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

saying? You fucked

at me. Then, his voice quiet, almost calm, “Were you planning on telling me this at

call a halt to this.

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

“Mike,

brother in the eye. “Ben, Kirstie’s telling you the

brothers stare at each other; Michael calm, his expression almost regretful,

telling me that you married a woman,

shared her with me,

at him.

told it aright, 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

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 into

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

mutter, and I exit the

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

go back into the house? Ask if

The expression on James’

minute, I realise I’m crying, tears rolling down my cheeks. Then uncontrollably, the sobs come, heaving at

you still here?” It’s Michael’s

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

hot. Some women can cry and look good, but I’m not one of them. I know

“He’s driven off without me, and my bag and everything else is in his car.

the hell were you even here

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

hotel overnight, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to risk running into

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

try to cool him off a bit before tomorrow. Come on, let’s get you home. Go and wait

*****

for the storm. Nausea rises in my throat and

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