Page 68 of Setting Limits

Both guys eye each other as they pull out their wallets. For some reason, this turns them both into assholes, needing to show who has the most when really both of them have nothing. They don’t work hard for this money, not yet.

After they both throw cash down, a smile spans their faces as if they know they’re being dicks.

“Okay, boys, put them away. It’s not any of your money anyway. So, thanks, never-present mom and dad for your cash to pay for our dinner. And Wes’s parents too. The end, let’s go.” Lochlyn frowns at my abrupt and somewhat rude words, but they're true, and I don’t especially like this side in either of them.

We all grab our takeout bags and head toward the exit. It’s our night in the apartment, so we grab Shay and Loch’s leftovers for the fridge.

The awkwardness is again palpable as we stand in the parking lot, unsure of what to do with ourselves. We all know what happens next. It doesn’t matter that it’s absolutely freezing out here.

“Well, good night, guys. I had fun, we should do it again. Maybe Japanese next time?” Shay leans forward to pull me into a hug before doing the same to Wes and shrinking back into Lochlyn’s side.

“Absolutely. Sounds like a plan.” Wes drapes his arm over my shoulders and pulls me against him right as my teeth start to chatter. Damn fashionable winter jacket really isn’t that warm.

I give a small wave to Lochlyn and Shay as Wes turns us for the car, noticing just before I turn away that he’s pulled her in front of him and wrapped both arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head.

But Wes is my focus. With a glance up at him and his quickly returned smile, I realize that I have what they have. The words may not have been exchanged yet, but I can feel it. It’s there. That all-consuming feeling that Shay talks about. Needing to be with the other person. I feel that with Wes.

For the first time ever, I’m giving myself over to somebody…completely.

Chapter 34

Marissa’spartyisamazing.It’s a big room, and it’s stuffed to the brim. The music is loud, and so are the people. I’m sure we’re going to get busted, but right now I don’t care.

Amazingly, I was able to convince Shay to come. She said yes at dinner, but I was positive she was going to change her mind. When I reminded her about the party yesterday, she was still agreeable to coming.

And she seems to be having fun. She even has a drink in her hand and is chatting with a few other dormmates, while standing impossibly close to Lochlyn. He has a protective arm wrapped around her as they stand chest to chest.

While Wes has a hand on me at all times, his stance is far more relaxed.

“’Kay, your ball.”

Leaning back, I assess the angles needed to sink the ping-pong ball in my hand. Wes and I have become a team of champs at beer pong. I think it’s his nonchalance; they don’t expect it when he leisurely tosses the ball or bounces it.

The problem I have right now is that I have a solid buzz going, bordering on being drunk, which makes it harder to focus on both my aim and strength for throwing. There’s also a slight sway to my stance, which makes Wes laugh, but he also steadies me with his hands on my waist as he leans back against the table.

“You’ve got this, sweets. Nice and steady.”

My hand is poised to toss…when the door slams open.

“Everybody, freeze! Cups down, ball down. If you are twenty-one, have your IDs ready. If not, be prepared. University police are on the way.” Three RAs bust through the door. I’m suddenly far more sober, and the worry I had not too long ago about getting busted is very real.

Lochlyn holds Shay against him and turns to shield her, looking at us with fury in his eyes.

But Wes holds a hand up toward him and shakes his head. He takes my hand and pulls me toward the RAs.

“Hey, Lou! What’s up, man?” He does that handshake with a slap on the back thing that guys do sometimes, keeping me behind him in the process.

“Kev, Bex, how you been?”

“Wes? Bro, I haven’t seen you in ages. What’s going on? What are you doing here? I thought you and Claire broke up.” The mention of her name sets my teeth grinding.

“We did, we did. I’m with a new girl now. This”—he reaches behind me and pulls me forward, his arm around my waist—“is my new girl, Chelsea. We’ve been dating a few months now. I’m surprised we haven’t seen you around.”

He’s laying it on thick, and while I’d like to make fun of him for it, I’m hoping his charisma and bullshit can get us out of this. A quick glance over my shoulder says that Shay and Lochlyn do too.

“Listen, I know you guys are just doing your job, but I’d owe you big if you could let us and my man Lochlyn and his girl there go too.” He jerks his head over his shoulder in their general direction.

“Ah, Wes, man, you’re putting us in a tight spot.” The other two RAs stay silent behind the tall guy, Lou. But they seem to be a little less concerned than he does. Kev almost looks bored.

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