Page 149 of The Substitute

“You fucking tell me. You talked to him tonight.”

“Is that a crime now?” he throws back.

“He’s a fucking mess.” I suck in a breath and try to get my thoughts in order. “He sobbed himself to sleep tonight. It has to stop.”

“I’m trying to make it stop!” Savage’s attitude drops, and he looks as miserable as Tobi is. Looking at him closer, I see he’s not doing well either, if the dark circles under his eyes are anything to go by. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him fraying at the edges. “You think this is easy for me? At least you can hold him. He won’t even fucking respond to a text.”

“He doesn’t want to talk to me about whatever he’s feeling because of our”—I motion between Savage and me—“issues. We are hurting him.”

“Are you not asking him? You’re just living in the land of delusion?” Savage gets in my face.

I grit my teeth and clench my fists. “Am I asking specifically how he feels about you? Not all the time. But I am asking how he’s doing, if he wants to talk, and if I can do anything fucking daily.”

“What the fuck do you want me to do? I’m not going to just disappear so you can have your happily ever after with him. I love him.”

“I love him, too. That’s why I’m here, asshat.”

“What are you proposing exactly?” Savage asks.

“You need to stop being a dick and pissing me off on purpose.” I keep going ignoring his raised brow. “He needs both of us. Together.”

The wheels in his head are turning, and all I can do is hope he’ll try. “You really think that will work?”

“Honestly? No. But Tobi needs us to put our shit aside for a while. He’s not okay.”

“He’s not even speaking to me. I’ve been trying.”

“He’s really hurt. But I think you just need to keep showing up. I can’t fix it alone.” I hate admitting it to him, but I’ve been trying.

“You’re going to be okay seeing him with me?”

I sigh and run a hand over my face. “I’ll find a way. Are you going to be okay seeing him with me?”

“You act like I haven’t been sharing nicely. I was the one who told you to fucking talk to him.” A cocky smile lifts one side of his mouth, drawing my gaze to his lips. “Plus, I like watching, and I think you do, too.”

I’m going to hit him. “What do you have tomorrow morning?”

“Not shit.”

“Come back to the dorm with me. Be there when Tobi wakes up.”

Savage sobers and watches me. “You’re serious about this.”

“I love him. I’m willing to deal with you for him, which means I’m really fucked.”

“You must be,” Savage laughs but then gets serious. “I love him, too.”

“Good. Time to prove it.” I open his door and gesture for him to go.

“I’m telling him this was your idea if he gets mad.”

I roll my eyes.

When we get back to the dorm, we strip down to our boxers, and I slide back into my spot next to the wall and pull Tobi against me to give Savage room. Tobi sighs into my shoulder and settles quickly. Savage lies behind him, plastering his chest to Tobi’s back and inhales deeply.

Something flips in Savage’s body language, like he’s found peace. It’s interesting. I didn’t expect it.

Since the bed is a fucking twin and there’s three of us in it, we all end up touching. Savage’s arm is over my waist with mine over his, and my thigh is on top of both of theirs. It’s surprisingly comfortable. But we need a bigger bed.