Page 78 of Off Limits

“Let me know when you get home.”

“I will.”

Biting my lip, I push up on my toes and kiss him again. I walk out backward, unwilling to turn away from him, fighting the tears with every step.

Once I get to the car, I slide into the backseat. “Sorry, Chels, I’m too tired to drive right now.”

Leaning against the door, I look longingly up at the apartment as she gets into the driver’s seat.

“What’s wrong with you, Shay?”

“I’m just tired. Late night.” If she doesn’t buy it, she doesn’t say anything. How can she know my heart hurts? That I left part of it upstairs in that apartment. I’m asleep before we even hit the highway.

Chapter 13

Aswewalkacrossthe parking lot to leave our last final, I see Chelsea perk up, taking off at a sprint. I don’t realize what she’s running toward until I see him.

“Lochlyn! What are you doing here?” I can hear her as I get closer.

“I came to surprise my baby sister after her final!” His eyes are locked on mine. He didn’t come to surprise her, he came to surpriseme.

Chelsea’s standing next to him, leaning against his shiny black Acura. “Shay, aren’t you going to say hi to Loch?”

“Oh, of course.” I lean in to give him a hug. He strategically leans to the side of me where Chelsea can’t see him lick my earlobe. The wriggle his touch causes me brings a smile to his face. I can already tell he’s going to make it very difficult to keep our relationship hidden all summer.

“So, what are your plans, Loch? I wasn’t expecting you home until this weekend.”

Finally, he breaks his gaze from mine, looking at Chelsea. “I finished my exams and figured I’d rather be home. More people I’d prefer to see here.” His eyes dash over to me again. Chelsea’s so absorbed in her phone, she doesn’t notice. He could have his hands in my back pockets, and she probably wouldn’t notice. Part of me wishes he’d try.

“I’m pretty free until Saturday. Heath and Jay are coming back Friday. They’re talking about a party of some sort. You two are welcome to tag along.” We’ve already talked about the party. We’re going to try to convince Chelsea to go, not that it’ll be too difficult. Chelsea loves a good party.

“Yeah, sure. If I can convince this one over here.” She juts her chin toward me. I’m the one who’s harder to convince. But I’m on the inside now.

I shrug. “I don’t know, sounds like it could be fun. May be good to get used to some parties before we leave in August.”

Chelsea glances up at me, her mouth slightly open. “Have you been replaced by a clone or something?”

“What? No. I thought you’d be happy. You’re not having to pull my arm for once.”

“I am. I’m just shocked. What’s gotten into you?”

I notice Lochlyn smirk, catching my attention, as he mouthsme.I grit my teeth to try to bite down the heat snaking up my spine.

Chelsea turns her head to look up at him. “Can I bring my boyfriend?”

“Uh, I guess. Brian? Or something.” I know he’s just giving her a hard time and is fully aware of his real name.

She rolls her eyes. “Brendan.”

“Right. Brendan. Um, yeah, I don’t see why not. You know the guys, always thinking the more, the better.”

“Where is this party going to be, exactly?”

“I don’t know. Not our house. That was my only requirement. They said something about the woods? I don’t plan, I just attend.” Lochlyn raises his hands in peace.

I feel slightly awkward as we stand around the parking lot. My body is longing to be against Lochlyn, but Chelsea’s right here. She’s making small talk, eating at my time to be close to him. I’m more interested in spending time with him than with her.

Our reunion isn’t what I had built up in my mind. I’d had fantasies about him coming back, me running into his arms as he kissed me. I know how silly it seems, and unlikely since there’s nowhere we can be public about it, but as it actually happened, it seems so anticlimactic. There’s no grand reunion, just stealing glances and touches while making small talk in a parking lot.

---