Triple the Love

Chasea Counseling

Jack

I walked into the brand-new office of Chasea Counseling and smiled. My sister, Tori, had finally gotten what she wanted. Her very own practice. I glanced around the reception area and shook my head. I felt so proud of her. This was a huge step for her and now that her dream had come to life, I was extremely happy for her. Tori smiled when she spotted me.

“Jack! Can you believe it? This is mine!” she said as she gestured around the cozy reception area.

“This is amazing, Tori,” I said as I shared her enthusiasm.

“And you are going to be my official patient, right?” she asked, and I raised a curious eyebrow. “Emotional support with all the craziness named Corey Max?” I laughed while I silently cursed myself for giving my sister too much information about Corey. “Come on, come see my office,” Tori said as she motioned for me to follow. I hesitated only for a second as I followed her into her office. It was really nice, but I was hoping she wasn’t being serious about me becoming her first patient. The room was warm, rather inviting, and cozy. Her desk was on the one side of the room, and while it looked nice enough, it was the little lounge area that caught my attention. A beautiful two-seater couch in a rich shade of blue. It complimented the room and looked inviting. The armchair looked just as comfortable, but the scatter cushions on the couch proved to be enticing. “So, what is going on with Corey?” Tori asked as I finally took a seat on the couch. Tori got comfortable on the armchair and I sighed.

“Nothing,” I lied. Tori’s eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat.

“Seriously, Jack? You are a terrible liar…so…spill it,” she said, and I knew that if I didn’t, she wouldn’t let it go. Patient. Brother. It didn’t matter, Tori was relentless. When I still didn’t say anything, she slowly uncrossed her arms and looked away. “I’m your sister, Jack. Not your therapist. I’m asking because I care about you and I want you to be happy,”

“I know…it’s just…complicated,” I said with a sigh. Tori nodded, but she didn’t say anything else as she waited patiently for me to continue. “Corey and I have started dating,” Tori immediately smiled, but I quickly shook my head, and I watched as her smile faded.

“What am I missing here?” she asked.

“Well…Corey wants to keep it a secret. He doesn’t want anyone to know that we are dating,”

“And why is that?” Tori asked and I shrugged. “Surely he must have told you why?”

“He doesn’t want to feel pressured by his family and friends,”

“Would they pressure him?”

“I mean…sure…” I said slowly as I thought about it. “They are all married, pregnant or have kids…ok, not all of them, but most of them. His cousin, Naomi…she can be a bit…overbearing at times,”

“And do you agree with Corey’s suggestion to keep it a secret?”

“No,” I admitted. “But it’s not because of that,”

“What then?”

“I think it has to do with Hank,” I said as I grabbed one of the cushions and held it to my chest.

“Wait, isn’t Hank also interested in Corey? Or was that someone else?” Tori asked, and I could see the confusion and curiosity in her eyes.

“Yes, Hank,” I confirmed. “I just…maybe it’s because I’ve had some time to think about it…and why did he pick me?” I asked. I wasn’t exactly expecting her to answer, but when Tori gave me a warning look, I froze.

“Jack, you are a catch. Why wouldn’t Corey choose you?” she asked, her voice on the edge of anger. I wasn’t about to engage in an argument with her, so I merely shook my head. “Look, do you think that maybe he doesn’t want your relationship to be public until he can talk to Hank? He wants to date you, Jack…that should count for something, right?” I wasn’t sure I agreed, because I just had this weird feeling that there was more to it. I just wasn’t sure how to handle it.

“Right,” I said, even though I just wasn’t sure.

“Look, you should just talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Give him the chance to explain himself,”

“What if…what if he hasn’t made a choice?” I whispered and Tori’s eyes went wide. “What if he is still trying to decide?”

“That seems…mute. He chose you. He wants to date you. I believe he has already made his choice…but regardless…I still think you should just talk to him. You deserve to be with someone who can be upfront and honest. You don’t want to hide in the closet,” I scoffed at the idea, but Tori crossed her arms and shot me another warning look.

“Right…ok,” I said with a nod.

“I mean, Jack. You also have to give Corey a chance. Being suspicious isn’t a good thing. Especially when you two are still new to this relationship,” Tori said.

“I know,” I agreed. “I think I’m just being…” my voice trailed off and Tori chuckled.

“Paranoid? Suspicious? Untrusting?” she offered with a wink, and I hurriedly stood up. This wasn’t at all why I had stopped by. “Jack, relax. I’m just teasing you,”

“I know…but it is unfortunately true,”

“Regardless…just give him a chance, Jack. He came to you and bared his soul…the least you can do is give the guy a chance. He may surprise you,” Tori remarked, and I nodded. Once again, she wasn’t wrong. “Just…be happy, Jack,”

“Of course,” I said as I made for the door. “Oh, and Tori?”

“Yes?”

“The place looks great,” I told her with a big smile. Tori stood up and looked around her office. “We’ll celebrate after my shift later,” I added.

“Great,” she said. I waved goodbye and left her office and as I walked down the street toward my truck, I couldn’t help but think about it. Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe I was overthinking things. Maybe I was being untrusting. None of it was good though, and if I wanted things to move forward, I needed to stop thinking so negatively.