Page 62 of Off-Limits

Another sob breaks through and echoes around me, when I think of Arrie and how I can’t have anything more with Damon even if I wanted to. Who am I kidding? Of course I want more, and I guess that’s why it hurts so fucking much.

If I give into my wants and desires, I hurt my best friend and cousin. If I do not, I hurt myself and put others before me once again, and another piece of my heart shatters.

But it’s a small price to pay.

Is it?

That stupid voice pipes up for the umpteenth time and I curse the damn thing. And as if the universe is against me, I hear my phone ring in the room, cringing when it’s Arrie’s ringtone.

I can’t avoid her forever. She is my best-friend, and knowing her, she would find out where I am and haul ass here, the longer I dodge her calls.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I leave the bathroom and grab my phone on the way to the bed. Sitting down, I open it and look through my messages and missed calls. I hate not seeing a message from Damon and the emotions it elicits.

What did I think was going to happen?

Sighing, I call Arrie.

“Wench, you are fucking lucky. Guess what I did this morning?”

“Well good morning to you too,” I say jokingly, hoping it pays off.

“I went to your parents to find that you haven’t been staying there. Something you want to tell me?”

Apprehension forms in my gut, feeling like a heavy weight, and I know it’s because of her last question. I can give her ananswer to why I’m not at my parents, but I can’t tell her that I lost my virginity to her stepdad last night.

I swallow down the panic and answer. “I was going to tell you.”

“When?” she cuts in, and I can hear the hurt in her voice.

“I didn’t want you to worry, and it was kind of a last-minute decision.”

“Why didn’t you just stay with my dad?”

Images of Damon flash through my mind, and my body heats at the mention of his name. “I was only staying there because he wasn’t home, Arrie. He’s a grown ass man. What if he wanted to bring someone home? I was not going to be there for that, girl.”

Arrie bursts into a fit of laughter, and I feel my body relax.

“Ok, very true. We both know my father is a man whore.”

I force an awkward laugh. I do not want to think of Damon’s cock near another woman.

“What are you doing now, and where the hell are you?” she demands, breaking me from my inner ramblings.

“I just got out of the shower. And I’m staying at The Melrose.”

“Huh! Least you picked the best place in town. I’ll be there in thirty. Be ready. We are going out for lunch and drinks.”

Groaning, I look at the clock on the bedside table and move my ass to get ready.

Twenty-five minutes later, there is a knock at the door.

Sighing, I check myself over one last time in the mirror and move to open the door. Arrie, in a cute little pink sundress, and behind her are Adam and Connor, dressed in jeans and tight black shirts that showcase their inked arms.

Arrie draws me in for a hug. I squeeze her back, even though the sickly feeling wrestles in my stomach. Tears prickbehind my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall, especially when I notice Adam and Connor looking at me.

Adam smirks at me, while Connor just looks at me, like really fucking looks at me, and it makes me squirm under his assessment. Connor has always been attractive, and with his 6’6 muscular and fit build, dirty blonde hair and green eyes, throw in his tattoos, he’s any girls wet dream.

Just not mine.