Page 60 of The Substitute

Ambrose: Not when it’s my job to manage it!

Tobi: hahahaha

Ambrose: Anyway, what are you doing?

Tobi: Becoming one with my parents couch

Ambrose: Sounds like ambitious life goals

I sit up and listen for a second, checking that Teddy is still busy before I stroke myself hard. Pulling my underwear down, I find a good angle, snap a picture, then send it.

Ambrose: Miss you

Tobi: Good sir you can not just send such things without a warning

Ambrose: Do couches need a warning?

Tobi: They do when my parents are on it next to me!

I laugh and get under the blanket before I’m caught.

Ambrose: My bad

Tobi: When do you get back? No one has cuddled me in too long

Ambrose: Is cuddling all you want?

Tobi: It’s a start

Ambrose: What else do you want?

I should not be sexting with Tobi when I can’t jack off because Teddy is hogging the bathroom. This is going to end with me having blue balls and pissed off tomorrow.

Tobi: I want you to touch me

Ambrose: Where?

Tobi: Everywhere?

A knowing smile curves my lips.

Ambrose: I can do that

TWENTY

TOBI

“Where is my—” Mom cuts herself off in the kitchen with a heavy sigh.

The house is decorated for Christmas, and while it would normally make me happy to see it, this year, I hate it. The tree twinkling in the corner with all our ornaments that we’ve collected over the years is just a reminder that I’m still here. Alone. If I get asked where my holiday spirit is one more time, I’m going to hit someone.

“If you stay there much longer, you’re going to fuse with the fabric.” Mom lifts an eyebrow at me as she walks past toward the hallway.

The only response I can muster is a ‘harrumph,’ but I don’t know if she notices it or not. No one in this house notices me unless I’m in the way. Rhys is here most of the fucking time, so I have to hear him and Teddy fucking almost every day. There’s no escaping them since Teddy doesn’t know how to use an inside voice, and after practices and shit, he’s here. Both of them are. Why are they even here? They don’t live in the dorms, so it’s not like they got kicked out for break, not that the athletes do anyway, so why are they making my life a living hell by shovingtheir happiness in my face? Why aren’t they annoying Rhys’ mom with their happiness? Or his brothers?

The suspicious food smell coming from the hallway makes me groan. Not again. Straining to hear, I get the sound of water sloshing, and I sink further into the cushions. Teddy is trying to eat or cook in the shower again. Great. I’m so tired of that idiot.

My phone buzzes, and my hand shoots out to grab it faster than I can blink. Tears clog my throat when I see Ambrose’s name and find a picture of him sweaty in the gym locker room. I sit up, wanting to smile, but cover my face and force back tears instead.