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.

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

Is that what you’re saying? You fucked

two of them, then Charlotte, then back at me. Then, his

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

hair, then he turns to face me, eyes wide, lips pressed

you,” he says finally. “Mike,

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

each other; Michael calm, his expression

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

you that he shared her

at him.

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

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

waiting. Michael, arms still folded, looks at the floor. James is glaring at me,

mutter, and I exit the room, then

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

go back into the house? Ask if I can

The expression on James’

trembling, and after a minute, I realise I’m crying, tears rolling down my cheeks. Then uncontrollably, the sobs

It’s

looks stern, angry, but his face softens when he sees me trying to wipe my face dry. Fishing in his pocket,

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 know that my face is blotchy,

me, and my bag and everything else is in his car. I’ve no

the hell were you even

and James….” I swallow my

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

much

off a bit before tomorrow. Come on,

*****

working, but waiting for the storm. Nausea rises in

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