Page 137 of Tobias

I’d sleep better if you were with me.

My heart aches, and I so badly want to jump on the chance to run over there and do that. But neither of us needs that so soon. I fucked up, yes, but aside from that, we jumped into things very quickly. Maybe time will do us good—as long as I know he doesn’t hate me anymore, that is.

So would I.

I stare at my phone waiting for a response, and I groan when I see it.

Then come over.

I’m a strong man, but I’m not that strong.

Fuck taking things slow.

I jump out of bed and get dressed faster than I ever have before, running out of the house while my right foot is halfway in my shoe. Once I’m in the car, I realize I don’t have a fucking coat on. Oh well. I’m going to win Tobias back.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Tobias

After sending the text to Theo, telling him to come over, I regret it. But that lasts only a few seconds before butterflies are fluttering in my stomach. I keep reminding myself that I miss him, and I need to be willing to forgive him if I want things to work out with us—and I have recently accepted that I do. If I’m ever going to figure us out and see if we can work together as a couple, I need to hear what he has to say. I need to let him apologize. And I can forgive him without us getting back together. Even if he messed up, Theo isn’t Brandon.

Theo doesn’t get satisfaction out of hurting me. He doesn’t manipulate me on purpose. Yes, he lied and he hurt me, but I’m not perfect either. If he can prove to me that he is sorry, that he will never do it again, I think we could make this work. Because I really fucking want to. Missing him this much tells me all I need to know.

He doesn’t answer me and tell me he’s on his way, so I’m not sure if he’s even coming. Something tells me he’ll show, but I can’t bank on it. Maybe he hasn’t seen the text yet. Whenmy doorbell rings ten minutes later, I can’t help but grin. Maybe he was in the area because his house certainly isn’t ten minutes away. As I stand in front of the door, my nerves go haywire. I pull the door open, trying to hide my smile so I don’t let him think everything is okay. We have so much to talk about before moving forward. When the door is open, though, a frown falls over my face.

It isn’t Theo standing there.

It’s Molly.

“What are you doing here? Is Mom okay?”

I never thought I’d see the day my sister is standing on my doorstep. Even in the case of something happening to our mother, I assumed she’d call. Maybe not. She'd probably have the hospital call. Which makes me think something isverywrong. She’s never been here, not once.

“Can I come in?” she asks.

I step to the side, not sure of what to say. She walks deeper into my kitchen, looking around the area. My sister and I are strangers. Stepping into my house, she’s probably learning so much about me she never knew.

“Is Mom okay?” I repeat as I close the door.

Molly turns to me with a sad smile, and nods once.

“She told me what happened.” I raise a brow, not sure what she’s talking about. “With Dad,” she clarifies.

I suck in a breath. “Oh…”

Not much, but it’s all I can say. None of this is what I was expecting for the night.

“I’m sorry,” Molly says, holding her chin higher. “For… everything.” Her words crack, eyes getting watery. “I had n-no idea, Tobias.”

With a sigh, I walk to her and pull her against me. She cries against my chest, her body shaking. I haven’t held my sister while she cried since she was eight and fell off her bike.

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea why you were so angry and upset. I miss Dad so much, but I knew Mom missed him too, and I was just trying to be there for her.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” I hug my sister tighter, and we stay like that for a while before she finally settles. I get her a tissue and she wipes her eyes. They're the exact shade of Dad's, and it sends a pang to my heart seeing them so close.

“Please forgive me,” she pleads. “I don’t think I can ever apologize enough for the way I’ve treated you.”

“Molly,” I say, putting my hands on her shoulders. “I forgive you. Let’s move forward and start fresh.”

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