Third-wheeling

My relationship with Gen hasn’t been one deemed sister goals worthy. I mean, on the internet, we look like we have the best relationship, but things are not what they look like. Gen has been nothing but nice to me, but I have always been excluded from her social life. So, when she asked me if I was interested in going to see a movie with her and Adrian, I was genuinely amazed.

But of course, I said yes.

“Well, okay. Get ready, we’ll be leaving in a few minutes. Adrian will meet us at the cinema,” Gen smiled.

“Thanks, Gen,” I said, hugging her.

“Save it for Adrian,” she said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He was the one who requested you join us, and he sent me to ask if you would be interested in coming with us,” she answered.

And of course. It wasn’t Gen’s idea, but it was nice to be included.

“I guess I’ll thank him when I see him then,” I said as I turned to get changed.

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “Please, look good.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to come with her if I looked weird. I got dressed in a simple floral dress. Hopefully, Gen approves. We got out and parked at the front gate, was Gen’s Aston Martin DB11 Volante.

“Do you have your license for this thing?” I asked, grinning as she started the engine with a low purr.

She smirked. “You don’t ask a goddess how she flies.”

The car eased out of the gate with grace as we hit the Pacific Coast Highway. Twenty minutes later, the DB11 glided into the underground parking garage of the Crescent Cinema, a boutique movie house in West Hollywood known for its velvet recliners and vintage champagne at the concession stand.

Genevieve parked without a word, stepped out, and handed her key to the valet with a wink.

“Don’t scratch it,” she said, tossing a smile over her shoulder.

The valet swallowed hard, already blushing. “Y-Yes, Miss Ashford.”

As we walked through the lobby, moviegoers glanced up. A few whispers, a few not-so-subtle phone cameras. The Ashford sisters were impossible to ignore.

I leaned closer. “Are you sure he’s even here yet?”

But Gen didn’t answer; she probably thought she didn’t have to. As we turned the corner and walked into the private screening lounge, Adrian was already waiting there.

He stood near the wall-length glass window, arms crossed, dressed in charcoal gray sweatpants with a crisp white tee underneath a black sweatshirt and paired with white sneakers. His bright brown eyes flickered towards me and paused on Gen.

“You’re late,” he said, smirking.

Gen arched a brow. “You’re early, and underdressed.”

“Didn’t realize this was a fashion show,” he said as he stepped forward and kissed Gen on the cheeks.

“Thank you, Adrian, for inviting me along,” I smiled.

“Glad you accepted.”

In just one snap, Gen pulled him closer to her. I turned away, pretending to study the vintage film posters. I didn't want to see how my sister softened under his touch, or how easily he made it look like she was the only one that mattered.

I faked a cough. “Okay, we get it. You’re in love. Can we watch the movie now?”

Adrian chuckled. “Sure... The movie.”

Adrian and Gen walked up to the back as they sat comfortably, while I sat at the front.

“Hey, Kim,” Adrian called.

I turned. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“Why are you sitting there? Come sit here,” he demanded.

“I felt you love birds will need the space,” I chuckled.

“Watching will be better from here, so come up. Sit with us,” he said.

“Gen? Is that okay with you?” I asked.

“Yeah, whatever,” she answered.

I walked up to them. Gen sat at his right-hand side while I sat at the left, with him sitting in the middle. I looked over to them, and Gen had already wrapped herself in his arms.

A few minutes into the movie, I felt a touch. It was so soft and gentle that it made me quiver. I looked down at my thighs, and Adrian’s hand was resting on my thighs, with his fingers tracing my skin.

I remained silent as I glanced up at him, and our eyes met. He had a soft smile on his face as he turned back to watch the movie. I removed his hand from my thighs as I returned to the movie, but I couldn’t ignore how his touch made me feel, and how I wanted him to do it again.

Moments later, the movie ended. I rushed out of the lounge, not because I was in a hurry to get home but because Gen was locking lips with Adrian. A few minutes later, they walked out holding hands.

“Wow, Gen. You never cared to give me a heads up before you do the nasty,” I frowned.

“You’re just pissed because you don’t have a boyfriend,” she said.

Just then, her phone began to ring. She pulled her phone out from her purse as she notified I and Adrian that she would be right back, leaving us alone once again.

Adrian turned towards me as he gently pulled me back into the private screening lounge.

“How was the movie?” he asked.

“It was fun until you and my sister had to ruin it with your kiss. Like, don’t you guys ever chill?” I shrugged.

Adrian laughed. “I see. The problem is the kiss, right?”

“Duh!”

“Did I mention you look really beautiful in your dress?”

“Aww. You think so?”

“Kim,” he grabs me gently just above my elbow. “You are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I said, trying to hold back my smile.

We both stood there, alone in the lounge, our eyes never leaving each other's. He smirked as he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him, his hands tracing the curves of my body.

“How do you feel about me holding you like this?” he whispered into my ear.

I swallowed hard as I tried to control my body from trembling at the sound of his soft voice.

“Can you be honest with me?” he asked.

“What do you want to know?”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“I... I don’t know what to say. You’re my sister’s boyfriend.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“Adrian—”

“Just answer the question, Kim. Do you want me to stop?”

I looked around, my body still trembling from being so close to him. “It’s weird, but I don’t want you to stop.”

He grinned as he patted me on my head, his hands now inside his pockets as he walked out of the lounge. I fell on the recliner seat, trying to control my breathing. Adrian is the first guy who’s ever been this close to me and the first guy to ever touch me intimately.

I knew it was wrong, but God, did I love every bit of it. Since the first day I saw Adrian Thorne in person, I’ve developed a crush on him. I yearned for his attention, but my sister got it first, and without stress. They ended up dating, and the only time I saw Adrian was when he would hide inside my room till Gen came.

I always fantasized about him being with me instead and doing the things he does with my sister with me.

The first day I decided to try out the vibrator I bought, I visualized myself with Adrian, and as if it was fate, he came into my room. Now I can’t stop thinking about him.

There was something in the way he looked at me sometimes. The way my heart thudded sometimes when he looked at me, or how warm his voice felt in the space between my ribs. But he’s not mine.

“Kim!” Gen called out, snapping me away from my thoughts. “What are you still doing in here? Let’s go.”

“Yes, Gen.”