Page 123 of Off Limits

“And this thing with Asa and me, it’s not like we’ve been secretly dating for months and purposely hid it. We both struggled with accepting our feelings for each other for a long-ass timebecausewe’re stepbrothers. We didn’t go into this lightly, and we were going to tell you soon, but you just happened to find out by accident before we could do that.”

Another silence fell over the line.

“I think we both need to step back from this conversation,” he said slowly. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, and a lot to come to terms with.”

“Yeah, I think that’s best too.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

The line went dead.

I dropped my phone in my lap and leaned back against my seat as all my energy seemed to drain out of me at once.

I didn’t regret anything I’d said to my dad, but now that it was over, I was worried I’d gone about things the wrong way. He seemed to soften by the end of the conversation, but who knew if that was genuine or if it was just him wanting to end the conversation.

Wearily, I picked up my phone and opened my text log.

Dex: are you home?

I dug my keys out of my pocket and stuck them in the ignition while I waited to see if he’d answer.

Asa: just walked through the door

Dex: I’ll be home in 20

Asa: did something happen? That sounds ominous

Dex: yeah, but don’t freak out or worry

Asa: do you remember that saying that if you tell someone not to think about zebras, then the only thing they’ll be able to think about is zebras? Not freaking out is my zebras

Dex: yeah, that wasn’t the best way to phrase that

Dex: this just isn’t something we should talk about over text

Asa: okay. then get your ass home so you can tell me what’s going on

Dex: on my way

Unsurprisingly, Asa was waiting in the hallway when I walked through the door.

“What happened?” He looked me up and down like he was checking for injuries. “Are you okay?”

Kicking off my shoes, I put our drinks on the small table next to the door. “I’m fine.”

He shot me a dubious look.

When my hands were free, I unslung my bag from over my shoulder, then held my arms out. He walked into them without hesitating.

“Is this a hello hug, or an ‘I need to hug you because shit went down, hug?’” he asked, squeezing me tight.

“Both, but mostly a hello hug.”

“What’s going on?” he asked when I let go.

I gave him a quick kiss, then motioned for him to follow me into the living room. As much as I wanted to lie down and cuddle him, we needed to talk about this without the distractions that came with being in bed together.

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