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

what you’re saying? You

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

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

his hair, then he turns to face me, eyes

finally. “Mike, tell me what the right

brother in the eye. “Ben, Kirstie’s

Michael calm,

me that you married a woman, and

her

him. “You’re

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 while, and

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 car engine which grows

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

mutter,

am stranded. Ben brought me here and has driven away, leaving me behind. I can’t even call a taxi. My purse and money

go back into the house? Ask if I

dare. The expression on James’

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 at my

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

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 produces a tissue and offers it

to clean my face. My skin feels hot. Some women can cry and

and everything else is in his

were you even here

but Ben was so angry 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 him

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

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

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

*****

am sitting at my desk, working, but waiting for the storm.

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