The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs 2)

She pauses with the straw halfway to her mouth. “What? When?”

“Last month.”

“And you’re just now telling me?!”

“You’ve been busy. I’ve been busy and in denial.”

“What did you do?”

“I’m letting him be the neighbor for now. What choice do I have?”

“I’m going over there.”

“Reason number three I didn’t tell you.”

She shifts in her seat. “I give zero shits.”

“Parker, listen to me. Dante still doesn’t know. And for now, we’re going to keep it that way. Don’t come in like a bull in a china shop. We’re treading carefully here.”

She narrows her eyes. “I’m the co-parent.”

It’s the truth. She is. Guilt nags at me as I think of my omission in our conversations in the last few weeks. “I’m sorry. You’re right, but you were in London, and I didn’t want you going postal a continent away.”

Parker was on the fast track to rich and successful the minute we graduated. She stays with us between long stints overseas. When I first had Dante, she’d been my savior and was able to afford everything I couldn’t, which saved our asses on multiple occasions. I don’t know what I would have done without her. She’s everything wrapped in one, a best friend, a co-parent, and the only family we have. Dante and I wouldn’t have survived without her.

“So, is he…is he acting like a Dad?”

“He’s allowed to be a friend, for now. We’re testing the waters to see how this goes.”

“Is he still hot?”

“Jesus. He’s so beautiful.” I follow Parker’s gaze to see Dante playing Skee-Ball. “And I hate him.”

“Yeah, me too. But hate can be amazing fuel in the bedroom.”

My lips lift into a genuine smile. “I’m covered there too.”

She slaps her palm on the table, her inky dark hair spilling over her shoulder as her brown eyes meet mine. “You’ve been holding out all over.”

“This is a new development.” I waggle my brows. “Brett Tompkins. We had a drink last week. And there was kissing.”

“WHAT!? Oh my God, lady! Is he still hot?”

“Hotter.”

“Than Troy?”

“We’re not comparing the two.”

“Well runner-up isn’t bad, and he’s loaded too. You know that, right?”

“Dinner is all he gets to pay for. And I like him.”

Parker frowns. “You were crazy for him in college, that’s not the case now?”

“I mean, it’s been years since then. I’m getting to know him again. We’ll see. And Troy watched Dante.”

She sits back in her seat. “Let me get this straight. You’ve got a hot as all hell baby daddy as a baby-sitter and a hot as shit real estate mogul after your ass. Woman, you should be walking on a cloud!”