Third Wheel (Elton Hall Chronicles Book 3)

by Sarah Fischer

  “Did he see someone, like a therapist?”

  “No, he refused.”

  “I did too for a while. After I was attacked, I had a real big problem sleeping. Annabelle kept suggesting I see someone and finally I listened. I still get night terrors every now and then, but they’ve lessened. Maybe you can suggest it again. I think it would really help.”

  “I haven’t spoken to him since I ended it. I asked him not to talk to me.”

  “I know, but whether or not you guys are together, I’m sure you care about it. If he listens, you could be saving his life.”

  She had a point. I wanted the best for Rob. He was a sweet man, and one day, he’d make an amazing husband and provider for someone who wanted to be taken care of. “I think I’ll shoot him a text. His future wife may need to thank me one day.”

  “That’s the spirit.” She nudged me with her shoulder and gave me a smile.

  “I know we dealt with the Finn thing, but how are you doing about it?”

  “Coming back to this school was a little intimidating, but my therapist says I need to face my fears. This is just a building. Trent is graduating this semester and he won’t be here to bother me. Finn can in no way contact me, but if he did, so what? Berneli is in England. He can’t do anything. I don’t want to hide anymore. This is my school.”

  “I’m proud of you.” I looked over at her, amazed at how strong she was. I didn’t know how I’d react in the same situation, though there was a good chance my dad would have hunted Finn down with several of his cop buddies, so it was a good thing it didn’t happen to me.

  “Thanks, and you know what? I didn’t have a terror last night. It took me a little bit to fall asleep, and I may have put a Disney movie on, but I did it.”

  “Look at you! Badass chick over here, everyone watch out,” I yelled to the five other people in the courtyard.

  We talked for a little bit about Violet’s classes and the amazing time she was having in England. She admitted it was weird being the one with the accent now, but she loved it there. Berneli was working hard, but he cooked her dinner almost every night, probably for the best, and he was almost finished with his second textbook. So far, they were still happy together. She admitted that they fought a little bit about the fact that Violet still hasn’t told her parents about them. She was afraid they’d drag her home if they knew she was dating her professor.

  “I’m just not sure how long I can keep it from them. Luckily, they aren’t on my social media accounts, so they don’t see pictures.”

  “I think you should tell them. You’re a grown woman and can make your own decisions. When they visit you for Thanksgiving, I think you should introduce them.”

  “What if they cut me off, emotionally and financially?”

  “Then you finish your semester, come back home, and get a job. Or, take out some student loans to support yourself. There are plenty of ways. It’s not like you need an apartment to stay in. The rest of your bills should be pretty low.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know about that.”

  “Violet,” I said sternly, standing up and looking down at her. “You just made a big deal about Annabelle not being honest with Jason, and now you won’t do it yourself. Put your big girl panties on and talk to them. I can understand if you don’t want to ruin this trip, but you do need to tell them.”

  She looked at me a little wide eyed, and then stood up too. Violet nodded her head and clenched her jaw. “I’m a hypocrite.”

  “Yes, and what’s worse, you’re going to ruin your relationship because of it. Are you ready to lose Berneli because you won’t talk to your parents?”

  “No, no, I’m not.” She nodded her head again, but this time she looked determined.

  “Good, now can you take me to my parents’ house before heading to yours? Shane brought me here.”

  “Yeah, no problem.”

  ***

  The rest of my Sunday was pretty mellow. I worked on my project and avoided some other homework that I’d get to eventually. Before I fell asleep, I fiddled with my phone. I did need to text Rob, but I couldn’t figure out what to say. I didn’t want him to think I was being nasty or trying to rekindle things. Several drafts later, I decided to send him a message on his social media. I had too much to say.

  Rob, one of my friends went through a trauma, kinda like when you lost your brother. She went to a therapist and it really helped her. I think you should give it a try. I know you’ve always rejected the idea before, claiming it wasn’t necessary, but I think it is. You’ve never dealt with your grief and it shows every day. I want what’s best for you and your future. Please consider this.–Christie

  I quickly sent the message before I could change my mind. Then I fell asleep.

  Chapter 16

  I met up with Annabelle the next day for lunch. She was anxiously awaiting her results, no longer in denial, but actually facing her issues…well, facing them in her own way. The urgent care doctor had forced her to go to the hospital because she needed to get an internal sonogram. She kicked her feet but Jason got her to go finally. He’d done some sweet talking to the nurse and they managed to get the bill sent to school.

  “This is my plan. If I’m pregnant, the baby will be due in July.”

  “Wait, how the hell do you know that? You don’t even know if you’re pregnant.”

  “Okay fine, I’m guessing. But it will probably be June or July. But anyway, it would be great, because I have two months to adjust before school. Jason’s classes, at least for the next year, can all be taken online, so he’s going to work during the day. I’ll watch the baby and take classes at night. To help out, I’ll get a weekend job and work, like, twelve hour days.”

