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.

to, but my gaze wanders

what you’re saying? You fucked with my brother

me. Then, his voice quiet, almost calm, “Were you planning

I should call a halt to

hair, then he turns to face me, eyes

“Mike, tell me what the right of this

sigh, standing arms folded, looking his brother in the eye. “Ben, Kirstie’s

stare at each other; Michael calm, his expression

you married a woman, and you shared

you that he shared her with me, and then I married

him. “You’re not

wife and 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

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

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

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

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

go back into the house? Ask if I

don’t dare. The expression on

I’m trembling, and after a minute, I realise I’m crying, tears rolling down my cheeks. Then uncontrollably, the sobs

are you still here?” It’s Michael’s voice from

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

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

else is

even here in the

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

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

spare set with my neighbour, thanks. I don’t think it’s going to help much with James though. I’ll have to see him at the

shoulder, giving me a gentle shake. “I’ll try to cool him off a bit before tomorrow. Come on, let’s get you

*****

waiting for the storm. Nausea rises in my throat and I couldn’t

“Hello, Kirstie. It’s Francis here from the