Marriage of Convenience
CLYVE
“KEENE, WHAT a surprise?” We hugged each other. “Please, come in.”
I wasn’t expecting to see him at my door. He didn’t have the off-color anymore and seemed to look fine.
If I may have guessed, this had something to do with what happened between me and Westley today.
“I apologize if I just drop by your apartment unannounced. I called Ms. Rogue and asked for your address.” Arella must have informed the doorman ahead of time, allowing Keene into my apartment floor.
I shook my head. “Don’t apologize, mate. I’m glad you drop by.” I closed the door and swallowed. My stomach churned suddenly, and I wanted to throw up because I think I might have a few ideas on why he was here and how this visit would end.
“Thank you, man. I won’t stay long.”
I led him to the sleek and contemporary living room. “Have a seat. Can I get you something-”
“Don’t hassle.” He looked around from the huge abstract art on the wall to the metal panel fireplace, and the modern art skew furniture.
“Nice place.”
“Thanks.”
A modest cough to my right drew my attention.
“Clyve.” Skip walked closer.
“Oh, hey. Keene, this is my brother, Skip. Skip, my friend, the cabin owner, Keene Storm.”
I rubbed my palms against my jeans, afraid Skip would blurt out about what we talked about earlier.
Now that Skip knew about him and Westley, it made me guiltier. He knew Keene was sick, yet I took advantage of his illness and slept with his wife. It was not entirely my fault. If I had known they were married, I would have never slept with his wife. Still, the guilt was killing me. And I had a whack job staying away from her.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Linton.” They shook each other’s hands.
“Just Skip. Fancy meeting you too, Keene. I heard so many good things about you. How’s your wife?”
My breath was held in my lungs. Bloody hell. I brought my shaky hand on my forehead as the word wife hit me in the chest.
“Oh, Westley. She’s fine. Thank you for asking.” He nodded, glancing around uneasily.
“Hope to see you again, Keene.” Skip felt Keene’s uneasiness almost immediately. “I let you and my brother catch up. I have to go to pick up Arella from her friend.”
I wished he could just keep it to himself. But Skip was Skip, a little bit overprotective of me and my feelings. I knew for sure he must think of something that Keene was aware of my affair with Westley, yet he didn’t stop his wife.
Skip turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Walk me out, brotha.”
When we reached my door, he eyed me intensely. “That’s the husband?”
“Your voice,” I hissed. “And yes, he is.” I had to look away.
“And he’s sick,” he whispered.
I wanted to roll my eyes because he was aware, yet he had to ask. “Yes.”
Skip nodded slowly in understanding. “We’ll talk later. Call me if you need anything.”
“Sure.” I let out a shaky sigh.
“Hey. None of these is your fault.” None my arse. His stern expression melted into a smile. “You better go and talk to him. He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important. If he hurts you call 911.”
I burst into laughter. “He would never do that.”
“Just be careful, okay?”
“You sound like Mum.”
He threw me one last look before he walked away.
I drew a deep breath before I walked to the living room. Keene was still standing with his hands in his pockets.
“Have a seat, mate. Are you sure I can’t get you something to drink?”
Keene remained standing and smiled tightly upon seeing me. “You probably know why I’m here.”
My stomach twisted again. I shrugged and looked down. “I have a few ideas.” Probably, to shove it in my face how arsehole I am.
“I have to go back.” His tone was laced with sadness and somewhat frustration. “Westley’s father paid a construction to renovate my place as part of their agreement.”
“That’s great, mate.” Whatever their agreement with Westley’s father, I was not interested in knowing.
“And she’s gonna be here for a while. I love that place you know that, and that’s the only thing I have left from my family.”
“So, Westley won’t be coming with you, huh?”
He shook his head as sorrow glimmered in his eyes, and I felt guiltier. Something more was coming than what he just said, and the time seemed to slow down between us.
Why did I have to feel like this? It bloody hurt because Keene was a friend, and I betrayed him. But that thought of him going back alone caused hope to grow inside of me when I shouldn’t.
“What is between me and Westley-”
I stopped him. “It was my fault, and I ask for your forgiveness. The-” I breathed through my nose. My chest constricted with so much guilt and pain that he was feeling this way because of me. Unintentional or not, I still betrayed him. “The moment I found out, I ended up everything. I’m so sorry, Keene. You are my friend, and I would never ever cross that line if…” Jesus! It was even hard to say. “… if I knew you were married to her.”
“Don’t apologize.” What? “For three years, she had never been with a man, and when you came, I could see the light in her eyes when she looked at you. I couldn’t take that happiness away from her.”
“W-what do you mean?” I asked with uncertainty because I didn’t entirely get it.
“I pushed her because I knew that she would be happy with you, and I have never seen her that happier. I also knew she felt guilty to keep what tied us together from you, and she was scared of your judgment.”
“Y-you knew?” I stuttered in shock, my eyes enormous. “But why?” I opened my mouth to say more, but I had difficulty finding words. I let out a breath and turned away to gather my thoughts. When I turned to face him, I pointed my finger at him. “You two are married, aren’t you?”
He nodded to confirm.
Fuck. Me.
“Are you with someone? Did you cheat on her? Are you gay?”
His eyes widened. “I am not. Never. No.”
“Then why? Don’t you love her?”
“I love her so much. She’s the only one I have, Clyve.”
“Then why the bloody hell did you do that? Can’t you make her happy?” It wasn’t my business, but I think it was already mine since he did it on purpose, and I was still bloody confused. “Do you have dysfunction?”
“She’s my best friend-”
“And your wife,” I spat out.
“Yes, and we never slept together.”
My lungs suddenly expanded when I shouldn’t have felt like that. That was so selfish of me, but I was relieved and still confused.
“The last time we kissed was during our wedding. That was only show off because we were in front of the judge, and it didn’t feel right.”
“I don’t think I wanna hear the details.” I glanced away and drew a deep breath before I decided to ask him. “Why are you exactly here, Keene? You knew all along that I slept with your wife, and yet, it was okay with you. Don’t you think you should throw punches at me and loathe me for betraying you?”
“It’s is a marriage of convenience.”