Choosing Her Lover

“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.

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

what you’re saying? You fucked with my

them, then Charlotte, then back at me. Then, his voice quiet, almost

call a halt to this. We don’t live in the same

hand through his hair, then he turns to face me,

believe you,” he says finally. “Mike, tell me what the right of

looking his brother

other; Michael calm, his expression almost regretful,

you married a

he shared her with me, and then I married

him.

my best friend. I’ve known him longer than her, but they both mean a lot to me and for the three of us, it works. So, just think about that for a

a snarl, he storms out of the room. There is the sound of boots stamping downstairs, the bang of a door and then the rumble of a

and waiting. Michael, arms still folded,

be going, shall I,” I mutter, and I exit the room, then

I am stranded. Ben brought me here and has driven away, leaving me behind. I

back into the house? Ask if

don’t dare. The expression on

to do, I sit on a tree stump looking down over the glorious lake view. I’m trembling, and after a minute, I realise I’m crying, tears rolling down my cheeks. Then uncontrollably,

It’s

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

my nose and try to clean my face. My skin feels hot. Some women can cry and look good, but I’m not

me, and my bag and everything else is in his car. I’ve no money on me, or credit cards, or even

the hell were you even here in the

when 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

don’t think it’s a good idea for you to risk running into

I don’t think it’s going to help much with James though. I’ll have to see him

arm around my shoulder, giving me a gentle shake. “I’ll try to cool him off a bit before

*****

my desk, working, but waiting for the storm. Nausea rises in my

Kirstie. It’s Francis here from the director’s