3rd Wheel

In This Together

Jaeger:

Another one of our problems was communication. We didn't really talk on the phone and emails or texts were brief and to the point. In conversation, Paul and I were bad at expressing our true feelings at times in order to keep peace and Candon just kept everything to himself.  Ani gave us a simple exercise.  She told us we had to discuss our plans for the day during breakfast and how our day was at dinner from here on.

Ani also suggested we keep a journal between us. Each of us write down our unfiltered thoughts and feelings and share it with one another and write back. Eventually we would just talk it out but since Paul had problems organizing his thoughts into words sometimes, this was a good solution.

We also set up a message board where we listed our appointments, test dates, meetings and so on. This was so we could plan our travel times, be available to assist one another, or set up dates.

One day I stopped by Paul's campus to surprise him for lunch. I texted him earlier to say I had to drop off something but I was actually taking half the afternoon off to spend with him. He told me to meet him at an outside bistro near the school so I got there early to wait. I watched the students and staff scurry around the campus on their way to this class or that. 

 I had only been sitting a few minutes when a red faced Paul came barreling down the sidewalk toward the bistro. He walked by me and was about to enter the restaurant until I called his name. He whirled around in irritation that seemed to melt the minute he saw me. He hurried to me and grabbed me tightly.

"Oh my god, Jay."

I rubbed his back and kissed the side of his face. "What's wrong? What happened?"

He just shook his head and held me tighter. Normally I love his hugs. But he was suffocating me. "Paul, we talked about this. Tell me what's wrong."

He loosened his hold on me but kept his head on my shoulder. "Can we order first?"

Listening to his voice the first thought I had was I needed to call Candon. He was so rattled he needed both of us.  Candon was leaving a meeting near the campus and said he'd be there shortly. 

"Sure." I pried him off me and got him into a chair. While he looked over the menu I texted Candon. Paul didn't say a word other than to place his order. His face lit up when Candon came jogging across the campus to where we were sitting twenty minutes later. The thoughts that went through my head watching that sexy body move in that suit, the wind blowing through his dark hair, cheeks lightly flushed. I shook my head and smiled as he bent down to kiss us both then sat between us.

"How are my boys doing?" He asked slightly out of breath.

Paul was practically bouncing out of his seat.  "What are you even doing here?"

He shrugged. "Jay said to come for lunch. Figured, why not."

Paul blushed and bit his lower lip. I could tell he was ecstatic to have us there. The waiter returned with our orders and we began to eat. They were both surprised I had ordered something for Candon that he liked. The times we were spending together bonding over little things panned out well.

Candon picked up his fork and dug into his broccoli chicken fettuccine Alfredo.  "So, Paul. How are things going?"

"Good, sir."

Candon sipped his drink and his hazel greens watched Paul.  "Jay said I need to beat someone up?"

Paul paused mid-bite and looked at me.