Page 87 of Off Limits

On the outside, I try to show confidence. On the inside, I question how long he’ll feel that way before he’s done with me. I’ve been through enough difficult and heartbreaking situations in the past few years. I don’t need to add being cast aside by the man I love to the pile. It’s easier to hold on to the doubt.

Instead of answering, I snuggle into him. His arms tighten around me without hesitation.

Just before I fall asleep, I hear him whispering, “Good night, Shay. I love you, so damn much.”

“I love you too,” I murmur into his chest as I fall asleep.

Chapter 15

Thesummerisprovingto be increasingly difficult. Chelsea questions me extensively about resting against Lochlyn at the party. It doesn’t help that the day after, he pulls me into the pool again, arms tight around my waist and then lets his hands linger on me the rest of the night.

“I just don’t understand why you were lying on him. Do you like him or something?” No, I don’t like him at all. I love him.

“He’s my friend, Chelsea. I’ve known him for over sixteen years. Am I not allowed to be comforted by him?”

“I didn’t say that. It just seems more like boyfriend and girlfriend than friend.”

“Chelsea, I wasn’t feeling well. Come on, when have you ever known me to be asleep before eleven? And even that’s a pretty early night for me.” Really, I had just felt so comfortable and at peace with Lochlyn, I drifted off.

“True. I don’t know, I just feel icky thinking of you and Lochlyn together.”

“We’ve spent a lot of time together, especially in recent years. He’s been there for me through tough times. I trust him. I didn’t drive myself, he’d been drinking, and you were off having fun. And I was pretty sure you’d shown up already tipsy. Jay had creeped me out earlier in the night. I asked him to sit with me because I was afraid of being alone on the couch. I didn’t want to be cornered again.” Frustration is creeping into my voice and words, and I need to be careful before it all goes to hell.

“Just remember, I wouldn’t like it if you two got together. No part of me is okay with it.”

“Why?” Exhaustion with the situation, with the constant reminders, has brought me to this point.

“Excuse me?” Her voice is angry, eyes filled with fire.

“Why are you not okay with it?” I’m walking a thin line here, and I know it.

“Because he’s my brother and you’re my best friend. He’s a manwhore, and you’re a virginal angel. It would make me uncomfortable.”

“What about it would make you uncomfortable?”

“It just would, okay! Sheesh, why do you even care? Do you want to be with him?” Disgust hangs off her words.

“I just want to know why it’s so forbidden in your eyes.” I intentionally avoid her last question.

“Shay, he’s not boyfriend material. And you’re definitely not the sleep around type. I love him, he’s my brother, but he’s not fit for anything more than a string of one-night stands.”

To make sure I don’t fly off the handle, I have to bite my tongue. I don’t understand how she can be so blatantly disrespectful in what she says about him. He’s none of the things she says he is. Maybe at one point he had been, but he’s also done so much for her, and he’s a wonderful person.

“I don’t think you give him enough credit.”

“Shay, trust me, I’m doing you a favor.”

“If you say so.”

“Okay, I don’t understand what all this argument is about. I’m not okay with it. End of discussion.” To show she means it, she turns away from me.

“Sure, Chels. I’m going to go check on my mom.”

I’d been avoiding Chelsea for a few days when Lochlyn told me she’d questioned him as well. It seems she was a bit nicer to him about it, thanking him for taking care of me and making sure I was okay. She had to corner me on the floor at the store to have the conversation.

Trying to keep my temper in check, I walk to the office, straightening and organizing on my way, taking my anger out on the stacks of garbage cans and drawer organizers.

Bursting through the office door, startling Mom, I pace the room for a few minutes before grasping the back of a chair and taking a few deep breaths.

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