Michael looked down at the flashing light on his answering machine. He instinctively knew who it was, and he was not up to listening to her voice. He laid his keys on the table and went about his business, putting groceries away. He hadn't yet gotten over the sting, which was probably why he desperately wanted to push the button. Michael refrained for the moment and flipped on the TV. The Cavs were trouncing the Bulls, but his focus was definitely not on the game. After busying himself for a little while with mundane tasks that somehow made him feel worse rather than better, Michael let the butterflies take over.
"Um, Michael, it's me," came the soft voice. "Look, I feel kinda funny asking, but Jerry is having a big party tomorrow, and I thought maybe you'd like to come. It would be great to see you again. I've missed you."
"Yeah? Then why the fuck did you say you wanted to date other people?" Michael asked the box of plastic and metal.
It had been two weeks, but Michael had just gotten over the initial shock and denial. He'd had plans with Amber, plans he now knew deep down would never be realized. Initially, he'd hoped they would reconnect. But the spanning of days slowly convinced him that she was taking the easy, but permanent, way out.
"How the hell do you go from dating a woman exclusively to sharing her with other men?" he asked himself.
That knot in his stomach, which had only recently dissipated, returned at full force. Michael didn't want to see her again. He just wanted to climb in bed and stay there. But a part of him refused to accept defeat. That part didn't want her back. It wanted to show her and everyone else that he was strong.
Saturday night rolled around, and Michael was as nervous as ever. When he arrived, cars were already lining the street. Jerry answered the door.
"Michael, I wasn't expecting you to come, you know, with you and Amber..." Jerry said, his voice trailing off into the noise of the party.
"Yeah, I just didn't think I'd do myself any good sitting at home and sulking," Michael replied.
"Well, there are plenty of hotties here, man. Take your pick."
"Thanks, Jer."
Michael made his way through the house to the kitchen. Jerry was right. There were a lot of gorgeous women here. But Michael still wanted to see her. He hadn't realized how much he concealed his true wishes, even to himself.
He almost spilled his beer when a hand touched his shoulder. He turned around and found himself face to face with Amber for the first time in two weeks.
"Michael! I'm so glad you made it. I've missed you," she chirped.
"Yeah, I've been kind of busy with work lately," he lied.
She knew he was lying. And he knew that she knew. But somehow it was the only thing he could think to say. He was still amazed that she could be so okay with this. It was as though they had just been good friends all that time.
"Well, I'm glad you came. It will be nice to see your face again," she said as she leaned in for a hug. He awkwardly put his arms around her for a moment. She lingered on his body longer than he had hoped. A few more moments and he would have held on forever. Michael was always a little possessive with his women. It wasn't that he was manipulative. He had low self-esteem, and he knew it. His habit of finding a woman and smothering her didn't help matters in his relationships.
"Oh, there's Mindy and Evelyn," Amber said. "I'd better go say hi. Please stay. I know it's awkward, but I know you've missed me, too."
"Sure, Amber. I'll stay for a while," Michael smiled as she bounded off to gab with her friends. He wanted nothing more than to run from that spot. He would make a bee line for the front door and drive straight home where a bottle of Jack called him. But his feet were heavy. He couldn't move them if he tried.
"What a bitch," a voice called from behind him.
Michael slowly turned, shaking himself out of the daze. It took a moment to register what he was seeing. He first caught her green eyes and red lips, framed by auburn tresses. He quietly forced himself to stop staring.
"Aw, she's not so bad," he sheepishly replied.
"Let me guess. She broke up with you to date other people?" the mystery woman asked.
"Yes," Michael said shyly.
"And she invited you here with all your friends around?"
