Page 52 of Off Limits

“I’m just surprised, is all. Usually, you give me a hard time, argue, something.”

Lochlyn pushes up his sleeves and runs his hand through his hair, several things hitting me all at once. He has new tattoos, and as he runs his hand through his hair, it lifts his shirt slightly, showing off the deep v at the top of his jeans, causing desire to tear through my body.

“I don’t have it in me to fight with you, Chels. It’s been a rough week, midterms were tough, and I had a long drive today. So go, have fun, and be careful.”

It all happens at the same time; his movements and his words are one. I’m speechless, but not Chelsea.

“Lochlyn! Your arm! What is that?” She points at him with wide eyes.

He holds his right arm out in front of him, pushing his shirt sleeve up a little more. “It’s a hawk.” Looking at it closely, I see the bird, wings outstretched.

“Why a hawk?” She sounds disgusted.

He rubs his fingertips along his lower lip, which draws my attention to his mouth, and a small tattoo above the base knuckle of his middle finger. He lowers his hand too quickly for me to see what it is. “Because I see everything.”

I know he gets the tattoos for his birthday, but he didn’t have them when I went to visit him. I wonder how new they are.

“Shay.” Chelsea pulls my attention to her.

“Hm?” It takes a moment for my eyes and mind to truly focus on her.

“What do you think?”

“Of what?”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Of the tattoo! Duh!”

“Oh, uh, I like it.” I hope it was nonchalant enough for her, but not too weak for Lochlyn. I don’t want him to think I hate it.

“I swear I don’t understand the two of you sometimes.” Chelsea has never liked Lochlyn’s tattoos, and she makes it well known. Frequently, I think it helps fuel his want to get more. She stomps back up the stairs.

I turn to him immediately, taking his hand to examine his finger. Delicately placed is an infinity symbol, but it has some extra lines around it, almost framing it. All black. Except for one part that has the slightest hint of red. A perfect S.

When I look up at him, his face is strained. For the first time since we started being together, I can’t read him. He’s not pulling his hand away, but he’s not trying to touch me either. Was the kiss hello not really a hello?

“You don’t really have chores to do tonight, do you?”

“No. I was just making sure I had something as a reason to not hang out. Do you really have plans?”

“I was hoping I would.” He’s not specific about what they are or who they’re with.

“Shay! Get up here and help me!” Chelsea’s voice bellows from upstairs.

Giving him one last inspection, I let his hand go and walk slowly upstairs. He watches me the whole way, and I hold eye contact until I’m behind the wall. The anxiety has returned, knotting my muscles, not knowing his mood or his thoughts.

“What’s up?” I ask as calmly as I can. My brain is a mess. My heart can’t decide if it wants to pound out of my chest or stop completely. My insides are going crazy. But I need to show control in front of Chelsea.

“Help me. I don’t know what to pack.” She sits on her bed surrounded by clothes as she whines at me.

“Okay, level with me here. Are youreallygoing skiing?”

“Yes, I am really going skiing.”

I just stare at her for a second, tight-lipped.

“Shay. I’m going skiing. Brendan likes to ski and snowboard. He wants to take me. I agreed to do something nice for him. I have no idea if I’ll be able to actually do it, but he wants to take me, so I’m going. Now help.”

“Well, obviously sweaters. Do you even own snow gear?”

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