The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(52)

2 Cups Flour





2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup


1/2 Cup White Cooking Wine 1/2 Cup Water





1 Large Package Fresh Mushrooms


1-2 Large Onions


6 Pork Chops


Melt butter in skillet. Use one cup of flour to flour both sides of the pork chops. Lightly brown both sides of pork chops in butter. Mix soup, wine, water, and one cup of flour. Pour over pork chops. Wash mushrooms, drain, and cut stems off. Cut onion into quarters. Add mushrooms and onions to skillet.



Cook on low to medium heat until done.



Good served with Rice-a-Roni or over Minute Rice.





Clarissa

I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours in a daze. After an emergency call to Parker, I used the rest of my time doing things I never get a chance to do. I found myself relieved Brett was out of town. I’m not the type of woman to put her eggs in different baskets. Every time I start to feel guilty, I remember my conversation with Parker, not that it really helps.

“Hell yes! May the best man win!”

“I’m not like that. You know I hate that. I’m not my father.”

“Then pick one.”

“I can’t. Troy is…I don’t fully trust him, but Jesus, I’ve never felt anything like that. And Brett is a great guy. I mean that.”

“It’s called dating. Make both aware of the other, and there is no issue.”

“This is wrong.”

“It’s dating. You can choose to be a monogamous dater, but that puts you in a relationship. Are you ready to start a relationship with either?”

“I’m not juggling two men. That’s beyond my comfort zone.”

“Then make it clear to Troy that he can no longer kiss you and feel you up after you apply lip balm.”

“It was the best kiss of my life.”

“Yeah? Then, bye-bye Brett.”

“Stop it.”

“Brett said you’re not exclusive, right?”

“Something to that effect.”

“So, you’re not asking about his other girls.”

“Who says he’s seeing other women?”

“I do. Ask him. And if that’s the case, you have nothing to feel guilty about. You can make out with baby daddy all you want.”

“I don’t do this.”

“Times have changed my friend. This is the new norm. Eventually, marriage will be obsolete.”

“No way. I’m traditional.”

“Then stick to kissing.”

“I’m not thirteen.”

“Babe, you have a decision to make. Decide on one or see what happens with either.”

“This is bullshit,” I say, picking up the rest of Dante’s toys.

“Yeah, I feel really sorry for you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m being insensitive. I know you’re going through a hard time.”

“I’m fine. This isn’t about me. This is about you finding someone suitable for our boy and for once, making yourself priority too.”

“I can’t risk it with Troy.”

“Then you’ve made your decision.”

“Right.”

“Except you haven’t.”

“What?”

Parker sighs. “Look, when you find yourself unable to keep from moving forward with one, you have your answer. Keep an open mind and heart and see where it goes. Or run a train with them both.”

“I hate you.”

“Make me proud. Now I have to go. I have a nooner.”

“Really?”

“A meeting. Get your mind out the gutter.”

“Parker, wait, what did we decide again?”

“We decided Mommy is going to have a little fun.”

“I’m not sleeping with them both!”

“Konnichiwa!”

“Parker, wait!”





Troy



“I can’t believe we didn’t catched any fish.”

“That’s catch any fish. It’s getting too cold, bud. We’ll try again some other time.”

“Will you put the worms on the hook again?”

“Sure, but don’t you want to learn to do it yourself?”

Dante’s eyes bulge in my rearview. “I’m not prepared for that, Troy.”

I crack up as I park in my driveway and open the back door as he unbuckles from his booster.

“Okay, remember what we talked about?”

“Yep,” he squeaks as I lift him from the backseat. We’re halfway across the yard when a song I don’t recognize begins to drift out of the house. Eyes wide, Dante immediately starts wiggling out of my hold.

“It’s me & Mommy’s favorite song! Let me down!” Dante takes off like a shot as gentle drums, bass, and guitar filter through the air. “I’m coming, Mommy!” He declares, bounding up the steps.

Hot on his heels with our bags in both arms, I step inside the door behind him, seeing Clarissa standing in the middle of the living room. She looks over to me with a shy smile mouthing “hi,” just as Dante leaps into her arms. Dante grabs her face with his hands stealing her attention as they begin to sing.