  “Sounds like you have it all figured out.”

  “Yeah, it would be a shame that I’d have to quit EET, but we could make it work. And obviously, that is if our parents won’t help us. I’m sure my parents will be furious, but I can’t imagine them writing me off.”

  “Then you’re lucky. I’m glad you figured this out, but let’s not make any hasty decisions.”

  “No, I know. I just feel calmer when I plan.”

  I was going to respond, but I got a call from Shane. He’d never called me before. “Hello?” I answered, concerned.

  “Hi, it’s just easy to call about this. So, feel free to say no, but um, all right, so my ex called my parents and told them about you. They called me and asked who you were. I told them that you’re my new girlfriend and they invited you to dinner,” he responded very quickly.

  “No, I can do that. Parents usually love me.”

  “That’s because you haven’t met Asian parents.”

  “Thank you for putting me at ease.”

  “Anytime, Barbie. What are you up to on Thursday? Around seven?”

  “I can make it happen.”

  “Good, and by the way, make sure you wear underwear, I think my mom has x-ray vision.”

  “That is quite possibly the scariest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “I’ll pick you up around six-thirty.”

  I hung up the phone and Annabelle had a bright smile on her face. “You’re meeting his parents?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Scared?”

  “Hell yes. I’ll just be on my best behavior and wear a pleated skirt with a high neck blouse. They’ll never know I spend my nights bangin’ their son and recklessly encouraging his street racing.”

  “What parent wouldn’t love you?” Annabelle teased.

  The next few days went by slowly. I was nervous about dinner, nervous about my upcoming statistics exam, nervous about my accounting paper, and nervous about Rob. He never responded to my message, but it showed that he’d read it. I didn’t know what I expected. I wanted him to assure me he was going to see someone, but then again, I didn’t want to risk falling into our old cycle. He had to do this on his own.

  I was in my room, getting ready to see Shane’s parents, when my mom walked
into the room.

  “Don’t you look pretty,” she told me, looking over my skirt and blouse selection. “What are you planning tonight?”

  I took a deep breath, and turned to face her. I couldn’t tell Violet to talk to her parents if I was still afraid to do it myself.

  “Remember that boy I was telling you about?”

  She nodded her head, encouraging me to continue.

  “Well, he and I decided to become a couple at the Homecoming dance. He invited me over to meet his parents tonight.”

  “Oh, that’s exciting, but when is he coming here? Can I see a picture of the two of you?”

  I grabbed my phone and pulled up one of the pictures that we took at the dance. I handed her the phone and the smile on her face fell for a second. But then her Southern attitude kicked in and the smile was right back. It just didn’t reach her eyes, and I didn’t think the Botox was the reason.

  “His name is Shane,” I told her.

  “And is he Chinese?”

  “South Korean. He’s studying to be a mechanical engineer,” I said, hoping she’d be impressed with his major.

  “That’s so ambitious. Um, good for him then.” She got up quickly and started to walk out of the room.

  “Mom,” I called and she quickly turned around, putting the fake smile right back on her face.

  “What is it, darlin’?”

  “He’s the one who ordered the limo because he wanted to treat me. Shane is a good man, and I really like him.”

  “That’s great, but you all just met, so let’s just not move too quickly, okay?’

  “I know we did. We’re still getting to know each other.”

  “Good, good. I’m happy to hear he’s a good man.” Then she walked out of the room without looking back.

  I pushed her words behind me. She was probably just shocked. My parents had never forced racial boundaries on me, or anyone I’d ever dated. But the truth was, he was the first guy who wasn’t white Irish Catholic.

  My phone went off. Shane had texted me, saying he was outside. I looked in the mirror, fluffed my hair a little, and adjusted my lipstick. Then I got my purse and ran out to the car, pretending I didn’t see my mother putting some vodka in her coffee cup.

  I climbed into the car, but my mother came running out our front door. She pounded on the door and I rolled down the window to talk to her.

  “Christie Margaret, you get your butt back in that house right now.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “And you!” she yelled, pointing at Shane. “My daughter deserves respect, and sitting outside on that cell phone isn’t showing respect. If you expect to pick her up ever, you will walk to the door, come in for a drink—maybe an iced tea—and then you may go. None of this drive by thing.” She reached for the door and yanked it open.

  I looked over at Shane and beckoned him inside. He smirked at me, amused by this show, and followed us inside.

  Mom offered him a seat on the couch and I sat down next to him. She sat on the arm chair across from us.

  “So, tell me about yourself, Shane.”

  “I study mechanical engineering at school and I hope to get in a job helping to build defensive weapons for the government. Or I may sell out and work for some corporate hack and make millions. Depends on how I feel when I graduate next semester.”

  “Mechanical engineering…wow, that seems hard. I guess you’re older than Christie is?”

  “Uh, yeah, two years, I think. I don’t actually know her birthday,” Shane admitted, looking at me a little embarrassed.

  “It’s in December,” I told him and Shane nodded.

