Page 5 of The Substitute (New York Gods #4)
FIVE
SAVAGE
It’s been weeks since I saw Ambrose on the bridge and he still hasn’t come home, or even replied to mom.
After not showing his face at home once this summer, which made it a fucking delight dealing with his father, mom is a wreck.
She’s sinking further into depression worrying about him.
I don’t really blame her. She’s been codependent her whole life, and after my father tried to kill her, she only found someone slightly better—if not killing her is the bar.
I kept putting off tracking down Ambrose, because I have no idea where he moved, and between finishing applications for med school, summer training, and my internship at the free clinic in the Bronx, I just didn’t have time.
But Mom won’t drop it, so here I am hiking my way uptown on an afternoon I could be studying to see how Ambrose is settling in.
Thankfully, it wasn’t that hard to figure out which dorm he moved into because I really don’t have time to full on stalk my own step-brother.
I walk in with a bunch of guys and make my way to his floor. If he’s not here, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I can’t fucking wait around all day.
I knock and step back.
No one answers.
I knock again and wait another few minutes.
Nothing.
I knock harder. “Open the fucking door, Ambrose.”
The door is thrown open, but it’s not who I’m expecting. Instead of my brother, I get a blond, cute little twink. Could be worse, but not what I need.
“Why the fuck are you knocking so early?”
I look at my watch. “It’s one in the afternoon.”
“Some of us like to sleep.”
“Don’t you have classes?” Maybe he got some sweet schedule and doesn’t have classes Thursdays.
“Who the fuck are you?”
I look past him into the common room, suddenly fucking doubting I have the right room. “My brother is your roommate.”
He stares at me.
“Ambrose?”
“You two don’t look anything alike.” He rubs his eyes.
“He’s my step-brother. Is he here?”
“I don’t know. I’m going back to bed.” He starts to close the door, but I put my hand on it. He doesn’t fight.
“I’ll wait.”
“Whatever.” He doesn’t make it to his room, slumping into a seat in the common room, pulling a blanket over him.
My eyes adjust to the dim light, and I glance around. It’s a pretty nice setup, and I’m shocked Ambrose got so lucky with a last-minute room placement since his father stopped paying for his apartment.
I drop to a seat, gaze flickering back to the guy rotting in the chair.
“What?” he says after a few minutes.
“Huh?” I might have been staring, but I fucking zoned out hard.
“Why do you keep looking at me?” He shifts like it’s making him uncomfortable.
“Because I can?” I fire back playfully. He blinks, and I laugh. “I’m kidding, baby girl. I was thinking about med school interviews and zoning out.”
“Baby girl?” he asks, wrinkling his nose, making his freckles move.
My gaze flicks over him. “It’s what you are.”
His cheeks pink over his freckles, which makes him hotter. “What makes me a baby girl?”
“A feeling. Soft and cute.”
He looks away. “Did you say med school?”
“I did.” I keep my gaze on him until he looks up.
“And your brother is a meat head?” He’s pink to the tips of his ears. How did Ambrose get so lucky with his roommate?
“Like I said, step-brother. We aren’t actually related. Our parents are married. So I don’t claim his genetics. Intelligence is attractive.” I refuse to be my father, so while I love hockey, I won’t let myself turn into him.
“So sexy.” He sits up, and I seem to have caught his attention. “What made you want to go into medicine?” He’s cute, and having an in with my brother’s roommate wouldn’t be bad.
I give him a wide smile, and it’s easy to talk about medicine because I love it. “I’ve been volunteering in free clinics the last four summers and I can’t get enough of it.”
“What kind of medicine do you want to go into?” He picks at his blanket.
“Emergency. I love the rush. There is nothing like it.”
“Christ. That’s intense. I don’t know if I could handle that.”
“Why not?” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
He shrugs. “Fuck if I know. Seems like a lot to handle, and I don’t really like people.”
I laugh again. “What’s your major? Hopefully not pre-med unless you want to be like an anesthesiologist.”
“Chem. I don’t know what I want to do. I’m trying not to think about it.”
“You’ve got time, right?” I ask because he can’t be older than a junior.
“Two years. Or less if I decide to go to grad school.”
“Better than med school. I had to apply in June.”
“Seriously?” he asks.
“Yep. It’s fucking stressful. I can’t stop thinking about these interviews.”
“Ugh. I don’t need that. I’m worried enough about taking my GREs.”
“Rough if it’s anything like the MCAT. But just take studying day by day. Do it a little at a time.” I glance at my watch again. This fucker better get back before I have to leave for practice.
As if I thought him into existence, the door opens, and Ambrose walks in.
He smiles seeing his roommate. “Hey, Tobi. Out of bed today?”
So that’s his name.
Tobi shrugs. “I was entertaining your guest.”
Confusion washes over Ambrose’s face. “What?” He finally turns, and I grin and wave. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Mom is still worried about you and wanted me to check you weren’t living on the street.” I roll my eyes, getting up. “So I came to check on you.”
“I’m alive with a place to live. Which means you don’t have to stalk me anymore. So you can leave now.” Ambrose turns his back on me to give his full attention to Tobi. “Want to go grab some food or something?”
Does he like Tobi?
“Not hungry.” Tobi half shrugs, then looks at me over Ambrose’s shoulder, and I grin back at him, an idea forming in my head.
“I guess I’ll go, but if you want advice or help studying for your GREs, Tobi.” I walk over to shoulder in beside Ambrose. “Give me your phone.”
Tobi reluctantly holds out his phone. Ambrose tries to intercept, but Tobi glares at him and makes sure I get it.
I type in my number, then send myself a text. “I’ll pick a day next week and pick you up.”
I’m not leaving it open, not with Ambrose trying to get with him.
“Oh-okay.” Tobi seems a little mystified.