Page 33 of The Substitute (New York Gods #4)

THIRTY-ONE

TOBI

My phone rings, as I get back to the dorm after classes.

“Hey, Mom.” I hold the phone against my shoulder to set my backpack down.

“Tobi! I’m so glad you answered. I’m calling a family dinner. It’s been too long since my boys were home. Does Tuesday work for you?”

I sigh and rub my eyes. “I can’t do Tuesdays. I have my long lab that day.”

“Okay, what about Thursday? Those are the only days Rhys and Teddy can both do.”

“Why is Rhys coming?” Is that bitchy? It feels bitchy.

“Him and Teddy live together. It’s only a matter of time until they get married, and let’s be honest, he’s been a part of this family for years.”

I roll my eyes and clench my teeth. The last fucking thing I want to do is go to family fucking dinner with goddamn Rhys.

“Fine, I can do Thursday.” I sigh and sit down on my bed. “What time?”

“Dinner is at six, like it’s always been.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then.” I throw myself back on my bed after we say goodbye and let out a frustrated groan.

“That didn’t sound right. Should we try again?” Ambrose appears in the doorway and winks at me. “Already in position, too? Damn, someone wants it.”

I give him my best bored, straight face. “I have to go to family dinner.”

Ambrose closes the door and moves toward me. I slide up the bed to give him room to lie down since I know that’s what he’s going to do.

“Why is that bad?” He lies down, but instead of using me as a pillow, he pulls me into him and wraps his arms around me.

I sigh into the warmth of his skin and allow myself to take in the comfort. “Because not only is my dumbass brother going to be there, but his boyfriend is too—aka my ex-best friend.”

“He plays for the Gods, right?”

“Ugh. Yes.”

“So lots of talk about your most favorite topic, plus your brother being there, plus the ex-best friend who you don’t want to see. Sounds like I should go with you.”

I lift my head to look at him. “What? You want to go with me?”

Ambrose runs his nose along mine. “Sounds like you could use some moral support.”

“You’re serious? You’d really go with me?”

“Of course I will.” He shrugs, but looks a little uncomfortable. “I just—” He sucks in a deep breath. “I’m not out to the team.”

A little part of me shrivels at the idea of lying about him to everyone. I understand it, but I hate it. Logically, I know it’s protecting his career, but that little voice in my head says he’s ashamed of me.

“Right. You’re my roommate, and I felt bad leaving you behind.” I nod and lie my head back down.

He squeezes me in a tight hug like this isn’t easy for him either. It helps me relax a little. If I want to be with Ambrose, these are the conversations we will have to have. They will be uncomfortable but necessary.

Thursday comes, and I’m dreading it all the way to Queens. I feel a little better with Ambrose with me, but not much.

“Are you going to knock or open the door, or are we just going to stand here admiring the hallway?” Ambrose bumps his shoulder into mine as we stand in front of my parents’ front door. When did this place stop being home?

The dorm isn’t home. This isn’t home. I guess I don’t really have one anymore?

A sharp pain radiates in my breastbone, making me hiss and rub at the spot.

“We don’t have to do this. We can leave.

” Ambrose squeezes my hand. I don’t know a lot about his home life, but I know it’s not good.

Will he judge me for struggling with this if mine is nothing like his?

My parents aren’t abusive. Logically, I know they love me, but it always feels like I’m the backup kid, and that hurts.

It’s not Teddy’s fault, I know that too, but I’m so damn tired of trying and being brushed off.

Nothing I do seems to matter as much as hockey.

“No, let’s just get this over with.” I open the door and lead the way, dropping off coats and shoes at the door. “Mom? Dad?”

“Tobi!” Mom smiles and comes to give me a hug. She smells like comfort and pot roast. “Hello,” she offers her hand to Ambrose. “You must be Ambrose. I’m Nancy.”

“Thank you for having me,” he says, shaking her hand. He’s all smiles and charming. It’s cute.

“So nice to meet you.” She turns back to me. “The boys are watching the game in the living room. Dinner is almost ready.”

“Do you need any help?” I ask, not wanting to go sit in the damn living room and watch hockey while pretending Ambrose and I didn’t fuck around an hour ago.

“I don’t think so.” She smiles at me again. “Thank you, though.”

I force a smile and nod. The second I’m out of eyeshot, I clench my jaw and lead the way.

Dad is in his chair while Rhys and Teddy are on the couch, both leaning forward with their arms on their knees and their eyes locked on the screen.

A buzzing sounds, and all three of them groan, throwing hands in the air and yelling.

“What the hell was that?” Teddy knife hands toward the TV. “It was clear as blue where that was going! Open your eyeballs, dude!”

“Clear as blue?” Ambrose asks, and they all turn to look at us.

“Day. Clear as day,” I sigh, then I look at him, too. “With as much time as you spend at practice, how have you not learned to speak dumbass?”

