Tag. Cuckold.
The Best Man Pt 6
The best description of the drive home from camping would be torturous. Made worse by a hour long detour to get some emergency contraception in Wagga. We pulled up outside the same pharmacist we visited after the wedding. I kept my seat belt on and the motor running.
"Aren't you coming in?"
"No, I'll get some lunch and we'll meet you in the park down there." I pointed to a green space with some trees two blocks down.
Angelica sat and glared for a moment then unclicked her seatbelt and got out. At the park everyone ate in silence. Back on the road the earbuds went in so I was treated to the faint sounds of three different genres of music. At my ex's house the kids got out. They told their mother they'd had a great time. David gushed as he retold his story of catching a fish. Only when the subject of our revised departure time was mentioned did their mood sour.
"We were supposed to stay today as well but Dad had some work emergency." My son huffed then walked inside the house with his bag.
"Well, he is such a busy man." My ex wife commented.
I couldn't help but note a hint of smug satisfaction that our adventure hadn't been a complete success. At least she didn't know the actual reason for our change of plans. She probably would have thrown an impromptu party inviting all our former friends to revel in my humiliation. When I got back into the ute for the last leg back into the city I saw my wife didn't have her ear buds in. I took that as a sign she wanted to talk.
"Was it the same pharmacist?" I asked after we had rounded the first corner.
"No, it was a man," my wife replied through clenched teeth. "He said I could have it for free if I blew him in the storeroom."
"He must have heard there was a high probability it would be a two for one deal." I retorted.
"Fuck you, you started this."
"Yeah, I made you a generous offer based on you communicating with me and showing some discretion." I thumped my hand against the steering wheel in frustration. "And what did I get? You sneak out to fuck your boyfriend out in the open just down from where my kids were camping."
"It was down past the toilet, a long way from where they were camping."
"I found you. What about if one of them had gone to the outhouse."
"You were specifically looking for me." Angelica's finger pointed at my chest then aimed lower. "And you watched for quite a while."
I didn't have a witty comeback for that so I lapsed into the silent treatment. That continued while we unpacked back at the apartment. I took off again soon after, taking the trailer to a local park. There I unfolded it before giving the inside a thorough going over with a cordless vacuum. Back at the apartment I was in the kitchen getting a drink of water when Angelica came in. Her hair was wet from a shower and she'd changed her clothes. She made her way cautiously towards me.
"I'm sorry Col. I really am most desperately sorry. I should have told you. I just thought I was going to give him my phone number." She came close enough to touch me on the arm. "I just... I didn't think and it escalated then he saw you watching and..."
"Don't put this back on me."
"I'm not. I know I let it go too far. I'm sorry, I don't want us to fight." Angelica came closer until she pressed against me. "Just hold me, please?"
I put my arms around her and she pressed her face against my shoulder and neck. Angelica's shoulders shuddered as she sobbed. I could feel moisture from her tears against my skin. When the flood had slowed to a trickle I eased her back so I could see her face.
"Can you forgive me?" Angelica asked.
"It's not about forgiveness. We need to clarify the ground rules."
"Okay," she said as she wiped her tears away on the sleeve of her shirt.
I had thought Angelica may declare our open marriage experiment was over. It appeared not to be the case and I wasn't sure I wanted it to be. We went back to the living area and sat on the lounge.
"When we discussed this before I stressed communication. I want to know what's going on before it happens. Not find out after you have snuck off."
"I didn't sneak off, you saw me leave."
"You said to the toilet."
"I did go there first, and I was just going to give him my number... it's just..."
"It's just what?"
"He... he wanted me to go back with him to his house. He said he'd bring me back before dawn. I said no, I couldn't because... because you didn't know so I had to get back."
"Why didn't you?"
"Um, god, this makes me sound like a slut... we were kissing and he was still trying to persuade me so I offered to suck his cock. I thought I could get him off then get back before you noticed."
"But that didn't happen."
"No, he was holding back and then he saw you watching. He said I didn't have to worry so we should fuck so you can see."
"So it was a power trip for you both."
"Not for me, and you didn't come out of the shadows and demand we stop."
"Would you have if I did?"
"Yes, the question is why didn't you?"
I had to ponder on that question for a few seconds.
"Probably because I didn't want to be humiliated if you refused or, or just ignored me."
"I wouldn't do that."
"Really? He seems to have quite a hold over you."
"Only when we're alone. I stayed well clear of him before then. You're my man, he's just a dalliance." I didn't reply so Angelica used the silence question me. "Did you get turned on watching? You weren't pissed about it when I got back to the camper or when I was riding you..."
"Maybe."
"That's not an answer."
"It's complicated." I deflected.
"Complicated how?"
"Watching you is hot. The first time with him was as well. Now not so much."
"What's the difference?"
"Um, I'm not sure how to describe it..." I wanted to jump up and run away to escape the questions but didn't. "Control maybe? The first time I felt I was directing what happened until, well you know when. Then, the other night the distance and muted light meant it wasn't as real... that probably makes no sense."
"Yeah, it does." Angelica put a reassuring hand on my face. "But if it bothers you why offer me these free passes?"
"Because... "
I stopped unable to say the words that had flashed into my mind. It was a moment of clarity I hadn't expected. In the end they had to be said.
"Because you need it..."
"That's bullshit!" My wife stepped back abruptly like I'd slapped her.