out of my way. “Yeah, you gotta go.”

“Don’t tell a fucking soul, Kevin. No one.”

“You need me to stay back and help?” And that’s Kevin, that’s the kind of friend he is.

“Nope. Go. Have fun. Just tell no one, I mean it.”

“Yeah. No problem. But why?”

“Kevin!”

“Got it, hold up.” He jogs over to the SUV and grabs my duffle, handing it to me, along with the cash I had just given him. “Spend it on him.”

“Thanks, man. You’re a good friend.”

“Hit me up and let me know it’s all good.”

“Will do.”

I manage to make it to the address in minutes because it’s only a neighborhood over. Pulling up, I see Dante on the front porch, his chest bouncing with his cries. My heart cracks at the sight of him dressed in the jeans and Grand hoodie I bought him. I’d even gelled his hair like mine because he’d asked me to. I should have spoken up this morning and told Clarissa my fears, but I wanted, more than anything, for him to have a good time tonight, for those fears to be unfounded and for him to find some friends. The mother approaches me, confused as Dante leaps to my side.

“Where’s Clarissa?”

“She got tied up. I’m the neighbor.”

She looks me up and down. “Lucky Clarissa.”

I don’t bother acknowledging her. “What happened?” Dante clings to my leg as she stares over at me in a way that has my stomach turning.

“Not sure, they were playing upstairs, and Dante came down not long after asking to call his mother.”