Page 30 of Off Limits

I shrug, turning around once my food is warm, leaning against the counter opposite him and eating my own food. “I mean, we had a whole conversation. I didn’t just say sorry and run away.”

He cracks a grin. “Fine, good point. And it’s not like you were out looking for her, waiting to put the moves on my sister.”

I force a soft chuckle. “Right.”

Except, I did stalk her for days, and then tonight … Well, let’s not think about that scene in the hallway tonight. Not now, anyway. Because the memory of her scent, the softness of her hair already has my blood rushing south. I set that aside to contemplate later, when I’m alone.

Cal finishes his food, wolfing it down in typical fashion. He sets his bowl in the sink and nods to me. “Sorry for making you the go-between for Ellie and me,” he says before leaving the kitchen. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “I want her to be happy, but I also want her to be safe. I know …” He swallows. “I know you’re right. Hell, we were both partying as much as we could when we were sophomores. And I know it’s shitty and a double standard, but I don’t like thinking about my sister doing the same thing.” He shrugs. “Anyway, since she’s pissed at me, if you see her around, would you mind keeping an eye out for her? Just like … I dunno, let her know that she can ask you for help if she needs it, too.” He looks away. “I have a feeling that she wouldn’t call me unless she were actually dying, and even then, only if I were the absolute last person available. Since she seems willing to talk to you, maybe you’d be higher on the list.”

“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat because it comes out rough, my surprise at his request making me almost choke on my food. “Yeah,” I repeat, my voice more normal. “Of course. Sure thing.”

I know he’d never ask that if he had any idea of what happened earlier, what I want to do to her. But I’ve already decided that what he doesn’t know can’t hurt him. And if he wants me to look out for his sister, well … who am I to say no to that?

He gives me a brief smile. “Thanks, man,” he says, and leaves me in the kitchen with the remains of my leftovers, marveling at how I’m simultaneously being a good friend and the absolute worst at the same time.

What was that quote my high school English teacher loved to pull out any time anyone caught him in a contradiction?

Oh, yes.

I contain multitudes.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ellie

Much to my surprise, Simon starts texting me regularly. At least once a day, sometimes more. Just to check in, see how things are going, say hi, tell me how exhausted he is after a hard practice, that kind of thing.

Like we’re … friends. Is he trying to be my friend?

What is this?

I cannot get a good read on this boy, and it’s driving me a little bit nuts.

“Block him,” Autumn says when I whine to her about my confusion on Wednesday. “Or tell him to man up if he wants to date you, otherwise he should leave you alone.” She waves at me with both hands. “Your energy is all discombobulated. He’s messing you up. I can do a ritual with you to help you clarify that, or we can do a reading to help you determine what you want and how to get it, but you need to make a decision. And you need to enforce consequences if he oversteps your boundaries.”

I stare at her, my phone in my lap, my mouth hanging open. “I …” I don’t quite know what to say. This isn’t at all what I expected from my say-yes-to-the-universe, go-with-the-flow, life-is-beautiful roommate.

She lets out a soft sigh and gives me a look that’s almost pitying before sitting on the couch next to me and taking my hands in hers. “Take a deep breath with me.”

I give her a doubtful look, but she just glares at me. “Just do it. It’s breathing. You’re doing it anyway. Why resist taking a deep breath with me? You get more oxygen into your bloodstream, it helps clear away the stress hormones, and you’ll feel better. It’s not woo, it’s science.”

Laughing, I shake my head and do what she says, breathing in deeply through my nose, and letting my breath out slowly. She’s right, it does make me feel better. Calmer. Not a ton, but it definitely takes the edge off.

“Again,” she says, her voice soft but full of authority. “This time, close your eyes.”

Feeling silly, but not wanting to argue, I do as she says.

“Now,” she says in that same hushed voice. “Keep your eyes closed, keep taking calming breaths, and answer my questions with your most honest answer. Then you’ll have a starting point to move forward. Knowing what you want is the first step.”

Makes sense, actually.

“Do you want to keep seeing Simon?”

“Yes.” The answer pops out before she even finishes the question.

She squeezes my hands. “Good. Okay. Do you want him to be your friend?”

I open my mouth, but hesitate.

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