"How about Sleepaway Camp?"
Carrie's suggestion drew John's eyes from the television screen to where she was curled up under a blanket on the other end of the couch. The suggestion, coming as it had, while the credits of the night's previous schlocky horror movie continued to roll came as something of a surprise to him; he certainly knew the movie, and it was at least arguably fitting for this late October movie night. He was just surprised she even knew of it, let alone would suggest the thing.
"What's Sleepaway Camp?" Chloe asked sleepily, raising her head from John's shoulder and turning it slightly toward Carrie beside her. The movie night had been Chloe's suggestion for a date, as had been inviting Carrie along.
That
particular suggestion had induced more chagrin in John than surprise. As much as he felt he should do something more for Chloe, he was happy enough just to snuggle with her on the couch, even if Carrie's presence meant that that snuggling would remain somewhat G-rated.
Carrie, to her credit, had done the requisite amount of hemming and hawing about interrupting their date and being a third wheel before "reluctantly" tagging along. Once refreshments, which had of course included two bottles of wine ("we probably won't need a second one, but just in case"), had been obtained, the three of them had wasted little time in holing up on John's couch, and were now one movie deep into the Friday night. John wondered how many Carrie supposed they would get through; Chloe, John had learned from experience, was unlikely to stay awake to the end of a second one.
"Just an old horror movie," Carrie responded. She turned her head and flashed the younger girl a smile. "I think it's one of John's favorites."
John attempted for a few moments to puzzle out Carrie and found that he had no more luck with the endeavor this time than he had ever had in the past. "Just an old,
problematic
horror movie," John added, shooting his ex a quizzical look which she pointedly ignored.
"Oh," Chloe said. She had now fully risen up off of John, letting the blanket they were sharing fall down to her lap as she stretched her arms out. "Well if you like it, I'm down. How's it 'problematic'?"
John drew in a breath, considered how to answer for a second, and then said, "I can't really...it would kind of spoil the movie to explain."
Chloe looked at him quizzically for a second, then shrugged. "Whatever, I'm down, either way. It's not like, gross, right?"
"Define 'gross'," John answered, "keeping in mind that it's a slasher movie."
She looked like she was about to speak, but Carrie cut in instead. "She means, like, not like The Fly or The Blob or like, what's that thing you like with the dog?"
John turned his attention to Carrie. She had joined Chloe in stretching, but when she had evidently limbered up enough, she reached down and pulled her hoodie off over her head, revealing a sleeveless top which did little to hide her ample cleavage.
"Dog?" John asked, trying with little success not to get distracted by the view.
"Yeah," Carrie replied. "You know, the thing, with the dog? And it's an alien or whatever and it's like super gross? Remember? You must have made me watch that like a dozen times. You know, the thing? With the dog?"
John understood. Prying his eyes from Carrie's tits and back up to her face, he replied, "Ah, yeah, The Thing. Great movie."
Carrie scowled at him. Chloe looked back and forth between the two a few times, her expression somewhere between confused and amused.
"Yeah, the thing. With the dog. What's it called, asshole?" Carrie responded. She shook her head in frustration. "Never mind. It's gross. That's what she means by gross. Right, sweetie?"
Chloe smiled at Carrie, which had the seemingly magical effect of producing the same response. "I don't know. I still don't know what you're talking about. But if a dog dies in it, I definitely
don't
want to see it. I love doggos."
"As do we all," said John. He instinctively pulled Chloe back towards himself, enjoying her warmth as she stretched her arms around him once more.
Carrie's scowl returned momentarily before softening once more into a smile. "Whatever," she said. "I'll just find something 'unproblematic' while you go get us a refill." She picked up the two empty wine glasses from the coffee table in front of them.
"Alright," John sighed, reluctantly taking the glasses and freeing himself from Chloe's grip. "Just, can we stick with horror? It's spooky season."
"Fine," Carrie said with faux irritation in her voice. "I'll facilitate your cuddling with something spooky."
Chloe giggled at this and the two began flipping through the options, leaving John to begin the process of heading to the kitchen and opening the second bottle.
I guess Carrie's sleeping over again,
he conceded.
Hopefully she'll stay on the couch this time.
Having opened the bottle, he took the opportunity to check his phone for any messages.
Nothing from Riley,
he sighed.
But of course, why would there be? I don't know why I even still have her in my phone.
He fetched himself another beer from the fridge.
Nothing from Curtis or Ethan or anything, either. Maybe I need to admit I'm turning into one of those boring monogamous guys. Just sitting around waiting for texts is no way to be a bisexual playboy...Although I guess I can't complain if Chloe is the kind of monogamy I'm getting in return.
He poured the glasses, then returned, balancing them awkwardly in one hand while holding his beer with the other, to the living room, where he found the girls chatting in that particularly feminine way of simultaneous talking, the remote having been cast aside with no selection having been made.
"So..." he began, setting the glasses down. "Did we come to any decisions?"
"Yes," said Carrie, adding a faux-serious nod.
"And?" John eyed her warily.
"We've decided," she answered, "that we are going to have a Halloween party."
He looked to Chloe, who seemed to be suppressing a giggle. "I see," he said. "Sounds festive. I guess I'm invited?"
"Yeah, about that," Chloe said. "We were thinking..." she bit her lip. This, he had decided, was almost certainly an intentional gesture on her part, meant to endear her to him for an ask; it was almost annoying how well it worked despite him having recognized that fact. "Could we...maybe...have it here, at your place?"