Page 108 of The Substitute

I lift my shoulders. “It makes it more real.”

“You are real, and I wouldn’t hide you from anyone in my life.” He holds my gaze. “You can be here any time you like. Understand?”

I nod.

THIRTY-FOUR

AMBROSE

Islept like absolute shit, and Tobi didn’t come home last night. I sent him a few texts, but he hasn’t replied to me yet. I get out of the room early so I don’t have to see his face coming back from spending the night with Savage. I don’t think I can stand it without blowing up and making things worse.

Usually, hockey cheers me up, but I can’t get my head on right, and the locker room is bustling with pregame anticipation, making it worse. The guys are doing their rituals, the staff is making sure everything is in place, all in good moods, and I know I’m going to be the one to bring the rest of them down.

I don’t have time for this. We’re playing the Gods, so they're more amped up than usual. They’re one of our biggest rivals in the Myth League, and since Savage is their fucking goalie, I know I’ll have to deal with him all night.

I’m half-dressed and sitting on the bench to get my skates done before I get my shoulder pads on when Teddy hurdles up to me. Since I’m already in a shitty mood, I don’t know if I can deal with him today.

“What’s going on with you and my brother? Why do you even know each other?”

I snap my head toward him, fear of being outed taking hold of me as ice floods my system. Did Tobi tell him something, and now Teddy’s pissed on his brother’s behalf?

“We told you—he’s my roommate.” I don’t get what he’s not understanding.

Teddy crosses his arms and gives me a look that says he doesn’t believe me. “How did that even happen? Most people know their roommates before.” He has a point.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “The lottery?”

Teddy scoffs. “You won the lottery and have to live in the dorm? How dumb do you think I am? What’s the real agenda here?!”

Fuck. I pinch the bridge of my nose. I don’t even know how to explain this to him, and I really don’t want to be a dick, but my patience is already low. “What kind of agenda—” Nope. I’m not letting him bait me tonight. “It’s called a roommate lottery.”

“You won my brother? I’m no lawyer, but that seems not under the bar.”

Now I’m confused. “The bar? What are you even talking about?”

“Why are you stalking me and my brother?” Teddy demands very loudly, which makes the locker room quiet down.“Why do you want to room both of us up?!”

“I’m the captain, first off. I have to stalk you so you don’t get lost. And I live with your brother because the university told me to!” The guys around us snicker and turn back to getting ready for the game. Teddy’s nonsense is nothing new around here.

“You better not be sleeping with him!” Teddy yells, pointing a finger at me.

Now I’m so frustrated, I can’t help but fuck with him, too. “The rooms are tiny and the beds are very close together.”

“Ten minutes to warm ups!” Coach yells, and Teddy shuffles back to his spot to finish putting on his pads.

As I get mine over my head, Osha leans in and quietly asks, “Is your roommate into dudes?”

I’m going to murder everyone.

“If you start fucking my roommate and I have to look at your ass more than I already do, I’ll tell Coach you need to see psych.” I look him dead in the eye, and he backs off with his hands up. No one wants to be sent to the team psychologist.

“Noted.” Osha grabs his helmet and walks off. Good. I’m not in the mood for any more shit.

This game has been a shit show from the beginning.

Anytime I’m anywhere near their goal, Savage has something to say. What the fuck did Tobi tell him last night? I’m not in the fucking mood, and he’s pushing it too far. I’m going to kill him. It’s one way to make sure I’m not sharing Tobi with him anymore, I guess, and it’s looking more and more promising.

He’s really trying to get me to hit him, and I really don’t give a flying fuck as to why. Tobi went to him and didn’t come back to the dorm last night. I’m not an idiot. I know where the fuck he was.