Page 12 of Off Limits

Chelsea’s plan is a little less set. Cornell is again part of the equation. But once she gets there, she has choices. A list of certain choices set by her parents, but a choice nonetheless. Any time their plans were brought up, it made me ever thankful for my parents.

Breaking me from my reverie, Chelsea pulls on my arm. “Let’s go in the living room.”

Lochlyn follows, flopping onto the end of the couch, his feet on the coffee table, as he stretches his arm down the side. Grabbing the remote, he flips on the TV, finding a football game. The scene is familiar; it’s the one I’ve always seen coming over after dessert. Most years, he has stayed until about nine and then left to see Heath and Jay, his best friends since childhood.

“Hey, Loch, you seeing Heath and Jay tonight?” For a second, I wonder if I said something out loud or if Chelsea can read my thoughts. If she can, I’m in big trouble.

“Not this year. Jay went to Bri’s and Heath’s crazy cousin came to visit.” His attention doesn’t leave the TV and his words come out low, as though he barely puts any effort into saying them.

“Mom and Dad won’t let me leave to see Brendan.” Chelsea’s leaning around me as I sit in the middle.

His brows furrow. “Who?”

“Brendan. The boyfriend that you’ve met like a hundred times. Really, Lochlyn?” She looks at me like she thinks he’s crazy. It’s arguments like these that it’s best for me to just sit here quietly.

“Or maybe I’ve met him a few times and didn’t really think he’d still be around by Thanksgiving.” He has a perfectly neutral tone to his voice.

“Either way. You act like you don’t know who he is or that I ever mention him when we talk.”

He sighs. I often don’t understand his patience with Chelsea. I often don’t understandmypatience with Chelsea.

“I’m sorry you can’t see him tonight. That must be disappointing.” Lochlyn has this amazing way of making his voice sound sincere when it’s very clear he does not care. His line of sight never strays from the screen.

Chelsea just rolls her eyes and turns to me, officially done talking to Lochlyn.

“So, are we shopping tomorrow?” There’s pure excitement in her voice and she sits up straighter, her eyes wide.

“Chelsea, you’re supposed to be at the store at six.”

“Duh, I know. I meant after that.”

“I have to be at the store longer. And you know I hate Black Friday shopping.” Way too many people, far too few actual deals.

“You come with me every year.”

“And every year I complain about it.”

She huffs like a child. “Fine. I’ll just get Brendan to take me.”

Lochlyn scoffs next to me. She leans around me and shoots him a death glare. Sometimes I feel like I’m surrounded by children when I’m with them.

Chelsea rambles on for the next two hours. She doesn’t require much input from either of us. Every so often, Lochlyn flinches or yells at the game. Any of the other friends I’ve made over the years, many of whom didn’t stick around for long, wondered how I put up with Chelsea. She’s demanding, makes all the decisions, and can talk for everybody in the room. But she’s also kind and caring and will be there for you at the drop of a hat. It’s just Chelsea. I’m also on the quieter side; I don’t mind if she talks a lot, as I don’t have as much to say.

She sighs. A change of topic, to something about me, ensues. “Shay, I just wish you’d find a boyfriend.”

I stiffen next to her. My social life is not something I like to talk about in front of Lochlyn. Especially when I feel him adjust next to me. I’m sure he’s as uncomfortable with possibly hearing about it as I am to talk about it.

“I’m fine, Chels. You date enough for the both of us.” My voice wavers as we tread into territory I don’t like to be in.

“Very funny. I’m serious. It’d be nice for you to have somebody. I worry about you when I’m spending my time with Brendan.”

“Chelsea, you’ve had boyfriends for years. I’ve always been fine. I do have other friends, you know.” I’ve hung out with Eve a few times since the day we had coffee.

“I know, but nobody’s as awesome as I am.”

I roll my eyes at her confidence, something I don’t have. “That may be true, but they’re good company. And I’m at the store a lot.”

“Ugh, that store. I love working there, I love your parents, I love the store they built. But you’re there too much. It’s not your store, Shay, it’s not your dream.”

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