Page 18

EIGHTEEN

RHYS

Tobi: How are you still at practice?

Rhys: We have film tonight.

Rhys: But I can’t hang out. Remember?

Tobi: What do you mean?

Rhys: I have dinner at my brother’s house.

Tobi: Fuck. What am I expected to do for dinner without you? Eat with my brother? Gross.

Rhys: You can’t eat with him either…

Tobi: You’re not seriously bringing him, are you?

Tobi: Aren’t we boycotting Teddy?

Tobi: I’m not mad. I’ve been looking for a reason.

I hesitate. I don’t want to tell him, but how can I not? He’ll notice if Teddy isn’t around and he’ll probably see me picking him up.

This is just getting awkward. Why do I keep doing this to myself?

Maybe it’s because I do secretly want a relationship with my brothers, but the fucking stress of it fucking blows. But bringing Teddy is—I don’t know what it is. Do I want them to like me or do I want his help? Deep down, do I think their husbands will like Teddy more than me? What a weird fucking thought.

Teddy feels like a safety net when I’m dealing with my brothers.

This is an existential crisis I don’t need right now. So I just stomp it down. In a box and on the shelf to never deal with later. Probably not the healthiest thing, but is coping healthy?

Tobi: You just gonna leave me hanging about my own brother?

Tobi: If you don’t tell me, I’m going to ask Teddy.

Tobi: And I will not be held responsible for what he says.

Rhys: Keep your fucking panties on.

Rhys: I told you. I’m in films with the team.

Tobi: That’s your fault. You can’t dangle things in front of my face.

Rhys: I’m not dangling.

Tobi: And yet, you’re not talking either.

Rhys: Remember how Teddy went with me to the dedication thing for my dad…

Tobi: Unfortunately.

Why is this so hard? It’s a text but I can’t make my fingers write it.

Tobi: don’t tell me you’re still doing this.

Tobi: I thought you were telling them you broke up?

Tobi: Why do you even still want to take him.

I suddenly remember Teddy asked me not to talk to him about it. Is this why? I assumed Tobi would be fine with it because he knew I took Teddy as my date to the building dedication. I mean, I know he’s not going to be happy about it, but he’ll at least deal with it to help me.

Tobi: Rhys?

Tobi: What the fuck?

But it doesn’t seem like he’s taking it well at all.

Rhys: I just didn’t want it to be weird telling them we broke up and have to go alone.

Rhys: Don’t be mad.

Rhys: It’s just a bit.

Tobi: So you’re fake dating my brother as a bit?

Tobi: You told me you were ending it. What happened?

Tobi: Why would you even want to keep it up.

Tobi: How long are you going to do this for?

Tobi: Like are you going to fake marry him?

Rhys: It’s just dinner and it pisses Oliver off. That feels good right now.

Rhys: I don’t know how long it will last.

I don’t want to try and explain it and upset Teddy. I don’t want to cause more issues between them.

Tobi: I don’t like it.

Tobi: But whatever. I guess it’s kinda funny.

I let out a pent-up breath.

Rhys: Right? So I have to bring him with me.

Rhys: And if it pisses Oliver off bonus points right?

Tobi: I can only imagine how annoying Oliver finds him. I’m related to him and he drives me crazy.

Rhys: At least he’s helpful right?

Tobi: I need a full update when you are done.

Rhys: I’ll text you after.

Tobi: Fuck that. I’m coming over.

Tobi: Let me know when you’re on your way home.

Great. I can’t even get a blow job after dinner.

Rhys: I will be pretty wiped. I have practice tomorrow and need to sleep.

Tobi: I’m not taking no for an answer.

Rhys: When I kick you out because I’m dead tired, you can’t get mad.

Tobi: Whatever.

I feel like a total dick somehow. I know Teddy would agree with me. He doesn’t want Tobi to know, either, but that doesn’t ease my guilt.

Loves My Cock: I can’t believe you haven’t changed my name yet.

Fake Boyfriend: y would i

Loves My Cock: Anyone could look at your phone.

Fake Boyfriend: n e 1 could look at ur phone.

Loves My Cock: It has fake in the name.

Fake Boyfriend: peeps loving my cock is legit

Fake Boyfriend: my cock is the shit.

Loves My Cock: I don’t think that is the compliment you mean it to be.

Fake Boyfriend: not like my name is any better

Loves My Cock: Was Needs A Breeding better? Is it still accurate?

Teddy types for a long time, then stops, then starts again.

Loves My Cock: I’m going to take that as a yes.

Teddy takes a long time to reply, and I focus on what Coach is saying until my phone buzzes.

Fake Boyfriend: i didnt say that!

Loves My Cock: So convincing.

Fake Boyfriend: i plead the fifth

Loves My Cock: Do you even know what that means?

Fake Boyfriend: ye it means i dont have to talk

Loves My Cock: Not really. It’s just against self incriminating in court. You don’t have to incriminate yourself.

Fake Boyfriend: exactly so im not incriminating myself

Loves My Cock: That’s not what I meant.

Fake Boyfriend: but u said it

Loves My Cock: We need to work on your sexting.

Fake Boyfriend: ? were sexting

Loves My Cock: Never mind.

Fake Boyfriend: and i can’t fuck the enemy!

Loves My Cock: You absolutely can.

Fake Boyfriend: r u trying to get me hate crimed? the boys will blanket party me!

Loves My Cock: That’s not how hate crimes work.

Fake Boyfriend: well im gonna hate it!

Loves My Cock: We are finishing up here. Are you ready to go?

Fake Boyfriend: im ready and waiting in my sunday best

I’m scared of what that means to him, but I don’t say anything.

The car pulls up to his dorm, and he comes sauntering out, looking fairly normal in jeans and a big puffer coat. I can work with this. He slides in scooting right up next to me.

“I surprised you. Didn’t I?”

“Why does this feel like a trap?” I turn to look him over, trying to figure out what I’m missing.

“That says more about you than it does about me.” Teddy grins.

I mutter, “Fuck you.” Because now I do feel even more guilty.

“Do you think they’ll have whore da doors?” He can’t really mean whores?

“What?” I ask when I can’t work it out.

“Seems like a thing rich people would have. They did at the building dedication thing, didn’t they?” Teddy just brushes over my question, almost like he’s talking to himself.

“What the fuck are whore doors?” I ask again, a little scared now of what the answer might be.

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean! I’m too hungry for this, and I don’t speak I-tal-yon or whatever.” He huffs.

“Do you mean hors d’oeuvres? And it’s French.”

“Yeah, whatever, the pre-food you eat before you eat your food-food.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That’s called an appetizer.”

Teddy growls in frustration.

“And you think I get hangry?”

“You do.” He crosses his arms, all pouty.

I lean over putting my lips next to his ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll eat you after.”

“Are you into vore?”

Well that wasn’t the reaction I wanted.

“How do you know what vore is but not breeding?”

“Everyone knows what vore is!” Teddy insists, turning to catch my lips in a kiss. “I don’t know if I want to pretend to be inside you.”

I look at the ceiling of the car. “I just meant blow you, don’t worry.”

“Phew! I was pretty worried considering the way you get hangry.”

Thankfully, we get to Owen’s place pretty quick since he lives closer to Summerset. We ride the elevator up in silence, and I exhale before knocking.

Colin pulls open the door, beaming. “Hello there. So nice to welcome you to our home.” He steps aside and lets us pass.

We walk into a warm open layout kitchen and living room.

Owen is standing next to a bar cart making drinks. “Anyone want a drink?”

“Yes, please.”

“Anything but a cocktail!” Teddy says, taking off his coat to hand to Colin.

“What are you wearing?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

Somehow Teddy got his hands on what looks like Tobi’s Gods jersey, but he’s defaced it. Drawing an x over the Gods’ logo. But worse, it’s at least two sizes too small. He looks like he’s going to hulk out of it at any moment. The seams are stressed.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Teddy says in a sugary sweet voice.

“How are you even fitting into that?” I ask making a face because it looks rather uncomfortable.

“Worth it,” he says in a strained voice. He turns to take his drink from Owen, which is thankfully not in a martini glass.

I catch something with his movement and step behind him. Over my name on the back, he’s written in sharpie, “Biggest Fan”

Colin follows my gaze, and it dawns on him too, and he starts laughing.

Teddy looks over his shoulder and grins, making my chest all warm. “Like it?”

“You are too much!” I take the drink from Owen. “Where’s Oliver?”

“We gave you an earlier time than we told Oliver and Isaac so we could have a little chat first.” Colin takes his drink over to their sofa. “So let’s chat.”

I can’t help but think this is going to get interesting. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything,” Colin’s eyes gleam.