Just One Bite

Russel, first boyfriend

Looking back, I wonder how I stayed with such a prat for seven years. He was moody, selfish, played mind games. Mediocre sex. I thought he was the best I could get.

Pete, husband

I fell hard for the next guy to treat me well.

Apparently it takes twice as long as the relationship to get over it. That held true. Fourteen years in, marriage, kids... something shifted.

David

We've known each other since primary school. Never dated, never even kissed. I crushed on him for years when we were kids. He had no idea. I told no one.

What possessed me to admit it to him all these years later?

Two, three, four times that tender-stemmed treat almost broke off the branch. If I'd responded, I'd have had him. I know it. I could feel the heat of his skin, the delicious crackle between us...

Some part of me, (eleven years old, scrawny, gappy teeth) gazed across the years at me, fizzing all over. Some bit of me hissed, you'll regret not having a taste.

When I thought I was close to caving, I talked myself out of it. I've built it up in my head, it won't be that good. It'd be risking everything for a second-rate shag!

Temptation courts you. You don't resist it once. You choose to, over and over. Until...

It happened outside a pizza joint on a Thursday night. I could've said, "wanna fuck?" But I wanted the whole dance: the looks, the smiles, the touches. Dancing with the boundaries we'd made.

We tumbled into a hotel room around 2am. It was better than I'd told myself it wouldn't be.

Why did we linger outside after? Probably because we both knew, just this one time. His arms delicious around my waist, his eyes intense.

Then it goes blurry. I didn't hear the shots I 'til after I was hit. I looked down, and the world looked wrong. There's the hotel beyond my feet... blood on my shirt, my hand... And David, dying in front of me.

I'm dying, too. I'll never get to explain myself, to say sorry. And even if I survive this, I'll lose everything.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Word count, excluding note: 366 Submitted on Tuesday 10th June at 21.47

*Quick Author's Note* First, and most importantly: thank you so much for reading my story! The ha'penny that Vocal will toss in my hat for your eyeballs landing on this humble piece will be well-spent. I might open a dog shelter and just make it the most luxurious fucking dog shelter you've ever seen.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another! A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 163 day streak since 1st January.

Please do consider lending your support to the other creators who are also on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They are putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

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Thank you! Thank you again, most sincerely. Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! 😁 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +