A Close Call

"So what the fuck was that all about Alex?! You're so cold to me all day, clearly you don't want her over here and then when I leave you alone with her for just a few minutes, you end up showing her your dick?!" Stacy screamed out, her eyes filled with tears and her face red and puffy. Nova had excused herself shortly after your exhibitionism, leaving you alone with an enraged Stacy who you had never seen this mad before. You wanted to scream back that you were sexually assaulted by her! But the rabbit hole that you had burrowed so deeply up to this point couldn't be explained or rationalized so easily you knew, you truly were past the point of no return by now - you had fully committed yourself to this hand and it was time to play.

"Sorry babe, I didn't mean..." You faltered for the words you could even begin to say.

"Sorry for what?! Cheating on me in my own home?! For having eyes for another woman?! What, am I not good enough for you anymore?!" She wiped tears angrily from her eyes, you held out your hand instinctively to comfort her but she swatted you away with a fierceness you didn't think her capable of. "Don't touch me!!" She raged. Your heart sunk as you took in the look she was giving you, one of hatred, betrayal and deep sadness - it almost felt like she was looking at someone else. Stacy wouldn't ever look at you like this, would she? No, not your Stacy, not towards you...

"I'm, I'm-" You fumbled to say something, anything really; but your mind drew blank. Taking the silence that followed as an admission of guilt, your girlfriend looked away and wiped at her face angrily with shaking hands. For a while you both just stood there, you with your mouth agape with feet firmly rooted to the hardwood floor of the apartment, and she with her gaze set out onto the balcony, perhaps seeking for some answer opaque to your cognition that lay beyond those glass panes.

"I think..." She finally began to speak, her reddened eyes looked glossily at something far off into the distance. "I think we need some time apart." The words sunk into you like a bodkin point arrow, penetrating your defenses and rendering you invertebrate momentarily as your knees briefly gave way underneath you - catching yourself from stumbling on the dining room chair. The blood drained from your face moreso than it already had and all you could do was reach out an arm in distress towards Stacy as your jaw twitched open and shut - struggling with the words that you might say to convince her to stay, to make her see your side of things - but you knew deep down inside that you couldn't. It was far too late for honesty now, and whatever lie you could tell wouldn't be able to salvage what was broken.

"Wait, please!" You finally found your voice when you saw Stacy made towards your bedroom - with a swift turn she stormed off into the bedroom with a resounding slam of the door. The look she gave you as she turned away from you was like she couldn't even stand to look at you right now - and you couldn't blame her. It pained you deeply, but from her perspective it was a cut and dry case of infidelity on your part - she had every right to believe as she did; and yet her belief was wrong. You were the real victim here!

You made your way after her, **** to hopefully amend what could be amended, the thought that she could split up with you was starting to make you feel sick to your stomach, a great terror was washing over you with every passing second that felt like endless eternities. Crashing open the door you caught her packing a suitcase with various clothes and amenities, her formerly glistening eyes having since dried up leaving red streaks where once there had been tears. Looking at you enter she leveled a glare your way, her brow furrowing at the mere sight of you.

"It's too late Alex, you had your chance to explain things." She said in a hoarse tone, too emotionally drained to even sound as angry as she looked.

"Please baby! I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me, that wasn't me back there! She just, she just riled me up to the point where I had to prove my manhood to her!" Since the truth wouldn't work - what's one more lie added to the mix? That seems to be all you're good for these days anyway; lying and omitting the truth. Hearing this Stacy just laughed, the kind of incredulous laugh that told you she wasn't buying any of it.

"Prove your manhood? Really? You're really still gonna keep blaming her for your quite frankly INSANE biases? Yeah she jokes around a little, she does that with me too you know! Do you see me needing to prove something to her? Never mind that she saved your fucking life... Wait, that's it isn't it?" She stopped packing her things and turned to really look at you now. "You're insecure about your manliness because you were saved by a woman, that's what all the therapy was about wasn't it? Nova said that you were having more sessions than is typical for someone in your position, god it's all starting to add up now."

"No, it's not that! You know it's not that-"

"See I don't know that it's not that... 10 minutes ago I thought I had a loving, caring monogamous boyfriend - only to find him exposing his cock to my best friend. So whatever I thought I knew is clearly questionable now."

"Best... Friend?" The words died in your mouth.

"Yes Alex, see whilst you were getting therapy for your sexist views; me and Nova really hit it off in swimming lessons. You'd know about that if you actually talked to me about her, or anything really. You've been distant this whole past couple of weeks, and I guess now we both know why huh? You were looking for somebody else." With a huff she resumed her frantic packing. Stepping forward you gently grabbed onto her shoulder.

"Baby, the only woman I love is you. There is no one else, and especially not Nova!" Hearing this she shrugged you off as fresh tears began to spill from her eyes, looking at you now you could see some remnants of hope there, and her hope gave you hope too. She was scanning your face for lies you knew, and you liked to think she saw only sincerity on your panicked and deeply regretful look. Whilst the irons were hot, you decided to strike and see if you couldn't reshape this warped relationship back into place.

"Nova made fun of my... penis, she's been doing it for weeks." You swallowed your pride and decided that you could still pepper the lie with a part of the truth, even if not a whole telling it could still help rationalize your actions in her eyes. "I don't know why, I was so fucking stupid but she had really gotten to me, it was never meant to be cheating or signaling to her my sexual availability or anything like that - I just wanted to prove something, I'm so sorry Stacy." Hearing this your girlfriend sniffled a few times and wiped away the tears as they fell. You gave your most apologetic look, and you could tell from the look in her eyes that she had softened to your position.

"Do you promise?" She asked softly. Gently you massaged her upper arm reassuringly, smiling back at her with your own sad look you promised that you did - that she was the only woman for you.

"Then... I will talk to Nova about all of this to get her side of things, and if she admits to teasing you in that way then I will get her to stop." Hearing this you almost sighed in relief.

"Then, do you forgive me?" You asked, almost dreading the answer.

"I'm certainly not happy about all of this Alex, but I can at least understand your actions better now. It might take me some time to move past this, but yes I forgive you." Hearing this you actually sighed in relief now, and although it was a little rigid; your **** expression caused a dry laugh out of Stacy. Whilst not perfect; you had at least managed to avoid an end of relationship scenario with Stacy - but now that you know what your rival Nova is equipped with; the victory was soured by the knowledge that the real battle had only just begun.