Chapter 18: Chapter 18

“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.

The silence is palpable, threatening. I look up again. I try not to, but my gaze wanders between James and Michael, and Ben’s eyes follow mine. And he gets it….

“The two of them? Is that what you’re saying? You fucked with my brother and him together?”

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

“I’d already decided that I’m not being fair to you, that I should call a halt to this. We don’t live in the same world, you and I.”

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

“I don’t believe you,” he says finally. “Mike, tell me what the right of this is.”

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

The two brothers stare at each other; Michael calm, his expression almost regretful, Ben confused, unbelieving.

“You’re seriously telling me that you married a woman, and you shared her with another man?”

“No, I’m telling you that he shared her with me, and then I married her.”

Ben stares at him. “You’re not serious?”

“Kirstie 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 the three of us, it works. So, just think about that for a while, and calm down.”

Ben’s 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 a door and then the rumble of a car engine which grows quieter as it fades into distance.

The three stand frozen. 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 unmistakable.

“Um, I’ll be going, shall I,” I mutter, and I exit the room, then the house.

Outside, it dawns on 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. So was my mobile.

Should I go back into the house? Ask if I can use their phone?

I don’t dare. The expression on James’ face….

Lost for 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 my cheeks. Then uncontrollably, the sobs come, heaving at my body, wracking me in their wake…

“Why are you still here?” It’s Michael’s voice from behind me.

Hastily 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 wipe my face dry. Fishing in his pocket, he produces a tissue and offers it to me.

“What are you 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 know that my face is blotchy, my nose red.

“Ben brought me.” I sniffle. “He’s driven off without me, and my bag and everything else is in his car.

I’ve no money on me, or credit cards, or even my phone.”

“Why the hell were you even here in the first place, Kirstie?”

“I didn’t want to 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 calm him down.”

Michael looks rueful. “Didn’t help much, did it? Look, 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 to get back in?”

I nod. “There’s a spare 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 I still work there.”

Michael slings 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 get you home. Go and wait in the hotel lobby. I’ll make the call for you.”

*****

The following day, I am sitting at my desk, working, but waiting for the storm. Nausea rises in my throat and I couldn’t face breakfast.

The intercom buzzes. “Hello, Kirstie. It’s Francis here from the director’s floor….”

Here it comes….

“Can you come up please; immediately. Mr Alexanders has phoned to say he would like a word with you.”

During the journey up the elevator, my stomach clenches. How will a man like James Alexanders react to what happened? Do I still have a job?

I’ve just lost the best job I ever had….

As I step out, there is a pleasant-faced woman seated at a desk.

“Kirstie?”

Feeling timid, “Yes, that’s me.”

“Take a seat. Mr Alexanders is on his way now.” She looks across at me, I think with some sympathy in her eyes.

Waiting doesn’t help my mood at all, but it’s only for a minute or so. The elevator door whispers open and James Alexanders steps out, wrath written across his face.

He points a long finger at me, then through an office door. “In there, now.” Then he turns to the receptionist. “Francis. Turn off the intercom, please. This is private.” She doesn’t say anything but taps a button.

It doesn’t look as if Michael calmed him down much….

He swings back on me, thumbing at the office door. Glumly, I follow him through, standing, facing downward as he turns on me.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused?” he hisses. “For me, for Michael and Charlotte. And even for Ben? How do you think he feels now? Are you proud of yourself?”

I stare at the floor. “I’m sorry. I did try to stop him. I was trying to help.”

“Help? How were you trying to help?”

I can’t speak. My mouth is dry, my heart pounding. I realise that I am frightened of this man, of what he might do.

After a pause, he repeats. “Kirstie, what do you mean.… You were trying to help?”

I swallow hard, trying to get my words out. After another moment, a finger pushes up my chin making me look up into the slit-eyed gaze of James Alexanders. “Talk to me, Kirstie. This is not a request.”

I suck at my mouth, trying to work up enough saliva to speak.

“Ben said he’d been up to see his brother, at his house in the mountains. He was angry. He said that Charlotte was being unfaithful to his brother; that he’d seen her, with you…. I tried to stop him, really, I did. But he was.… out of control.…”