Chapter 1

Tags: Third Wheel, Cheating & Betrayal, Drama, Breakup, Instant Regret

We were heading out for a weekend getaway. But when I opened the car door, there was another guy already sitting in the backseat.

My girlfriend, Chloe, gave me an easy smile. "This is Julian. He goes to our college. He was heading that way too, so I figured he could tag along."

Julian, an underclassman, leaned forward and smiled at me. "Don't worry, Ethan, I won't get in your way. Just really needed a ride."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and didn't say a word.

When we arrived at the hotel, I took out the keycard to unlock our room. Julian rolled his suitcase right in behind us.

Chloe acted like this was completely normal.

"It makes no sense for him to pay for his own room," she said. "We can just split this one and save money. He’ll crash on the couch."

Julian was already sitting on the edge of the bed, looking up at me innocently. "I'll take the couch. I promise I won't bother you guys."

I stood frozen in the doorway, staring at Chloe’s casual face. A wave of pure disgust washed over me.

"Fine. You two share the room. I’ll get my own."

I spun around and walked away. I didn't hesitate for a single second.

Chloe froze, then ran out into the hallway and grabbed my wrist.

"Ethan, are you serious? It's just one room! Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"

I yanked my arm away. "Just one room? Did you ever bother to mention this to me beforehand?"

"Why would I need to? Julian’s an underclassman. What's wrong with three of us sharing for one night? He isn't even asking for the bed. He’s taking the couch!"

I looked at her face, suddenly feeling like I was staring at a total stranger.

"Why didn't you tell me when you booked it? Why didn't you mention it before we got in the car? You waited until we were standing in front of the damn door to drop this on me. Chloe, what the hell do you take me for?"

"I just didn't want you overthinking things!" She frowned, looking at me like I was being totally unreasonable. "You do this every time. You make a mountain out of a molehill. Julian just needed a ride and wanted to save on hotel costs. Why do you always have to be so cynical?"

"Me? Cynical?" I let out a dry, bitter laugh. "You brought another guy into our hotel room, and because I'm not okay with it, I'm the one being cynical?"

"Then what do you want to do?"

"That's your problem, not mine." I hit the button for the elevator. "Since you care so much about his wallet, you two can stay together. Count me out."

The elevator doors slid open. I stepped inside.

Chloe stayed in the hallway. "Ethan, stop throwing a childish tantrum! Do you really have to ruin this trip for everyone?"

As the doors closed, Julian came jogging out of the room. "Chloe, maybe I should just go. I don't want you guys fighting because of me..."

The doors shut completely. I didn't care to hear how she answered him.

Down at the front desk, I asked if they had any vacancies.

The receptionist checked the system for a moment and nodded. Someone had just canceled at the last minute. A king bedroom, a hundred and twenty bucks a night.

On any normal day, I’d hesitate before spending that kind of money. Today, I didn't think twice. I pulled out my ID, handed over my card, and signed.

I took the keycard upstairs. My room was on the twelfth floor; theirs was on the ninth.

Once inside, I dropped my suitcase on the floor, threw myself onto the mattress, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

My phone kept buzzing. Texts from Chloe kept pouring in on SnapChat.

*What is your problem?*

*Did you seriously come on this trip just to cause a scene?*

*Ethan, can you just be reasonable for once?*

I didn't answer.

Ten minutes later, she sent another text:

*I talked to Julian. He’s going to stay at a local hostel. Just come back down.*

I stared at the screen for a long time. Then, my fingers moved across the keyboard:

*Chloe, we're done. Let's break up.*

I hit send and tossed the phone face-down onto the bed.

My heart was racing, my palms cold and clammy with sweat.

I left the phone alone for three minutes. When I picked it up again, Chloe had sent back two words:

*You sure?*

Looking at those two words, a bitter smile crept onto my face.

*Positive,* I texted back.

Her response was instant: *Fine. Don't come crawling back.*

I didn't reply.

I lay there for about thirty minutes until my stomach started cramping with hunger. I’d only had snacks in the car at noon, and it was past eight now.

I splashed cold water on my face, changed into a fresh jacket, and took the elevator down to grab some dinner.

There was a bustling restaurant strip near the hotel, packed with tourists for the Memorial Day weekend crowd. I walked along the sidewalk, looking for a spot without an insane wait.

When I stopped outside a spicy hot pot spot, I froze.

It wasn't because there was no line. It was because, right through the glass window, I saw Chloe and Julian.