Page 80 of Shadowed Obsession

Hector chuckles, and Emiliano lifts his hand for the check, tired of my shit.

33/

a night at the drive-in

Deirdre

6:45 p.m. | 35 minutes before ‘the seventh incident’

One of my favorite memories from my childhood was going to the drive-in with my family. Dad loved movie nights, and we’d have them once a week. He has always been very firm about quality time as a family, and to this day, no one is allowed to contact him for any non-life-threatening reason during his time with us.

So, when I found one not too far from my place in Austin, I obviously had to go. I almost invited Scar but decided against it. It’s probably wise that I don’t let him join in on something so sentimental. I’ve learned the hard way with so many memories tainted by Lawrence’s presence.

My ex worked in marijuana distribution with my family and was good at it. But then he got greedy and started keeping a little to himself. Had hoped to build up an inventory to eventually compete with us, it seemed.

He’d lie and cheat on the job, then come home to repeat the cycle, not bothering to cover his tracks or fess up to his wrongdoings any time I confronted him.

While he never raised a hand, his words sliced through me, leaving scars in their wake. My weight was his weapon of choice when hereallywanted to hurt me, but everyone thought he was such a nice guy.Charming.He would’ve gotten himself killed eventually, believing he was untouchable.

Until he crossed Regina.

“Such a terrible accident,” people said. Excepthewas an accident waiting to happen. Lawrence was an abusive, manipulative piece of shit, but he was still a person.

Granted, he wasn’tmyperson, but he was meant to be somebody’s. That somebody will now live the rest of their life without ever finding him. Some may say good riddance, but I disagree.

An example needed to be made. He was buried in a closed casket, and I sat beside his mother in mourning, rubbing her back as she sobbed uncontrollably. Not one of my proudest moments.

My dad wasn’t wrong when he called it an accident. Itwas,but the cut brake lines made it murder, leading to me being a person of interest.

Thankfully, no one else was hurt in the crash. A rare occurrence whenever my family gets to “problem solving.”

Similar to how superheroes tear up the city fighting the villain in the movies, that’s what my family does. Except we’re no superheroes.

césar

7:20 p.m. | ’the seventh incident’

I just left from visitingAbuelaatMami’s. She didn’t have much energy today, and it pains me to see her like that. As much as I try to pretend I’m not losing her, I am, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

She got a DNR order signed behind our backs and has been firm on her stance. This is what she wants, and no matter how much it pains me, I have to respect her decision. All we can do is make sure she’s comfortable and enjoy the time we do have with her.

I was on my way to the shooting range to blow off some steam, but turned around when I saw Deirdre was going to the drive-in. She shouldn’t mind me crashing, and I don’t want to be alone right now.

I’m unmasked when I arrive to not alarm anyone, and I pay for my ticket, hoping to find her before she sees me. I spot her license plate as she hops out to open the trunk. Her plump ass bends over to reach for blankets, and I resist the urge to gape.

I park a few spaces away, maintaining a distance but staying close enough to keep her in my sight. After tossing the blankets in the backseat, she gets in line for the concession stand.

She better come back with popcorn.

Without another thought, I step out of my truck, make sure I’m out of view, and sound threecoquíwhistles before ducking down, pretending to tie my shoes.

She whips her head around to search for the source, and her lips tick up in a soft smile. If she isn’t careful, I’ll think she doesn’t mind having me around.

If that’s true, it’ll only make it harder to leave.

I resume to my height, tap the key fob, and when the locks click, quickly make way for her SUV, helping myself into the passenger seat. I retrieve the balaclava from my pocket and slide it over my face. My eyes scan the area as I await her return, but as soon as I hear her footsteps approaching, I face forward.

She opens the driver’s side door without looking and tosses small bags of candy at me. She ducks her head as she climbs in, not noticing me and clutching the large tub of buttered popcorn to her chest. She reaches over, slamming the door shut with her free hand.

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