Page 60 of Off Limits

“Yeah!” she shouts from hers.

Rolling off my bed, I pad across the little hallway separating my room from hers and poke my head through her door to find her lying on her stomach on her bed, reading. She looks up from the book spread in front of her, highlighter poised over the text. “Wanna go to my parents’ house for the long weekend?” I ask.

It’s the last weekend of October, which means it’s our Fall Break. Giving it an official name makes it sound like a big deal, but it just means we don’t have class on Friday.

She blinks at me and shrugs. “I figured you’d be spending as much free time as possible with Simon.”

“He has an away game.”

A mischievous glint enters her eyes. “Ohhh, I get it. Simon’s busy, so you’re coming to your second choice.”

Sighing, I cross my arms and prop myself against her door frame. “It’s not like that.”

She raises an eyebrow in response, and I just roll my eyes.

“Cal’s planning on staying at our parents’ this weekend because their game is nearby. He wants me to drive his car down. Staying the weekend hanging with my brother sounds like not much fun, but staying here and being bored doesn’t sound any better. We can bring our laundry and eat home-cooked meals and have a movie night in my room one night. It’ll be like a high school slumber party. It’ll be fun.”

She caps her highlighter, lays it in her book, and pushes it aside, stacking her hands and resting her cheek on them while she considers me. “It does sound like it might be fun.” A wicked smile curves her lips. “And we could fuck with your brother while we’re at it.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”

She raises her head and pokes out her lower lip. “Aww, c’mon. It’ll be fun. Besides, he needs someone to show him he’s not the shit. Who better than moi?” She lays a hand on her chest dramatically. “Maybe if you prank him a little, he’ll lay off.”

“Ah, but don’t forget, we’ll have to ride back with him. Pissing him off too much might backfire.”

She heaves a sigh. “Fine. But I want it on record that you are no fun.”

“The record shall reflect that I am no fun.”

She nods, satisfied, and sits up all the way. “Yeah, let’s do it. I’ll tag along to your parents’ for the weekend. Maybe I can distract you from moping about your lack of time with Simon.”

Me: Fine. Autumn and I changed our plans. We’ll drive your car to Mom and Dad’s, but that means I get to drive it anywhere I want all weekend and you don’t get to bitch about it.

Cal: Just admit you didn’t have plans and this is the best offer you’re gonna get. And no, you don’t get my car for the weekend just because I’m letting you drive it once

Me: Letting me? It sounded a lot more like a command. Maybe Autumn and I will go back to our original plan and you can ride back with the team instead

Cal: Fine. You can drive my car this weekend. But no trashing it.

Me: Idk, I’m not sure I want to go home after all. Mom and Dad will just harp on me about picking a major.

Cal: You do need to pick a major

Me: Ope, my phone’s about to die. ttyl

Cal: Stop it, Ellie. Your phone is probably fully charged.

Cal: Ellie?

Cal: This isn’t funny

My phone rings, and all I can do is cackle and send it to voicemail.

Cal: Your phone rang instead of going straight to voicemail. That means it’s not dead.

Cal: Fucking fine. I’m sorry for bossing you around. Will you please drive my car to Mom and Dad’s this weekend? I’ll let you drive it wherever you need to go while we’re home. And I’ll stick up for you if Mom and Dad start harping on you. Is that good enough?

Me: If? IF they start harping on me?

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