Page 66 of Off Limits

“Not quite yet. I’m just going to miss you.”

“How long until the concert?” My eyes are closed and I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet.

“Only a few weeks.”

“Okay. More text messages and late-night phone calls until then, I guess.”

“But then it’s only another three or so weeks until it’s over. And I’ll be home.”Home.

“I think I can handle that.”

“You can.” He sighs. “I have to go. I’ll call you as soon as I get there.”

We spent the day at my house, while Mom’s at work and Chelsea had gone to Brendan’s. Being with each other is always nice, but the last day together always has something heavy hanging in the air. It’s always so much by the end of the day I feel like I can’t breathe.

“I love you, Shay.”

“I love you too.” Mine always comes out as a whisper.

With one more big kiss, he’s gone. The countdown to the concert has begun.

Chapter 12

“So,theconcert’sgoingto be the last weekend in April.” Lochlyn’s voice fills my ear.

“Who?”

“It’ll be that Saturday. Starts at seven.”

“Who?”

“I think you should come up after classes on Friday.”

“Who?!” I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet in front of my bed, too eager to keep still.

“And we can go to dinner before the show.”

I heave a frustrated breath. He’s intentionally ignoring me.

“Oh, I’m sorry, had you asked who?” I can hear the smile in his voice as he teases me.

“Nope, must have been somebody else. Don’t care. Not even sure I’m coming anymore.”

“Oh. Well, then I’ll guess I’ll have to find somebody else to take to The Starting Line, Yellowcard, and Dashboard concert.” The fake disappointment hangs from his words. I’ve come to recognize all of his different tones, voices, intonations. I’m not sure one exists that I don’t know.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“All three?”

“All three.”

“AHH!” I scream. Loudly. “Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!”

“Wow. I am so happy I had the forethought to pull the phone away from my ear. I think my neighbors heard you.”

“How? How are they having all three?” My pulse is fluttering.

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