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Chapter Thirty-Six

Tobias

I don’t spend the night at people’s houses.

Ever. The only time it happened was when Brandon and I started dating, but we moved in together pretty quickly, so it wasn’t his for long.

It turned into ours. Every hook up I’ve had, I went home after.

The only exception was Charlie, but we weren’t sleeping together, and our nights were always at hotels.

Yet, I just woke up in Theo’s bed, with him sleeping soundly on the other side.

His hair is sticking up every which way, face peaceful.

The blankets stop at his waist, putting his lean body on full display for me.

I take in the curves of his arms and his hips, the softness of his skin.

There isn’t much hair on his torso, just a little on his chest, along with a sexy happy trail that leads to his thick dick.

His hair is a light golden brown, and so even the parts of him that are hairy, aren’t very noticeable. Not like me and all my dark hair .

Theo is beautiful. Not in the shallow way in which the word is typically used, but in its truest form. He doesn’t just possess beauty; he defines it in everything that he is.

I brush my fingers along his chest and shoulder, then down his arm and over his belly. He sucks in a sharp breath, and I pause, fearing I woke him, but he settles.

What the hell am I doing? This is going to end in a mess, but I can’t seem to stop.

I like the way I feel when I’m with him.

I like that I want to be with him. That I care about how he feels and that I want to take care of him, make sure he’s okay.

He deserves to be happy, and I want to be the one who makes him feel that emotion.

It’s been a long time since I’ve cared about someone other than myself.

I roll onto my back, putting my hands behind my head and staring up at the ceiling.

We fucked again before we went to sleep.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex this much.

Our chemistry is off the charts. That was after he gave me my gift—a stethoscope engraved with my initials.

I don't use that sort of equipment often, but I do us it enough.

It was a thoughtful gift. The best gift I've ever gotten.

It’s still early in the morning, but I should get up and get going.

I have to stop home before heading to work so I can change.

Pressing a kiss to his shoulder, I breathe in his scent for a moment before carefully getting out of bed and pulling my clothes on.

I get all of my things together and grab a piece of paper from the printer in his small office to write him a note.

I keep it short and simple and tape it to the bathroom mirror before I leave.

I make it to work just in time and pray like hell that Brandon doesn’t show up today.

He doesn’t have a reason to, but it would be just the thing to do after he tricked me into going on a date with him on Christmas Eve.

The moment I got home, I checked my schedule and never felt so relieved in my life when I saw I did not have a date for Monday.

It’s rare, but hell, I’m lucky. I made sure to block it off so someone wouldn’t book me, this way I can be here.

Fucking Brandon.

I will not be the poster boy for this place. I don’t want anything more to do with this job than what’s in my job description, especially if it’s a favor for Brandon. He deserves nothing from me. Not a single damn thing.

Max is sitting behind the desk when I get there, which isn’t surprising. He starts at seven each day.

“Morning,” I say as I grab a tablet to punch in.

“What did my brother want from you the other day?” he asks.

“That was weeks ago. Why are you asking me now?”

“Because I’ve been asking him, and he won’t answer me.” He holds my gaze. “I don’t care what you do. If you’re hooking up—”

“Oh, no.” I hold up my hands, shaking my head. “That is not what’s happening.”

“Then what is? ”

I don’t see the harm in telling him. Max is not a gossip, and I’m guessing this has been bothering him because he’s asking about it. For the most part, Max is very professional. He seems concerned, and I’m not sure why… Is something going on with Asher too?

“I’m sort of seeing one of his friends.” Max frowns, and it’s clear I made his concern worse rather than better. So, I add, “He told me to make sure this friend is okay because he’s worried about him.”

“Who?” he asks carefully.

“I’m not sure I should say…”

His eyes narrow, and he scratches his head, thinking something over.

“Well, Asher doesn’t have many friends, and as far as I know, none of them are into dudes and they’re all dating someone.”

“This particular person recently broke up with their fiancée.”

Max’s eyes narrow. “My brother only has one friend who’s engaged. I’ve heard about the wedding for over a year because Asher gets to be the best man, and that wedding is still on,” he says with a firm head nod.

My stomach bottoms out, but obviously Max is mistaken. “No, they broke up.”

“Are you sure?” he asks.

“Are you sure?” I return, my heart beating way too fast .

He watches me, blinking a few times before saying, “Not really, no. Asher and I don’t talk that often. I just thought maybe he’d have told me. Sorry.”

Max turns away from me and busies himself on his computer. A sour feeling settles in my stomach.

Is Theo lying to me?

I spent the night at his house—on Christmas. Surely he’d be with his fiancée if they hadn’t broken up, right? I’ve been over there a few times already. I see no sign of a woman being around. Plus, he told me he broke it off with her, and I trust him.

“I’m going to make my rounds,” I say, getting up.

“Hey,” Max calls, when I round the station. I stop to face him. “I’m wrong, okay? Don’t worry about it.”

I give him a smile, letting him know I’m not worrying about it.

Even though I really am.

By the time my shift ends, I’m beat. It was a long night and an even longer day.

The nurses were short, and so I helped them out with changes and feedings even though I don’t have to nor am I supposed to, technically, but they appreciate it and the patients deserve their needs met as soon as possible.

I catch an Uber home and jump in the shower before making myself a bowl of cereal .

My phone rings, so I grab it and see Nathanial’s name on the screen. I haven’t been by the bar in a few weeks because I’ve been busy with work and my free time has been spent with Theo. Nathanial’s probably just checking up on me.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Hello, Tobias,” he sing-songs. “How was your Christmas?”

“Christmas was great. Christmas Eve was another story.”

“Oh? Well, you can tell me all about it at the New Year’s party we’re having.”

“At The Butterfly?”

“Obviously.” I can hear the eye roll. “You better be there. We miss you.”

“Yeah, I can stop by. Not sure what time or how long I’ll stay, but I’ll be there.”

“Yes! The guys will be so excited. And we have sooo much gossip for you.”

“I can’t wait.” There go my eyes rolling again.

“Okay, bye sweetie pie!”

He ends the call before I can say bye, and I chuckle as I put my phone down to finish my cereal.

I consider going for a jog when I’m washing my bowl, but it’s raining pretty heavily.

My plan to do that consistently has completely gone to shit, but the sex is making up for it, I think.

At least it’s some form of exercise. I’m in shape now, but I’m getting older, and I doubt my body is going to stay the way it is without me putting in some work .

I hang around my house in my underwear and put in a delivery order for food and some other staples I need, like cleaning products and toilet paper. It’ll be delivered tonight, around the time I’m getting back from my date.

As I drop onto my couch, staring at the TV, an episode of Friends playing, I consider inviting Theo over here.

Actually, yes. I am going to invite Theo over.

I send him a text, asking him what he’s doing later, and wait for him to respond.

Nothing planned. Do you have something in mind?

You should come over.

To your place?

…yes?

Right. Stupid question. Send me the address and let me know the time. I’ll be there.

I assume I’ll be home around 9:30, so that’s what I tell him. I give him the address and let him know where I keep the spare key because I may be late. And I trust him.

He sends me back a smiley face with pink cheeks. It’s adorable .

My evening goes by quickly. The date goes well, and before I know it, I’m rushing home to find Theo waiting for me in my living room.

I close the door, and I’m greeted with a smile.

A smile that looks way too good in my house, on my couch…

waiting for me. In my home. It’s almost like he belongs here.