Page 47 of The Penalty

Rhys: You really don’t know what it means?

Tobi: No?

He and Teddy are clearly related.

Rhys: It means he’s in there hooking up with someone.

Tobi: Ew. That blows. How long do you think he’ll be?

Rhys: No fucking idea. It’s already two. That’s why I texted you.

Tobi: Come sleep here.

Rhys: Will your roommates mind?

Tobi: No, they are chill, and since we got a common room they’ll be fine with you sleeping on the sofa.

Since Tobi started school last year at eighteen, like most college kids, he was a year ahead of Teddy and I and got a much better dorm selection.

Rhys: Okay. Don’t fall asleep on me. You’ll have to let me into your building.

Tobi: I won’t I promise.

Twenty minutes later when I get to their dorm guess who’s not answering his fucking phone.

“Tobi, I’m going to fucking kill you,” I yell at the door, knowing no one can hear me.

“What are you doing here?” Teddy says from behind me, jump scaring me.

I spin around, nearly falling over as the world sways. “Seeing my best friend. What are you doing here?” I say like a dolt.

“I live here.”

“Why are you out?” I ask, like it’s any of my business.

“I was with the guys.” There is a sadness to him that hits me right in the fucking chest.

“Did you block me?” I know I shouldn’t ask, but my drunk brain is way behind my mouth.

He breaks our eye contact, looking at his feet. “I need to focus on hockey.”

“Whatever.” I turn my back on him, pulling out my phone. Tobi you son of a bitch you better answer your fucking phone. But he doesn’t and it goes to voicemail.

“Are you just going to stand out here?”

“I’m going to walk back to my dorm and probably fall into a manhole on the way.” I regret saying it as soon as the words leave my lips.

He gasps. “You can’t walk a hundred blocks at this hour! The gremlins are out.”

I want to shake him, but I ball my hands into fists instead. “Just let me in the building so I can go find your brother.”

“Where are you going to sleep?” Teddy holds up his card but hesitates.

“Maybe I’ll sleep in his bed. What does it matter to you? You have me blocked.” I grab the card out of his hand and use it to unlock the door before tossing it back at him.

I don’t stop until I get to Tobi’s door. I call him again before I pound on it. He doesn’t wake up. Of course. So I knock. Maybe one of his roommates will take pity on me.

“Rhys,” Teddy whisper yells from the end of the hallway.

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