Page 150 of The Substitute

He nuzzles into Tobi’s neck like he’s trying to bury himself in Tobi’s skin and scent. Maybe he is. Tobi doesn’t wake, but he does seem more relaxed than I’ve seen him since everything went down.

Savage and I lock eyes in the dark, and for a second, he lets me see how exhausted he is.

“Thank you,” he whispers, and I slide my arm under the pillow to put my hand on his shoulder. He closes his eyes and, with a deep sigh, falls asleep.

FORTY-SIX

TOBI

For the first time in a while, my brain wakes up slowly. It’s not the light switch that usually flips, releasing the nonstop thoughts.

I’m so warm.

And hard. So fucking hard.

A big hand runs down my chest, and I arch into the touch.

“I think someone is waking up,” Savage whispers.

Wait, what?

Am I dreaming?

My eyes pop open, and I lean back against a warm chest as I blink at the face in front of me. What the hell is happening?

Savage is smirking at me when my vision clears, and Ambrose’s sleep-roughened chuckle vibrates against my back.

“What is happening? What are you doing here?” My heart is in my throat as I wait for his answer.

“I’m fixing this.” Savage runs his knuckle under my chin and up my jaw while he leans in, staring at my mouth. “You’re too important. I can’t lose you. Not without a fight.”

His lips touch mine in a delicate kiss that lingers while he steals my breath.

“But…I don’t…” I just shake my head because I don’t know what to say. There are too many thoughts or not enough or maybe just not complete ones, I can’t tell anymore.

“I fucked up. Be mad—I can take it. But please be angry at my face. Don’t hide from me anymore.” He brushes away a tear when it slips down my cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“You hurt me,” I choke out as I try to keep some control over myself.

“Do you want me to go?” he asks carefully. “I will if you’re not ready.”

“No.” I barely manage. “Yes. No. Maybe.” I bury my face in his chest and suck in a shaky breath.

His hand slips into my hair. “It’s a bit hard to follow all those at once.”

I cling to him, not trusting my voice. I don’t really want him to go. I want to stop hurting.

“Talk to me about it. Please” Savage wraps his fingers around my wrist, pulling my hand to flatten my palm over his heart.

I can feel his pulse, and it helps calm me.I lift my head, needing to say this to his face. I can’t hide anymore. I did enough of that this year. “You knew how Rhys and Teddy were sneaking around behind my back, lying to me, and you still lied to me.” My chin trembles, but I don’t break eye contact. Ambrose wraps himself around me tighter but doesn’t interrupt. Shit. I hate having to do this in front of him.

I put my free hand on his arm, and he lifts his hand to intertwine our fingers.

“I fucked up. I didn’t think you’d give me a chance if you knew because of how you were with Ambrose, and then it had gone on too long, and I didn’t know how to fix it.” I can see his mind working through his eyes.

“I probably wouldn’t have given you a chance,” I admit. “But you still should have told me. I deserve a choice.”

“I know.”