Page 62 of Red Obsession

"And I met him while he was standing over a cage, I was in.”

Now what I don’t expect is for her to march her little five-foot five self over to Zion’s giant form and grab his ear until he’s bending down to her height.

“OW, Ma!” Zion squeals.Neither Gabriel nor I can hold ourselves together, watching his mother handle Zion. It’s refreshing.

“Zion Wyatt Rain, I thought I taught you better than this!” she yells. I can practically see the steam coming from her ears. “Boy, I’m going to put you six f–”

“Ms. Rain, he sav–”

She barely glances my way as she says, “Oh, darling, it’s Ma or Louise. I’d prefer Ma, but it's totally up to you.” Turning her attention back to her son, she says, “Back to you. Six feet into the ground is going to be your new home. I’m going to sell all your belongings. Adopt these two beautiful children and then I’m going to pi–”

"Okay, okay, okay. Louise.” Stepping forward I decide to put him out of his misery. Zion’s wide eyes soften as I make it over to them. “Your son has been nothing but accommodating to both me and my brother.”

“Wait, what?”

Letting out a chuckle, I shrug. “Zion has been nothing but nice and sweet towards us. He saved not only my life but drove across the country to save my brother. He’s opened his home to us and is allowing us to stay in his house.”

“Our,” he mutters, his gaze focused on me.

Rolling my eyes, I turn back towards Louise and smile brightly. Getting a closer look at her, they both have the same eye shape, though I don’t know what color they are. I only know Zion’s because he told me, blue. While I can slightly see the shade of light-colored hair, it could be blonde like Zion or a light brown.

“They’re blue like mine, a little darker than mine. And her hair is light brown, not as dark as the night, but not as light as my hair. She’s got some gray though.” Zion chuckles. Turning my head up, I hadn’t even realized he’s now standing next to me in front of Louise.

“Oh, dear, are you blind?” she asks, her hands cupping her cheeks. I try not to flinch at her question, yet I do. No matter how much time has passed, I will never get used to others asking me. I hate feeling like my color blindness is a problem, or the fact my eyes struggle some days. It’s a nuisance.

“Ma!” Zion growls, his arm yanking me against him. “You can’t just ask someone that.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it, I’m sorry.” She frowns at both of us.

Taking a deep breath, I shake my head. “No, no I’m not blind. Not completely. I’m color blind. And, well, I do have some blindness sometimes. Like blurry vision, so if you see me squinting my eyes or staring really hard at you…” With a nervous laugh, I shrug my shoulders. “Don’t mind me.”

My feet dare me to run away. I can feel my skin itch and burn with the uncomfortable silence.

She nods her head as though she understands. Zion’s arm tightens around my waist, his thumb rubbing circles into my side.The only thing that’s calming me down.

“Well, while this has been wonderful to watch, I’m getting real hungry. So, unless you, Zion, or you Ma… Is it cool if I call you that too? I imagine I can do that because that’s my sister over here. But, yeah, annnnyway, can we order a pizza or something?” Gabriel breaks the heavy conversation, sending, thanks to him, through nothing but the air between us.

Louise lets out a laugh. “Come on.” She waves her hand towards Gabriel. “What are you thinking, do you guys like pasta and lettuce? Chicken?”

“She’s a vegetarian, Ma.”

“That’s wonderful, dear. Alright, come help me, Gabriel. Let those two go cuddle or whatever they like to do.” Sending a wink towards us, my face flushes beet red. This is so embarrassing.

“Those two sure love to cuddle, I can hear them all night,” Gabriel mutters under his breath.

While I’m sure I look like a tomato, Louise and Zion laugh so loud my ears ring. Elbowing Zion in the side, I glare up at him. Blaming him for letting my little brother hear whatever we do.

“Come on, Red, let’s go cuddle.” Zion walks away laughing, leaving me behind as I glare at the back of his big head.

“Wow, Louise,” I moan around the fork of noodles and mushrooms. “You’ll have to give Zion the recipe for it so he can make it for me some time,” I say, shoveling another forkful of food into my mouth.

"Zion, have you not been feeding this poor girl?” Ma asks, turning all serious.

Zion who sits next to me, hand on my thigh, stops midchew and glances over at me. Swallowing his barely chewed food, he looks uncertain as if I haven’t been eating enough. Surely, he knows I eat all the time. I’ve gained the weight I lost from being locked away and a few extra pounds.

I smile.

“He cooks for me all the time.”

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