Page 29 of The Substitute (New York Gods #4)

TWENTY-SEVEN

SAVAGE

Ican’t get the look in Ambrose’s eyes as he shut the door in my face out of my head. It’s like he wanted to be angry, but he was way too turned on, and that was the reason he had to get me out of the room, not that he actually wanted me gone.

The worst part about leaving is that I wanted to watch Tobi swallow Ambrose’s dick, and I don’t know what that says about me.

Was it payback for letting him watch Tobi suck mine, or is it deeper than that?

I try to tell myself it’s basically just porn, but I know that’s not true.

I want Tobi to myself. I don’t want him to be with Ambrose, so why would I want to watch Tobi suck his dick?

I’ve never seen his dick, but now I want to.

He got a real good look at mine. Fair is fair.

But I can’t exactly say that to him or Tobi without sounding like I’ve lost it.

Ambrose pisses me off, and he’s making my mother sad, which just complicates the situation more. I shouldn’t give him an inch when he’s already making my life difficult.

I sleep like shit because I can’t work out how I feel about it all. I want to keep seeing Tobi. That’s all I know.

I’m still thinking about it at breakfast the next morning.

“You okay?” Lovelace asks. This is our second year living together, and other than the guy being weirdly secretive about what he does outside of the team, we get along well. I’d probably call him my closest friend on the team, even if he likes to push my damn buttons.

I look up from my bowl of Fruity Pebbles and nod, though I don’t feel it. I’m rethinking everything, and that’s never a good place to be in. “I’m good. Why do you ask?”

“You never did strangle me.” He winks, opening the fridge. “I’m a little concerned you don’t love me anymore.”

I hold up my middle finger while I finish chewing. “I thought not strangling you was love since we are both the strangler.”

“But if you don’t get it out, it’s going to emotionally back you up, and then it will fuck up your game. A lot of us need this season to end well for any chance at being drafted.”

I know not planning on playing hockey after college puts me in the minority, and I know how important this is to them all.

The timing of meeting Tobi sucks. Coming off winter break is when we really need to step things up, and it’s when the season gets really intense, leading into the Myth League Championships and then the Frozen Four.

I will barely have time for schoolwork, let alone to try and win a war with my brother.

My only saving grace is that he will have hockey occupying as much of his time as I do.

“I’m not emotionally backed up.” I get up to put my bowl in the sink.

“You haven’t brought anyone here in months.” Lovelace’s words make me freeze.

“I didn’t know you stalked me so hard, baby doll,” I say in a fake flirty voice.

“I have to when you stop being open about your business.”

I turn to face him, leaning against the counter. “Says the guy no one knows any fucking thing about.”

“I value my privacy.”

“And I value mine,” I quip back, even though we both know it’s not true.

“I’ve seen you fuck in public.”

I narrow my eyes. “Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf.”

“What are you embarrassed about?” Lovelace crosses his arms, scowling.

“What are you?”

“Not all of us can be queer in public, let alone queer and kinky. It’s easier to be secretive than ruin my life. You never know who will end up a real friend or a fake one and leak something. I’m not trying to overcomplicate my life.”

I tilt my head because I haven’t ever seen him with anyone, so I guess I didn’t put much thought into who he liked.

He stayed out some nights, so I assumed he hooked up as much as the rest of us, but I don’t know why I put Lovelace in the default straight box in my mind.

I guess that’s my issue. As a bisexual guy myself, I shouldn’t just fucking assume anyone is anything. “Kinky? No shit?”

He lifts his shoulders, clearly still unsure of me.

“Me too.” I flash him a massive grin.

“Fuck, we both really are the strangler, aren’t we?”

I nod excitedly. “We’re going to have a couple of beers and talk shop.”

“I’m down. When are you going to stop sneaking around long enough to make that happen?” Lovelace’s humor has always been dry, so I don’t take it personally.

“I’m not sneaking around. I’m seeing someone, and it’s complicated. But I’ll figure out what’s going on this week with him and let you know.” I wait for his reaction to the pronoun I just dropped.

His brow ticks up. “Cool. Let me know.”

“I will.” I shoot Tobi a text while getting my shit for class.

Savage: What are you up to tonight?

Tobi: Ambrose and I are going to watch a movie.

That mother fucker. Ambrose living with Tobi is going to be more of an issue than I thought. He automatically gets all Tobi’s downtime while he’s in town.

Savage: Would you rather go ice skating?

Tobi: Ice skating? What are you Ambrose now?

Savage: It’s different when it’s in Central Park. Nothing like hockey.

Tobi: I have no coordination or balance.

Savage: Better for me. I can keep my arm around you all night.

Tobi: Can we tomorrow?

I open my practice calendar to check. I have fucking practice.

Savage: I can’t tomorrow. Thursday?

Tobi: It’s going to be really cold…

Savage: I promise I’ll warm you up after.

Tobi: can we drink hot chocolate?

Savage: Of course, and I’ll even buy you some warm nuts.

Tobi: Is that a euphemism for something because I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about?

Savage: You’ve never had candied nuts?

Tobi: Again, I’m not sure we aren’t talking about a sex act…

I burst out laughing.

Savage: Get your mind out of the gutter! This is a snack.

Tobi: Calling it a snack isn’t helping.

I shake my head, smiling because he is cute as fuck.

Savage: What time can I pick you up?

Tobi: my last class is done at 3.

Savage: I’ll be there at 330.

Savage: I’m done with my stuff at 8 tomorrow. Can I come over after? I want to see you.

The message feels pretty vulnerable, but I send it anyway.

Tobi: Sure. I might need to study, but you can cuddle me while I do.

Savage: Perfect.

A few hours later, I get a message from my step-brother.

Ambrose: What the fuck are you doing trying to snatch up most of the week?

Savage: What are you going on about?

Ambrose: With Tobi. You took Wednesday and Thursday.

Savage: You took tonight. You can have Friday. I have a game.

Ambrose: yeah, and I thought we would alternate. I have a game too.

I figured he did, but I wasn’t going to admit that.

Savage: you snooze you lose.

I can’t bring myself to give a fuck since he’s already snatched up Tobi for tonight.

Ambrose: Why are you being a dick?

Savage: You didn’t ask me about tonight. Why the fuck do you think I should have to ask you any fucking thing?

Ambrose: It’s not about asking…

Savage: what?

I can feel him baiting me.

Ambrose: we got to find a way to make this work time wise.

Savage: Why? You’ve never wanted to get along with me, so why the fuck would I suddenly do that for you?

Ambrose: I’m trying not to be a dick here.

Savage: You’re not trying to be a dick, but you’re not trying to give me anything either. I’m not going to fucking give you a free pass when you’re not offering a goddamn thing. So stop acting like you’re trying to help me out or offer a compromise.

Ambrose: you’re going to regret not working with me.