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SIXTEEN

RHYS

I ’ve been avoiding going over to Tobi’s house all of break to make sure I don’t see Teddy, which isn’t easy considering I’m avoiding my mom as much as possible too. We still haven’t worked things out from before and it’s just growing more strained by the day. We can’t seem to have a conversation without shouting, and I don’t know how to fix any of it, and it is all too overwhelming.

So, I’ve just avoided her.

But I always go over to Tobi’s for dessert on Thanksgiving. Tobi’s parents are so good to me, and I don’t want to be rude.

Tobi said Teddy is leaving tonight because they have a game tomorrow, so I put it off as late as possible. I really don’t want to face him. I don’t get why he bothered unblocking me just to ask me something so trivial.

Rhys: I’m here. Come, let me in.

Tobi: Be there in a minute.

I shove my hands in my pockets, waiting.

Mrs. Ellis gets to the door before he does. She pulls me into a hug. “I was starting to wonder if you were too busy this year to come by.”

“I’m never too busy to come eat your pumpkin pie.” I give her a huge smile, forcing it to stay there when I spot Teddy hovering behind her.

“I’m glad you remember the little people now that you’re a hotshot hockey player with your own company,” she says playfully.

“Tobi needs to learn to keep things to himself.” I roll my eyes. “I’d never stop coming to see my second mom. Don’t worry.”

“You better not!” She pats my cheek before heading towards the kitchen. “Rhys is here, everyone. Let’s serve the pies.”

“Hi,” Teddy mutters.

I lift my chin in a silent greeting.

“How’s it going, kiddo?” Mr. Ellis asks. “How are you liking college?”

“I love it.”

“I saw that goal in your game against the Olympians! What a shot.”

I try not to wince, eyes flicking to Teddy to see how he reacts. “Thank you.”

“You hit that corner so fast, Teddy didn’t even have time to react!”

My gaze doesn’t leave Teddy and the muscle jumping in his cheek. “Lucky shot. Teddy is quick as fuck. It takes a lot to get past him.”

“I know! That’s what makes the shot so good. Teddy is killer in the goal. So for your first season to sink one like that!” Mr. Ellis gives a low whistle. “Incredible. I hope your coach sees how good you are.”

“I think he does.” I finally look away from Teddy, knowing this will end up in me being re-blocked.

Tobi nods, bringing plates to the table. “What’s up?”

“Not too much,” I say, taking my usual seat.

Teddy wordlessly sits across from me. I avoid his gaze.

“What kind of pie does everyone want?” Mrs. Ellis says as she starts plating them. “I already know it’s pumpkin for you, Rhys.” She sets the first plate in front of me.

“Thank you.”

“I want cherry and pumpkin so I can eat them together, please,” Teddy says.

Everyone at the table turns towards him.

“It’s good. You should try it,” Teddy says like it’s normal.

Discreetly I get out my phone, changing his contact.

Rhys changed Teddy’s contact to Cherry Pumpkin.

Cherry Pumpkin: jokes on u i like it

I roll my eyes.

“Guess what Teddy asked me about today?” Tobi says and continues before anyone else can answer. “Breeding.”

Fuck my life.

I cough and grab my water.

Teddy stares Tobi down. “I already asked Mom, which I told you. No need to bring anyone else into this.”

“I thought that’s why I could bring it up at the table since you’ve already talked to everyone about it,” Tobi replies, narrowing his eyes.

I hold up my hands. “Not me. We have not talked about this.” And I don’t want to because my dick is now filling with blood, and it’s going to be real awkward to get up from this table.

“Tobias! That’s not nice to do to your brother in front of our guest.”

“Rhys is like our third brother. It’s fine,” Tobi says.

I finally meet Teddy’s gaze. He’s a little pink.

Teddy changed Rhys’ contact to Not My Brother

Not My Brother: You trying to tell me something?

Cherry Pumpkin: no shut up

Teddy’s cheeks flush even more.

I bite back a growl.

Not My Brother: No? Who are you trying to breed then?

Cherry Pumpkin: no 1

Not My Brother: That’s got to be a lie.

Cherry Pumpkin: dont act like u dont know

Later Tobi and I are hanging out in his room, and he brings up my brothers again, which is just getting awkward. But he won’t stop pressing me. I can’t figure out why.

“How are things with them? Like really?”

“I don’t know. Owen is making an effort to get to know me, and he’s said our sister will love me if she ever comes back for a visit, but I don’t know how on-board Oliver is.” I admit, having bottled it up for so many months it just spills out.

