Jack went back to work, calibrating his blueberry scale. But his mind kept wandering to what might be happening in Diane's bedroom. He felt a pang of jealousy, but also, being honest with himself, aroused. Two emotions that do not peacefully coexist. That's what his stomach told him, anyway. He fell in love with Diane before discovering her sexual promiscuity. He still loved her. But should he? Could he? Diane said she loved him. He believed her. But her body was not exclusively his. He felt third in line. An inadequate third at that.
The blueberry scale now ready for business, Jack washed his hands in the shop sink wondering what to do next. His phone rang. Diane's name and number displayed on the screen, which surprised him. He thought she would be busy fucking her friend with the screwdriver.
"Hello?"
"Hi Jack, it's Lou. I'm calling on Diane's phone so you would answer."
Suddenly worried, Jack asked, "Where's Diane? Is she okay?"
"She's fine. She's... here with us. I didn't mean to scare you. But Diane asked me to call you for permission."
Confused, Jack said, "Permission? I don't understand."
"Here's the thing. Sharon and I have been... involved with Diane for years, so we have taken our consensual... uh, physical interactions for granted. But now she is in love with you and doesn't want to jeopardize your relationship. If you want her to be monogamous, I need to hear it from you. We want Diane to be happy, but Sharon and I really don't want to lose what we have together... if you know what I mean."
Jack sat down on the wagon, conflicted.
"Well, Lou. Here's the thing. I feel like I'm butting into your lives. I don't want to be a wet blanket, but the whole swinger lifestyle is not for me. Diane can do whatever she wants."
"Whoa, Jack. We are not swingers. We consider ourselves friends with benefits. If anything, she's like our second wife. That's all. We do not do this with anyone else. Except... we'd like to include you... if you're interested."
"I'm not gay," said Jack, and then realized how that could be interpreted as interest. Was it?
"No! I am not into men, either. It's always been about the wives for Larry and I. We were best friends as couples for many years before anything sexual happened. Now Sharon, she is definitely bi. But only with Diane. And Diane only... uh, reciprocates with Sharon. It's a small, intimate, circle."
"Didn't it bother you when your wife said my name during sex?" asked Jack, not believing Lou couldn't be jealous.
"No. If it excites her, it excites me. I know Sharon loves me. She has her fantasies and I have mine. We've talked about it, and I know she misses the variety of being with another man since Larry died. And frankly, I have always been a bit of a voyeur. I love watching Sharon enjoying herself. She'd never do anything without my permission." Lou let out a heavy sigh before continuing, "And that's the reason I'm calling you. Diane told us that she would not be... uh, with us like before without you being in the room."
Surprised, Jack said, "Why?"
"I'll let her explain." Lou's voice separated from the phone. "Diane, Jack has questions."
"Hello?"
"Hi. Why are you doing this?" said Jack, perturbed.
"Because I'm making a stand. I am with you now, and I don't want to lose you. I know you feel inadequate since the surgery. But you are not. You are my number one priority."
His heart lifted at her words of commitment. But the word 'priority' didn't have the same punch as 'lover'. Remorse set in. "Don't let me stop you from... enjoying your friends like before. I obviously can't meet all your needs."
"That's the point, Jack. I don't have "needs". I have "wants". I have friends that are lovers. We enjoy each other's bodies. But I will be faithful to you if that is what will make you feel secure. Because I want you know how much I love you."
Angrily, he said, "So now I'm impotent AND insecure? Thanks a lot."
But she was right. He did feel insecure and betrayed. When his wife left him for his best friend that is exactly how he felt. Jack took a deep breath, and said, "I am insecure. But I'm not going to let that stand in the way of our relationship or your relationship with your friends. My feelings are my problem."
Brightly, Diane said, "Great! Come over. Be here with us."
"What? Now?"
"Why not now? We'll have a little fun with Sharon, and then we'll have lunch. Barbecue hamburgers."
"Really? She hasn't had enough, already?"
"Nope, it's your fault for being so sexy."
"Pfft, that can't be it." Lamely he added, "Can't grill. It's raining."
"So? We can grill inside the garage with the door open."
Begrudgingly, he said, "Okay, on my way," and hung up.
After retrieving dry clothes and throwing on a rain poncho, Jack slow walked down the driveway and across the street, while his heartrate double with uncertainty.
'Is this really happening? Am I really doing this for Diane? Or am I satisfying some perverted itch?'
Not knowing what to expect, Jack entered the empty kitchen through the back door. "Hello?"
Diane's distant voice answered, "Upstairs!"
He left the dripping poncho on a hook by the door and walked up the 'gallows' steps. The life he knew was about to be over. Diane's bedroom door was open, soft voices inside. He turned in. Diane, Lou, and Sharon were in a huddle standing next to the bed. Their conversation stopped as they turned to look at him. They all wore matching green robes tied at the waist. The fabric shiny, like silk or satin. The women's breasts shifted loosely underneath with hard nipples prominently on display.
Diane smiled warmly, and said, "Hi, Honey."
Sharon walked over and hugged him tight, whispering, "I'm so turned on right now. Thank you!"
"Uh... you're welcome?"
Jack looked at Lou, who smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
Sharon stepped back. The loss of her body heat in the air-conditioned room sent a shiver through him.
"Have a seat," said Diane, pulling the dressing table chair over next to the foot of the bed. "Would you like a Mimosa?"
