Jon Barlow Cove

"Paul?"

I held up my hand to shush her up. If we were going to to talk it was going to be on my terms. After a few minutes of ignoring her, I figured it had been long enough.

"Ok Lexie, what is it that you have to say to me, and it had better be good."

"Shut up and just listen to me ok. Promise me you won't say anything until I finish."

I was a little pissed, a lot sad, but this sounded important. So I agreed.

"Ok, I am going to be completely honest with you. Jenna has been cheating on you for three months. With me."

"What?" I had forgotten my promise to keep quiet until she finished. Jenna and Lexie together? Now I was starting to get angry.

"I said to wait until I finished."

"Sorry." I said it through gritted teeth.

"It's ok. I'm sure that it is quite the shock to you to hear that your girlfriend is having sex with your ex-girlfriend. I can't imagine what is going through your head. You must think the worst of us."

It was quite the shock. It was also when I began to realize that I wasn't losing Jenna to Aaron. I was losing her to Lexie. They had struck up some kind of bond over Aaron being an asshole. Where did this leave me is what I was wondering. Once again I felt like an outsider in what was supposed to be my own life.

"We were always meaning to tell you but we didn't know how you would react. Most guys would think it was awesome that their girlfriend likes girls too and try to get in the middle of it, but you aren't like most guys, Paul. You wouldn't look at what Jenna and I did the same way. We had to figure out how you felt about me first, so we planned to find out."

My head was spinning. Too much had already happened today and now even more was being piled onto the powder keg that was about to explode. My emotions were raw and I didn't know how much more of this I could take before my mind snapped for good.

"Jenna told me about the anniversary date that you had planned. So I told Aaron that I wanted to go out that night too. We went to the same club as you did and I think you know the rest. When I got home I waited for Jenna to call me. When she did I told her everything about what happened between me and you. She was so proud of you and how you wouldn't betray her. She was even proud that you didn't hate me like I feared you did. I can't tell you how happy I was to hear that you still loved me. It gave me hope."

I started staring at my feet. I couldn't hate her forever. I had spent three years with her. Lost my virginity to her. Yea, that's right. I have only had sex with two women. What can I say I am not one of these man-whores that run around fucking anything with two legs and a pussy. Lexie continued.

"We were talking about what was going to happen next when Aaron caught me on the phone. He had heard everything, and he was angry. Apparently, if he cheats on you it's ok, but if you cheat on him there is hell to pay. The look in his eyes was wild. I have never seen that look before and it scared me, Paul. I was so scared, and I had reason to be. I hung up the phone and Aaron grabbed me around the neck and chocked me. I didn't know he was capable of doing that to me. I never knew he was violent."

Lexie was openly sobbing now. It was kind of hard to understand her words but I could already feel the blood in my veins start to boil. The one thing you don't want me to catch you doing is causing harm to a woman. Nothing in this world angers me more. Lexie paused as though the next thing she was going to say was too hard for her.

"He raped, Paul. That night he was so rough and mean. It hurt so bad I could barely walk for two days. He hurt me so bad that I had to go to the doctor and they wanted to bring the cops into it but I thought it would only make things worse. I told him I was going to leave him and he threatened me. He said he was going to kill me and Jenna. That is why you walked in on us having sex. She was doing it to protect me. Aaron said that the only way to keep me safe was for her have sex with him too. He is such a monster. I couldn't believe he was like this all this time."

I didn't let her get another word out before I grabbed her by the hand and headed for the door. I must have had a look from hell on my face because she didn't fight me. She just tried to keep up. It wasn't long before we were out the door and standing next to my car. I could see the confusion on Lexie's face, but I was too angry to tell her what I was planning. I opened the door to the car and helped her in. I made my way to the driver's side and as I did I pulled out my phone. I called the police.

"Let me speak to Chief Ross please."

"Who is calling?"

"Paul West, I work for his brother."

Luckily, my boss was the chief of police's brother. I knew the chief very well. We sold the police department all the computers and equipment they used in their vehicles. I installed most of those units myself and got to know most of the officers that were on the force. They loved the new computers and told me if there was ever anything I needed from them to just ask. I was about to call in all those favors right now.

