Her Pleasure His Pain

REALITY CHECKED

Nearly six months after our marriage had officially crumbled, Bry and I still shared the same space. She told me she couldn't afford to leave because she had poured all of her money into launching her business, and my income wouldn't allow me to because without my contract, my income had been cut in half. My endorsements had fallen off, and my goal to become a sports analyst was tougher than I imagined. Part of me was satisfied that my wife had indeed left SDG. But my contract was still part of their portfolio and no one could manage it like Bry had.

"Why don't you just leave?"

"Because I can't afford it."

I dropped a weight to the floor, then wiped beads of sweat from my face before lifting again. Preferring to grip a beer over iron, Chad took up space on one of the workout benches. As opposite as we were, we somehow formed an unlikely bond, one that I believed I could truly trust.

"Man, I would live in a cardboard box on Highway 5 before I shared a house with a bitch who gave me her ass to kiss while she was screwing someone else".

I thought about chunking a barbell at his chest, and he sensed it.

Shrugging, he innocently asked. "What?"

"Watch your mouth. That's still my wife."

"Then, I'm confused. How can you hate her guts, but defend her honor which she clearly didn't give a shit about."

"You ever been married, Chad?"

"Nope."

"Then, shut the fuck up."

"You've told me yourself that you can't stand her, so what am I missing?"

"She and I have issues, but that doesn't mean everything I've felt for her just up and fucking left. And as her husband, no other man will freely disrespect her in front of me, ever. Got it?"

Chad raised his right hand, then saluted me. "Sir, yes, sir."

The light tap on the doorframe caught our attention before I could respond.

"Hey, may I come in?'

Chad took a long swig of his beer, and I resumed lifting. Bry declared. "I'll take that as a yes."

Standing to dismiss himself, Chad dapped me up, then tipped his imaginary hat towards my wife. "Excuse me, madam, and good day," he replied before shaking his head, then leaving the room.

"What." I demanded the moment he disappeared down the hall.

"The Legacy Firm's VIP dinner is tonight. Have you given any more thought about going?"

"Nope." I answered, grunting with each curl.

"I wish you would. It would mean a lot to have you there."

"I don't give a shit."

Bry crossed her arms, tilted her head, then responded. "I don't get it. I heard what you said to Chad. So, how is it that one minute you're my knight in shining armor, then the next you're treating me like this."

Ignoring her, I lowered the weight for the final time, then started towards the treadmill.

"Justin."

"I'm not going, Bry."

"Fine." She replied before turning to storm away.

Glad to be alone, I finished my run, then stripped and disappeared into the sauna. Free balling, I drifted to sleep only to be awakened by a breeze of cool air.

"Shh." Bry whispered as she removed her towel, then stood before me in all of her God given glory.

"What's this supposed to do?"