“Don’t call your brother a dumbass,” Dad scolds.

“Technically, I said he speaks dumbass, not that he is one.”

Ambrose knocks his shoulder against my back. “Be nice.”

“You are not one to talk about being nice to one’s brother,” I shoot back.

“Step-brothers are different.”

“You look familiar. Do I know you?” Teddy looks as confused as I feel.

“Uh, what?” Ambrose cocks his head, blinking at my brother. “Is he serious?”

“I know we’ve met somewhere before…” Teddy puts his hands on his hips. “But I can’t place you. Do you take yogurt classes?”

“You don’t take yoga,” Rhys mutters.

“I did that one time—I nearly got locked into pretzel shape and died!”

“Right, I forgot.” Rhys flashes me a look, but I ignore it.

“So I could know him from that…” He gets up and holds out his hand. “I’m Teddy.”

“I can’t tell if you’re messing with me or not.” Ambrose takes his hand, looking at me like I’d know what the fuck is going on with Teddy.

Rhys glances back and forth between the two, also confused.

“What’s your name? Maybe that will trigger the skull jello.” He aggressively shakes Ambrose’s hand.

“Are you serious? I’m literally your hockey captain. We’ve been sharing a hotel room all season!” Ambrose rips his hand back and then crosses his arms.

Teddy blinks, and I half-think he’s resetting his brain or something before it finally seems to dawn on him. “Brosey? Really?” Teddy bends down to get right in Ambrose’s face. “Did you do something different? Cut your hair? Did you get contacts or something?”

Ambrose looks at me like he can’t believe this is happening. “You see me, right? I’m not hallucinating?”

I laugh. “I definitely see you.”

“Wait,” Rhys interjects, showing Teddy something on the screen of his phone. “You really don’t recognize a player on your own team?”

Is he showing Teddy his own team roster?

Ambrose pats his pockets until he finds whatever he’s looking for and pulls out his keys, holding them up to show Teddy. On his key ring is what looks like a white gummy bear.

What the fuck is that?

Teddy reacts like it’s some secret identifier and wraps Ambrose up in an aggressive hug. “Brosey!” Teddy yells. “Why didn’t you just say that?”

“How do you not recognize him?” I ask, needing fucking answers. “You spend hours with him, almost daily.”

Teddy acts like I’m the one not getting it. “I don’t recognize him without his hockey stuff on!”

“You’ve literally roomed with me for away games the whole season. I don’t have hockey stuff on when we travel or in the hotel room,” Ambrose says into Teddy’s shoulder, which is covering his mouth.

“Shamrock snacks.” Teddy finally let’s go of Ambrose.

“What?” Ambrose asks, clearly annoyed.

Rhys chuckles and stands, offering his hand. “Semantics.” They shake hands, and Ambrose nods. “I’m Rhys. Nice to officially meet you.”

“Ambrose. Nice to officially meet you, too.” He’s looking at my ex-best friend like he’s trying to figure something out.

“You met him before?” Teddy stands and looks between them.

Rhys chuckles and shakes his head like Teddy is the most amusing person in the world. “Of course we’ve crossed paths.”

“Wait,” Teddy says looking utterly confused. “How do you know my brother, Brosey?”

We all look at him like he’s lost the plot.

“Are you kidding?” I ask exacerbated.

“No. And why would he come with you to dinner? He’s my friend!” Teddy crosses his arms.

“One you don’t even recognize.” I sigh.

Ambrose snickers.

“Still mine more than yours. So how do you even know him? Do you secretly play hockey behind my back?” Teddy is acting like I’ve personally violated him.

“We’re roommates,” Ambrose says.

“I know, we cleared that up, Brosey. I’m asking how my brother knows you!”

Rhys pinches the bridge of his nose.

“He’s my roommate,” I say so he doesn’t try stalk me and figure out if I play hockey or something wild.

“No, I’m not,” Teddy says, getting all worked up. “Why are you trying to confuse me?”

“Ambrose and Tobi are roommates,” Rhys clarifies, patting Teddy’s shoulder and trying to calm him down.

I roll my eyes. This is going to be a very long evening.

Dad stands up and shakes Ambrose’s hand while he shoves his keys back in his pocket.

“What is that white bear thing?” I ask, pointing at his pocket.

Ambrose sighs, and Rhys snorts. “It’s a good luck charm from my goalie.”

I flick my gaze at Teddy, then back at Ambrose. “Uh-huh. But what is it?”

Rhys, Teddy, and Ambrose all speak at the same time so I’m not sure what I just heard but I have a sinking suspicion.

Holding up my hand I look at my brother. “What did you call it?”

“A cummy bear.”

“Cummy like cum or gummy like gum?” I enunciate the words so there is no mistaking what I’m asking.

Dad clears his throat and leaves the room, which means he knows which way this is going to go and I am not going to like it.