King of Hearts

Story Submitted by Emma:

I met Derek at a party that some musician friends of mine were having.  He played some songs for us on acoustic guitar, and I was close to smitten.  Trouble was, I was also really shy.

It didn't end up mattering, as a mutual friend introduced us after his set.  I felt like I made an idiot out of myself, mumbling, stammering, and doing everything wrong.  Derek, though, didn't seem to notice, or he was at least kind enough to ignore it.  It felt great to have his attention, and I don't remember feeling that way too often before.

I gave him my number and he promised to call.  Call he did, and we scheduled a date.

It was a dreamy night, from what I can remember.  He took me out to a sidewalk bistro, we went stargazing, and he kissed me. 

I told my friend about it by phone afterward, and she said, "I'm happy for you.  What does Derek's girlfriend think about it?"

Derek had a girlfriend who went to college in the next state.  He saw her on weekends.  From what I was told, they were very much exclusive, but I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.  Maybe my friend had some details wrong.  Maybe Derek and his girlfriend had broken up recently and my friend didn't know it.

My second time out with Derek, he took me out for a picnic.  Soon after we sat down, I asked him about it point blank.  He asked, "What do you want me to do?  Choose one or the other?  I'm not married to her."

I said, "That's not the point.  Are you exclusive?"

He said, "We're not married, so no."

"But are you in an exclusive relationship?"

He reached into his pocket and slammed something down on my thigh.

A condom.

He said, "This was going to be for you, today.  Now I'm not so sure if I want to use it."

I thought for a moment and said, "Derek, you can still use it."

He took it off of me and said, "Good."

And I finished, "On yourself."  I left him there, but he wasn't done.  He chased after me and stopped me.  He asked, "What's the problem?  I'm seeing her, I'm seeing four other people.  What does it matter?  I'm not married.  I can do what I want."

I said, "But does your girlfriend know that you're not exclusive?"

He said, "If she did, then she wouldn't be my girlfriend anymore."

I said, "I can't do this.  I'm sorry.  Please leave me alone."

"I really want to fuck you," he said.

"I know," I replied, and continued on my way, heartbroken, but at least not involved with any kind of relationship with a dishonest guy like him.