Page 176 of The Substitute

Teddy: 4 real right now

I consider blocking Teddy.

Rhys: No.

Rhys: We are getting back on the ice. I’ll text you after.

Fear swirls in my gut and the urge to move is too strong to ignore. Shoving my feet in my shoes and grabbing the first hoodie I come across, I’m out the door and headed to the arena while sending out texts to both of them.

My lungs burn as I run. My body isn’t used to it, and in moments like this, I’m acutely aware of how out of shape I am. If I worked out more, I would be faster, and I could get to them quicker.

I don’t know where I’m going, not really, but I find an open door and push my way through it. Hallways. Great. I have no idea where I’m going.

Checking my phone, there are no new messages, and that just makes me panic more. I know they are playing, but it doesn’t matter. I need someone to tell me what’s going on.

I finally see a staff member and somehow convince them to direct me toward a locker room. I don’t even know which one, but it doesn’t matter.

With my heart pounding in my throat, I start opening every door I come to. Most are locked, but I finally get one that opens.

I don’t see anyone in the locker room so I venture further into the trainer’s area, hoping someone has some damn answers.

“Ambrose? Savage?” I call, opening a door, but I stop short when I realize what I’m seeing.

Ambrose jumps back, cock out, with Savage on his knees, head snapped toward me. Guilt coats the room like a fog, and I step forward to let the door latch behind me.

Oh, sweet mother of fuck.

Ambrose is panting, clearly upset about something, with eyes too wide and splotchy cheeks like he’s been crying.

I’m afraid to move. Everything in me is fighting against itself.

Check on them. Leave and let them work this out. Stay and watch. Join in. Seriously, ask if they’re okay?! Because the last thing I was expecting to find was them sucking each other off. My brain tires to reject it, but since Ambrose is naked from the waist down and Savage has swollen lips, there really is nothing else that could have been going on.

“Tobi...” Ambrose’s voice breaks, and I rush forward. I can’t stand here and do nothing while he’s hurting. It doesn’t matter what the hurt is. “I’m...I’m so…sorry.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. It probably makes me look like I’ve lost the plot, but what else can I do when everything I’ve been fantasizing about has come true?

They freeze.

Savage looks like he’s about to stop breathing. “I didn’t mean for it to?—”

“No, no!” I shake my head and catch Ambrose when he collapses to his knees, bringing his face to my stomach. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. It’s okay.”

Savage shifts, and I reach for him, too, bringing him to me. With both of them still in hockey stuff, they’re so much bigger than usual, but I make it work, running my hands through their sweaty hair.

“I’m not mad.” I hold Savage’s gaze as I say the words. “I’m not. I promise.”

“We should have talked to you before anything happened,” Savage says, clenching his jaw. “I’m so sorry.”

Holding the back of his head, I bend down to kiss him. I’m more aggressive than I ever have been, but I think he needs it, needs to see proof that I’m not just sinking into myself.

“This is okay. I was hoping you guys would work something out so it wasn’t just you two sharing me.” I lift Ambrose’s face to me, too, kissing him just as hard. “I’m not upset.”

“But we cheated on you,” Ambrose grits out, clearly fighting with himself.

“You didn’t. Listen very carefully.” I look at both of them to make sure they’re paying attention. “Just like it’s okay for me to be with either of you alone, you two are allowed to have alone time, too. You’re allowed to touch each other whenever youwant. In fact, I insist on it. I might actually get some sleep once in a while if you do!”

“You’re really okay with it?” Savage asks, scrutinizing me. “We don’t ever want you to feel left out or less important.”