Page 46 of The Substitute (New York Gods #4)

THIRTY-EIGHT

SAVAGE

I’m riding high the rest of the week and practicing even better.

This last semester of college couldn’t be going any greater.

I know I probably shouldn’t be, but I’m looking at med schools in the city.

I never really wanted to leave New York, but with Tobi here at least one more year, it’s even more important to stay close.

Maybe I’m rushing into it, but it doesn’t feel like it. It feels so right.

“Morning.” I nod to Lovelace when he comes down for our pre-practice run.

“Fuck you.”

“Damn, baby cakes. Bad night?”

He grabs a mug and sticks it under the espresso machine. “I didn’t sleep well.”

I wait for him to get his coffee going before I say anything else. “Why? What happened?”

He shakes his head, bringing the cup to his lips to take the first sip of his latte. “Fuck. That machine is worth its weight in gold.”

“It is.” I grab two shaker bottles, put pre-workout in both, then add some extra supplements in mine before filling them both with water. “Anyone else coming?”

He lifts a shoulder, eyes still closed, sipping the coffee. “They know where we’ll be. We’ll see if those bitches are lazy.”

“You don’t have to come with me if you’re exhausted. We play the Monsters this weekend. We need you feeling good.”

Lovelace finally opens his eyes. “I’m fine. Just need a minute to get my brain working.”

“Boyfriend issues.”

“No, not exactly. More like I don’t know what I’m even fucking doing issues.”

I clap a hand on his shoulder. “I was there a few weeks ago. I get it.”

“Better now?” He looks me over.

“Much.” I offer him his shaker.

“I didn’t expect to meet him so soon.” He takes it and finishes his coffee before chugging it.

“Me either. That was a bit of a surprise, but it went really well, I think.”

“I mean, for the ten seconds I saw him.” He puts the shaker in the sink, then sits on one of the stools to put his running shoes on.

I stretch out my arms and do a few twists to get my back warm. “I’ll have him over again so you can properly meet him.” I’m just glad all my hockey stuff is at the rink, so it wasn’t all over my room like Ambrose’s usually is.

We both grab light jackets and hats before heading outside. Winter is keeping a stranglehold on the city, so we need the warmth until we start sweating, then I’ll be annoyed carrying the hat, but better than getting sick. I lock the door behind me and zip the key in my pocket.

“Which way are we going today?” I ask as we both stretch out for another couple of minutes, seeing if any of the other guys show up.

None of them do, which I’m kind of happy about. It will give me a chance to catch up with Lovelace.

“Why don’t we go run around the park? It hasn’t snowed in a while, so the path should be clear.”

“Sounds good.”

We both take off in that direction, and it’s so early, there’s barely any traffic or people to dodge.

Running in the city is always a little hazardous, though, with trucks leaving alleys and just the sheer number of people living in such a small footprint.

We make it to the park and slow down some.

Running isn’t required by Coach, but he’s always encouraged cross-training.

“How did you get it from the up in the air stage to the good stage?” Lovelace asks after a full lap.

I’d been zoned out in my head, deciding what to drag Tobi out to do later, and nearly miss what he said. “I decided I wasn’t going to let it slip. I don’t know what clicked, but I just knew I couldn’t let Tobi go, so I took every opportunity to see him and show him what he means to me.”

“Damn, you’re really deep into this.”

“Fuck, I am.” I wipe my face with my forearm. “I’m so deep, I need to make sure I get into a med school in the city.”

He blows out a breath. “Last year at this time, you said you’d just be happy to get in anywhere.”

“I’m feeling better after my MCAT scores and interviews,” I laugh, my side starting to burn.

I don’t even know how far we’ve run. I wasn’t paying attention.

“But shit, I don’t want to end up somewhere where it’s hard to get back here.

” That would be the fastest way to tank this relationship, considering how well Tobi does alone.

I know my brother isn’t going anywhere, and I don’t really want him to if Tobi needs him, too.

I hate the complicated feelings about all of this. It’s driving me fucking crazy.

“You sure you’re in the good spot?”

“Mostly. It’s complicated. There is some shit going on with my step-brother and his father.

” I don’t want to out Ambrose, so I really can’t go into more detail.

Most people know we are step-brothers, and after the fight on the ice, our faces have been all over hockey news and fucking YouTube.

I’m honestly shocked Tobi hasn’t seen it yet.

Only his commitment to hating hockey has saved me.

“Is that part of the whole Summerset fight?” He lifts a brow.

“You know it fucking is. Don’t play.” I nudge his shoulder playfully as we slow down to a walk.

“I figured there was something to it.”

“Yup. And things haven’t been good at home in a long time, so it’s been a whole mess with him.”

“Didn’t you two used to be close?”

I blow out a breath. I hate that the hockey world is so damn small, so there are no secrets. “Yes, but we haven’t been in a long time.”

“Shit, I’m sorry, man.” He bumps my shoulder back. “We should head over to the rink.”

“Not your fault. I don’t know what I expected it to be with him, but I don’t really blame him.” I did feel bad for my mother, but I can’t change anyone’s decision.

We turn out of the park, heading to our practice facility.

Savage: Good morning, baby girl. I hope you slept well.

Tobi: Too early to be happy about it.

Savage: I’ve been up and ran already. Make yourself a coffee. You need your brain on for class today. Plus, you get to see me later!

Tobi: I know I can’t wait.

Savage: Good. I’m making plans!

Tobi: For what?

Savage: I’m not telling you

Tobi: Mean!

Savage: How’s it going with Ambrose?

Tobi: We’re still not really talking.

Savage: Want me to talk to him?

Tobi: I don’t know.

Savage: We can talk about it later if you want to.

Tobi: Thank you. You don’t have to.

Savage: I know. But I want you to be happy.

It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but it’s worth it for him.