Spin the Bottle

by T L Osborn

  One thing is for sure, I will get out of this relationship but I need more time.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sasha

  Finally, Term One is over and I have school holidays for the next two weeks. It’s not going to be much of a break as I still have a lot of work to do planning for Term Two and I want to re-arrange my classroom as I don’t want my desk facing the front door during the winter.

  I lock my classroom door and head out of the school passing Mrs Cherry, the cleaner, along my way. She gives me a small wave and I return the gesture.

  My stomach growls as I enter my car. I haven’t eaten since lunchtime and even then it wasn’t very filling. I decide I want to get Chinese takeaway as it seems like the perfect end to the term. Kyle has been home all day and I doubt he’s thought about dinner, so it’ll be easier for me to grab something on my way home.

  After finding a parking spot outside the shop, I enter and place my order and wait for it to be cooked. While I do, my cell phone buzzes.

  It’s probably Kyle telling me to grab some beer on the way home.

  To my surprise it’s Toby.

  Toby: Hey, what are you up to tomorrow?

  Me: Nothing much.

  Toby: Would you and Kyle like to come to lunch at my place? My siblings will be here.

  Me: Sure. What would you like us to bring?

  Toby: Yourselves. Come at 12. The address is 20 Crystal Grove, Birchville, Upper Hutt.

  Me: Okay see you then.

  Toby and Kyle in the same room together is probably not a good idea but it’s nice of Toby to invite Kyle as he didn’t have to. I’ll mention it to Kyle but I’m already sure what he’s going to say.

  My food is ready a few moments later and I grab it, making my way home.

  Parking my car in front of the garage door, I make my way inside.

  “Hey,” I call as I enter the kitchen and place dinner on the kitchen counter. Kyle steps into the lounge from outside a moment later. “How was your day? I’m glad mine is over. Term One is officially complete and what a long term it was but I’m looking forward to next term,” I whittle on as I grab a wine glass down from the cabinet and pour some wine into it.

  Looking at Kyle for the first time, I can feel the tension coming off him in waves. His face is ablaze with anger, his nostrils flaring as he looks at me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He points to the table and I see the two shoeboxes full of letters sitting on it. My box completely decorated in hearts with Toby’s initials all over it.

  “My day started off fantastic but imagine my surprise when I went into the office that you’re using to find these. I was intrigued as to why you had an old box with hearts and letters all over it so I sat down and began to read. Turns out Toby isn’t an old friend’s brother but your ex-fiancé.”

  I shake my head. “Not my fiancé.”

  “Don’t fucking lie Sasha. I found the ring. When were you planning to tell me the truth, huh? Or were you taking me for a ride, using me to provide for you while you had an affair with him like your mother did to your father?” His words bite and cut deep as I profusely shake my head. “Your dad told me everything about what your mother did. She’s a slut and you’re no better. I thought you were, but no. What happened to the attentive woman I first met? The one who wanted to please me and would do anything for me? Where did she go, because you’re nothing but a cheating whore. Was this your plan all along? To get back together with him?”

  “I could ask you the same thing. Kyle, you’re not the same guy you were when you left and I’ve felt that way since I first moved in. Initially, I thought it was teething issues since we’ve never lived together but now, I don’t know what to think especially after the way you treated me last month.”

  “You deserved that,” he spits out.

  Shaking, I turn away from him and remove my engagement ring. “I can’t do this anymore. We’re done and I think it’s for the best.”

  “You’re damn right we’re done. We were done the minute I found your deceit. I’ve taken your name off our bank accounts so only I have access. I’m going to make you see what a huge mistake you’re making by ending this with me. You’ve lost a damn good man, Sasha. You’ll wake up one day and beg me to come back.”

  He walks away and back outside and I tip my wine down the drain and immediately head upstairs to begin packing. After I pile all my clothes onto the bed, I sink to the floor, a puddle of tears.

  Is ending this the right thing to do?

  Is everything Kyle said right?

  Will I beg him to come back?

  I can’t even be sure there’s a future with Toby despite what he’s said in the past, but he’s also hurt me in the past too.

  Carrying my bags down to my car, I literally climb in with nothing but my clothes and toiletry items since Kyle made me get rid of most of my stuff when I moved in. Turning the car on, tears stream down my face as I put the car into reverse and drive away. Before I know it, I’m on autopilot, heading towards Toby’s house.

  I need him tonight: a friend and someone who will talk some sense into me because right now I’m tempted to turn this vehicle around and beg Kyle for his forgiveness even though I know I’ve done nothing wrong.

  Toby

  Exiting the gym, I’m feeling great. I don’t go back to work until Sunday so I still have tomorrow off. I’m looking forward to seeing Sasha tomorrow and I’d really like to meet her so-called fiancé. I don’t want to talk to him, I’d just like to punch him in the face and then whisk her away with me.

  Along my drive home, I stop and pick up a bottle of bourbon and some Coca-Cola. I’m looking forward to a strong drink tonight. I get stuck in traffic and on the radio comes a song. Savage Garden’s Truly, Madly, Deeply. Humming along with the tune, I think of Sasha and the nights we spent laying in the back of my first Ute on a mattress under some blankets.

