The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(75)
Suddenly I’m staring at the ceiling.
“Dante?”
“Sorry, I had to wash my hands. We’re having Terri’s Roast. She was a legal scretary from Virginia.”
“That’s secretary,” I hear Clarissa correct. “And for dessert,” Clarissa adds, coming into view, wiping her hands on a towel. My chest tightens at the sight of her. “We have Joanne’s Mud Pie.”
“Mommy says she was Canadan. It’s got gummy worms in it!”
“Oh, yeah?”
“That’s Canadian,” Clarissa corrects.
“And they talk funny, they say aboot,” Dante giggles, “it’s supposed to be about, but they say it like aboot.”
I chuckle. “I get it, bud.”
“How are you?” Clarissa asks, eyes full of concern.
“Hanging in,” I wink.
“Why are you putting your finger on the screen?” Dante asks, tilting his head. I realize that I’m outlining Clarissa’s face with my finger like a fucking douche. Jesus. I want to take my own man card.
“There was a gnat on my screen.”
“Eww. You should clean your phone. Mommy says there’s more acteria on a phone than a piece of poop.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s bacteria, baby,” Clarissa chimes in.
“That’s what I said, gah.”
“Uh huh,” she replies. I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Troy, when are you coming back?” Dante asks pulling the phone and conversation from Clarissa’s reach. “How many sleeps?”
“Thirty, little man.”
“That’s too many!” He whines.
“Okay, go set the table,” Clarissa says, taking the phone.
“K. Bye, Troy!”
“Night, bud.”
Clarissa watches his retreat before turning back to face me. “We’ve got about a minute.”
“I miss the hell out of you.”
“That’ll teach you not to be such a badass. What’s the housing like?”
“Lifeless, shitty. I want some of that pot roast.”
“I’ll make some when you get home.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course.”
“Talked to Mom, said she’s watching Dante tomorrow night.”
“Yeah,” her eyes dart away. “I’ve got a parent-teacher conference. Is that okay?”
“Do they still have parent-teacher conferences in high school?”
“They do if their kid writes, ‘Ms. Arden has DSL’s on the chalkboard.’”
“DSL’s?”
She leans in on a whisper. “Dick sucking lips.”
I throw my head back with a laugh.
“Har, har, laugh it up.”
“Yeah, well, just remember those lips belong to—”
“And he’s back,” Clarissa warns.
“Blocked by my own sperm,” I mutter.
“What’s sperm?”
I show all my teeth as Clarissa gives me wide eyes. “Thanks, Troy. Really.”
“Sorry.” ‘I miss you,’ I mouth.
“Me too.”
“Call me after lights out?”
“If you’re lucky.”
I kick back on my couch. “I’m feeling pretty damned lucky.”
“That’s two dollars you owe me, Troy!”
Joanne’s Mud Pie
Transportation Manager, Canada
Makes 6–8 servings
20 minutes
1 Package Oreos – Crushed 2 Large Packages Instant Chocolate Pudding 6 Cups Milk
1 Large Container Cool Whip
Gummy Worms
Make pudding as directed on package. Stir half of Cool Whip into pudding. Set aside enough Oreos to use for a topping. Stir the rest of the Oreos into the pudding mixture. Pour pudding mixture into bowl or individual serving dishes. Sprinkle remaining Oreos on top of pudding. Place gummy worms on top. Chill for at least 1 hour. Top with remaining Cool Whip when serving.
Clarissa
“Hey, you two,” I walk in exhausted, aching for a hot bath. Pamela looks up from where she cradles a sleeping Dante on our couch. “Shoot, I was hoping to be home in time to tuck him in.”
She reads my posture. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Long day. Thanks so much for watching him.”
“No problem, anytime.”
I lift Dante from her arms. “I’m just going to put him down. Do you mind staying for a second so we can talk?”
“Sure.”
Things are still a bit awkward between us though we’re both trying to find our groove. It’s obvious she still harbors resentment toward me, but I’m determined to try and mend this fence. Once I have Dante in bed, I walk out to see Pamela looking at the freshly hung photos I have on the wall.
“I have copies of all of them that you’re welcome to.”
She looks over at me and I damn near flinch at the hurt in her eyes.
“I know I’ve apologized—”
She raises a hand. “I think we’ve beaten this horse to death. I’m still trying to work my way around it with my own son.”