Page 10 of The Substitute
I knock and step back.
No one answers.
I knock again and wait another few minutes.
Nothing.
I knock harder. “Open the fucking door, Ambrose.”
The door is thrown open, but it’s not who I’m expecting. Instead of my brother, I get a blond, cute little twink. Could be worse, but not what I need.
“Why the fuck are you knocking so early?”
I look at my watch. “It’s one in the afternoon.”
“Some of us like to sleep.”
“Don’t you have classes?” Maybe he got some sweet schedule and doesn’t have classes Thursdays.
“Who the fuck are you?”
I look past him into the common room, suddenly fucking doubting I have the right room. “My brother is your roommate.”
He stares at me.
“Ambrose?”
“You two don’t look anything alike.” He rubs his eyes.
“He’s my step-brother. Is he here?”
“I don’t know. I’m going back to bed.” He starts to close the door, but I put my hand on it. He doesn’t fight.
“I’ll wait.”
“Whatever.” He doesn’t make it to his room, slumping into a seat in the common room, pulling a blanket over him.
My eyes adjust to the dim light, and I glance around. It’s a pretty nice setup, and I’m shocked Ambrose got so lucky with a last-minute room placement since his father stopped paying for his apartment.
I drop to a seat, gaze flickering back to the guy rotting in the chair.
“What?” he says after a few minutes.
“Huh?” I might have been staring, but I fucking zoned out hard.
“Why do you keep looking at me?” He shifts like it’s making him uncomfortable.
“Because I can?” I fire back playfully. He blinks, and I laugh. “I’m kidding, baby girl. I was thinking about med school interviews and zoning out.”
“Baby girl?” he asks, wrinkling his nose, making his freckles move.
My gaze flicks over him. “It’s what you are.”
His cheeks pink over his freckles, which makes him hotter. “What makes me a baby girl?”
“A feeling. Soft and cute.”
He looks away. “Did you say med school?”
