West Coast

1

I sat down on the couch in front of my husband, John. Earlier he said he wanted to talk and I've been a nervous wreck ever since. We've been married for two years and together for four. He's always wanted kids and a big family, but I don't. Well, I have a fifteen year old daughter, Evie, but she isn't Johns.

"You said you wanted to talk?" I wipe my hands on my legs to try and wipe off the sweat collecting on them. I have naturally clammy hands, but they get even worse when I'm nervous. It's something John doesn't like about me.

"I love you so much Penny," he says and my stomach starts to drop. "I don't want a divorce, that's the last thing I want, but I'm just not finding myself sexually attracted to you."

"Oh," I say wildly confused and hurt.

John clears his throat and lick his lips before speaking again. "So, what I'm thinking is, we stay married, but we can have sex with one other person."

I stare at him still confused, and hurt.

"Are you okay with this?" He asks and suddenly, I find myself not attracted to him anymore at all. So I agree. "Yea if that's what you want," I shrug like I'm not bothered by it, but I am.

"Okay, so the rules are—"

"Rules?" I ask, not really understanding how their could be rules to something like this.

"Yes Penny, rules. We have to come home to each other every night and sleep in the same bed. We can only have one other partner at a time. We can't fall in love with our other partner. We can't have a baby with them. We have to meet each other's partners. When we meet each other's partner, we can't be jealous. And, we must always tell each other we love each other everyday," he says.

I stare at him with the same confused expression. Still not fully understanding what's happening, but I go with it. "Okay. That sounds fair," I say.

"Also, I think it would be best if Evie didn't meet our other people," he says and I'm taken aback and a little frustrated. "She can meet my other person if she wants to," I say and he looks at me confused.

"I think it's best if we keep her out of this," he says and I roll my eyes.

"John listen—"

"I've been in Evie's life for four years, I know what's best for her," he says.

"And I've been in her life for fifteen years, not to mention I created her. I think I know what's best for her and if she wants to meet my other person she can. And if she doesn't, she doesn't have to. She's old enough to make that decision herself," I say.

"Fine!" He shouts and I hold back a laugh. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable," he says as he gets up.

Too late.

"But I've already found my other person. She's outside waiting to meet you," John says as he walks to the door.

"Well that's great. Sorry I don't have anyone else for you to meet considering you just told me about this today. Don't worry I'll be better prepared next time," I sarcastically say as I also stand up.

"Penny. Be nice please," he begs and I roll my eyes and wait for him to open the door.

A woman with dark hair walks in. She smiles at John and he pulls her in for a hug and kiss.

I'm right here. You could've at least waited until I was gone.

"Hi," she says when she sees me. I watch as she carefully approaches me like I have snakes all around my body. Lets get this straight, I'm not the snake here. John is.

"I'm Olivia," she says as she sticks her hand out for me to shake. And I do. I shake it with a tight, firm grip. I really wanted to squeeze as hard as I could and make her cry out in pain for stealing my husband, but the mature side of me kicked in.

Plus one of the rules: can't get jealous.

Dumbass rule. Who's not gonna get fucking jealous.

"Okay, well, now that you guys met... Penny, do you think you could leave so Olivia and I can have some alone time?" John asks.

"Oh right, how silly of me. I'll just leave my house, that I clean and pay for. It's no problem really," I say as I put my shoes on and grab my purse and coat before leaving.

I go to slam the door, but leave it open instead as I walk to my car. "Fucking bitches. Karmas gonna bite him in the ass when I get a hot other person," I mumble as I turn my car on.

I don't know exactly where I'm going until I end up at a local bar called "Hulks Place". Not really sure where the name came from, but I know the guy that runs it, Bruce Banner. He's an old friend I met in college.

"I don't know what to do Bruce," I complain as he hands me my drink.

"Yea, good luck finding someone who'll agree to that," Bruce chuckles and I glare at him so he stops.

"No chance you'd agree huh?" I joke.

"Nope," he says and I sigh as I look around the bar for an eligible bachelor.

"Do you think Natasha would have anyone?" I ask and Bruce's face turns red. "Right sorry, I forget. I'm so sorry, Bruce."

Of course I would forget that Bruce and Natasha broke up. Only I would pull a stunt like this.

"It's alright. I know she's your friend," he says.

"Yea, but you're my best friend."

He smiles at me and ruffles my hair. "Hey man, I gotta look fresh if I wanna pick some babe up," I joke and he rolls his eyes as he walks away to serve someone else.