3rd Wheel

Facing the Past

Paul:

I couldn't believe I asked them to marry me! They were both shocked but said yes. I was so excited. Everything has been going good for us.  Even if I was being impulsive it still felt right.

The issue with my professor still hadn't been resolved but I was told that they were close to having enough evidence for an arrest and that I just had to hold tight. It was nerve-wracking. I felt more comfortable, though, with my undercover bodyguard Redd posed as a classmate and friend of mine. He documented and recorded every interaction with me and the professor and made sure to intervene when he saw him trying to get me alone.

Redd and I were at the mall shopping for Christmas. Why did I go to the mall during this time? It was a zoo. That whole Christmas Spirit thing is utter bullshit. People pushed and shoved through the crowds. People were arguing with the clerks over out of stock items. I saw two women arguing over the last of some toy. Men in suits looked like they would rather be anywhere else but here.

I shook my head. I should have done all my shopping online in July. This was madness. I felt myself shoved from behind and nearly fell to the floor but Redd caught me. I turned around ready to lamblast the hell out of someone.

"What the fu-" the words died on my lips and my blood turned cold as I met a pair of deep blue eyes similar to my own. Time seemed to stop and the crowd and noise faded away as I stared my older brother down.

He was just as shocked as I was.  "P-Paul."

I felt like I'd swallowed a rock.  "Victor."

He laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.  "Sorry about that. The place is a madhouse."

I nodded.

"Listen. You should...uh...give mom a call."

My eyes narrowed.  "Why would I do that? I'm dead to you, remember?"

He sighed and looked away.

I turned to walk away.

"Just think about it."

I snorted and picked up my pace. Soon I was the one shoving people out of the way. The mall was too packed. I needed to get out. I needed air. I wasn't moving fast enough. The air was getting hot. It was hard to breathe.  Where's the fucking exit?

I felt a sharp sting in my cheek and I fell into a wall. As I panted holding my cheek, I was pulled against a strong body and my head pressed against a chest. My instincts told me I knew this person so I closed my eyes as I listened to the heart beating against my ear. A hand rubbed up and down my back and I could feel the chest vibrating. I realized later they were talking trying to calm me down.

I opened my eyes and met a familiar pair of browns. I frowned because they were out of place.  What were they doing here.

"Jaeger?"

He smiled and touched my cheek. "Are you okay now?"  I guess he was the one that slapped me back to reality.

I pulled back and looked up at a concerned looking Candon. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

Candon kissed my forehead and let me go.  "Redd told us you were here shopping so we thought we'd meet up with you."

Jaeger held up a bag. "We were shopping for your gift."

Candon rubbed my back.  "What happened?"

I pulled Jay into a hug and nuzzled my face against his neck inhaling his smell. "My brother."