Page 2 of Off-Limits

DOTTIE

It was the beginning of the end, or so I thought. I watch my classmates walk to the podium where the principal stood, with a well-rehearsed smile on his aging face. He would have been handsome once, but I guess wrangling classrooms filled with hundreds of students, day in and day out, would have an effect on you.

Turning from the podium, I glance around the auditorium with apathy. I hate this place; I've always hated this fucking place. Maybe I'm jaded, but the lack of funding allowed into the high school left it looking like it's seen better days, but it wasn't only that.

It was the people. My mother. My father. Hell, my entire family.

I can't wait to be rid of this town, to venture out on my own and do what I want. I'm sick of looking after everyone else. I'm done people pleasing.

But then I see him amongst the chaos that's currently fucking my mind.

My step-uncle.

What is he doing here?

Butterflies scurry around in my belly; I’ve always had a little crush on him. Right up until my aunty and him parted ways when I was thirteen, still, I couldn’t forget him even if I tried. Swallowing the saliva collecting in my mouth, voices fade into the background as I take in my uptight aunt, who sits like she has a stick up her ass in her pink pant suit next to him.

It's a fallacy she’s trying to exude. Hell, sheisa fallacy.

But Damon,UncleDamon, looks nonchalant, poised and relaxed in his tight black shirt with his tattoos peeking out. Fucking mouthwatering.

My cousin knocks knees with me. He'sherstepdad. The guy who filled her deadbeat’s father's shoes when she was only two. The man she calls Dad.

Fuck.

But I can't shake the questions. Or the disappointment.

I thought they broke up.

“Dottie,” she whisper shouts, and I roll my eyes.

“What?”

“Did you hear a word I said?”

“No.”

She narrows her peridot-green eyes on me.

“They’re about to call your name, bitch.”

Elbowing her playfully, I turn to face the front, but my eyes wander again to where Damon is sitting. Did he get hotter since I last saw him? I try to focus on the moment, but my mind keeps drifting to memories of him.

I grew up a mangy wallflower; only noticed if I could do or get my parents something. Even then I was still doing everything wrong, and the only time they gave me a modicum of attention was if I was able to give them money to buy booze or drugs.

So, I guess it makes sense that whenever I was with Arrie,and Uncle Damon paid attention to me, well, it filled a void within me that I didn’t understand until now. He was always funny and respectful toward me, and he loved Arrie as if she was his own. It made him endearing.

I glance at my aunt, again wondering what he saw in her. He is her complete opposite. He must have loved her at some point, though. Maybe they’re back together?

One look at the way they are sitting tells me that isn’t the case.

He’s here for Arrie.

Brushing my dark hair out of my eyes, I push the giddy feeling down as he locks eyes with me, his growing wide. Butterflies go off inside my stomach like fireworks on New Years Eve, and I smile shyly back at him.

I wonder what he’s doing back here after all these years? Is it only for Arrie’s graduation?

I don’t have time to question myself anymore because my name is called.