The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs, #2)(91)

Brett shrugs. “Am I supposed to feel guilty? I’m pretty sure he stepped over the same line when we dated.”

“You don’t know anything about him. About us. That was a dick move.”

He shrugs. “Made me feel better.”

“Way to make me not regret my decision, asshole.”

“I have a feeling you’ll be doing that on your own,” he spouts smugly before straightening in his seat.

“Do me a favor and lose my number.”

I slam his car door, and Brett takes off. Walking toward Troy, I spot a Honda I don’t recognize in my driveway. Confused, I approach the porch where Troy sits flipping keys in his hand.

“Are you going to introduce him to Dante?”

“It’s not like that. And the answer is no. He’s an asshole, and when I’m done with a man, I’m done.”

“You don’t say? Not the impression I just got.”

“Have you been drinking?”

“Yes, I’m a college senior. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?”

He’s drunk. Or very close to it. “I want to talk to you, I do, but I don’t think we should have this conversation tonight.”

“If you think he’s a good guy, I guess, introduce him. Fuck,” he says, standing and holding out the keys.

“Troy,” I sigh. “That man will never meet our son. And what’s this?”

“Your new SUV,” he says, clicking the FOB. “I sold my truck.”

“You what?”

“It’s paid for. The title is in your glove compartment.”

“You sold your truck?”

He shrugs. “You needed something reliable.”

“But you loved that truck.”

“Theo got me a good deal,” he says, ignoring my protest. “There was a mix up at the dealership, and it was supposed to be delivered yesterday, but it was dropped off tonight.”

I hold the keys out to him. “Just another thing to add to your paper trail, huh? No, thanks. I don’t want it.”

“Clarissa, I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, me too. You’ll never know how much, but I’m not about to give you another reason to—”

His hand shoots out gripping mine before pressing the keys into it. “You will take it. Your SUV is shot.”

“I’m not giving you more ammunition against me.”

“I didn’t mean it,” he says hoarsely. “You know I didn’t. I would never hurt you that way. I was pissed…just…please take it. I don’t want you driving around in that piece of shit anymore. Trust me, it’s more for me than for you.”

Tears fill my eyes. “I don’t know which move damns me with you.”

“Take it,” he says, shoving his hands in his jeans. “It would be a weight off my shoulders.”

“Okay…t-thank you.” The wind kicks up, and his scent hits me. It’s comforting, while at the same time tearing me apart.

“It’s used. I’ll get you something better when I sign a contract.”

“I don’t want your fucking money,” I sniff, batting a tear away.

“Trust me,” he says in a cool tone. “I know.”

“Damn it, Troy. What I did, it was never about you, it was about me and my peace of mind. About my own ability to support myself and our son, no matter what relationship I’m in.”

“Let’s not do this,” he says. “Let’s just not.”

“Fine.” I look him over, the ache to touch him unbearable as he stands looking gorgeous in a thin blue V-neck and dark jeans.

“What about you?”

“I’m fine. I’ll find something.”

“Good to hear, but that’s not what I was asking.”

He toes the loose board on my porch. “I got my letter today. An official invite to the draft.”

“That’s incredible,” I sniff, the sight of him so close and so distant my undoing. I miss him in a way I never imagined possible. Every day is a struggle. Even with his threats, I can’t bring myself to stay angry at him.

“So, I threw a little party at the house.”

“Well,” I swallow. “You have every reason to celebrate.”

“Do I?”

“Of course, it’s all you’ve been working for.”

“I must look so fucking pathetic to you.”

I shake my head. “Not at all. It wasn’t that long ago I was doing the same thing. You’re just trying to have a good time, get the most out of your year.”

“And what a year it’s been.” He looks over at me, his eyes glistening. “A banner fucking year for Troy Jenner.”

“Parker said she heard a commotion a while ago. Did something happen?”

“Yeah, what always happens. I fucked up.”

“How?”

“I thought I saw something in someone else, just for once, I thought, maybe if I could convince her I wasn’t the man you see…” I feel the stab of his admission everywhere.

Her. There’s a her.

“I wanted it to happen because it would mean I could stop thinking about you for five goddamn minutes.”