Strike One-My mother named me Theodore after her favorite chipmunk.
Not cool, Mom.
I’ve spent most of my life answering to Teddy because I couldn’t make Theo work.
Except for here. College. The place where all bets are off, and I’ve managed to redeem myself.
There’s only one problem, my new roommate, Troy, is football royalty and looks like he stepped off the set of an Abercrombie shoot.
Doesn’t matter, I cook a mean breakfast for his panty parade, and we get along well.
And anyway, this year I got the girl. And she’s perfect.
That’s right. Theodore Houseman, former band geek, now marching band rock star has finally landed the girl of his dreams.
Everything is perfect.
That is, until Troy takes a good look at her.
I’m not going down without a fight. As a matter of fact, I’m not going down at all. As glorious as these days may be for my all-star roommate, Laney is my end game. I may not know much about play strategy, but I’ve been the good guy my whole life. I’ve been listening, and I know exactly what women want. Framed in a picture standing next to me, Troy may seem like Mr. Perfect, but he’s underestimating the guy on the right.
Spoiler alert: In this story, the underdog is going to win.
For my new pillar, Kathleen, thanks for laughing with an outstretched hand. And for all my other rocks who never became rolling stones, I couldn’t do this life without you.
Listen along to The Guy on the Right playlist link on Spotify
Theo
College Station, Texas, population 113,564 and I’ve finally got a match. It’s not something I’m used to, but my luck’s been changing for the past few months, and seemingly for the better. It only took a few hours for my online profile to go live, and now that it has, I can freely admit I’m enjoying the ego boost.
TJGrand: How’s it going?
BlueBelle2001: Good night so far, you?
TJGrand: No complaints here. Just got home from the game.
BlueBelle2001: Me too. I thought that might be you.
TJGrand: You know who I am?
I can’t hide my grin as I look over her profile pic. She’s a bombshell and out of my league. But second guessing myself is not something I indulge in much anymore.
BlueBelle2001: Of course, I know who you are. I look for you at every party on game night.
TJGrand: I’m flattered.
BlueBelle2001: I can’t believe I just admitted it. So, I’m new to this. How do you want to do it?
TJGrand: Do it?
BlueBelle2001: You know (winking face emoji)