Third Wheel (Elton Hall Chronicles Book 3)

by Sarah Fischer

  “What are you talking about? This is what you’ve always wanted.”

  “But it’s not.”

  “Listen, Christie, I think I’ve been dealing with this rebellious phase quite well. But it’s time to be done with it. That boy downstairs is your future. He will provide for you, love you, and give you the life you deserve.”

  “But I won’t be happy. Sure, it’d be fine and I’d check all the boxes, but I don’t want fine. I want passion, fire, excitement, and I don’t care if it fizzles out. I’d rather have a couple years with Shane than the rest of my life with Rob. If I marry him, I’d be settling.”

  “Why? Why does that make you settling? What about a strong military man is settling?”

  “It has nothing to do with the military. Rob and I just aren’t meant to be.”

  Mom sat down on my bed and patted the seat next to her. She took my hand in hers and held it tight to her chest. “Darlin’, there are times when I wish I could understand what goes on in that pretty head of yours, but I don’t, so you just listen. I know what you need, and it’s time to listen to me. Rob is your future, so marry him, and the rest will sort itself out.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “Christie, I’m not going to force you to marry Rob. But I’m not going to support you or your decision not to. So that’s your choice.”

  “You’re not serious?” I begged her, feeling betrayed. Here she was again, choosing Rob and his feelings over my own. “How can you say that to me?”

  “Because I’m tired of these melodramatic games and your father will take my side. So, put that pretty green dress back on and let us celebrate this moment.” She let go of my hand and started toward the door.

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, darlin’?”

  “Did you know he was proposing today?”

  “Of course. I’ve known for a couple months now.” She closed the door and I sat frozen.

  So the entire time I was getting to know Shane, she was convinced I would get back together with Rob. But not just back together—engaged with Rob. She watched me struggle with my decision between the two boys. Instead of being my mom, she just bided her time until Thanksgiving.

  I needed to get outta here. I went to my dresser and grabbed some of the spare cash I kept for emergencies. There was about five grand there. Then I quickly packed a bag. I threw some clothes in there, my laptop, and all of my notes and school books. This would do for now. Maybe I could sneak back in another time and grab my comic books. The case that held them was way too heavy for me to carry out of here quickly.

  Now to get out of here. Everyone was probably waiting down the stairs, so I couldn’t go out that way. Then it clicked. There was a balcony that led to the garden in our backyard. If I climbed down the stairs, I could run around to the front of the house and hop in my car. It was a good thing I left my purse in my room last night. This definitely would be a lot harder without a car.

  I ran over to my parents’ room, and down the balcony. Then I booked it to the front of the house, but my plans were quickly dashed. There was a car that was blocking my car in, my car was blocking my mom in, and I didn’t have a key for my dad’s car. I went into the garage and tried to look and see if he had an extra set of keys. The only ones I found were for his motorcycle.

  I bit my lip as an idea quickly ran through my mind. I hadn’t been on a bike since that one time with Shane, and I’d never done it by myself. I looked at the door to the house and then at the ring. What choice did I have? I grabbed the keys and took off on the bike before I could second guess anything else.

  I rode, feeling the wind flow through my hair and the rush that came from going fast. It made me think of Shane and the first time I was on the back of his bike. I shifted gears and went faster, pushing the bike even more as I went down the highway.

  I reached Shane’s parents’ house and stopped on the side of the road. But as I was getting off the bike, I tripped and felt my ankle twist and my hands scraped the pavement. I hobbled over to the door and started knocking frantically.

  “Yes?” Mrs. Choi asked when she opened the door. “Oh, Christie, I didn’t know you were coming over today.”

  I held up my left hand, showing her the ring finger, and I immediately started to cry.

  “It’s all right, honey.” She pulled me into a hug and stroked my hair as I cried into her shoulder.

  “Mom, who was at the door?” Shane asked, and then stopped in his spot as he looked at me. “What’s going on?”

  “Shane, I think Christie here needs a moment to get it all together. I’m going to take her upstairs, and I think you need to get her some food. Go grab a plate and bring it up to my bathroom, please.” She draped her arm around her shoulder and started to lead me up the stairs. But I couldn’t get there. I cried out as I tried to put my weight on my hurt foot.

  “Christie,” Shane shouted, bending down to me. “Are you all right? What happened?”

  “I just fell over getting off my dad’s bike.”

  “Wait, you rode a motorcycle here?”

  “Shane, why don’t you pick her up and bring her upstairs? Then go get the food. You two can talk later. Right now, I think she needs some care for that ankle.”

  He bent down and brought me up to the most amazing bathroom I’ve ever seen in my life. It was about the size of the guest room in my house. It had a dramatic Jacuzzi bathtub, a raindrop shower, a vanity with perfect lighting, and an elaborate chair. Shane sat me down on the chair and then knelt down in front of me.

  “Maybe you could not be down on one knee right now?” I showed him my ring and looked down.

  “You said yes?” He turned, walked out the door, and kicked the railing several times, slamming it with his fists. I grabbed his shoulders, trying to balance on one foot but he flew from my grasp. I should have known there would be no calming him down.

  I shook my head and started crying again.

