Page 71 of Off Limits

“I love you too.”

After sliding my phone into my pocket, I make my way to the floor. I’m not sure what their conversation is going to be like, but I definitely want to be there for it.

I walk into Chelsea’s house the next day to her screaming into her phone. When I had spoken to Lochlyn last night, she hadn’t called him yet. I assume it’s him. Sitting quietly on the couch, I perk my ears up.

“Because I want to!”

“Because I do!”

“I don’t care that I don’t like the music! I want to come.” She's pacing behind the couch, and I have to keep turning my head from side to side to follow her trek.

“I know the point of a concert is to enjoy what’s being played. I want a weekend away.”

“Killington wasn’t fun.” Her hand moves up to her mouth and she starts chewing her cuticles, a sure sign that the thought of her trip still upsets her.

“Brendan is absolutely coming with me.”

“No, I don’t mind driving.” She isn’t yelling anymore. And apparently is driving. I guess he gave in. Seemed to put up a good fight, though.

“You’re the best! Love you, big brother.” She hops over the back of the couch to sit with me. “Sorry. Yay, we’re going to a concert!”

“Yay.” I try to fake excitement. “To make things even more fun, I wanted to go shopping, get something to wear to the show.”

“Oh, even better! Tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

“Anything in particular?”

“No, just wanted to look around. I’m just wearing jeans and Converse. Thought maybe a new shirt or something.” Something tight that will make Lochlyn lose his mind.

“How’s John taking this news about you going?”

“Huh? Oh, he’s fine. I told him about it, but he’s busy. Told me to go, have fun. He knows Lochlyn and I are friends.” Very,verygood friends.

“He doesn’t want to go?”

“He does, but he can’t get away.” I’m beginning to think it’s time to break up withJohn. I’m not sure what I’ll do about the text messages besides hide my phone from Chelsea.

“You two don’t seem to see each other much.” She sounds a little sad as she says it.

“We don’t, it’s tough. We talk a lot. That’s about all we can do.”

“Makes me feel happy Bren is right here.”

“Yeah, you’re definitely lucky.” I’d give anything for Lochlyn to be so close.

“Okay, shopping tomorrow. We’ll both get something awesome. Now I may regret this, but play some of the music so I know what to expect.”

A devious smile spreads across my face. “Gladly.” I take her hand and drag her to her room. Maybe she’ll listen, hate it, and change her mind, leaving me and Lochlyn to a weekend alone like I had hoped.

I’ve had no such luck with getting Chelsea not to want to come. A half hour away from Cornell, I’m feeling antsy and fidgeting my fingers nonstop. I’m not going to get the greeting I’ve been waiting for, dreaming of. In my dreams, I jump into his arms and he brings me straight to his room and tears off my clothes. The reality I’m faced with will be a quick, friendly hug.

She’d also made me drive part of the way, saying she’d promised Lochlyn that Brendan wouldn’t drive but had said nothing about me. It made me tired, more tired than I want to be.

Brendan had grumbled something about not understanding why Lochlyn hated him so much, but I’m pretty sure as we get closer, he’s thankful he wasn’t allowed to drive. It truly is exhausting.

Lochlyn had insisted that we get in at four so we could go to dinner at a reasonable time. I had heard him telling Chelsea, as he’d asked her to put it on speaker so he 'had a witness.' Which, of course, means it’s already almost five by the time we’re knocking on his door.

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