Jeff spotted Suzie’s shirt and bra lying on the floor where he had thrown it. Had his mom noticed? He picked it up and took the stairs two at a time then tossed it to Suzie. “You better get going.”
“Yeah,” was all she replied. He stared at her silently as she got dressed then guided her out to a hidden deck surrounded by thick brush. He pulled her in for one more passionate kiss and then led her through a secret path that led to one of the paths she had walked earlier.
“Go that way,” he pointed, “and you will get back to the cabin.” Then he slipped back into hiding in the trees.
Suzie walked a few steps in the direction he had gestured and then turned to look. Jeff was gone. A few steps further was a bench and Suzie sat down. She could not see if Jeff was still watching, but from the forest he could see her clearly and he studied her while she thought she was alone. Suzie hung her head and rubbed her temples with her palms. Then she stretched out and sat elongated in pensive thought. She felt on the edge of two worlds. It fascinated her that Jeff had been in the studio this afternoon, that no matter how hard she tried she could not get away from him, from his smell, from his touch. She moaned thinking about the things he did to her. No man had made her feel like that and here, alone in the forest she relished the feeling. The way he touched her was rough needing and pushy. She moaned again and let her hand wander under her pants, feeling her wetness. She rubbed herself, thinking about Jeff wanting to paint her, seeing his look when she was naked in front of him. If only they had enough time to rid themselves of their passion for each other. Maybe it was a temporary thing that just needed to be rubbed out. Suzie moaned again still touching herself, her hand a terrible replacement for Jeff. She cried out in frustration and pulled at her clothes. Jeff, still watching from the trees trembled with excitement and arousal seeing her move her hands up her body and wishing they were his. She stopped at her breasts and fondled them herself, licking her lips. She wiggled in her seat, eyes closed and remembering. Jeff was holding himself back, bulging out of his pants wanting to go to her and take her right there on the bench.
Both of them snapped to attention when they heard voices on the path; it was Jared and Helen. Suzie sat up and smoothed out her clothes, shaking her head at her own lust. Jeff, feeling angry at whoever was walking towards them, got angrier still when he saw Jared walking up the path. How could Suzie be Jared’s when she was so clearly better off with Jeff? How could Suzie not see it? Jeff wondered.
Jared ran up to Suzie for an embrace and Jeff slipped away before he had to witness it. He wasn’t quiet; his anger caused him to stomp through the forest back to the studio. The three on the path stopped when they heard him and Suzie looked in surprise at the hidden entry way, had Jeff been watching her? Helen suggested it was a deer or other large animal and they went back to the cabin for supper.
Back at the cabin Jared was animated, talking about his afternoon on the lake. They had caught fish and his dad was making fish and chips. Fortunately, Suzie could smile and let him carry on the conversation with excitement. They were all surprised when Jeff joined them for supper.
“What are you doing here?” Jared asked. “I thought you went home.”
“Yeah, I came here instead,” Jeff said, offering no further explanation.
“When did you get here? Where you been hiding? You missed an epic boat ride,” Jared said.
“I am here now, stop the interrogation,” Jeff said with irritation.
“Wow, someone needs to get laid,” Jared joked.
“What the fuck do you know?” Jeff said and stormed into the kitchen. Helen followed while his dad chided his language and sipped his beer.
Jared joked and Suzie pretended to laugh but she was shocked. It was hard to see them together especially when she knew she would have to tell Jared. But what. Maybe she could leave Jeff out of it all together. She did not like to hear them fight and she knew she was the cause of their stress even if Jared did not. After a while, Jeff returned with his mom at his side. He mumbled a sorry to Jared and sat down. Jared passed him a beer and told him to chill out. Jeff scowled and said nothing.
As supper progressed Suzie’s tension rose. She tried to be polite as Jeff, Jared and their parents carried on, what must be typical family conversation. Smiling she answered questions and politely declined more food. She felt sick. What kind of sick person could play both brothers like that? She had come here to clear her head and forget about Jeff, how the hell did he always turn up to tantalize her. After supper was over she excused herself and went and sat in the deck swing. Rocking, she watched from a distance as Helen tried to persuade Jeff to talk about his painting. He stopped her before she could speak and spoke with Jared about coming back to his place so he could finish the job. Jared made a joke about having to share everything with Jeff and Jeff did not laugh. Instead he pushed away from the table and said he would find somewhere else to stay if sharing was such a problem. Jared got defensive, tired of placating Jeff.
“What is your problem? What are you so angry about? Why does everything have to be a competition with you?” he asked, getting in his brother’s face.
“Back off pretty boy. You and your perfect life. Life is a competition, there is not enough meat to go round,” Jeff said pushing into Jared.
“Evading questions as usual. Since when have you started hiding stuff from me? We are twins remember? We used to be able to read each other’s minds,” Jared said, backing off a little.
“So read my mind now.” He looked right in his brother’s eyes and waited. “Yeah, that is little kid stuff, we are men now and all bets are off.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? We are still brothers. And since when have you ever wanted anything I have?” Jared asked, sounding angry again.
“Since…since,” Jeff began but Suzie cut him off. She had heard enough.
“Hey,” she said, touching Jared’s arm. “Let’s go for a walk.”
Both brothers stopped and looked at her. While Jared leaned down to kiss her cheek and agree, she saw Jeff’s eyes, hungry, angry, wanting. She bit her lip and turned and walked away with Jared. Silently they walked hand in hand down the path to the spot where Jared had taken her previously, their special spot. She felt sick again but knew she had to put an end to this, or at least try. The problem was she had no idea what to say. When they reached the spot, they sat down. Jared spoke for a while about his brother and how he was worried something was going on with Jeff. Suzie let him speak, not giving any feedback and then they sat quietly for a time.
“I have something I have to tell you,” Suzie started.
“I thought you wanted to wait until the drive home,” Jared said.
“Maybe I should, but it cannot wait anymore. I don’t want to lie to you,” Suzie said.
“Ok, go for it,” Jared said, sounding nervous.
“I don’t know how,” Suzie said. When Jared did not move, she put her hand on his and took a breath. “First, I am sorry things seem strange between us. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“Any of what to happen?” Jared asked, getting agitated. Suzie started mumbling again and Jared stopped her. “Just say it.”
“Ok. I met someone. It wasn’t intentional, but something happened and I didn’t know how to tell you because I still want you,” Suzie said, knowing it had only just begun.