Off Limits

Chapter 1

There were times in my life that I never got along with my mother and after my father passed away we became oil and vinegar. My father hasn't been in the ground for more than a year and she's already moving on to who she says is mister perfect. And now we have to move in with mister perfect and his perfect son whom I already know I'm going to hate.

"Cassidy, I told you that I needed help packing the kitchen."

"Do it yourself."

"Watch your mouth young lady, I really don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"You could just leave me here, and I'll be just fine."

"Oh so tell me since when being 17 means you can live on your own?"

"Emancipate me."

I watch my mother's brows furry as anger seeps in but I don't budge. I don't want to move to some uppity ass town full of know it alls and jerks who measure their d***s by the size of their trust fund.

"If you're not in the kitchen in the next 10 minutes-"

"You'll what Beverly?"

"Get your ass in the kitchen, and pack it so we can move."

"Fine Bev, whatever you say." I say standing to my feet before I stretch my limber bones.

"We used to be so close Cassi." She says holding her head down and dare I say it with much sadness before she turns away and walks down the stairs.

I turn my back to her as she walks away and I take in a deep breath and sigh. I take one last look at my father's office and I feel just as empty as the walls. The walls used to be full of our pictures and mementos we collected over the years, now they're bare and all that's left is nothing. Nothing but the memories.

Today is moving day, and we're preparing to move many miles away to West Palm. Ugh. Who moves from Chicago to Florida? Apparently we do. But thank goddess all I have to do is make it here one year and I'm free. Free from her especially.

"We're here!" She says pulling into the driveway of the home of her Prince Charming. "Aren't you excited?"

"If there was a choice between this and a root canal without anesthesia, I'd choose the root canal."

I watch as my mother rolls her eyes and exits the vehicle just as her new found beau opens the door. I sit back in the seat as the salt and pepper haired man greets my mother with a hug and a kiss to her cheek. I begin to feel the heat that's overcoming me now that the car is off and the air conditioner has been turned off.

"I guess I gotta get out."

I've never been a fan of heat and to move me to sunny Florida, is closely condemning me to hell. 

"Cassidy, it's so lovely to meet you." He says as he extends his hand out and I don't want to shake it but I do because my mother's eyes are burning a hole into the side of my face.

"Likewise Maxwell."

"You can call me Max."

"Where's my room?"

"I'll show you your room and then we can go out to dinner. Maybe on the beach?"

"Oh Max, that sounds divine!" My mother exclaims and I nearly burst into laughter with how fake she is.

"Shane, will be here soon and he'll help you with your bags."

"Who's Shane?"

"Shane's my son, he'll be home from his sophomore year of college."

"Right your son I almost forgot about our happy family."

"Maxie, why don't you show me our room."

I just might vomit from the thought of what that means, and I'll never be able to get the visual of my mother grinding up against him like a cat. I walk off leaving them alone and in search of my new cell. I walk the hall with slate gray walls and oak floors. I take a peek into the rooms and none have any of my things in them. I get to the third floor and there's three doors. I open the one on the right and it's a huge bathroom with views of the beach. I look at myself in the mirror and see myself in the light. 

I see my mother's bright hazel eyes that she handed me on a silver platter as she says and I see my father's unruly hair. I'm not like most girls, who spend hours in the mirror making sure I have on the perfect outfit and makeup so some boy who only wants my V card can f**k it up with lies and tears. I was that girl but after my uncle Brian, I've never been the same.