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.

look up again. I try not to, but my gaze

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

the two of them, then Charlotte, then back at me. Then, his voice quiet, almost calm, “Were you planning on

already decided that I’m not being fair to you, that I should call a halt to

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

finally. “Mike, tell me what

brother in the eye. “Ben, Kirstie’s

at each other; Michael

seriously telling me that you married a woman, and

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

at him. “You’re not

Not everyone lives the same way.” Michael waves a hand across to James 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 the three of us, it works. So, just think about that for a while, and calm

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

three stand frozen. Charlotte’s gaze passes between the two men, wary and waiting. Michael, arms still folded, looks at

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

brought me here and has driven away, leaving me

go back into the house? Ask

The expression on

looking down over the glorious lake view. I’m trembling, and after a minute, I realise I’m crying, tears rolling down my cheeks.

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 a tissue

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

else is in his car. I’ve no money on

you even here in the first

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 James right now. I’ll call a

it’s going to help much with

off a bit before tomorrow. Come on, let’s get you home. Go and wait in the hotel lobby. I’ll make the call for

*****

following day, I am sitting at my desk, working, but waiting for the storm. Nausea rises in my

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