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 and Michael, and Ben’s eyes follow mine. And he

saying? You fucked

back at me. Then, his voice quiet, almost

you, that I should call a

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

he says finally. “Mike, tell me

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

Michael calm, his expression almost regretful,

seriously telling me that you married a

telling you that he shared her with me,

at him. “You’re

waves a hand across to James and Charlotte. “My family consists of my wife and my best friend. I’ve known him longer than

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 a door and then the rumble of a car engine which grows quieter as it fades

Charlotte’s gaze passes between the two men, wary and waiting. Michael, arms still folded, looks at the floor. James is glaring at me, his message

mutter, and I exit the room, then

on me that I am stranded. Ben brought me here and has driven away, leaving me behind. I

into the house?

dare. 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. Then uncontrollably, the sobs come,

here?” It’s Michael’s

my hand. As I turn, he looks stern, angry, but his face softens when he sees me trying to

doing here?” he repeats as I blow my nose and try to clean my face. My skin feels hot. Some women can cry and look good, but I’m not one of them. I

me, and my bag and everything else is in his car. I’ve no money on me, or credit cards,

were you even here in the

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

think it’s a good idea for you to risk running into James right now. I’ll call a taxi to get you home.

I don’t think it’s going to help much with

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

*****

desk, working, but waiting for the storm. Nausea rises in my throat and I couldn’t face

It’s Francis here from the director’s