My Love for You Is Gone

I dragged three suitcases to the hotel by myself and took a cab. By then, I'd long since gotten used to the strange looks from passersby.

After all, this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

Once, when we'd taken a train to another city, Blake complained that it was too much trouble to go back to the hotel and drop off the luggage. Hence, Tiffany dumped all the bags on me.

By the time I'd put everything away and made it to the tourist attraction, they'd already finished sightseeing.

In the cab, I scrolled through my social media feed to kill time.

The first post was from Blake. It had two pictures. One showed the clouds outside his window on the plane. The other was a side profile of Tiffany.

The caption read: [The clouds are beautiful. Thanks, Tiffany, for upgrading me to first class!]

He'd posted it just a minute ago, and Tiffany had already liked it. As for my posts, she'd never even looked at them, let alone liked one.

The comments were already pouring in.

[Did you finally get with your dream girl? If you can't win her over now, don't call yourself my best buddy!]

[First class whenever he wants. She really treats you well!]

Blake replied with a big, toothy grin emoji. I shoved my phone back into my pocket. My lower back was killing me.

Blake had mentioned his sore back only once, and Tiffany had remembered. Every time they flew, she made sure he got a first-class seat. I'd had a back injury for years, yet she'd never once asked me about it.

Tiffany had booked the hotel rooms. She'd reserved a luxury king room for Blake at 200 dollars a night. For us, she'd chosen a 50-dollar budget room. She'd rather squeeze into a cramped double bed with me than let Blake stay anywhere but the most expensive king room.

It wasn't as though I'd never been jealous. But whenever I brought it up, she responded impatiently. "Nicholas, what kind of man gets jealous of his younger brother?"

Eventually, I stopped saying anything.

After I dropped off the luggage, I took a taxi to the restaurant.

By the time I arrived, Tiffany and Blake had already finished eating.

There was nothing at my place. They hadn't ordered anything for me.

Blake gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Nic. I forgot to order yours."

Tiffany froze for a second, then immediately pulled out her phone and placed an order. "Nicholas, I bought a coupon for a 5.50-dollar special. Just eat that. We should save some money."

She pushed her phone toward me. They'd just ordered a 42-dollar dinner for two, yet when it came to me, suddenly a 5.50-dollar budget meal was good enough.

The anger inside me only intensified. I pushed her phone back toward her. "No thanks. I'll order for myself."

I scanned the menu with my own phone and ordered something more expensive.

Tiffany's expression immediately darkened. "Nicholas, seriously? Just because I didn't put you in first class, you're throwing a tantrum now?"

I set my phone down and looked at her. All the anger I'd swallowed over the years came rushing out at once. "Tiffany, why can't I sit in first class? Why can't I sleep in a king bed? Why is my food always the cheapest while Blake gets the best of everything?"

Tiffany fell silent for a few seconds. "Nicholas, Blake's younger. It's only right that we take a little more care of him."

Blake immediately picked up his phone. "If you hate having me around that much, I'll leave. I'll book a flight right now..."

Tiffany snatched the phone from his hand and turned toward me, ready to blame me.

I stood up. "You don't have to leave. I'm leaving."

I packed up the meal I'd ordered for myself and walked out the door.

Behind me, Tiffany shouted, "Nicholas! What the hell do you mean?"

Truthfully, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just tired of being part of this ridiculous three-person relationship.

An acceptance email from a prestigious university overseas was still sitting in my inbox. I'd received it a few days ago.

I'd been wondering how I should tell her.

But now, there was no need.