Page 120 of Off Limits

“You could always explain the call I just got about you and your brother kissing in public.”

I almost dropped the phone. How the hell had he found out about Asa and me?

“He’s not my brother,” I said when I found my voice. “We’re not related.”

“So you don’t deny it?”

“Who called you?”

“Is it true?”

“Who called you?” I repeated.

“Not that it matters, but Jefferson did. Cecily saw you and Asa kissing in front of your gym.”

I sucked in a breath. Asa stopped by the gym after work yesterday to bring me dinner. We’d only spoken for a fewminutes, and I’d kissed him goodbye. It wasn’t even a long kiss, just a quick peck like anyone would give their partner.

Of fucking course someone saw us and tattled to my dad.

“Is it true?” he repeated. “Were you and Asa kissing?”

“Yes.”

The silence that fell between us was deafening.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” I said simply. “We’re not related, and we’re both adults. There’s nothing wrong with us being together.”

“You’re brothers.”

“No, we’re not. We’re stepbrothers by marriage, that’s it.”

“You’re not gay.”

I laughed, still in shock that we were having this conversation at all. “No, but I’m bi.”

“Since when?” he demanded.

“Since forever.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Believe whatever you want, but I think the fact that I’m with a man proves I’m not straight.”

“I won’t allow it. You need to end this now before Miranda finds out.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “No.”

“What?” He sounded shocked, and I didn’t blame him. This was the first time I’d ever stood up to him or talked back.

“No. I’m not going to break up with him because you said so. And I’m definitely not breaking up with him because of Miranda. He’s my boyfriend, I love him, end of story.”

“Love him?” he spluttered.

“Yes.”

“You can’t love him. You don’t even like him.”