The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs 2)

“Got it, hold up.” He jogs over to the SUV and grabs my duffle, handing it to me, along with the cash I had just given him. “Spend it on him.”

“Thanks, man. You’re a good friend.”

“Hit me up and let me know it’s all good.”

“Will do.”

I manage to make it to the address in minutes because it’s only a neighborhood over. Pulling up, I see Dante on the front porch, his chest bouncing with his cries. My heart cracks at the sight of him dressed in the jeans and Grand hoodie I bought him. I’d even gelled his hair like mine because he’d asked me to. I should have spoken up this morning and told Clarissa my fears, but I wanted, more than anything, for him to have a good time tonight, for those fears to be unfounded and for him to find some friends. The mother approaches me, confused as Dante leaps to my side.

“Where’s Clarissa?”

“She got tied up. I’m the neighbor.”

She looks me up and down. “Lucky Clarissa.”

I don’t bother acknowledging her. “What happened?” Dante clings to my leg as she stares over at me in a way that has my stomach turning.

“Not sure, they were playing upstairs, and Dante came down not long after asking to call his mother.”

“Do you know what was said?”

A little boy Dante’s age and much bigger is watching behind the cracked front door with a smirk on his face.

“What did you say to him?” I ask the boy.

“Now, now, let’s not go accusing anyone of any wrongdoing. Sometimes kids get scared at these things, being away from home and all.”

I pull Dante closer to me. “You’re raising a bully. This isn’t the first time that kid has messed with Dante. Do yourself a favor and nip that crap in the bud before he permanently screws some kid up. But I can guarantee you, it won’t be this one.”

“You know, Chris wasn’t even going to invite Dante. I’m the one who insisted on the invite.”

“Yeah, well, you can see how well that worked out.”

“You can go now,” she says, dismissing me in a huff.

“Happy to. This is your future problem, not mine, mark my words, you’re going to wish you had paid more attention.” I lift Dante into my arms. His chest pumps with his cries as I run a soothing hand down his back. “It’s okay, bud. It’s okay.” He hugs me tightly to him, his tears soaking my face, as I bend down and grab his backpack. I make sure to narr

ow my eyes at the little shit still staring at us before making my way back to my truck.

It’s the same kid who called him a weirdo on Halloween, and a kid with no conscience is the most dangerous thing on earth.

Safely inside the cab, I hold Dante to me until I feel his breathing even out. Once I’ve got him strapped in, I finally take a breath, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders.

“What happened?”

“I was trying to show them what Harper taught me.”

I physically flinch feeling Clarissa’s and my efforts backfire in a big fucking way.

“You tried to teach them how to dance?”

Dante nods.

Fuck. Fuckity fuck!

“You said it was cool.”

“I did, bud, for us. Most little boys don’t go around teaching other boys how to dance.”