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Everyone raises their hand.
“It’s unanimous,” she says with a chuckle as she takes four glasses out of the cupboard. “What a surprise.”
“How about The Holiday?” I ask, even though it always makes me cry. I always lose it when Cameron Diaz’s character finally cries at the end. Oh, and when she’s in the tent with Jude Law and his two girls—I love that part. Oh, and when that old man gets a standing ovation. I’m basically a mess throughout the whole film. Maybe we shouldn’t watch that one.
“I love that movie,” Mom says already tearing up. “When Cameron Diaz breaks up with Jude Law…”
“No crying movies!” Brandon quickly says. “It’s supposed to be a fun night!”
“Oh, fine,” Mom says as she wipes her eye. “What’s your favorite Christmas movie, August?”
He’s grabbing plates for the Yule log.
I try not to look at him, but it’s so freaking hard. He’s wearing gray jogging pants and a white t-shirt that’s a little too short so when he reaches for the plates on the top shelf, it rises and you can see the very defined lines on his pelvis.Ifyou’re looking. Which I’m totally not.
“Let me guess,” I say as I pull out the popcorn. “One of those ridiculous Christmas movies where they make Santa into an action star who kills dozens of people?”
August laughs as he holds the plates. God, those arms… I could lick those triceps…
“For your information,” he says, “my favorite is Home Alone.”
“I love Home Alone!” I say, filling with excitement. “We should watch that.”
“I’m good with Home Alone,” Mom says.
It’s perfect. Not romantic. Not sexy. It’s the ideal movie to watch with your hot stepbrother who you’re really trying hard not to have a crush on.
Brandon’s phone rings and he answers it with a big grin. “No way! What’s up, Greg?!”
He’s talking loud and laughing as he hurries into the other room with Lucy following at his feet.
“Who’s Greg?” Mom asks August.
“An old friend,” August answers.
“The one from London?” Mom says, gazing after him.
“Yeah,” August says. “They’ve been good friends since grade one, but they don’t see each other very often.”
We grab all the stuff and move into the living room. Luckily, the couches are massive, so I keep my distance from August.
I can feel his eyes on me as he sits down.
The fire is roaring and the place is nice and cozy as mom turns on the TV. Lucy circles in front of the fire and then lays down on the rug. The large coffee table is full of alcohol, popcorn, and sweets. The ingredients for a perfect night in.
“Okay, I’ll call you right back,” Brandon says as he comes rushing into the room with the phone to his ear. “Alright, bye.”
“Everything okay?” Mom asks.
“Better than okay!” Brandon says with a huge smile. “Greg is in town for the night. He wants to meet up!”
“Oh,” Mom says, forcing out a smile. I can see right through it. She’s disappointed. “That’s great! You should go meet him.”
“He’s with his wife,” Brandon says. “You can come too!”
She perks back up. “Really? But what about the movie?” She looks at us, but August is waving her away.
“Go,” he says. “Have fun. Harmony and I will have fun on our own.”
