Page 29 of The Substitute

“I just figured…we were going to study again.” There’s something he’s not saying.

I give him a look. “Did you think we’re going to study at a movie?”

“But like, you don’t really want to date me, do you?”

“This again? Why wouldn’t I?” I ask, grabbing the popcorn to eat while he explains himself.

Tobi purses his lips at the popcorn.

“I’m waiting.” I pop another piece in my mouth.

He huffs but finally speaks. “I guess I just assumed?—”

“Am I going to have to coax all of this out of you?” I tease, offering the popcorn.

He glares at it, then takes some. “I assumed you were just using me to make your brother jealous.”

“I mean, while I do enjoy pissing him off, I don’t need to make him jealous. I’m already out with you.” I wink, earning an eye roll.

“Then why are you out with me?”

I lift my brows but realize he really doesn’t get it. “Because you’re hot, and I enjoyed studying with you, so I wanted to do it again.”

“But all the possessive stuff and coming to pick me up from my room…” he trails off like he’s doing some complex mental math.

“Someone can’t enjoy your company?”

“No…or maybe that’s it.” He shrugs.

“What else were you going to say?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He turns his attention to the screen as if the matter is closed.

I set the popcorn aside and get up on my knees next to him. He still doesn’t look at me, so I grab his chin. Finally, he meets my gaze, and I say, “I don’t know how your other…friends are, but you’re not going to get away with non-answers and self-deprecation with me.”

“It’s not self-deprecation when it’s true.”

I tighten my grip. “No.”

“No?!” he barely whimpers the words, seeing my expression.

I hook my knee over his legs straddling them so I’m all he can see. “It’s not true. Just because others have undervalued you doesn’t mean it’s true, and I’m not taking that from anyone I’m out with. I don’t go out with anyone I don’t want to spend time with. Let alone arrange all of this. You’re insulting me by saying as much.”

Tobi swallows, taking a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want an apology. I want you to believe me.”

He lowers his eyes. “I believe you.”

“Look at me when you say it.”

It takes him a moment, but he does.

“Better.” I rub my thumb over his lower lip, then release him and sit back down, but closer this time.

“You really want to be here.”

I glance over. “Yes. I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.”