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.

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

two of them? Is that what you’re saying? You fucked

between the two of them, then Charlotte, then back at me. Then, his voice quiet, almost calm,

that I should call

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

he says finally. “Mike,

folded, looking his brother in the eye.

two brothers stare at each other; Michael calm, his expression almost regretful, Ben

seriously telling me that you married a woman, and you shared

I’m telling you that he shared her with me, and

him. “You’re not

and Charlotte. “My family consists of my wife and my best friend. I’ve known him longer than her, but they both mean a lot to me and for

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

Michael, arms still folded, looks at the floor. James is glaring at

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

away, leaving me behind. I can’t

into the house? Ask if I

The expression

for what 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,

still here?” It’s Michael’s voice from behind

looks stern, angry, but his face softens when he sees me trying to wipe my face dry. Fishing in his pocket, he produces

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

I sniffle. “He’s driven off without me, and my bag and everything else is in his car. I’ve no money on me,

were you even here in the

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

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

much with James though. I’ll have to see him at the office

slings an arm around my shoulder, giving me a gentle shake. “I’ll try to cool him off a bit before tomorrow. Come on, let’s get you home. Go and wait in the

*****

day, I am sitting at my desk, working, but waiting for

buzzes. “Hello, Kirstie. It’s Francis