  She’d got a little cheeky and kissed her way down my body, over my stomach before reaching my jeans. Undoing my belt buckle, button and then zip, she wriggled my pants down my legs, followed by my boxers. Before I could inhale my next breath of air, her lips were wrapped around my semi-hard cock, making it fully stand at attention. She was fucking perfect that night, even when we almost got caught as several cars drove past. She didn’t stop sucking me off until she’d got me off. Then it was my turn and I made sure to take my time making her scream.

  A car honks behind me as I’m jolted back to reality.

  Fuck! Eyes on the road Thompson.

  The rain gets heavier the further I drive and I turn on my windshield wipers. That was an intense memory and one that seems so fresh and raw in my mind. That was our last night together, sexually at least.

  I’m thinking I made a mistake by inviting Kyle to come tomorrow when I should be telling her I want her back and this time it’ll be forever.

  Nah, I can’t do that. I just have to shut my feelings off.

  Parking my car up my driveway, I grab my drinks, then lock my Ute and make my way inside. Opening the door I find–

  “Felicity… What the hell are you doing here?” I demand, slamming the door behind me. She’s standing in the kitchen, cooking something on the stove and wearing an apron.

  “I thought I’d surprise you by cooking you dinner when you got home, baby. I know you’ve had a long day,” she croons.

  “How did you get inside? I changed the locks after last time.”

  “Jake let me in. I told him you and I were going to talk through our issues and he let me in. Your brother is the sweetest,” she replies as Jake comes down the stairs.

  I look at him. “Is it true?”

  He nods. “Yeah, but now I know you had no idea. I swear I thought you knew.”

  “It’s okay Jake, you didn’t know any different. Felicity will be leaving right now before I have to call my colleagues and get her arrested.”

  She balks at me. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Watch me.” I open th
e front door.

  “Toby, I told you before that we’re not finished. We’ve got something great here. We’re totally madly in love and will be married.”

  She steps outside the front door and I follow, making sure to escort her to where ever her car is parked because she’s smart enough not to park by my house. Only as we descend the front steps I see a car pull up with a woman inside and as she gets out, my heart lifts. It’s Sasha.

  What is she doing here? Lunch isn’t until tomorrow.

  Taking her in, she appears to be distressed and upset. Before I can go over to her, Felicity flings herself around my body as Sasha looks up. Her face shatters as she glances at this woman virtually wrapped around me like a snake and I watch her heart break into a million pieces.

  Sasha shakes her head; her lips quivering as she climbs back into her car and starts the engine.

  “Get off me.” I push Felicity away and chase after Sasha. “Sasha stop!” I call, but as the rain pours down and I run after her car in the middle of the road, my clothes get soaked.

  She doesn’t stop, doesn’t look back and I know things are fucked up and all because of Felicity. I stand in the middle of the road watching her taillights disappear into the night. Rubbing my hands through my hair, I roar, “Fuck!” into the empty street.

  I hear hysterical laughter and turn around to see Felicity climbing into her car; and I know she thinks she’s won, but this isn’t the end of Sasha and I. My heart shatters into pieces as my chest heaves with pain as my breathing quickens.

  Jesus this hurts worse than the first time I watched her drive away.

  Making my way back up inside my house, I’m numb, soaked and fucking angry.

  “Bro, what happened?” Jake asks, grabbing me.

  I grip his shoulders and push him over the kitchen counter, shattering all the platters and glasses on it.

  “Fuck off,” I say as I grab my bottle of bourbon and head into my room to drown my sorrows and to try calling Sasha. I won’t stop until she answers my call.

  I can’t fucking lose her; not when she’s just walked back into my life.

  Guilt washes through me when I step out of my room, realizing I forgot a glass and bottle of Coca-Cola. Jake’s face is bleeding as well as his hands. He looks at me but it’s not with anger, its sadness.

  “I’m sorry, bro, I–”

  “You don’t need to be sorry. I swear I thought you knew Felicity was here and I’m sorry I let her in. If I hadn’t, this wouldn’t have happened. Could you at least take me to the emergency room?” he asks.

  “Sure, let’s go and then we’re coming home to drink.”

  “I’m with you there.”

  “I am truly sorry.”

  Sasha

  Tears stream down my face as I pull my car over on a quiet stretch of road. My hands shake as I pull my phone out. I don’t have anyone to turn to here. I was stupid to believe Toby would wait for me. He’s waited fourteen years and then had to deal with me being engaged. I’ve done enough to hurt him so this is karma I guess.

  I dial a number.

  “Aria speaking,” she answers.

  “Aria, it’s Sasha. Is there any chance you’re home?” I ask.

  “I sure am. What’s wrong?” she asks.

  “Can I explain when I see you?”

  “Sure. Do you remember the way to my place?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you soon. You sound like you could use a wine; lucky I’m about to pour one.” She laughs.

