The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs 2)

“You look like shit.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you sure you’re making the right decision?”

I nod. “I can’t be with someone who doesn’t have my back and won’t trust me to have hers.”

“Then I pray she does the work because you two were beautiful together. Your family is beautiful. And even if your relationship isn’t where you want it, make no mistake, son, that is your family.”

I swallow the truth of it. “I know.”

“Good. Glad you know it all. So, when are you going over there?”

“Soon.”

“How soon?”

“Mom,” I say exasperated, pushing my plate away. “Enough.”

“Just remember when you were working your ass off to get drafted, she was working her ass off to keep your son

warm. So, stop punishing her for keeping the secrets she kept out of love, for you, so you could do what you needed to do.”

“Doesn’t change the fact we don’t trust each other.”

“I think you know that’s not true.”

“I’ve done everything I can to prove myself to her, and it’s not good enough.”

“No, you haven’t.”

“What?” I gape at her. “You’re kidding me, right? Mom—”

“You keep convincing yourself that everything is so cut and dried. If you want a real family, it comes with the good and bad—cuts, bruises, and bumps, and there is no end date for that. You two will fight and often. You’re so much alike it’s scary. Pig-headed, stubborn…”

“Great talk, Mom.”

“Sit your ass down, right now.”

I blow out a breath resuming my seat at the table.

“You’re also both loving—selfless and a little selfish—but you both love that little boy with all your heart and soul. You’re amazing parents, but clueless with relationships. Having the real thing means good months and bad months, maybe a bad year or two, rinse and repeat. You two have yet to figure out how to get past a bad day, and that’s okay, it comes with time. You want to call it quits with her, fine. But you’re going to have a hell of a time keeping any relationship, unless you leave the scoreboard on the field where it belongs. Right or wrong, who did what to whom—who gives a shit? Your son is suffering, and here you are, still in love with her. If you were so damned determined to outshine any other man in her life, why didn’t you do the one thing you had to do that no other man has managed?”

Swallowing, I stare at my plate. “Stay.”

“I’ll get your keys.”

Pulling up the driveway, I see Theo on the porch with Dante and am instantly on edge. I’m already dreading facing Clarissa and don’t want to deal with the aftermath of my falling out with Theo. He deserves an apology, but I’m over his assumptions about me, over defending myself, and I can see the clear accusation in his eyes when Dante greets me on the steps.

“Hey, little man, where’s your mom?”

Dante shakes his head. “She’s inside, but she’s crying.”

I spare a glance at Theo, who’s already armored up.

“Tell me you didn’t. Jesus Christ, Jenner.”

Dante looks between us, confused. “What did he do?”