Page 19 of The Substitute

Panic flares in my chest. “Oh, that’s okay. You don’t need to do that. I’m fine.”

“I insist.”

Fuck.

Can’t wait for Ambrose to freak out. Maybe I can sneak away and go to bed while they fight…

I will have to make an excuse to not let him come up. I don’t need Ambrose more annoyed and possessive.

I hold my hand out for my phone, but Savage just looks at it then at me.

“My phone.”

“What am I getting out of it?”

“Not having it buzz in your pocket every twelve seconds?”

“It’s kind of soothing, actually, and it’s giving me more pleasure than it should to know it’s driving Ambrose nuts.”

I sigh and give in. My brain is mush, so there is no way I’m going to out-think him.

“Come on, baby girl, it’s going to be fun.” He boops me on the nose with a grin and leads the way out.

Fuck fuckity fuck.

That was adorable, and I think I hate him for it.

NINE

AMBROSE

“Where were you?” I stand with my arms crossed over my chest.

“Does it matter?” Tobi’s cheeks instantly pink, which makes me immediately suspicious. But what could he be hiding?

“I was worried about you.” I narrow my eyes, the wheels in my head spinning and instantly going to the worst-case scenario. “Did you go to the bridge?”

“You already asked me that.” His expression flashes anger, but quickly changes to hurt.

“And you didn’t answer.”

“I did. I told you to leave me alone.” He’s so defensive. I don’t get it. I just want to know him. Why is he treating that like a threat?

“That doesn’t answer the question, does it?”

“I can’t believe you think I’d do it.”

“What do you want me to think?”

“I should request another fucking roommate. I can’t believe I got roomed with the one person who saw me that night.” He blows out a frustrated breath and turns around.

“Don’t do that.” I reach out, putting my hand on the back of his arm and feeling like an asshole. “You don’t need to change rooms. I’m just worried about you.”

“Why do you even care?” He whips around, angry, seemingly on a roller coaster of emotions.

I step back and hold up my hands. “Because I do. I wasn’t lying that night.” I’m not sure if this is even helpful, but I go on. “I’ve been there. The same spot.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to care. Lots of people have probably been there.”