  “Christie, I—” he started to say but we were quickly cut off.

  “Shane, please get the food,” Mrs. Choi ordered.

  “Right,” he responded to her. Then he stroked my cheek again. “I’ll be back.”

  Mrs. Choi watched him leave and then knelt down in front of me. She started undoing my boot and slowly took it off.

  “So, I want to tell you a story. Now, Shane doesn’t know about this, so I need your word that you will not tell him.”

  “I promise,” I murmured to her.

  “Before Mr. Choi and I came to the United States, I was a lot like you. I was in a relationship with this boy. His father and my father were business partners. They were training Seo-Juh, well, that was his Korean name, but he goes by Paul now. They were training him to take over one day. They’d decided it was the perfect merger. There was just one problem. Paul had a problem being faithful. So I ended things with him. But when my father found out, he told me that I’d be cut off if I didn’t marry him. I never even got a proposal.”

  She stopped her story and then started wrapping my ankle with an Ace bandage she pulled out from under the sink.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said yes. Then I went to my room and applied for school in the United States. Once I got my acceptance letter, I got my visa and left my family. I tried to explain to my mom about Paul’s problem, and you know what she told me?”

  I shook my head.

  “She said that my father cheated as well. It was a part of life and I’d just need to get used to it. But I decided I didn’t want that life. So when I came to the United States, my parents stopped talking to me. They wouldn’t finance my education, and they didn’t come to my wedding to Mr. Choi. In fact, they’ve never even met Shane.”

  “Was it worth it?”

  “Yes. There isn’t one day that goes by that I regret my decision to leave South Korea. I had to work two jobs to support myself in school, but now I am a respected doctor, with a beautiful house, a loving marriage, and a respectful son.”

 
“Sounds amazing.”

  “It is. But my sister married Paul. She has a beautiful house in South Korea, two amazing children, and as far as I’ve heard, she and Paul are happy. Do you understand where I’m going with this?”

  “I thought I did. But your sister kinda confused me a little.”

  “My point is, you have to decide what makes you happy. Maybe the reason Paul cheated was because I didn’t make him happy in the way my sister does.”

  “Your son makes me happy. These past couple weeks I’ve been trying to figure out what I wanted. I thought that my family wouldn’t push so hard if they didn’t know what’s best for me. I thought I needed to listen to them about Rob. But now that I could have him, all I feel is fear and panic.”

  “And when you saw Shane? How did you feel?”

  “I felt calm begin to resonate through me. Rob is trying to force this marriage on me because he thinks it will happen eventually, so he figures, why wait? But Shane, I don’t think Shane would force anything on to me. He values my opinion and listens when I speak. It’s a nice change for me.”

  “Then he’s your choice?”

  “I don’t think there ever was a choice. It was always him.”

  Chapter 23

  Mrs. Choi cleaned up my hands and gave me some Tylenol for the pain in my ankle.

  “All right, I’m going to get Shane and see about that food.”

  “I’m right here. You doing all right?” Shane asked from the door of the bathroom.

  “Yeah, I just don’t really know where to go from here.”

  “Okay, well, I’ll bring you downstairs. I have a plate set up for you there, and I called one of my friends to meet me here. We need to take the bike back.”

  “Wait, why?”

  “It’s your dad’s bike. If I wanted to find my daughter, I’d report the bike stolen and let the cops find it, therefore, finding you.”

  “Oh shit. I never thought of that.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it. Just stay here and I’ll be back in a little bit.”

  “Thanks, Shane. Your mom has been really great to me.”

  “I think she is warming up to you.”

  He kissed my forehead, and then picked me up, bringing me to the kitchen table. Mrs. Choi already had a pillow propped up on a chair for me.

  ***

  Shane got back about an hour later, looking grim. He took a seat next to me on the couch.

  “How did everyone seem when you dropped the bike off?”

  “There weren’t any cars there. I guess they’re out looking for you.”

  “I told them I was fine.”

  “I know. They probably just want to make sure that you are.”

  I nodded my head and bit my lip. This was a disaster.

  “So, tell me what you want to do.”

  “I don’t know. My mom told me she wouldn’t support me anymore. I mean, I have a scholarship that will take care of school, but I have nowhere to live. Yeah, the marketing internship pays, but I haven’t gotten it yet.”

  “Okay, why don’t we worry about all of that tomorrow? It’s been a stressful day, and everyone probably just needs a little time to calm down. I doubt your parents are going to completely write you off because of this.”

  “I hope not.”

  He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we leaned into the couch. Mrs. Choi walked into the room and smiled at us. Shane moved to get up, but she stopped him.

  “No, stay where you are.” She sat down on the loveseat across from us. “Christie, I want you to know that you are welcome to stay here or at Shane’s apartment whenever you want. But tonight, I’d like you to stay here. I’d love to spend the night all together. Mr. Choi is doing something with the surround sound in the basement, and we have a tradition where we spend Thanksgiving night watching movies.”

  “That sounds nice.”

  “Perfect, why don’t you come help me get some snacks, and Shane, please go make sure your father doesn’t electrocute himself.” I was tired of being carried around. I needed to try and walk, or at least hobble a little bit.

