Page 54 of The Penalty

“It’s good. You should try it,” Teddy says like it’s normal.

Discreetly I get out my phone, changing his contact.

Rhys changed Teddy’s contact to Cherry Pumpkin.

Cherry Pumpkin: jokes on u i like it

I roll my eyes.

“Guess what Teddy asked me about today?” Tobi says and continues before anyone else can answer. “Breeding.”

Fuck my life.

I cough and grab my water.

Teddy stares Tobi down. “I already asked Mom, which I told you. No need to bring anyone else into this.”

“I thought that’s why I could bring it up at the table since you’ve already talked to everyone about it,” Tobi replies, narrowing his eyes.

I hold up my hands. “Not me. We have not talked about this.” And I don’t want to because my dick is now filling with blood, and it’s going to be real awkward to get up from this table.

“Tobias! That’s not nice to do to your brother in front of our guest.”

“Rhys is like our third brother. It’s fine,” Tobi says.

I finally meet Teddy’s gaze. He’s a little pink.

Teddy changed Rhys’ contact to Not My Brother

Not My Brother: You trying to tell me something?

Cherry Pumpkin: no shut up

Teddy’s cheeks flush even more.

I bite back a growl.

Not My Brother: No? Who are you trying to breed then?

Cherry Pumpkin: no 1

Not My Brother: That’s got to be a lie.

Cherry Pumpkin: dont act like u dont know

Later Tobi and I are hanging out in his room, and he brings up my brothers again, which is just getting awkward. But he won’t stop pressing me. I can’t figure out why.

“How are things with them? Like really?”

“I don’t know. Owen is making an effort to get to know me, and he’s said our sister will love me if she ever comes back for a visit, but I don’t know how on-board Oliver is.” I admit, having bottled it up for so many months it just spills out.

“Why do you even want to know them?”

I lift my shoulders. I’m not sure I really know, so I can’t explain it to him. “I guess I thought it would be nice to have brothers.”

“It’s not that great. You’ve seen me with mine my whole life.” Tobi rolls his eyes. “How long are you going to keep on this show of fake-dating Teddy for them?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far in advance about it.” I admit because I haven’t just not for the reasons he thinks. I almost tell Tobi that it doesn’t matter because his brother isn’t speaking to me anymore, but I stop myself. That will bring up too many questions. And maybe it’s wishful thinking but I still want Teddy to go with me. I don’t want to lose him completely. I guess I’ll have to see if he keeps me unblocked after this.

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