I opened my door and sat down. Lexie was still looking confused and when she found out I was on the line with the police she tried to stop me. A voice came over the line.

"Hello, this is Chief Ross."

"Hello Chief, it's Paul."

"Hey Paul, Dick tells me you are having quite the terrible day. I hope everything is alright, but why are you calling me?"

"Chief do you know Alexis Klonowski?

"Yea, I've heard of her. What does she have to do with anything?"

"I just learned she was raped about a month ago. If we know where to find the guy who did it and can prove she was raped is there any way you could arrest the guy who did it?"

"Absolutely, and if not for the rape I'll find something to pin on the son of a bitch who raped her."

Chief Ross was old school. "Protect and respect women" was one of his mottos. If you showed just the smallest disrespect for women, you made his shit list. No one wanted to be on the chief of police's shit list.

"Who are we going after?"

"Aaron Dietz."

"Oh is that so, well he has been a number one most wanted of mine for a while now. A doctor came by my office about a month ago with a report about a young woman he had treated for rape. Wouldn't give the girls name but gave the guy he suspected of doing it. I'm guessing you just found the girl."

"Yes sir. Do you know where he lives?"

"I'm dispatching two units as we speak."

"Thank you Chief Ross. We'll meet them there."

"In that case I'll come too. I have a feeling I will need to be there, and no need to thank me. I have been wanting to get that scum off the streets for a while now. If the girl is willing to testify I can promise you our friend Aaron will be going away for a long time."

I hung up the phone, started the car and tore out of the hotel parking lot. I was going to get there first and have my own words with Aaron before the cops showed up. I meant to kick his ass when he cheated on Jenna, and now I was going to do it.

I glanced over at Lexie who had some-what of a relieved and yet still nervous look on her face. I was pissed about her and Jenna. I was pissed about them lying to me. I was pissed at Jenna for not coming to me before things went too far, and I was really pissed that I was practically doing all this and at the end I was going to be alone again. I was going to take all that anger and pain and beat the hell out of Aaron. I'm sure my face had the look of mayhem on it. I don't hit women and any man who does isn't a man at all. He is nothing but scum. I'll be damned before I let any man I knew to get away with hurting a woman. I glanced at Alexis and she looked scared to death. I was going to murder that fucker for what he did to Jenna and Lexie. She needed to know I wasn't going to hurt her though.

"Don't worry Lexie, everything will be fine."

I managed a small smile, though I am sure she could still see the pain that was in my eyes. She weakly smiled back then turned to look at the road. Even as I drove faster than I probably should have, I couldn't help but think about all the things that had happened to day. My life had altered severely since this morning when Jenna and I kissed and hugged before I headed off to work. Now that I think about it she seemed reluctant to let me go as if she knew something terrible was going to happen today. I probably should have just stayed home, but then things would have just kept going as they have been. This was the better course for Jenna and Lexie even if I was a casualty.

I pulled up to Aaron's duplex. No sign of the cops, but it was only a few minutes before they would be there. I turned to Lexie and told her to stay in the car. This was between me and that piece of shit Aaron.

I was shaking as I made my way to the door. I wasn't nervous or scared more like wound up coil before you let it go, with all that potential energy stored up and ready to spring loose. I was going to spring loose alright. I was going to stomp his guts out.

I rang the doorbell as I reached the door. Something told me this would all look better if the door wasn't broken down. When the door opened and Aaron stood before me, my right hand balled up and with all my strength, I hit Aaron right in the chin. The force of my blow sent him hurling into the apartment. He hit the ground with a thud. I wasn't even close to being done though. I walked right up to him and stomped as hard as I could on his genitals. Aaron let out a howl of pain. This was personal. No one threatens my girlfriend and gets away with it. Just then Lexie came running in the door and grabbed me around the waist.

"Don't kill him Paul; there won't be anything left for the prisoners to rape when he is in prison."

I leaned down next to Aaron. He was dazed and still feeling the effects of the shot to his balls. I wanted him dead but being raped by some big black guy named bubba in prison sounded even better. I grabbed his chin and turned his eyes to me. I wanted his full attention.

"When you get to prison, I am going to make sure that all the inmates know that you are a child molester. When they get done with you, you will be begging for death."

