Page 41 of Tobias

She gives me an eye roll like she doesn’t believe me, but it’s the truth. I’m not worried about her going out to wait in lines for Black Friday shopping. I just want to make sure she’s going with her friend so I can hang out with Tobias and not worry about her showing up at my place and wondering where I am.

God, I’m an asshole.

Of course, I could just tell her I’m at the bar, which wouldn’t be a lie. It’s not that I’m not allowed to go out. Marianne is cool when it comes to stuff like that. She’s never given me an issue about what I do, since she does a lot of her own things too.

“See you tomorrow?” she says.

“Yes.”

“I have a surprise for you.”

“Really? It’s not even Christmas yet.”

She gives a little shrug, tugging my jacket tighter then kissing my lips. “Drive safe. Love you.”

“Love you,” I say as I step outside. I’ve already said goodbye to everyone else, who are all still sitting in the dining room enjoying dessert and coffee. I told them I have a headache and just want to go home to lie down. Marianne wouldn’t be mad if she found out I was lying about that part. She understands my relationship with my family—to some extent, anyway. It wouldn't be the first time I lied to get out of spending time with them.

The drive back to the city takes about forty-five minutes. When I pull up in front of my house, I let Tobias know I just got home and will order a car. I’ll be at the bar in about twenty minutes.

I’ll have my car stop to get you. What’s your address?

I text it to him, then hurry inside to use the bathroom. He says he’ll be here in five minutes. I down a bottle of water, knowing I’m probably going to get trashed tonight. After spending the day with my family, it’s needed, and it seems like Tobias may be in the same boat.

Tobias texts me when he’s outside, and I hurry out and into the car. Jumping into the backseat with him.

“Hey,” he says, giving me a tired smile.

“Hey,” I respond as I buckle my seatbelt.

“How was the rest of your night?” he asks.

“Torture. Yours?”

He huffs out a laugh. “Whatever is worse than torture.”

“Damn,” I say. “What makes it so bad?”

I watch as his jaw works, his eyes focused out the window.

“My sister blames me for our father’s death, so she’s made it her life’s mission to make me miserable.”

“Wow. I’m sorry. That’s awful. Can I ask what happened?”

He blinks a few times, and I don’t miss the way his body stiffens. I can see this is a sore subject for him. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked.

“It was a car accident.”

It’s all he says, so it’s clear he doesn’t want to dig deeper. I won’t make him.

“I’m sorry,” I say again.

“It was a long time ago. Still miss him, though.”

“Of course you do. I’m sure you always will.”

He nods, then takes a deep breath. “So, tell me about your day.”

“Where do I begin?” I run a hand through my hair, blowing out a heavy breath. “I think my father forgets I’m his son and not just his coworker. My mother is oblivious to everything going on around her. My brothers, though only a few years younger than me, still act like they’re ten.”

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