The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(74)

“Shit!” I bang my hands against the wheel as Dante opens his mouth to claim his reward. “Not a word, son.”

I glance over to where Theo’s car sits in the driveway and debate on asking for a favor. I turn it one last time and get nothing but a mechanic light in the dash.

“Maybe I can fix it?” Dante pipes from the back seat.

“It’s okay, Peanut, I’ll get it fixed.” I chew on my lip and decide I don’t have a choice. “Come on, we’re going to ask Theo for a ride.” I gather Dante, pulling his hood up as I walk across the yard and knock on the door. Theo answers after a beat with a sleepy smile.

“Hey, Clarissa, good morning, Dante.”

“Hey, bud.”

I can’t help my laugh. “Theo, I’m so sorry to bother you, but my car isn’t starting, and I was wondering if you could give us a ride to school?”

“Sure. Just let me grab my coat.”

The ride to school is filled with updates, mostly about Troy.

“Theo, did you know Troy is at camp?”

“Yeah, pretty cool.”

“He’s going to be in the Enful.”

“That’s NFL, baby,” I correct. “The National Football League.”

“I knewed that.”

“You knew that.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Sorry,” I say, glancing at Theo. “I know it’s early.”

“It’s fine. Happy to give you a lift. Will you need a ride home?”

“No, I’ll figure it out. Thank you.”

“Troy is going to be as big as the Hulk,” Dante supplies.

“Someone’s got a new hero,” Theo says with a smirk.

“He’s definitely a fan. How about you? You’ve been busy yourself.”

“Yeah,” he glances over at me. “It’s been a good year.”

“What’s she like?”

“Loud, beautiful, crazy, everything.”

“That good?”

“Better.” Theo glances in the rearview. “Dante, how was your Christmas?”

“Santa brought me a desk and a new bike. And all my Legit Life Merch. I’m wearing my hoodie now, see?”

“He’s driving, sweetheart.”

“You should get a hoodie, Theo. I’ll make five bucks.”

“Dante, that’s rude.”

“Sorry. But it’s soft. You should get one, Theo. It’s Legit.”

Theo chuckles. “I believe you. I think I may be able to order one.”

“Okay, I’ll send you the link when I get home.”

“They’re sixty dollars,” I whisper to Theo.

“It’s cool,” he says.

“You really don’t have to.”

“I’ll look for your confirmation email,” Dante practically shouts, appearing between our seats, making us both jump as we pull up to his school.

“Thank Theo for the ride, Dante. And if he doesn’t want to buy a hoodie, he doesn’t have to.”

“Thanks, Theo, bye Mommy,” a teacher who is clearly freezing her ass off waves to the two of us before leading Dante into school.

“He’s something else,” Theo chuckles.

“Yeah, a natural salesman. Seriously, don’t worry about the hoodie.”

“It’s not a problem.”

Since when is sixty dollars not a problem for a college kid? Sixty dollars is a fortune to me some days. Apparently, Theo’s in better financial shape than I am because I have no clue how I’m going to repair my car.

“Do you know what’s wrong?”

“Wrong?”

“With your SUV?”

“Oh, uh, it’s like eleven years old. It’s gasping for air at this point.”

“I know a guy at Honda if you’re looking for something new.”

“Thanks, I need something. I was going to try to wait until next month, but the universe decided to take a shit on me.”

“Well, let me know.”

“I will.”

The rest of the way to school, I wrack my brain, trying to think of a way to arrange and rearrange. I could barely afford to pay rent this month with the shortage of Troy’s checks. He had to quit his job at UPS because they wouldn’t give him leave. He’s officially unemployed and spending a fortune on a bet that may or may not pay off. Like a fool, I’d started to count on that money, and now we’re both gambling on his ticket. I have no business doing that.

None.

I’ve always been self-reliant. Always. And now I’ve grown used to the help.

Troy needs me to be strong and get him through this time, and I’ll be the same support to him as he’s been to me in the last five months. As I thank Theo and shoulder my bag, I decide I’ll take on Troy’s mindset.

I’ll do whatever it takes.





Troy



“Hey, little man,” I say when Dante answers Clarissa’s phone.

“Hey, Troy!”

“What are you doing?”

“Helping Mommy cook dinner.”

“Whose recipe tonight?”