Obsession

Relief

Jenson

Mom clapped her hands excitedly as she looked at all the Christmas presents on the living room floor, the wrapping paper strewn all over the place, ribbons tossed to the side. The lights on the tree twinkled and the music from Mom's Christmas CD filled the air.

Honestly, it looked like Christmas had thrown up, right in the middle of our living room.

"We'll pick everything up," I promised as I leaned against Caleb's side, my legs tucked underneath me.

Mom smiled at me. "It's okay, mi hijo. It's Christmas Day. I like a messy house at Christmas. Lots of presents." She turned to look at Caleb and her smile widened. "And family. I like lots of family at Christmas, too."

My cheeks burned and I ducked my head, catching my dad's eye. He smirked a little and I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my own smile.

Caleb's arm snaked around my waist and he squeezed. "Thanks for having me, Mrs Archer" he told Mom. "It's really good of you to let me stay again."

Mom waved her hand at him. "It's okay. Really. I like having you here. You are one of us now."

I squeezed my eyes shut and gritted my teeth.

Honestly. My mother ...

"Ugh," Felix muttered from his seat on the armchair. "I don't like Caleb being here. It means we have to share a room with Jenson." He stuck his tongue out at me and I snarled back at him.

"Shush." Mom reached over and knocked the back of Felix's head with her hand. "Don't speak like that about Caleb. It's Christmas. Where is your good spirit?"

"In your liquor cabinet." Felix grinned and dodged another hand swipe, laughing his stupid ass off.

I groaned as I pressed my face into Caleb's shoulder, feeling him chuckle, the wool of his Christmas sweater scraping against my skin.

Mom had outdone herself this year with these sweaters ... Bold. Bright. Ugly. And Caleb had willingly worn a matching one, too.

Oh god.

My family was seriously embarrassing. Why did I keep bringing Caleb back here?

"Lucas," my mother shouted for my other brother. "What are you doing up there?"

I lifted my head to see my mother frowning at the living room doorway. She cast a glance at my father.

"What is he doing up there? I told him to come down here and have some food with us."

"I'll go get him, Mom." I untangled myself from Caleb and got to my feet. "I'll bring his ugly ass down."

"Don't be rough." My mom levelled me with a glare and a point of her finger. "I know what you boys are like. You'll grab him, then tickle him, then try to throw him down the stairs." She looked at Caleb. "Happens all the time."

Caleb laughed as I groaned.

Get me out of here.

I left my man chatting with my mom while I jogged up the stairs. Reaching the twins' room, I knocked on the door, before opening it.

Lucas was sitting on his bed, his head in his hands, his elbows grinding into his knees.

Oh fuck. Not again.

"Hey." I walked across the room and plopped down next to him. "Mom wants to know what you're doing." I poked his arm. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he mumbled into his chest.