“More than one…. How many men are you fucking? Is that why you’re saying what you are about Mike? You play fast and loose, so you assume everyone else does? I thought you and I had something special. I thought it was you and me; that we were an item?”

“I never said that. I never said anything like that….”

“You slept with me. We made love together….”

“Ben, we’ve had half a dozen dates; that’s all. And yes, I slept with you, once. But…. So what? I’m sure you’re a great guy, but I have never said that I wanted to be tied to you. You just assumed it.”

I fall silent. It seems the best policy while Ben gets his brain on to the same planet I live on.

He stares at me, his face slack, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. Then, “Have you screwed my brother?”

Oh, fuck….

In the background, I see Michael’s eyes roll heavenward.

Should I lie?

Would it help?

No.

“Yes.”

“Yes? You’ve fucked Michael?”

And now I’m beginning to panic, not thinking clearly. “It was just once, a couple of years ago.” I stammer. “They were at a club I go to….”

“They? Who’s ‘they’?”

Oh, shit….

“Who’s they?” he repeats.

I don’t speak, staring at the floor and trying not to speak, before I make things worse.

again. I try not to, but my gaze wanders between James and Michael, and Ben’s eyes follow mine. And he gets

Is that what you’re saying? You fucked with my brother

Then, his

I’m not being fair to you, that I should call a halt to this. We don’t live in the same world, you

paces up and down, swiping a hand through his hair, then he turns to face me, eyes wide, lips pressed white against

“Mike, tell me what the right of

brother

brothers stare at each other; Michael calm, his

you married a woman, and you shared her

he shared her

at him. “You’re

of my wife and my best friend. I’ve known him

storms out of the room. There is the sound of boots stamping downstairs, the bang

between the two men, wary and waiting. Michael, arms still folded, looks at the floor. James is glaring at

I mutter,

me here and has driven away, leaving me behind. I can’t even call a taxi. My purse and money were in his car. So was my

the house? Ask

dare. The

view. I’m trembling, and after a minute, I

you still here?” It’s

wipe my face with the back of my hand. As I turn, he looks stern, angry, but his face softens when he sees me trying to wipe my face dry. Fishing in his pocket, he

nose and try to clean my face. My skin feels hot. Some women

me, and my bag and everything else is

you even

he thought he’d seen Charlotte and James….” I swallow my words. “When he thought he’d seen them…. I was trying to stop him, or at least calm

looks rueful. “Didn’t help much, did it? Look, it’s getting late. I’d put you up in the hotel overnight, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to risk running into James right now. I’ll call a taxi to get you home. Have you got keys to

“There’s a spare set with my neighbour, thanks. I don’t think it’s going to help much with James though.

off a bit before tomorrow.

*****

but waiting for the storm. Nausea rises in

It’s Francis here from the director’s

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