The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs 2)

Forensic Scientist, Indiana

Makes 6 servings

45 minutes

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Packet Fiesta Ranch Mix

1 Can Black or Pinto Beans

1 Can Rotel

1 Can Corn (not drained)

1 8 oz. Block Cream Cheese

Place chicken in crockpot and pour Fiesta Ranch Mix evenly over chicken. Pour beans, Rotel, and corn into the crockpot but do not stir them together. Lay block of cream cheese on top of mixture.

Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove and shred chicken. Add chicken back into the crockpot and stir well to mix all other ingredients together.

Great served over rice or may be eaten with tortillas.

Clarissa

Toweling Dante off, I peek out the bathroom window for the umpteenth time as he tells me about his day. The first day of kindergarten is a breeze, according to my little man.

“Jase is not as smart as me. Neither is ugly Carly.”

“Not nice,” I remind him as he puts his hands on my shoulders, and I pull up his underwear, studying his profile. After seeing Troy up close a few days ago, I realized just how much he favored his father. It had been so long that I’d almost forgotten how striking, fuck that, how ridiculously hot Troy is. Even more so now. My baby’s wet lashes are as thick and long as his. His eyes the same brilliant blue.

“Mommmmy,” Dante draws out, “did you hear me?”

“No, buddy, what did you say?”

“I said that Carly is ugly.”

“Even if that’s your opinion, you keep it to yourself. Do you hear me? She could turn out to be a good friend one day.” He shakes his head beneath the towel in protest as I scrub off the excess moisture. Once he’s dry, I study Dante carefully to try and distinguish which of his features are mine.

Noticing my scrutiny, he widens his eyes and leans in with his nose pressed to mine, drawing out my laugh.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just looking, Peanut.”

“I’m not a peanut. I’m getting bigger.” He flexes, and I end up on my butt in hysterics as he exaggeratedly shows off his muscles while pinching his hands making twin beaks and animatedly moving them back and forth. “These swans are legit.”

I agree through my laugh. “So big.”

“Don’t say it like that. I know you’re just playing when you say it like that.”

“You may be getting big, but you’ll always be my baby,” I say, gathering his dirty clothes as he struggles with his shirt before poking his head through the hole. “I’m going to be as big as Troy one day.”

I bite my lip, doing my best to hide my reaction. Hearing Troy’s name from his lips is earth-shattering. “There’s a really good chance you will be.”

“I’ll be so big. You’ll see. Then I can tell Carly she’s ugly.”

“No, son. You can never ever tell Carly she’s ugly. Ever. Being bigger doesn’t mean you can pop off at the mouth and hurt people’s feelings.”