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.

again. I try not to, but my gaze wanders between James and Michael, and Ben’s eyes follow mine. And he gets

them? Is that what you’re saying? You fucked with my brother

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

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

down, swiping a hand through his hair, then he turns to

finally. “Mike, tell me what the right

his brother in the eye.

two brothers stare at each other; Michael calm,

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

that he shared her with me, and then

him. “You’re not

Ben. 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

face 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

waiting. Michael, arms still folded, looks at the

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

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

back into the house? Ask if

don’t dare. The expression on James’

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, tears rolling down

here?” It’s

I stand, trying to wipe my face with the back of my hand. As I turn, he looks stern, angry, but his face softens when he sees me trying to

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

and everything else is in his

were you even here in the first place,

come, 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

it’s getting late. I’d put you up 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 you home. Have you got keys

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 office tomorrow, assuming

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 hotel lobby.

*****

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

Kirstie. It’s