Third Wheeling My Own Relationship

It was my birthday. I'd been off the clock for two hours. "Can we get dinner now?" I asked quietly. For the fifth time. A few feet away, my boyfriend, Enzo Cowan, and my best friend, Paige Carter, were debating whose proposal to use at tomorrow's meeting. Neither seemed to hear me. Ever since Paige joined Enzo's investment banking firm, Nortune Corp, this had happened more times than I could count. Both had finance degrees. They clicked. They never ran out of things to say. Me? I had a dance degree. Soon after graduation, Enzo got me a receptionist job at Nortune. He said he wanted me close. "Brielle, tell him. My proposal's less risky, right?" When I heard my name, I got up and headed over without thinking. Enzo frowned. "She's a receptionist. All she thinks about is food. Why ask her?" I stopped. So he'd heard me. He'd just ignored me. He turned to Paige, his voice softening. "Fine. You win. We'll use yours, okay?" They leaned in again, shutting me out. I stood there, not sure whether to sit back down. Their shoulders touched. Suddenly, I was done. If there was no room for me in their circle, I'd stop trying to squeeze in. Chapter 1 My eyes stung. I clenched my fists. "I'm going to get dinner." No answer. Not even a glance. I felt out of place, so I grabbed my bag and left. Before closing the door, I looked back. Paige said something that made Enzo laugh. He ruffled her hair, then brushed it off her forehead like it was nothing. They looked so at ease together. My chest tightened. I went to the Cajun place next to the office and ordered blackened fish. While I waited, I scrolled through our group chat. At noon, I'd sent: [Don't forget—it's my birthday! Blackened fish tonight!] [Paige: Got it.] [Enzo: Paige and I don't like spicy food. Let's get steak.] I'd said yes. Steak was my least favorite food. They'd both been busy. We hadn't sat down for a real meal in forever. Before Paige came along, Enzo and I ate spicy food at every meal. Now, when all three of us went out, we never ordered anything spicy. God, I felt stupid. How had I missed it? Paige came first. My blackened fish arrived, steaming hot. Through the steam, I saw Paige leaving the office, her arm linked through Enzo's. He was carrying a cake. Right. I'd had my birthday cake delivered to his office so we could take it to dinner. Even that hadn't reminded them of me. I looked away and dug into my fish. Someone at the next table handed me a bottle of water. "That spicy, huh? You're crying!" I wiped my eyes and made an excuse. "Thanks. I can't handle spicy food." "And you came to a Cajun place? Kids these days..." I kept my head down and pretended not to hear. By the time I finished, my phone still hadn't made a sound. Enzo was on the couch when I got home. He jumped right in. "Brielle, why'd you leave without telling me? "And you're just getting home? You know I worry." So worried, yet he hadn't texted me once. "I told you I was leaving," I said evenly. "You were busy talking to Paige." He looked uneasy for a second. Then Paige's voice came through his phone. "Is Brielle home? "Good. She's been scared of the dark since we were in school. "I'll let you go." I checked the call timer. What a joke. "You were worried about me, but you've been sitting here talking to her for half an hour?" Enzo frowned. "Can you drop the attitude? "Paige was worried. She's been waiting for you to get home." I forced a small smile and headed for the bathroom without a word. Behind me, Enzo reassured Paige. "Don't mind her. Every little thing sets her off. She has no clue how hard we work. "Does everything have to be about her? This isn't your fault..." I took a shaky breath and held back my tears. After washing up, I got into bed. Mom texted. [Did you have a good birthday, Brielle? Where'd Enzo take you for dinner?] She had no idea he hadn't spent my birthday with me in three years. Chapter 2 The first year, he'd left me home alone for a business trip with Paige. The second, he'd played her boyfriend to get her parents off her back about marriage. This year? Today. After everything, I finally broke down. I held back sobs as I typed. [Mom, I wish I hadn't stayed. I want to move to Southport and be with you and Dad.] Enzo never came to bed that night. At dawn, the door opened. Enzo tugged at my blanket, talking to me like I was some clueless kid. "It's been all night. You're still