Page 31 of Off Limits
‘I don’t feel so good,’ I tell her. ‘You think it would be alright if I called an Uber and headed on home?’
‘Oh, honey, you’re sure you’re alright?’ Kathleen exclaims over the music and she’s searching my face. Her eyes are glassy. ‘Can we get you anything?’
‘Maybe I just need to lie down.’
‘Well, sure, honey. You’ll be alright on your own? I’d like to hear that you made it home safe.’
‘I can send you a message.’
‘You do that.’
I wave to some of my squad mates, including Angel, Shawny and Persia. Harmony is nowhere to be found, and I can’t see Jewel anywhere either. On my way out, I sneak past the buffet table, scooping up a few items for Dad, wrapping them in a paper napkin. I call an Uber and head out front to the parking lot, keeping close to the house where the light spills over the sidewalk, under the shade of some palm trees. I can hear the cicadas over the music floating up to the stars. Brody Conway’s words stick in my mind and I’m close to tears again. I just need to get home, then get to Surly’s for the start of my shift.
At the sound of footsteps, I turn.
‘There you are,’ a voice says. ‘I’ve been looking all over for you.’
Jake Walsh stops about five paces in front of me, a wide grin on his face. But it fades when he sees me. ‘Are you alright?’
I force a smile. I’m not sure I can deal with Mr Wholesome right now. ‘I’m fine. Heading on home.’
He glances back at the club house, toward the dance floor and the open bar. ‘Already?’
‘I’m, uh— I’m real tired.’
He looks to the paper napkin in my hands, the food held inside threatening to spill out over the sidewalk. ‘And hungry too, by the looks of it.’
I feel the base of my neck start to prickle. ‘Oh, I, uh—’
‘Oh, I didn’t mean anything by it. I practically sleepwalk to the fridge every night.’
I keep my eyes down. I tried not to engage with him today. Not to hurt his feelings or nothing, but I know the question he wants to ask me, and I already know what my answer has to be. Plus, Jewel clearly has a crush on him. But standing here, looking all nervous… man, he’s too cute. He does things to my insides, and other places too.
‘That was real nice of you earlier. You and Hudson Briar, talking to Kathleen like that. Harmony looked so happy.’
‘Well, it was my goal to talk to you, but that didn’t exactly work out how I planned. You left me with your friend.’
‘Jewel. She’s a rookie, like me.’
‘She’s nice, but no offense, I don’t want her phone number.’
‘Jake—’
He shifts his position. ‘It’s alright. Guess I’m starting to get the message.’
‘Look, I’m not a rulebreaker, alright. I’m not rebellious, or anything. I’m not even brave—’
‘One date,’ he says. ‘Let me take you on one date. Outside of Canyon, we’ll set it up so nobody can see us. Nobody has to know. Please, Ren. Can I call you Ren?’
I bite my lip. Mr Wholesome is making this so damn hard on me.
‘You can call me Ren. Was that your sister you came here with? What’s her name?’
‘River. She’s still in high school. So, what do you say? Can I take you out?’
‘Outside of Canyon? Where?’
‘I’ll make a plan. Come by the diner and give you instructions. Just one date.’
