Page 28 of The Penalty

He hasn’t answered my texts all morning, but maybe he’s busy. He has a full course load this year, and he’s swamped. Another student holds the door when I get to his building and I take the stairs up to the second floor where his room is. I knock on his door and wait.

“Don’t come in,” a voice croaks from the other side.

“Tobi? Is that you?” I twist the knob when someone yells at me from down the hall.

“Don’t go in there!” I turn, finding Tobi’s roommate, Clyde. “He’s got the stomach flu!”

I step back, making a face. “I do not want that.”

“No kidding. I’ve been hanging out down the hall until his brother gets here to take him home for the weekend so I can disinfect.” Clyde looks me over. “Where are you going?”

“Fuck. He was going to come with me to the dedication of my father’s building.” I really don’t want to do this alone.

“Shit, sorry. You really don’t want him like that. He’s been vomiting all day.”

I shake my head, backing up another pace until my back hits the opposite wall. “I really don’t.” But I don’t know what to do. I just need to go, but I’m not looking forward to it.

“What are you doing here?” Teddy’s voice rings out in the hallway.

“I was getting your brother, but I guess you’re taking him.” I can’t do this with him tonight either. I need to make an excuse and leave. “So I’ll catch you later.” I make a move to walk past, but he steps with me, blocking the way.

“Why are you all dressed up?”

“I have a thing.”

“Why were you picking up Tobi?” He narrows his eyes.

“Because he was going to go with me. He can’t, obviously, so I’m going to head out.” I try again to step around, but he doesn’t let me.

“What kind of thing?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I give him a tight smile.

“Yes, it does. Are you just going to go alone?”

“Yeah, I have to.” I don’t meet his eyes.

“Why are you being weird?” Teddy asks.

“I’m not. Why aren’t you letting me leave?”

“Because you’re not telling me something and I don’t like it.” He crosses his massive arms over his chest. Why is he so fucking hot.

I need to stop thinking with my dick.

“You have to get Tobi home for the weekend.”

“See. You keep defacing.” He moves his head to try and make eye contact but I keep avoiding it.

“What am I even doing?”

“That!” he says, poking my forehead.

I finally look at him. “The fuck?”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

I give him a blank stare. “I really need to go or I’m going to be late.”

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