upset?" Every fight about Paige went the same way. No explanation. Just the cold shoulder until I got over it. In the morning light, I studied the face I'd known for over twenty years. We'd grown up next door to each other. I'd always followed him around. After I graduated college, my parents moved to Southport for their business. I'd spent a month begging Mom to let me stay. I'd even turned down an offer from a top dance company my mentor had recommended. I gave up the dancing I loved for over a decade and willingly took a humble receptionist job at Enzo's company. Everything changed after I helped Paige get a job there. He used to promise he'd love me forever and put me first. Now his favorite line was, "Why can't you be more mature, like Paige?" After all those years, part of me still couldn't let go. "Enzo, yesterday was my birthday. You promised me dinner. You forgot." He froze for a second, then frowned. "So you took it out on Paige? "You have a birthday every year. What's the big deal if you miss one?" I stared at him. Even now, Paige's feelings came first? Enzo seemed to realize he'd been harsh. He softened his voice and sent me $250. "There. Buy whatever you want." He paused. "Brielle, we're busy. We don't have time to keep making you feel better." We. Since when were he and Paige a "we"? I gripped the blanket, then slowly let go. The last of my love for him seemed to fade. I took a deep breath and nodded. "I get it." He relaxed, pleased I'd stopped arguing. "Okay. I need to pick Paige up for a meeting. "Don't forget breakfast." Enzo never went to work with me. Said he wanted to keep things professional. Five years at Nortune, and only Paige knew we were together. But he could pick her up and drive her home whenever he wanted. When I'd asked, he'd said she was a top employee and my only friend. He had to look out for her. Now I knew it was just an excuse. At the office, Megan Grimes, the other receptionist, watched them leave for their meeting, ready to gossip. "Brielle, guess what? Mr. Cowan came in with Paige again! "You two are close. Are they dating?" I swallowed the hurt. "Maybe." "They have to be. I joked that they were perfect together, and he didn't even deny it!" I froze. He wasn't keeping things professional. He was hiding me. I smiled. I was finally ready to let go. At my desk, I wrote my resignation letter and turned it in. Chapter 3 Around noon, Enzo and Paige came in, one after the other. She had a new bag. I'd seen it in his order history. Over $15,000. My birthday got me $250. I'd shown him that bag when it came out a month ago. "Do all you girls like bags like this?" he'd asked. "Of course. Paige and I both love that brand." I'd been so excited. I thought it was my birthday gift. Now Paige was carrying it. Enzo stopped at my desk. "Brielle, two coffees. My office." Around other people, he was always my boss, ordering me around. When I brought them in, Paige sat with most of one shoulder bare. Enzo's ears were red as he carefully rubbed ointment on her skin. Paige spotted me and pulled her top up. "Brielle, don't get the wrong idea. An electric scooter clipped me getting out of the car. "Enzo's just putting ointment on it." I looked down. "It's fine. Take your top off. Let him finish." Enzo snapped before she could answer. "Brielle Bennett, what the hell? "Apologize to her." I gave him a mocking smile. "Was I wrong?" He scowled. "Paige got hurt because of you, and you're still sulking!" I froze. "What?" "She heard you were quitting out of spite. She was so upset she got hit! "You can only pull this crap for so long! "If I'd known you'd be like this, I never would've hired you." I knew Paige came first. His words still hurt. I'd had enough. "Enzo, let's break up." The room went silent. Finally, Paige took my hand. "Brielle, what's with you lately? "Enzo's under a lot of pressure. Stop throwing a fit. "Nothing's going on between us. Don't let me come between you. Just apologize—" I yanked my hand away and met her eyes. "So everything's my fault? "Paige, I helped you get this job so you could work here, not team up with Enzo against me." She went pale. "Enough!" Enzo pulled her behind him and gave me a look of pure disgust. "Paige's good at her job. Some people just file papers and fetch drinks, then throw tantrums." He called his assistant. "Approve Brielle Bennett's resignation. Get it done within two days!" Paige panicked. "Enzo, don't