Page 108 of Off Limits

“If you change your mind—"

“I know. I won’t. But I appreciate the thought. I just want to be here.”

We finish eating in silence, with Lochlyn and Chelsea both giving me furtive glances.

They let me keepThe Officeon even though I’ve seen every episode over two dozen times. They’re treating me with kid gloves, especially after my earlier meltdown, but I’m reveling in it, enjoying being in charge while in Chelsea’s presence.

Chelsea gives us some privacy to get changed for bed. We’d had the forethought to keep some of Lochlyn’s clothes in my dorm, more so for me to have on the few nights we don’t spend together.

It was a compromise we had all come to. One night a week, I had to be in the dorm with Chelsea, alone, for girl time. But I have an early class three days a week, that’s just easier for me to be in my dorm for. Most of the time. Many of those nights are spent together anyway. I just sleep better when Lochlyn’s near me.

By the time Chelsea comes back in, we’re sitting under the covers, our heads together, looking at recently announced concert tour dates, trying to decide if there’s any we can go to and who we’d want to see.

“Uh, do you guys need like, any alone time or anything? I can disappear for a little bit if you need me to.”

“No, Chels, that’s not necessary.” Heat prickles my back and cheeks that she even mentioned it.

But Lochlyn turns to me. “Well, I mean, if she’s offering.”

I elbow him in the ribs, causing him to wince and double over. “No, Chels, we’re fine.”

Lochlyn tucks some hair behind my ear, trailing his finger to the end and pulling the curl straight before watching it bounce back up. “You tired?”

“Yes and no. My eyes feel tired but not my mind, if that makes sense.” Mostly, my eyes still feel puffy, which is making them feel tired.

“Do you want to try to sleep?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe read?”

“Anything you want.” Cupping my cheek, he rubs the pad of this thumb along my skin as I lean into his hand.

“What about you guys, though?” I look back and forth between them before settling back on Lochlyn.

“I doubt you have anything I’d read, so I’ll study,” he offers easily.

“Why would I have nothing you’d read?” Part of me is slightly offended. I have a variety of taste in books. Though, not necessarily his.

“I’ve taken you book shopping before, remember? And how many times have you complained about what’s on my bookshelf and that there’s nothing for you? I don’t mind studying.”

“Okay, point taken. Chels?” I turn to look at her.

“I’ll just flip through a magazine. Don’t worry about me.”

I look between both of them again. “You guys sure? You don’t have to baby me. I’m fine.”

Lochlyn’s shoulder lifts next to me, but I keep my eyes trained on Chelsea. She’ll be the easier one to read if she’s lying. And the one who will care more. Lochlyn likes to read and doesn’t mind studying.

“I have a new stack of magazines I haven’t checked out yet.” She’s trying really hard to be okay with it, but I pretend not to notice her hesitation.

I grab my book off the top of my desk. Lochlyn climbs over me, stopping while he’s straddling me to give me a quick kiss, and grabs his books.

No more than ten minutes in, I realize I’m not going to be able to read. I’ve reread the same paragraph at least three times and still haven’t absorbed it. Shutting my book and tossing it to my desk, I slide down with a huff, arms crossed against my chest. Lochlyn glances up at me but doesn’t say anything, handing me the remote while he looks back at his textbook.

I flip on the TV and sink all the way down to lie on my side, pressing my back against Lochlyn. He puts his hand on my waist as he keeps reading.

“Oh, thank God,” Chelsea says as she tosses her magazine to the floor.

I flip through the channels until I find a romcom just starting. I look back at Lochlyn in time to see his eyes flick to the TV and hear his groan. He hates this movie.

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