  We went into the kitchen and fell into a silent rhythm. We made popcorn, poured chips into bowls, mixed lemonade, and dumped candy on a platter. It was nice at first, but then it reminded me of earlier today with my mom. The difference was that I finally felt free. I had no secrets from Mrs. Choi, and it didn’t seem like she hated me anymore. I brought the snacks downstairs and tried to focus on forgetting about my day so I could enjoy the night.

  ***

  We ended up watching an old western. Apparently, Mr. Choi was obsessed with them since they helped him learn English. It was actually why they decided on the name Shane. That was Mr. Choi’s favorite old western of all time. Mr. and Mrs. Choi went to sleep after one movie, and we headed up to Shane’s old bedroom. It was bright green with awards, trophies, and pictures all over the walls.

  “Who would have thought that the street racing thug was a science fair champion?”

  “I’m in school for engineering. What did you expect?”

  I laughed a little and came to a trunk at the end of the bed. “What’s in here? Your porn collection?”

  “Nah, Barbie, I wouldn’t leave that out in the open. Mom would have found that in two seconds.”

  “So what’s in it?”

  “Are you sure you’re ready to look into my secret life?”

  I looked at him, starting to get a little creeped out. “Now I’m a little scared.”

  “Nope, you walked down this path, you have to keep going.” He knelt in front of the desk and rapped on it like a drum roll. Then Shane slowly unlocked the latch and whipped it open. I looked over his shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Comic books?”

  “Yes. I have a bit of an obsession. Captain America is basically the most epic character ever.”

  “Well, Captain America is an engineered soldier with way too much of a moral code. Now, if you want epic, then Wolverine should be your favorite character. He can’t die even if you cut his head off.”

  “I’ve never been more turned on by a woman in my entire life.”

  “I’m full of surprises.”

  “Are you trying to tell me you’re a closet comic book nerd?”

  “I’m trying to say that your collection looks a little light. Maybe you should stock up on the lesser known superheroes, like Aquaman or Mrs. Marvel.”

  “Keep talking dirty to me. It’s getting me all sorts of excited.” He got up and wrapped his arms around my waist.

  “Oh, no, we’re just going to sleep tonight. Your parents have been very kind to me and I’m not doing this here. We can wait until we go back to your apartment tomorrow.”

  “But we’ve gone, like, three weeks.”

  “So you can go one night longer.”

  We laid down on Shane’s bed and continued to talk about comic books before we drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  “Where are we going?” I asked Shane as he drove in the opposite direction of his apartment.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “You and your surprises are getting old. Just tell me.”

  “Actually, it brings me joy to watch you get so aggravated. The flush in your cheeks is very becoming.” He ran the back of his knuckles against my cheek and I batted his hand away. “Yeah, girl, I like it when you’re feisty.”

  I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms in front of my chest.

  “Relax, we have a bit of a drive ahead of us.”

  “Good, I was not done with our discussion about female Thor when you fell asleep last night.”

  “Your argument was just so dull, I couldn’t help it.”

  We talked the entire way, continuing to bicker about the comic book world I’ve always been too ashamed to discuss with practically anyone else. It was so comfortable and I couldn’t help but think I’d made the right decision. The one time I’d corrected Rob about something comic book related,
he’d quickly shut down and grew grumpy. Any other time I’d tried to bring up something related to superheroes, he’d grown frustrated and angry. Shane, on the other hand, thrived on the argument.

  Eventually, we pulled down a deserted road with beautiful trees leaning over the road, creating an arch for us to drive under. There were still some leaves on the branches, so the colors were still breathtaking. A sharp wind came up and surrounded the car with stray leaves, making us feel like we were being transported into a fall wonderland.

  A few more turns and we pulled up to a wood mansion in the woods. There were no neighbors in sight and no other cars around. There were massive bay windows with a red double door in between them. Just behind the mansion was a giant lake fit with a pier. It was like a fairy tale house, or quite possibly where a serial killer takes his victims when he wants to keep them alive for a long period of time.

  “This is amazing,” I breathed as Shane took our bags out and walked us to the front door.

  “This is my parents’ cabin. They usually come here for holidays, but I asked them if we could come here for a couple days. I figured that if we put some distance between you and your parents, everything could calm down. Plus, I think there are a couple things on your list we haven’t finished.” He kissed me gently and nuzzled against my nose sweetly.

  I smiled at him, and then panicked. “Wait a minute…the lake? I’m not jumping in there.”

  “Oh, yes you are!” He dropped the bags and threw me over his shoulder, running like a mad man toward the pier.

  Before he got to the end, he set me down on my feet and started taking his clothes off. “Are you going to join me?”

  “No way in hell. The water is probably freezing.”

  “Haven’t you ever heard of a polar plunge? People jump into freezing water all the time. Besides, the house is right there. We’ll jump in, go underwater and then run into the house.”

  He was standing there in his boxers, muscles flexed, and I just had to. I don’t know. Maybe it was the lack of control I’d felt yesterday that made me do it. Whatever it was, I started stripping too. As I got to my underwear, Shane walked over to me, taking them off for me and I slid his boxers down.