The Guy on the Right (The Underdogs 1)

He pauses on the sidewalk, and they both turn to look at me in surprise.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Your daughter. She’s beautiful, devastatingly so. She lights up every room she walks into.”

I shove my hands in my pockets to ward off the cold. “She’s smart, outspoken, and can be a handful, but she can handle herself in any situation.”

“Excuse me, but are you talking about Elai—”

“She’s got an addiction to junk food and an odd taste in idols, but it should come as no surprise to you that they’re all women.”

He stands stunned as he reads my hostile expression.

“She could probably run a mile in her boots on the beach without breaking a sweat. She’s pure country, and I’m positive that won’t ever change. She’s a pessimist with an optimistic heart, and I am falling madly in love with her.”

I study his profile as it changes from shock to remorse.

“She’s my favorite person in the world, and I can’t imagine not knowing her. I can’t imagine having the chance to know her and throwing it away.”

I take an aggressive step forward and catch his eager gaze. He clearly wants more but is too much of a coward to ask.

“She’s going to graduate soon, and I’m going to do my damnedest to be the man in her life. You don’t deserve to know any of this. But you deserve to regret your decision.”

“So, she’s—”

“Better off.” I pull his card from my pocket, rip it in half and toss in on the sidewalk between us. “Sorry, Jim. I’m just not your kind of Grand Man.”

I retreat back to the party and shut the door behind me. I expect to be met with the hostile eyes of my parents; instead, I’m met with three pairs of surprised eyes.

“This is you?” Courtney says lifting her phone. “Fifty-six thousand followers? Are you fucking serious?”

Brenna snatches the phone away from her. “I can’t believe this is you, you’re famous!”

I snort. “We are not famous.”

She walks up to me and shoves the phone in my face. “Fifty-six thousand people are watching your every move, Theo.”

I shrug. “It’s just a school project for Laney.”

“A school project that’s got the two of you trending as the couple to watch in 2019.”

I try to ignore the small swell of pride I feel for her, for us. For what started out as a friendship and has turned into the most amazing thing to happen to me.

“Seriously, Theo?” Jamie asks with a little hurt in her voice. “Why would you keep this from us?”

“I think that’s obvious,” I take a step back as they circle me like vultures.

“Well, you’re screwed now, little brother. We’re definitely coming fo

r a visit.

“Bet it up, punk, she’s our new best friend.”

“I still can’t believe this is you, boy sperm.”

Grannism—Not all men are created equal. Half of them were created due to God’s sense of humor.

Laney