go along with this!" He held her back and looked down at me. "You want to break up? Fine. "Where else can you get a job with that degree, Brielle? Without me?" So that was how he saw me. Useless. Dependent on him for everything. I touched the dry corners of my eyes. At least I had no tears left for him. I stood straight. "Then please get the paperwork done soon." I couldn't stand looking at them, so I left. Paige tried to follow. Enzo stopped her. "I can't let you two break up because of me..." "She's done this before. Leave her alone. "She always comes back to apologize." He was right. After every fight, I'd swallowed my pride and begged him to make up. The few times he'd come to me first, Paige had sent him. This time, I wouldn't go back. Chapter 4 Back at the front desk, Megan was helping two visitors. Paige's parents. She leaned in, eager to gossip. "Ms. Carter's parents. They're here to see their future son-in-law!" She lowered her voice. "Guess who? "Enzo Cowan! I told you they were dating!" Last year, Paige had asked Enzo to play her boyfriend so her parents would stop pushing her to get married. I hadn't wanted him to. He'd agreed anyway, saying it was just an act. Play pretend long enough, and I guess it becomes real. I called Enzo's office, my face blank. "Mr. Cowan, your future in-laws are at the front desk. They're here to see you." Two seconds of silence. Then a mocking laugh. "Brielle, seriously? Sending your parents to pressure me?" Paige rushed out and lowered her voice. "Brielle, I'm sorry. My parents just showed up. "Enzo has to play my boyfriend again to get them off my back. "Please don't be mad. Last time, I promise." What a joke. "We broke up. You don't owe me an explanation." Enzo came out and went straight to Paige's parents, greeting them politely. Then he turned to me. "Brielle, don't just stand there. Bring some coffee up!" Paige's mom glanced at me. "Enzo, you need higher standards for receptionists. "They don't have to be as capable as Paige, but you can't hire just anyone. Right?" Enzo smiled and agreed. I stood there as they backed each other up. I felt nothing. After work, Enzo took Paige and her parents to dinner. I went home, packed a suitcase, and checked into a hotel. Early the next morning, I went to Nortune to hand off my work. Megan rushed over the second I walked into the lobby. "Brielle, we've got a huge problem! "Yesterday's deal fell through!" I stopped. "Someone leaked confidential data!" she said. "The other company wants someone held responsible." My phone rang. Enzo. "My office. Now." Paige was there, looking crushed. "Brielle, why would you do this? "People's bonuses were riding on that deal!" I reeled and turned to Enzo. "You think I leaked the data?" He looked torn, but didn't deny it. "Why would you think it was me?" He got up and walked over. "You were the only one in my office yesterday." My hands shook with anger. I fought to stay calm. "No. Paige and her parents were there too. Check the security footage." Paige's voice caught. "Brielle, I know you're upset. My parents embarrassed you yesterday. "But this deal was huge. "If you're mad, take it out on me. Why wreck everyone's hard work?" Enzo's face filled with disappointment. "Brielle, you're a lost cause! "You cost this company a fortune. The contract penalty is $90,000. "You're paying it." Blood rushed to my head. I made every word clear. "I won't admit to something I didn't do. "If you think I did it, call the cops." I left without grabbing my things. Outside his office, everyone stared. "She leaked the data. I heard she wanted revenge on Paige." "She seemed so quiet. Who knew she was trying to steal Paige's boyfriend?" "Now she's paying for it. Serves her right!" Enzo texted. [Apologize in front of everyone, Brielle, and I'll cover the $90,000.] I laughed bitterly, shut off my phone, and left the building. *** Third-Person POV Enzo got to his parents' house that evening, exhausted. He'd spent hours calming everyone down. That and the failed deal had left him in a foul mood. He sank onto the couch and kept checking his chat with Brielle. Still no reply. His mom, Helen Cowan, took one look at him and complained. "Brielle needs to grow up! "You're exhausted, and she storms off instead of staying home to take care of you." Enzo froze. "Mom, what did you say?" "Brielle left... You didn't know?" He shot to his feet. His phone hit the floor.