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.

but my gaze wanders between James and Michael, and Ben’s

you’re saying?

of them, then Charlotte, then back at me. Then, his voice quiet, almost calm, “Were

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

hair, then he turns to face me, eyes

says finally. “Mike, tell

his brother in the

Michael calm, his expression almost

that you married a woman, and

I’m telling you that he shared her

at him. “You’re

my wife and my best friend. I’ve known him longer than her, but they both mean a lot to me and

contorts. He stands frozen, his hands fisting, then with 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

two men, wary and waiting. Michael, arms still folded, looks at the

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

away, leaving me behind. I can’t even call a taxi. My purse and money were in his

house? Ask if I can use

don’t dare. The

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, the sobs come, heaving

are you still here?” It’s Michael’s

face softens when he sees me trying to wipe my face dry. Fishing in his pocket, he produces a

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

I sniffle. “He’s driven off without me, and my bag and everything else is in

even here in the

but Ben was so angry when he thought he’d seen Charlotte and James….” I swallow my words. “When he

hotel overnight, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to risk running into

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

me a gentle shake. “I’ll try to cool him off a bit before tomorrow. Come on,

*****

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

It’s Francis