The Guy on the Right (The Underdogs 1)

“I got you something,” I say, changing the subject.

“Oh yeah?” She lights up.

I reach into my duffle and pull out the wrapped box. “It’s one more than I got Court and Brenna, so don’t rat me out, okay?”

“You aren’t supposed to have a favorite,” she says with a light laugh.

“I think that rule is for moms, and anyway look at your competition.”

She nudges me. “Courtney loves you. Brenna too.”

“I know. Just open it.”

She rips off the paper with enthusiasm. “Oh my God.” She lifts the inscribed bar necklace and reads the scroll on both sides.

“One side means word warrior and the other, seeker of justice,” I explain. I thought you could wear it your first day in court, you know, as a good luck charm.”

“This is beautiful,” she says, choking up.

“Don’t you dare cry.”

“I can’t help it.” She hugs me tightly to her, and I hug her back. “This is everything. Thank you.”

“I’m proud of you. You worked your ass off.”

“You’re too cool, little brother.”

“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Teddy.” She pulls away and smiles. “Come on, before Dad has a coronary.”

At the foot of the stairs, we’re greeted by my dad who gives us a dead stare while helping Mom into her coat. We go to the annual neighborhood Christmas party held at the clubhouse every year, but this year is different because one of Dad’s new golfing buddies, who he’s set on impressing, just moved into the neighborhood and mentioned stopping by. And Dad rarely misses an opportunity to showboat his family. We take the freezing walk to the clubhouse, my sisters’ heels clicking on the sidewalk as Courtney belts out “Jingle Bells” like she’s one of the wicked stepsisters. My mother sighs and leans over to my dad. “I’ll admit, I dropped that one.”

“I knew it,” he replies dryly before they share a smile.

“I heard that,” Courtney says. “I’m still an improvement from the boy sperm.”

We enter the clubhouse, and as usual, it’s decked out. We live in one of the more exclusive neighborhoods in the Houston suburbs. My parents are socialites and make it their mission to keep their calendar full. This particular party they attend because of the few coveted awards—including best garden—passed out each year. They even give out ridiculous little glass trophies. Mom has won it twice, and I swe

ar she shines them once a day. The whole ritual is absurd, but we humor them because appearances are important to them, and they are genuinely proud of us. I think about Laney’s slice of peaceful heaven in the middle of nowhere compared to the industrial park I grew up in. It’s like night and day. We come from completely different worlds, and yet I’m comfortable in hers. I wonder if she would feel the same in mine.

“There they are!”

A few neighbors greet my parents as we offspring plaster on smiles.

“And this is my son, Theo, and my daughter, Jamie. Jamie graduated last May and is with a new firm. She has her first day in court on Monday, and Theo is a junior at TGU. Music major.” My dad beams with pride as Jamie and I show our teeth for inspection like prized ponies.

The man extends his hand, and I shake it.

“Nice to meet you, sir.”

He grins over at me. “Call me, Jim. And I was a Grand Man myself.”

My father’s smile grows Grinchy big. “I didn’t know that.”

Jim leans forward and claps me on the back. “Loved that school. Time of my life.” He gives me a knowing wink.

I nod uneasily because I get the same vibe from him that I do from Troy. And from the looks of him and his wife, he’s kept his playboy appetite. He’s got an arrogant type of confidence that only goes along with a lifetime of getting his way.