Aaron's eyes went wide as saucers as he saw the cops come running through the door. He was caught and now nothing was going to save him. One of the officers grabbed my shoulder and pushed me out of the way. They handcuffed him and stood him up. Even now as he was being lead out the door he had a small grin on his face.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Did that little slut tell you everything? I bet she didn't."

"What are you talking about?"

"Did she tell you how I invited my friend Jack over and we double teamed your precious Jenna? Did she tell you how she moaned like a whore while we were inside her? How she begged for more when we were done?"

I looked at Lexie, and the look on her face told me that Aaron was telling the truth. It was one last jab at me. He was trying to hurt me and it worked. The anger flared up in me again.

"Ha-ha, she didn't tell you. Have fun going back to that used up bitch of yours"

I had heard enough so I swung at him again. I connected with his eye and it started to bleed.

"You are so getting sued for this. You cops are going to lose your jobs for letting him hit me."

The older cop walked up to Aaron and jabbed him hard in the gut. Aaron doubled over in pain and loss of breath.

"Looks like to me that you were resisting arrest and this nice citizen helped us apprehend a dangerous rapist."

"That's not the truth."

"Hehe, and who are they going to believe? Us, well respected cops and the chief of police or some asshole accused of rape. I think I am going to add extortion and fraud on those charges too. You should be able to see daylight in about 20 years. If you make it that long?"

The older cop got real close to Aaron's face. I am almost certain he could smell the cop's breath.

"Do you know what they do to people like you in prison? They rape you repeatedly. You are going to be somebody's bitch and they are going to literally screw your guts out. Have fun asshole."

Fear was in Aaron's eyes as they carried him to the car. I left him to his fate. They would do worse to him in prison than what I could ever imagine. I told Lexie to go pack some things that she was going to spend the night with Jenna at our house tonight. She was ready in about 20mins, so we piled all her stuff into the car. As we drove over to see Jenna, I couldn't help but think about what Aaron had said. It really ate away at me. I know he only said it to hurt me, but some things just get to you. Lexie must have known what I was thinking.

"He forced her to do it, Paul. She didn't want to. He raped her too."

"Is it true what he said? That she moaned and enjoyed it?"

"No Paul! She didn't enjoy it. She only made them think she did. She had too or they were just going to keep on hurting her. She really does love you. It tore her apart for them to do that to her." She paused for a moment.

"You believe me don't you?"

"I don't know. I should have just killed him."

"YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THIS." She was yelling at me.

I didn't know what to believe anymore. Sure I had taken my anger out on Aaron but now the pain and the loss were there. I was feeling empty as though I wasn't even alive anymore. I was losing control and when I finally did, it wasn't going to be good. My mind was torn into so many pieces. My soul was screaming from the ache. My body was sore to the bones. I just wanted it over. After what seemed like eternity we made it to the house. I just sat there in the seat and stared at the steering wheel. Lexie called my name and broke me out of my train of thought. I didn't know what to do anymore and I didn't like that feeling. The hopeless numb feeling was taking over. There wasn't much more that I could take.

I got out of the car and grabbed Lexie's bags from the back. Lexie grabbed a bag and ran for the door. She ran in and I could hear Jenna scream with surprise. I made my way to the porch and then in the door. As I made the corner to the living room, they came into sight. They were kissing and hugging. I could see that they really loved each other. I guess I wasn't wanted of needed anymore. Once again, I became the outsider. I sat Lexie's bags down on the floor; the noise got the attention of the two women making out in front of me. Jenna looked up with a gasp. Lexie turned her head and smiled at me and then turned back to Jenna.

"He saved me Jenna. He beat up Aaron and now Aaron is in jail for what he did to us. We can finally be together."

Right they could be together, without me. Jenna looked right at me and was about to say something, but she stopped. It was time for me to go. I wasn't welcome here in my own house, so I turned and walked back out the door.

"Paul?"

Her voice cut through me like a knife. I just wanted this to end. I was never going to be right again. I had lost too much tonight to ever be the same. She stood in the door way looking at me. I didn't want to face her or even look at her, but I forced myself to turn around.

"What Jenna?"

