Page 73 of The Penalty

“No, it’s just… weird. I thought I was the enemy?”

Teddy sighs dramatically. “You are. But does that make us fake boyfriends?”

“I don’t know.” I finally pull open the door, pushing the idea of taking him to a hotel to have him all to myself for the night out of my mind. “Is that what you want this to be?”

“Want is a strong word.”

“What does that mean?” I open the car door for him.

“It means I am trying to do the right thing.” Teddy scoots over and I slip in next to him.

“The right thing for who?”

“What do you mean?” Teddy asks frowning.

I look out the window, not really sure what I’m asking. “The right thing for you, for me, for your team, or for Tobi?”

He nods and closes one eye like he’s thinking really hard. “I guess I don’t know.”

“Me either.”

We decide to go back to my dorm and Tobi accosts us the second we get there. He must have been tracking Teddy.

Thankfully, my roommate is not here to witness our retelling of the night’s events.

“You discussed vore with your family?” Tobi looks between us. “Are you both lying to me? Because it feels like you’re both lying to me.”

Teddy and I exchange a glance.

“Do you want Colin’s number? Because I will give you Colin’s number.” I open up my phone, pulling up my contacts.

Tobi narrows his eyes. “This all feels so off. Maybe I’m just gaslighting myself because it’s weird for you two to be hanging out.”

“That’s probably it.” I feel like a total asshole not being honest with him, but it’s not like Teddy and I can actually be in a relationship. He wouldn’t betray his team like that. If there is one thing Teddy is serious about, it’s hockey. And honestly, I shouldn’t do that to my best friend. So it’s better to just stop whatever we are doing even if I really liked how boyfriends sounded.

“We should head back. I have an early class, and don’t you have practice in the morning?” Tobi asks me.

I nod, laying back on my bed. “I do. Don’t you, Teddy?”

“Not that early. Our team doesn’t like mornings.” He gets up and I can’t help but feel like he’s acting off.

“Do you want a shirt?” I ask, nearly having forgotten he was shirtless under the jacket until he put all of himself on display.

He lifts his arms above his head in an exaggerated stretch, while he groans. “If you have one that will fit me.”

I try not to stare or drool for that matter getting up to dig through my closet. I find one that I’m sure smells like me just to punish him for his show. I toss it at him. “Don’t ruin it.”

“I make no promises.”

Tobi glances between us. “Let’s leave before this gets more weird. It’s like I’m in the Twilight Zone. I can’t handle you two being nice.”

I pick up my phone as soon as they are out the door.

I click on his contact to change it.

Rhys changed Teddy’s contact to Vore Enthusiast.

Vore Enthusiast: r u trying 2 tell me something

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