"Why don't we get you home?"

"I think you may have passed your limit a while back."
Beth chuckled, and then wished she hadn't, as a nasty, bile-laced burp escaped her lips. Well, he's definitely not going to kiss you again, now. "Yeah, your probably right."
Kyle let her lean on his arm as they headed out of the bar, and on the bus ride back, he made no effort to stop her from resting her head on his shoulder. He even put his arm around her at one point.
"Things are going to be okay."
"You don't know that..." she was feeling wretched, and ashamed of herself, and projecting all of it onto Brian, her neglectful fiancee.
"Brian's...a good guy. He's just trying to get himself into a position where the two of you are secure, you know?"
"I...I don't care!" Okay, you're really being a baby, now. "I..." she could feel the tears coming, and she fought them. "I know. It just sucks. I miss the man I used to have. Not this...workaholic."
When they reached the townhouse, Brian was actually at the front door. He was wearing his work suit, a bit rumpled, and his tie was in his hand. He looked wrung out. When he saw them, he rushed over to give his brother a hug.
"Welcome home, man." He glanced over at Beth. "Hey baby." He gave her a hug even tighter than the one he gave his brother, and she could just barely meet Kyle's eyes over his shoulder. Kyle only nodded.
"Hey..I got a little drunk at Diva's so'm gonna lie down, okay? Give you two a chance to catch up." She swayed into the house, and stumbled her way up the stairs to peel off her {if KyleOutfit =0
}clothes {else
}dress {endif
}before collapsing on the bed in a drunken stupor. You're a lucky idiot, you know that?
Shut up.

~

Beth's eyes opened groggily. her stomach roiled, and her head felt stuffed with cotton. Her eyes tried to focus on the clock, until she could read "11:33." She looked over at the other side of the bed. Brian wasn't there. The spot was cold; he probably hadn't come to bed yet. She could hear the TV on downstairs, and an occasional murmur that could be either Kyle or Brian. She stumbled out of the bedroom, pulling on panties and one of Brian's shirts. She needed the bathroom.
As she crossed the hallway, the voices downstairs piped up enough for her to hear.
"...not trying to tell you your business." Kyle.
"I'm glad, because you don't know anything about it." Brian sounded a little buzzed.
"I'm just saying, she seems a little lonely. She's a good girl, I just think you should..."
"Kyle, just stay out of my business, okay?" Brian was definitely angry now. Kyle is... standing up for me? She didn't know how to feel. She sat down on the floor just by the stairwell, listening.
"Look...I'm just..."
"You're a guest in this house, man. Just stay in your lane, okay?"
"Hey!" Kyle's sudden shout startled her. "Don't forget why I'm a guest, okay? Don't forget what you owe me."
"That was a long time ago. We buried the hatchet. For the thousandth time, I'm sorry. For what it's worth, I didn't make the first move..."
"Really? That's the justification your going to give?" Kyle sounded hurt and angry and a little drunk himself.
"I"m not justifying anything. I told you... I'll always have your back..."
The TV got louder after that, and they got distracted by whatever was happening on it. Beth sat pondering what she heard. Did....was Brian the one who had... slept with Kyle's girlfriend when he was deployed? It didn't seem possible. But it was hard to misinterpret the conversation. Someone who was supposed to have my back.
"...want to see you two happy."
"I know man. I'm trying." Brian's voice had apology in it now. Beth was filled with confusing emotions. She had always considered Brian to be a straight arrow. The revelation that he had fucked his own little brother's girlfriend behind his back... it definitely tarnished her image of him. But it was a long time ago.
"...if you need anything. I'm going to head up." Brian's voice. Beth quickly and quietly slipped back into their room and into bed. When Brian came in, she squeezed her eyes tight, breathing regularly as he tried to undress as quietly as possible. She felt the bed shift as he slipped in.
"You asleep, baby?" It was very soft. After a few seconds, a warm kiss on her cheek was followed by a pained. "I love you..."