"Don't you want to come back in?"

"No, I don't."

"Paul please, I know there is a lot on your mind right now but I still need to talk to you."

"Talk? You cheated on me with Lexie. You lied to me about Lexie. You cheated on me again to protect Lexie. You manipulated me, and you used me. I don't think we have anything to talk about. I like to think of myself as a nice guy, but this is just too much. Talk? I'm not sure if I want to even see you ever again, either of you. I'm done Jenna."

"I'm broken." I lowered my head and turned to leave.

I could hear Jenna sobbing as I stood there. It was dark now. I could see her shadow from the outside light. I wanted to turn around and run up to her and take her into my arms. I wanted things to go back to the way they were. Could they? Could things be the same? No. Lexie was a part of it now. Things would have to change.

"Did you mean it?"

"What?"

"Earlier this afternoon, did you mean it when you said you loved his ... his cock?"

I turned to her to see what she was going to say. It probably wasn't a fair question, but I had to know. She looked me strait in the eyes.

"Jenna, I have to know. I obviously can't tell when you are lying. I need you to tell me the truth. Did you mean what you said?"

"No, I didn't. I didn't want to have sex with that asshole. I didn't even want to touch him. I hate him. I hope he rots in Jail. Every time he touched me I felt dirty, as though I was tainted."

I walked up to her and wrapped my arms around her. She did the same. I kissed her gently on the lips and assured her of how I felt about her. Lexie was watching from the door with a smile on her face.

"I love you so very much, but I need some time. I'm not saying it's over. I'm just saying I need some time. I still feel..."

"Broken. I know. I understand. I just hope you don't hate me."

"I'll never hate you. I know this wasn't your fault; it's just that I am not sure where we are going from here. When I get back we will talk about what the future holds for us, all three of us." Jenna looked up into my eyes with mild surprise that I would include Lexie into our future.

"I know you love her, and God help me I love her too, but I am not sure that I can share you with her. I'm not sure how I feel about all this. I have been so occupied with what has happened I haven't had a chance to think. Things have gotten so complicated."

"Take all the time you need. I'll be here waiting."

"We'll be here waiting." Lexie had come of the porch and joined us on the path. I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She smiled at me and pulled me in for a full blown French kiss. I was a little shocked and pleasantly surprised. Our tongues danced together. Lexie always kissed with a lot of passion. I returned her passion, it felt wonderful. When we pulled apart I looked at Jenna with concern. She just smiled and giggled a little.

"I have been waiting to do that again for over a year. I missed how you kiss me. You put your soul into it and it feels amazing."

"Well that was amazing. You sure you are ok with this?" It felt a little weird to be kissing my ex in front of my girlfriend.

"I'm very ok with it. How much time do you think you will need?"

"I don't know. Just a little time."

"Where are you going to go?"

"I don't know that either." Jenna looked a little disappointed. She was expecting me to just accept this new life but I had to think things through.

"Just don't leave town ok. I don't want to have to chase you down."

"I won't"

I gave them both a kiss goodbye and walked to my car. My mind was swimming and I didn't really have a destination in mind, somehow I ended up at the same seaside park where all of this began. I got out of the car and walked back to the same bench I had been contemplating to end it all. It seems strange how I went from wanting to die to wanting nothing more than to live the rest of my life with Jenna. Only problem now was that Alexis was back in the picture.

I sat down on and stared off into the ocean. The moon floated above the waters casting its silvery glow. I could see the waves crashing on the rocks in the distance. There was something very peaceful about this place. It was a great place to think and clear your mind.

I must have sat there for an hour just listening to the waves crashing against the rocks. Sitting on that bench under the light of the street lamp and the moon, my mind finally felt calm. After a long day of nothing but turmoil and heartache, I was ready for some peace.

What was I going to do? I loved Jenna with all my heart but could I share her. Sure it was with another woman and that woman loved me too, but things would get complicated. What if one of us had a fight? Would we be expected to take sides? Would I have to eventually choose between the two? What if Jenna or Lexie was forced to choose and I was left alone again? I could see a thousand ways this could go wrong and all of them eventually left me alone. If I made Jenna choose between the two of us who would she choose? I couldn't put her through that.