Page 68 of Tobias

I blink a few times to clear my vision. Theo is standing right in front of me, and I’m not sure when he got there.

“I’m sorry," I manage to say.

“You said it was a long time ago. How long?” he asks carefully.

We talked about my dad passing a little, but I didn’t go into detail. That won’t be any different tonight. I don’t like talking about it.

“Twenty years,” I answer simply. “It’s just complicated.”

“If,” he says, punctuating the word and shifting to meet my gaze, “you want to talk about it, I will listen.”

I force a smile, running a hand through my hair and finally suck in a breath.

“Thanks. Sorry, it was just a shock is all. If he saw this… fuck, it would have made his whole damn life. He never even got close enough to touch the paint on one.”

Theo’s smile is sad as he watches me. “You loved your dad.”

“So fucking much,” I say with a sad laugh.

“Well, he had good taste.”

“In cars,” I clarify, not so sure how I feel about my mother. I love her, she’s my mom, but what she did…

The doorbell rings, and we both glance toward the house.

“Come on, before our pizza gets cold.”

I follow him out of the garage and back into the living room. I don’t leave for another three hours, deep into the night when most of the city is asleep. I have a full belly of the best pizza I’ve ever had, a satiated body, but my mind won’t stop. When the sun comes up, I go for a run, hoping it’ll tire out my body. I have nothing planned for the day. For once, I don’t have a date scheduled, and if for some reason one pops up, I’ll decline it. Someone else can take it. I need a mental day.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Theodore

Every time I pick up my phone to call Marianne, I break out into a sweat.

Last night with Tobias was fun, hot, amazing, and a ton of other positive adjectives, but do I really want to ruin my life for a friends-with-benefits situation? I mean, that doesn’t seem right. It’s not really worth it. Destroying everything for a little bit of sex? But it’s wrong of me to sleep with both of them. That’s not the kind of man I am. I never have been, and I never will be that person. So, what is the solution here?

Tobias and I barely scratched the surface last night, and I can confidently say it was the best sexual experience I’ve ever had. Obviously, my body wants a man’s body. My attraction toward him is more than anything I’ve ever felt before. I can’t stop thinking about him and his dick.

I stare at my phone. Before I can change my mind, I snatch it up and dial Marianne.

“Hey, honey,” she says cheerily. “If you’re calling to go out for lunch, I can’t. I’m with Betty for the day and we’re shopping for the baby.”

“That sounds fun,” I say, forcing a smile so she can hear it in my voice. “Will you be able to come by later?”

“It may be late.”

“That’s okay.”

She giggles, then says, “I’ll be there.”

We end the call, and I toss my phone onto the couch. Hopefully, I don’t chicken out when she gets here.

Picking my phone back up, I text Asher to see what he’s up to. I stare at my phone for a long time, and finally get annoyed with him not answering me. I could call, but if he doesn’t answer a text, he’s busy, and I don’t want to know with what—or who.

I pull up the thread with Tobias and text him next.

I had a lot of fun with him last night. Not only the sex but hanging out. Watching movies, drinking, and eating pizza like friends but… more. Like how a relationship should be. I’m certain if Tobias was willing to date for real, I’d be more comfortable breaking things off with Marianne. I’d be okay jumping in and taking a risk for Tobias. I like how he makes me feel. I like who I am when I’m around him. I like that I feel shy but yet somehow brave and can say what I want without him judging me. He’s accepting, he’s fun, and mature and everything I want in a partner.

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