Page 104 of Off Limits

“Hey, Shay.” Her voice on the other end of the line is hesitant.

“Hey, Chels. What’s up?”

“Sorry to bother you. Were you busy? Actually, never mind. I don’t want to think about what you were busy doing.” Lochlyn, who’s leaning close enough to hear, laughs lightly as he starts kissing along my shoulder.

“We were just making breakfast. What’s up?”

“I just…I miss you, Shay. You’re my best friend! I haven’t seen you in four days. I’m wondering when you’re coming back.”

I look over at Lochlyn. He wants me to stay indefinitely, but I’m not sure it’s the best idea. I’d chosen to room with Chelsea for a reason. And while I love him, I think some time apart every now and again will be healthy for our relationship. And I need to fix things with Chelsea too.

“I’m not sure yet, Chels. Lochlyn and I are still repairing things.”

“That you broke,” he says near the mouthpiece. With a flat hand, I push his face away, scowling at him.

“I know, I’m sorry. I just want to make it up to you. I want us to be okay again. I don’t know how to do that if we’re not talking and you’re avoiding me.”

“I’m not avoiding you, Chelsea. I’m just putting all my focus into Lochlyn right now. It needs to be that way for a little while.” I hesitate. “I need to come get some more clothes.”

“No, you don’t,” Lochlyn says against my shoulder, a smirk on his face.

“Maybe we can spend a few hours together when I do.” It’s a suggestion I’m not sure I actually want to follow through with, but I need to give her something.

“I’d really like that. Will it…will it be just you?”

“Is it a problem if it’s not?” I wasn’t planning to bring Lochlyn aside from dropping me off and picking me up. But I need her to be comfortable with us together and seeing us together, or things will never be better between her and I.

“No, I mean, I guess not. I was kind of hoping we could have some girl time. But if you want to bring him, that’s fine. It just may be awkward because he’s still not talking to me.”

“Well, Chels, I haven’t talked to you in four days either.”

“Yeah, but we had all that time together. Aside from the day I went to his apartment to talk about you, I haven’t spoken to him in over six weeks.”

“It’ll be just me.” Lochlyn bites my shoulder. I turn my head to look at him and point my finger, mouthing,No biting,to which he smirks and takes my fingertip between his teeth.

“That’ll be nice.”

“Probably tomorrow.”

“I’ll make sure I’m around all day.”

“Alright, Chels. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay. Bye, Shay. Oh, could you—”

I hang up before I hear what else she has to say. If she puts up an argument again, I won’t be siding with her. I’d spent sixteen years living in her shadow, letting her take the lead, letting her tell me what to do and what not to do. It had almost cost me the person I love the most in the world. I’m not going to stand for it anymore.

Lochlyn lies down on his back, pulling me down against him.

“You’re really going to go over there? And without me?”

“I do need you to drive me, but yes, we need some time, at least to talk without you around.”

“Why can’t you talk in front of me?”

“Because you’re not exactly being nice to her right now.”

“I’m still mad at her.” He says the words very slowly and with enunciation on each one.

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