“Why do you even want to know them?”

I lift my shoulders. I’m not sure I really know, so I can’t explain it to him. “I guess I thought it would be nice to have brothers.”

“It’s not that great. You’ve seen me with mine my whole life.” Tobi rolls his eyes. “How long are you going to keep on this show of fake-dating Teddy for them?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far in advance about it.” I admit because I haven’t just not for the reasons he thinks. I almost tell Tobi that it doesn’t matter because his brother isn’t speaking to me anymore, but I stop myself. That will bring up too many questions. And maybe it’s wishful thinking but I still want Teddy to go with me. I don’t want to lose him completely. I guess I’ll have to see if he keeps me unblocked after this.

“Isn’t it counterintuitive to bring Teddy if you want a good relationship with them?”

“Owen’s husband really likes Teddy, and it would be weird to just break up don’t you think?”

“People break up all the time,” Tobi says in a disgusted tone.

“Plus, Oliver is still being a dick, and I like that he annoys Oliver.” And Teddy feels like a safety net.

“And you’re just going to bring him to everything you do with your brothers?” Tobi asks with disdain.

“They think we are dating. Remember?”

Tobi’s expression darkens. “Right. So, tell them you broke up and I’ll go.”

“So I’m dating my ex-boyfriend’s brother? That doesn’t look better.” I sigh, flopping back on his bed.

“You said you wanted to use Teddy to annoy them. Does it have to look good?”

“Not like that. Teddy is just—well Teddy—so he annoyed Oliver. I don’t want to look bad to them in general.” Nor do I want to look weak and needing my best friend for moral support just looks like I can’t face Oliver.

“Me going is still better than you going alone.” Tobi seems upset but I can’t put my finger on why.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” I drape my arm over my face.

“Where are you going alone?” Teddy asks.

“Have you been listening this whole time?” I ask.

“Not the whole time,” Teddy says sheepishly. “I wanted to make sure you weren’t talking about my breeding.”

“We don’t want to talk about you!” Tobi scoffs.

“Good!” Teddy throws back. “Now, where are you going alone?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I say not wanting to do this in front of Tobi.

“If it doesn’t matter, then tell me!” Teddy says.

Fuck. I just need to get him off my back.

“To dinner with my brothers. They think we are dating because of the dedication. So, I have to tell them we broke up, but I can’t bring Tobi now and act like I’m dating your brother. That won’t look good.” I say it all in one breath, so maybe he’ll leave.

“You’d date my brother after me?” Teddy sounds offended.

“This is fake.” I sit up glaring at him, so he’ll shut up.

“I can be fake mad you’d date my brother after me!” Teddy says seriously, like all of this doesn’t sound fucking wild.

“Maybe I’m mad you’re fake dating my fucking best friend, then,” Tobi interjects.

Teddy stiffens, hopefully realizing what he’s done.

“I’m not going to bring him. I don’t think dating my fake ex’s brother would make me look good,” I say sternly. “I’ll just go alone.”

Cherry Pumpkin: u shouldnt have to go alone

Not My Brother: Just drop it.

Cherry Pumpkin: y

Not My Brother: You had me fucking blocked.

Cherry Pumpkin: im srry ill go with u so u don’t have 2 face ur brothers alone

Not My Brother: No.

Cherry Pumpkin: its the right thing 2 do!

Not My Brother: I don’t want you to.

Cherry Pumpkin: y not

Not My Brother: Because you’ll just block me again. It’s better to say we broke up.

I don’t even know why I’m fucking texting him.

I turn off my phone. I can’t deal with this right now. Not while Tobi is being weird and finals coming up. Dinner is already too much. I don’t have the mental space to add being upset about Teddy again.

I walk into our apartment, and my mother is sitting at the table.

“Why did I get this in the mail?” she asks.

“What?” I hang up my coat and walk over.

It’s an envelope. A fancy one with embossed gold lettering. She’s already opened it, so I pull it out to read.

It’s an invitation to a charity gala the Godfreys host every year, but why would they send one to her?

But then I see it. My name is signed to the bottom. I guess Owen was serious about this being part of the family thing.

“They want to get to know me.”

She looks like I smacked her. “Why would you want to put yourself through that? They were raised by your father, and you saw what he put me through for money for the last nineteen years. Why would you want to do that for your entire life?”

“They may not have liked my existence in the beginning, but they tell me the fucking truth.” I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth.

“It’s your life. I guess you’ll keep doing what you want.”