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?"
He remained standing, and instantly answered, "Yes please," hoping a little alcohol would quell the nerves.
Lou, still feeling the effects of his back injury, limped gingerly to the dresser and fixed the drink, saying," I couldn't help overhearing Diane say you had surgery. I hope it wasn't anything serious."
Jack accepted the drink, and after a swig he answered the question. "Cancer. But I'm cured."
It was the short answer designed to prevent any detailed curiosity.
Lou looked at him for a moment like he waited for more, then said, "That's great. I'm glad to hear it." Turning to the women he rubbed his hands together, and said, "Well, should we get started?"
"Yes!" said Sharon.
Diane, looked at Jack, and answered with a questioning, "Yes?"
They all looked at Jack. He raised his glass in salute, and said with feigned enthusiasm, "Let the show begin! Break a leg." Then took a large gulp of the intoxicating beverage. On an empty stomach a tingle was already starting to build in his brain.
The two women and Lou moved beside the bed, while Jack slipped to the dresser and replenished is Mimostly-liquor aperitif.
Lou wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her passionately. Her hands slipped inside his robe and fondled him. Diane smiled at the scene and then looked questioningly at Jack, who winked at her over the rim of his glass. Groans of pleasure heightened the erotic aura around the couple. Lou broke the embrace and spun Sharon around to face Jack. Reaching from behind, he untied the bow holding the robe closed, exposing a naked Sharon.
"Isn't she lovely, Jack?" Lou asked as he slipped the robe from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor.
The question startled Jack. He was there as a voyeur at Diane's request. Audience participation wasn't anticipated. What should he say? "Yes, she is," he answered truthfully.
Sharon, who had been staring down at her feet, looked up at Jack and smiled. An unexpected thrill coursed through him. So, he took another swig to hide any change of expression.
Then Lou left Sharon and approached Diane. "I'm so glad Jack has decided to let you continue our love life," and proceeded to kiss her with equal passion. There was no resistance from her, but neither did she touch him in any intimate way. From Jack's view it was one sided. His face grew hot from a rush of jealousy just the same. But he was the newbie, and took a wait-and-see approach, ready to step in if Diane protested. Did she want him to protest?
Lou gripped Diane by the shoulders and turned her to face Jack. His hands reached around, untied her belt, pulled it off her shoulders, and let it fall without a word. Jack and Diane stared into one another eyes. Lou cupped her breasts from behind and rolled her nipples between his fingers and thumbs. Her knees weakened. Her eyes closed.
"Don't you love how sensitive they are, Jack? We've made her orgasm with just nipple play."
As if on cue, Sharon moved in front of Diane. Lou lifted her breasts, and Sharon suckled on the offered morsels for long seconds. Diane moaned.
Jack stared, frozen. The glass halfway to his mouth. His mind running wild. What was happening? Was it a test? His heartrate increased. There was no denying the eroticism. Even with the heartache of impotence there was stirring in his groin.
Sharon stopped and turned to Jack. She licked her lips and made the, "Mmm," sound.
"Let's assume the positions," said Lou, as if there was a script for this sex act. And maybe there was. Maybe this performance had been repeated countless times at countless venues over decades. Lou sat on the bed, back against the headboard. Sharon moved between his splayed legs and lean back against his chest. His hands came around to tease her breasts.
Diane approached Jack, took him by the hand, and led him to the bedside chair. "You don't have to keep you clothes on," she whispered in his ear, and then pulled his mouth to hers in a full-bodied kiss. His one free arm wrapped around her waist to pull her tight, while trying not to spill his emotional support drink. There was no denying his love for her, and only her.