The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(86)

“K!”

“He’s replying,” Parker says, lifting the phone to me.

I shake my head. “I can’t, not right now.”

She rolls her eyes reading his response before replying. “I’ll figure out an excuse for you until you get your shit together.”

“Thanks,” I say, shouldering my purse and calling out to Dante. “I’m leaving, Peanut. I’ll be home late, so be good for Parker.”

“K, Mommy!”





Troy



Troy: Morning, baby.

Clarissa: How’s it going?

Troy: I murdered my dash yesterday, thanks to you.

Clarissa: Awesome. We’re so proud of you. Hey, Parker is taking me to the spa for a few days as a late birthday present, because she’s the best friend that ever lived. Your mom is watching Dante so you can reach him there. Kick that ass! I’ll text you when I get back.

Troy: I’ve got a half-hour before I check-in. Can you FaceTime?

Clarissa: We’re boarding.

Troy: Boarding?

Clarissa: The spa is in Arizona. Cell phone use is limited. It’s a cleansing thing, which I need because I’m way too uptight.

Troy: No, you’re not. You had a bad scare. And I’m so fucking sorry. I’ll get down to the bottom of it when I get home.

Clarissa: Okay.

Troy: You believe me, right?

Clarissa: I believe in you. Make us proud.

Troy: I’m working on it. Just keep the home fires burning.

Clarissa: I’ll do my part if you do yours. (Winky face emoji)

Happy and relieved, I toss my napkin down on the room service tray and reach under the covers to give the grand commander a pep talk. Seconds later, I shoot off a text.



Troy: How’s that for my part? (Devil emoji) Clarissa: Oh, wow. You sent a picture of your dick.



I chuckle.



Troy: What my baby wants my baby gets. I’m so fucking glad we’re okay. Enjoy yourself. You deserve it. Miss you.

Troy: Baby, you there?

Clarissa: Of course. Just enjoying the view. Now, go kick some ass.

Troy: Enjoy your trip.

Clarissa: Taking off. (Kiss face emoji)





“Hey, bud,” I greet Dante as my mother’s face pops up on the screen behind him.

“Hey, baby, well, if you aren’t the toast of the town. They were talking about you on Sports Center last night!”

“I saw. I just signed with my agent. Hey, have you heard from Clarissa? Is she back from Arizona?”

“When was Clarissa in Arizona?”

“She’s not in Arizona,” Dante says, popping a strawberry in his mouth.

“She’s back?”

“She didn’t go to Arizona,” Dante supplies. “Auntie Parker lied to you.”

“What?”

“I heard them talking ‘cause Mommy didn’t want to text you.”

Mom’s brows lift higher and higher with each word. “What’s this about?”

“I found Troy’s medicine, and Mommy got really, really mad, and cried forever.”

Mind racing, I scrub my jaw, emotions running rampant while facing off with my mother.

“What medicine, son?”

“Mom, give me a second. Dante, are you sure you heard that?”

“Uh huh.”

“What else did she say?”

Dante speaks around a mouthful, evident worry on his face. “Are you going to be mad at her?”

“No. Just tell me.”

“She said you wouldn’t know how hard she’s working to make you guilty. Auntie Parker doesn’t like her work friend.”

“What work friend?”

“The man.”

“Okay,” Mom says, interrupting my interrogation. “Dante, go into Nonny’s closet and grab the new puzzle.”

“Okay, Nonny. Bye, Troy, Love you!”

“You too, bud.”

With Dante occupied, Mom walks out onto her porch, shutting the door behind her.

“Troy, what in the hell is going on?”

“I wish I knew.”

“What medicine is he talking about?”

“Right before I left, Dante found a needle and a used bottle of steroids in my truck.”

“Not yours.” It’s not a question, it’s what she thinks, if only Clarissa could believe the same.

“That’s what I told her, but it’s obvious she’s having a hard time believing me. But Mom, it was fucking horrible. Scared the shit out of us both. Clarissa freaked out—”

“Because of her mother,” she nods. “I can only imagine what she was feeling. So, she’s been avoiding you since, and Parker has been texting you instead?”

“I’m guessing that’s the truth of it.” I scrub my face again, angry and irritated. “Fuck.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Mom offers.

“No, Mom, stay out of it. I mean it. She needs to be able to take my word for it. This is between us.”

“And Parker too I guess.”

“Jesus. Do you know what he’s talking about work friends?”

Mom winces, her expression guilty. “Mom? Are you serious? You’ve been covering for her?”