Aged Like Fine Wine

Miranda was completely in awe of Michael. Almost fifty and the man looked years younger. He was fit and muscular, like a professional wrestler. He was also still fairly successful, having had taken a lower profile scouting job for some NFL team while also working as a financial manager at an agency. It was almost as if all of the scandals hadn't affected him at all. As soon as the two of them got to talking, it was almost like they were back in high school, reminiscing about things that had happened three decades or more ago. He still had that same charm he had back when they were dating.

"So, your job, what's it like?" asked Miranda.

"Well, as a financial manager I protect the assets and investments of my clients," said Michael. "But mostly I try to watch out for the younger players. Make sure they don't make the same mistakes I made."

"Like in the show Ballers?"

"Yes! Well, almost," smiled Michael.

"Almost?" laughed Miranda. "You just said yes."

"Well, the difference is, in Ballers, they get the girl they want," said Michael. "It's a little different for me."

"If I remember, you never had any trouble getting girls," said Miranda, her voice turning slightly sour as memories of Michael's teenage betrayal returned. She was surprised. The memory had kept her cautious before dinner but as soon as she started talking to Michael, she had forgotten. His words brought the memory back and this time, it made her feel bitter.

"That's kind of why I asked to meet you, Miranda," confessed Michael. "Andie, do you have kids?"

"No, my husband and I never got around to it," she answered. The truth was, she and Daniel had both wanted children. However, there had always been one distraction or another, some project or some venture keeping them away. Eventually, Miranda realized that it had been her marriage to Daniel that had been keeping her from having children. Almost as if, despite how much she loved Daniel, she didn't want her children to be his. She and Daniel had pretty much stopped trying, with him wearing a condom every time they had sex.

"I have four children," said Michael. "My eldest is twenty-two and she's getting married later this year. Her last boyfriend before she met her fiancée. Well, he cheated on her. I... I never felt angrier than when I saw the pain in her eyes. I wanted to go out and beat the shit of that boy."

"Well, why didn't you?" asked Miranda. "I've kept up with your activities, Michael. You've been very impulsive."

"I remembered how many women I'd cheated on," said Michael. "You, Nadia... Hell, my last child... another daughter was born shortly after that. I was cheating on her mother too. I realized then that I'd never change unless I made up for what I did. Unless I came to you, the first girl I cheated on and fixed things."

"Michael... I can't believe it... how long has this been weighing over you?" asked Miranda as she started to feel hot inside her body.

"For far too long," said Michael. "I... I lost sight of what I had when I was with you. I'd never do it again. If you gave me the chance. I'd never betray you again."