  We all sat there for a few minutes of silence and I looked over at Mom, begging for her to say something.

  Shane cut in, though. He took my hand and smiled politely at my mom. “I’m really sorry, but we need to go to my parents’ now. My mom made dinner and I’d hate to be late. Maybe I can take you and Mr. Peters for dinner some other time and we can get to know each other.”

  Mom jumped up. “Hold on,” she said and then rushed to the kitchen. She came back a few minutes later, holding a container of cookies. “Christie, first you walk out to meet some boy in his car, and then you plan to show up at someone’s house empty handed. This is not the daughter I raised,” she chastised.

  “No, we were going to stop by the store to get flowers. I was afraid if I made anything, she’d think it was an insult to her cooking,” I stated, defending myself.

  “Well, I don’t think Shane’s mother is going to be insulted by a couple cookies. If she is, then you just come straight home because that’s ridiculous,” she told me and gave Shane a nasty look.

  “I think my mom will love the cookies. She usually makes pie, since that’s my dad’s favorite. The cookies will probably be a good addition,” Shane insisted, accepting the container of cookies from my mom.

  “See, Shane likes cookies. Now go before you’re late to that woman’s dinner. I’m sure she’s been working hard.” Then she turned to Shane and took a big sip from that coffee cup. “I’ll talk to my husband about your dinner invitation and get back to you.” She smiled big, but again, it didn’t reach her eyes. At least she was trying, though.

  Mom shuffled us out of the house and stood waving from the front door.

  “Oh, and Shane?” she said before closing the front door behind us. “Don’t think you got off easy. If there is a next time you’re here, we’re going to have a much longer visit.”

  I climbed in the car and hoped he hadn’t heard the “if.”

  Shane started the car and drove off, probably a little faster than Mom would have liked. He took the corners hard and the tires screeched. Now that we were on a straight road, he floored the gas.

  I gripped the handle on the door, as we were going way too fast for daylight. “I didn’t realize we were going to be that late.”

  “Why did she say if there is a next time? Why wouldn’t there be a next time?”

  “Because my mom is rude.”

  “No, actually, she seemed really nice other than that. She just seemed to want to be included,” he insisted, pressing on the gas harder to run a red light.

  “What do you want me to say? You’re just new to her and she…”

  “She doesn’t like that I’m not Rob,” he interrupted me.

  “Well, that’s true. She’s known Rob since he was, like, thirteen,” I explained. “She just isn’t used to change.”

  “That must be why she still has pictures of the two of you together on the mantel. Or maybe it’s because she’s still hoping the two of you will get back together.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut and silently cursed my mother. Why were those pictures still up? “She probably is,” I told him. “Just because she’s in denial about my past relationship, doesn’t mean that I am. I’m in your car, heading to your parents’ house.”

  “Then why didn’t you take the pictures down? Are you just dating the bad boy to get it out of your system? What happens when you’ve sowed your wild oats? Do you call that guy back up and leave me in your dust? Or worse, do you just find yourself a rich country club boy, leaving us both with our hearts in your palm? Maybe we should call you ‘Christie, Destroyer of Souls.’”

  “Stop the damn car,” I replied softly.

  Shane cut across three lanes and pulled over to the side. When he did, I immediately opened the door and got out with my purse.

  “Christie, get back in the car.”

  I kept walking, without looking back. He must have gotten out after me because I heard another car door slam.

  “Christie, it’s cold. Come back in the car.”

  “And what?” I called back to him, still not looking back. “Listen to you doubt my character?” I was livid. Just the other night we were talking about all our feelings, and I even told him about Rob. Yet, here he was, doubting me. Those pictures were a part of my past. What was I supposed to do, erase those four years of my life? Never look back at the good time
s I had with Rob and my other friends? No, I was allowed to have a past, and I’d damn well enjoy the fun we’d had.

  “What do you want me to think? Your house is still a fucking shrine to that kid.”

  I whipped around and glared at him. “Listen to me, you giant, jealous, thick-headed ass. I just broke up with that kid a few weeks ago, but my family is still close with his. They will remain close to his, and I will run into him over the years. If you aren’t secure enough in your manhood to deal with that, then tell me now so I can find someone who isn’t so macho. I’m not perfect. I come with a past, and that past has a guy in it. Deal with it.” I raised my eyebrows at him and crossed my arms. I was done with this jealous crap. It was nowhere near as sexy as books and movies made it out to be.

  Shane held my eye contact for a minute, a fierce look in his eyes at first. But then the frustration faded and he looked at me softly before shifting his gaze down. “You’re right.”

  “I know I’m right. And you’re hardly one to talk. Your ex is the one who tattled on us to your parents. Why does she still talk to them?”

  “I don’t know. She was close with my parents too. They thought that, eventually, we’d get married.”

  “Do I have something to be worried about with her?”

  He looked back up at me and held my gaze, as if promising me something. “You’re the one I want to be with. There’s nothing to worry about.”