  Without response, I hang up the phone and toss it aside onto the seat beside me. I wipe my eyes with the back of my hands before driving towards Aria’s and Simon’s home. This is probably wrong. After all, their daughter is a student in my class, but right now, I need a friend because the one I thought I could lean on I can’t even think of looking at.

  About ten minutes later I’m pulling into Aria’s and Simon’s driveway as the iron-gate opens. Driving down the long drive, my heart races as I think about turning around but as I park my car and get out, Aria opens her front door and I can’t stop the tears.

  “Oh hon, what happened?” she asks, pulling me in for a hug and then let’s me inside. We head into the lounge and take seats where she hands me a glass of wine.

  “I got home from work tonight to discover that Kyle had found the box of Toby’s letters to me and mine to him. We’re done, but he’s frozen all of our bank accounts and swore that I’d pay for my betrayal to him. Then, I decided to go to Toby though not that I want a relationship; I just needed a friend and I found him with his so-called ex-girlfriend and they were looking rather cozy. I guess I was stupid enough to believe that he would wait for me. I also stupidly fell in love with him all over again just by reading his letters and remembering the times we spent together.” My hands are still shaking. “I’m sorry to dump all of this on you. I shouldn’t be here.”

  Aria shakes her head. “You don’t have to apologize for anything. Have you got everything out of the house that you need; the one you shared with Kyle?”

  “Yes. I even grabbed the filing storage where I kept bank account details and things like that, not that I have my own identity anymore. Kyle wanted joint bank accounts from like a month into our relationship. God, I should’ve seen how fast things were moving but I thought he was everything I wanted.”

  “Okay, that’s good and the other good thing about you coming here is that Kyle has never been here, so he doesn’t know where you are. This is the most dangerous time for you. You’re safe here.”

  “Aria, I can’t stay here. I can’t put your family in danger,” I insist.

  “Sasha, Charlotte isn’t here, she’s staying with James and Riley tonight,” Simon says as he walks into the lounge, “so you’ll be staying here. Tomorrow we will come up with a more permanent solution.”

  “I can’t thank you enough. I truly appreciate this.”

  “I’m just glad you got away from Kyle.”

  “What do I do about Toby? I can’t let him go, not again, but my heart is absolutely shattered. I swear he told me he had feelings for me but how much of that is a lie.”

  “You leave Toby to me. For now, let’s go grab your bag, then we can come back in and enjoy your wine.”

  “I’ll just have a little more wine first,” I reply, determined that I won’t take up much of their time.

  “You’re staying here tonight. Trust me, you’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep and our minds will be all the more clearer to figure out what you need to do next.”

  I hope she’s right because right now I’m tempted to beg Kyle to take me back.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sasha

  I wake after a restless night with a light headache and my eyes are sore. The headache is self-inflicted by the amount of wine Aria and I consumed. I went to bed last night, cried and got angry before crying some more, then falling asleep. I feel like such a fool as I roll over in my bed. I’ll admit, I don’t want to get up from the bed as it feels as though I’m lying on a cloud. Checking my phone, I see several messages from Toby and ignore every one of them.

  I’m being stubborn, I know I am, and that I should give him the time to explain things, but right now I need some space and possibly from all men. Well not Simon, but that’s mostly because I can’t avoid him since I’m in his house.

  Tossing the blankets off myself, I dig around my suitcase, trying to find the toiletry bag that I packed all my stuff in. Once I find it, I head into the bathroom. Perhaps a shower will make me feel a little better. It won’t heal the hurt in my heart but it can’t hurt to try numbing it a little.

  Turning on the shower, I wait for it to heat up while I wash my face down and brush my teeth.

  Once the shower is warm enough, I climb beneath the water and just stand there as the tears start again.

  How much can one person cry?

  I let myself cry it out, before I wash myself down and get out. Wiping my face with a fluffy white towe
l, I feel slightly better as the tears stop and I can begin to compose myself.

  After getting dressed, I put the towels over the shower and make my way downstairs. Entering the kitchen, I see Aria and Simon working away. Simon turns first.

  “Morning sleepyhead, how are you feeling?” he asks with a smile.

  “Awful. I never want to see another wine bottle again,” I reply, sliding into the seat behind the kitchen bench.

  “You did drink most of the wine.” Aria laughs as she sits opposite me.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Simon asks.

  “Could I get a cup of tea?” I ask.

  “How do you have it?”

  “White with no sugar.”

  “Coming right up.” He spins around and begins banging away only making my head ring louder.

  “How are you feeling this morning after last night?” Aria asks. “Don’t tell me about your hangover. I mean with everything that happened.”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. Honestly, I’m confused. Part of me wants to run to Toby and demand to know what’s going on. Why did he tell me one thing when his actions showed something else? I wasn’t going there last night for a relationship but I don’t know why I’m so jealous over this. The other part of me wants to go back to Kyle because I feel like I’ve made a mistake and that maybe I didn’t give things a real chance with him.”

  “Everything you are feeling right now is normal. I think you need a break from both Kyle and Toby. You’re welcome to stay here as long as required and we will help you in any way we can. I don’t believe for one second that Toby has gotten back together with his ex. He loves you and would wait for hell to freeze over to be with you.”