Page 30 of Off Limits

There’s a table off to the side filled with various snacks. Chips, pretzels, even pigs in a blanket. Then I notice the coolers, filled with beer and wine coolers, and I scowl. I knew she was planning for there to be some sort of alcohol, Brendan having turned twenty-one in December, but I hadn’t been expecting this much.

“Chelsea, most of us are underage. Why is there so much alcohol?” The disapproval is clear in my voice, and it irks me that I have to act like the parent.

“It’s a party, Shay!” She gives me a once-over and frowns. “You have a cami on.”

“Yes, I do. It’s a low one, though, so I partially appeased you.” I’d chosen a white one that has a lacy top. It’s still pretty low, but it covers most of my cleavage.

“I guess you don’t need a guy, anyway. Why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice is a mix between hurt and angry.

“Oh, uh, I guess it’s just that it’s so new.”

“Doesn’t seem new from the messages.”

My face burns and I swallow audibly. If you really read the lyrics, they’re filled with emotion. Longing, desire, even traces of love. “That honeymoon phase, you know. New and fun.”

She nods as she pops a chip into her mouth. “What’s his name?”

“John.” It comes out faster than I’d like and before I can think of a better name.

“Well, I look forward to meeting him at some point in the near future.”

“Oh, sure. I mean, he’s pretty busy with school and work, but we’ll try to set something up!”

Before she can respond, the doorbell rings. She runs over, yanking it open to let in a group of girls we’d met on campus, most of whose names I can’t remember. They all hug before walking over to me. I’m feeling a little disheartened, not really wanting to be around people. I haven’t heard from Lochlyn in hours.

But I plaster on the fake smile I’d perfected while Dad was sick and hug each of them as I thank them for coming. It’s not their fault I’m not in the mood to celebrate.

Around eight-thirty, I’m still standing by the snack table, feeling a little sorry for myself, fingers playing with the tablecloth, when I hear some murmurs around the crowd.

A hand slides to my waist and there’s a quiet whisper in my ear. “Happy birthday, baby girl.” My chest seizes. Lochlyn.

I spin around to face him, and I throw my arms around his neck. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close, melding our bodies together.

“Lochlyn!” Chelsea’s voice cuts through the crowd. I start to pull away, but his grip tightens around me before slowly letting go. Still standing close to Lochlyn, I turn to face Chelsea. Nothing about it would seem odd; we’re friends, except for his finger hooked through my back belt loop.

“Hey, sis.” His voice is nonchalant, like nothing about this is strange, even though he drove four hours to be here for me. Even his stance, one hand leaning against the table, is relaxed and carefree.

“What are you doing here?” Her face says she’s excited, but her tone is questioning.

“Are you serious? You told me I absolutely had to come and under no circumstances would it be okay if I didn’t.”

“I did?”

“You said that it was for Shay. That we all had to be here.” When he says my name, he gives a little tug against my belt loop and there’s a softness to his tone I never noticed before.

“Oh yeah, I guess I did. I just didn’t really expect you to come.”

“And face your wrath? No way.”

“Smart man. Okay, well, now that I see Shay’s in capable hands, I can wander.” She gives one last glance at us before walking back into the crowd.

After she’s out of earshot, he leans down, whispering in my ear, “Very capable hands indeed.”

Heat creeps up my neck, a tingle flashing through my body. I so desperately want to grab his hand and drag him upstairs. But being the honoree, I know somebody will notice if I’m suddenly missing, even if Chelsea is the star.

I turn to face him again, his eyes on me. “What are you doing here?”

“I missed you.”

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