Page 28 of Obsession

“Because she’s beating herself up plenty without you piling on.”

“I make no promises.”

“Hey, Mama,” Aunt Callie says.

“I guess you heard I’m not supposed to bring up ‘Eiael or your horrible judgment when it comes to men.’”

“When has ‘supposed to’ ever stopped you?” Aunt Callie counters with crossed arms.

I sneak to the back, as I don’t need to be a part of this little mama/daughter drama.

“Movie night officially begins,” Charlotte announces as she presses play on The Matrix. Gabe laces his fingers though Charlotte’s and brings their joined hands up to his lips, kissing hers tenderly.

And you said Cupid doesn’t have love magic.

Rookie move. Phantom hands are now massaging my feet, and I smile. I’m more than okay with this kind of friendly competition.

“I cannot believe you’ve never seen this movie,” Gabe says to me.

“I know, right?” Charlotte chimes in.

“Everybody hush and let me see what I’ve been missing all my life.” I grab a handful of popcorn and pass the bowl. A bag of gummy bears appears in Damion’s hand, and he tosses a few in his mouth, offering me some. “No, thanks. I don’t like gummy bears,” I say.

“Who doesn’t like gummy bears?” he asks incredulously.

“Me, that’s who. And don’t you dare drop any of those between the couch cushions.” Great, now I’m freaking myself out with the image of Abracas jumping out from beneath the couch.

“Would you two children please be quiet?” Gabe whispers.

We’re halfway through the movie, and I’m fairly confident I’ve already fallen asleep twice. One time Damion was kind enough to wake me by smacking me in the head with a pillow. I’m not sure where we are in the movie. Somewhere in the matrix is a safe bet. I’m so glad Damion can’t read my mind, because he’d got lost in a matrix of puns.

“Well, what did you think?” Charlotte asks when the movie ends.

“Can someone pass me a blue pill so I can believe wasting the past two hours of my life was all a dream?”

Charlotte and Gabe groan, and Damion throws a couch pillow at me. Elvis, who was not a huge fan of the movie either, is awakened by the flying pillow and gives me a dirty look.

“Hey, don’t get pissy with me. It was your Cambion who ruined your nap.”

Elvis gives me a “yeah, right” look and hops up in Damion’s lap.

“I’m choosing next week’s movie. Aubry’s clearly demonstrated she has no cinematic taste and is unqualified to make a movie selection. Her movie night selection power is hereby officially revoked,” Damion announces.

A contract materializes and hovers in the air. “No way in hell am I signing that. And who says my selection right has been revoked?” All three raise their hands. “Fine, I’ll let Grandma pick instead. We’ll be watching a skin flick, but you’ve forced my hand.”

Grandma’s timing is impeccable, as always. “Sugar pie, if I were to pick for your little group’s movie night, I’d go with Fifty Shades of Grey. Although we’d need Julia to give commentary on the authenticity of the bondage scenes. She’s likely engaged in real bondage, but that’s assuming she found a sub who isn’t a lightweight like her last sub, Amy.”

“Oh my Goddess, no,” I groan.

“Well, then how about Showgirls? I was a burlesque dancer in the late 1800s in London, but never a stripper in Vegas.” She thinks for a moment. “I don’t know any strippers. Anyone know a stripper that could give the commentary?”

“If either of you men have any sense at all, you will answer that question with a no,” I say, and Charlotte laughs.

“Just let me know when you want to watch it. I’ll have to find the DVD. I know it’s around here somewhere. I’ll go look right now before I forget. Hey, we could make a night of it. Hit a strip club and then watch the movie to compare.”

“No, thank you,” I say firmly.

“If that doesn’t float your boat, we could watch Magic Mike and then hit a male review. The problem is we’ve missed the Staten Island Studs. Their farewell show was last night.”

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