Mt Best Friend's Ex

MY BEST FRIEND'S EX

CHAPTER 1

Wes and I have been friends most of our life. We went to school together. He and Barbara got married shortly after she graduated. I didn't know her at the time but we hit it off pretty well from the moment we met and became good friends. He and I are both 32. She is 30. I am not married. The 3 of us spend quite a bit of time together.. Some evenings, and some weekends. Hanging out, partying, playing cards, working on cars, grilling, whatever.

About 2 months ago Barbie started dressing and acting differently. She started wearing sexy clothes. And acting seductively. Not towards me, but towards Wes. Barbie is a good looking woman. She's not a beauty queen or anything, but quite attractive. She has long jet black hair, blue eyes, and a good figure. She's pretty petite so her tits aren't huge but they're perfect for her body size. She has a nice little butt and great legs. She actually has a kind of Mexican senorita look, but she's not. She had always worn jeans, or shorts, or conservative dresses, or slacks. Nothing provocative or extreme or any such thing. But now she has started wearing really tight jeans, short shorts, tight, short miniskirts, and tight low cut tops. Many times with no bra so her nipples are poking at her shirt. And she always has makeup and perfume on. She is always rubbing up against Wes, or hugging him, or sitting on his lap. Things she didn't used to do. Wes seemed to try to ignore her, and even to get away from her. I wondered what was going on. I even asked him one time, "What's up, Dude? Barbie is all over you and it looks like you don't like it. If a hottie like her was all over me like that I'd be on her in a heartbeat. What gives?"

"Nothing. I just need some alone time sometimes."

"I get that. But it looks like something's wrong. Anything you need to talk about?"

"No. Everything's fine."

"Okay. Whatever you say."

This continued for another month. She might have even ramped it up some more.

CHAPTER 2

One weekend Wes and I were working on an engine we were rebuilding for his 66 Impala. Barbie came out a few times and hugged or kissed him and asked if he wanted or needed anything. That day she was wearing tight, black, spandex shorts and a low cut sleeveless white top with no bra and her tits were pretty well displayed. She looked sexy as hell. Her ass and legs looked fantastic and her tits were practically spilling out of her top. I tried to be inconspicuous but I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. Wes told her the only thing he needed was a little space to work on this engine. She went back inside looking dejected. He said he was going to pick up the heads another friend of his had reworked at the shop where he works. He asked if I wanted to ride along. I said, "Actually I'd like to get these new pistons in if that's okay. Unless you want me to go with you."

"No. That's fine. I should be back in an hour or so."

Shortly after Wes left Barbie came out carrying 2 beers. She gave me one and popped the other open for herself. "Thanks. Great timing. I was getting pretty thirsty," I said.

"I thought you looked like you could use one." She didn't say anything else, just kind of stood there looking like she was thinking about something.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Well, to be honest, not really."

"Anything I can help with?"

"I hate to ask. And I'm reluctant to even bring it up. But, yeah, maybe you can help. If you don't mind?"

"Sure. Anything. What do you need?"

"Well. I don't know if you've noticed or not, but Wes doesn't seem interested in me anymore. No matter what I do he just ignores me. I wondered for a while if he was having an affair, but he's always here. Unless he's at work. And I don't think anything could be going on at a construction site. It's all men. We haven't made love in 6 months and I don't know what's wrong." She was starting to cry at this point.

"Hey. It's okay." I hugged her to try to console her. "I actually have noticed that you have been going out of your way to get his attention. I didn't know what was going on, but I noticed you dressing sexier and paying a lot of attention to him. I even asked him what was up. I told him if a beautiful, sexy woman like you was all over me like that I'd be all over her, too."

"Really? What did he say?"

"That nothing was wrong. That he just needed some alone time."

"Yeah. He told me the same thing. I don't know what to do. I'm worried that something's wrong and he won't talk to me. I hate to ask, but can you see if you can get any answers?"

"I'll try, but it seems like he's not willing to talk about whatever it is. He's been my best friend since elementary school and I've grown to love you, too. So if there's anything I can do I'll be happy to do it. I'm sure it's nothing serious, so don't worry yourself to death about it. Whatever it is, it will all work out."

"Do you really think I'm pretty and sexy? I'm afraid I've lost whatever made me attractive before."

"Ohh! Trust me. You have not lost it. You are very pretty. And sexy. I have a hard time being around you when you dress the way you are now. Don't get me wrong, I love it. But I'm ashamed of myself for looking at my best friend's wife like that. It's definitely not you."

"Thanks, Dennis. I love you, too. Thanks for talking to me and for being willing to help." She hugged me and I wiped the tears from her cheeks and held her for a minute.

She went back inside and I resumed working on the engine. Wes came back about then and we continued working on the engine and making small talk.

CHAPTER 3

Eventually I asked, "Wes? There's something that's been bothering me and I'd like to talk to you about it. Is that okay?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"Well. It's probably none of my business, but, the thing is, it looks like there's something wrong between you and Barbie. And that bothers me. Because you're my best friend and I've grown to love her, too. So if there's something wrong with you 2, it bothers me."

"Dennis. It's not something I want to talk about. Yes. There is a distance between us right now, and I'm not sure about it myself. So until I figure it out I can't really tell you anything. I appreciate your concern but there's really nothing anybody can do."

"It might help to talk about whatever it is. You know, sort things out. You're my best and oldest friend and I want to help. Just let me in."

"Dammit, Dennis! I said I don't want to talk about it. I don't know myself. I hate it."

"Well it ain't gonna go away all by itself. You're the only one who can do anything about it. And ignoring it ain't gonna change a thing."

He sat down on the bench there in the garage and bowed his head. It looked like he was beaten. I sat beside him and said, "Wes, whatever it is, it can be fixed. But you can't do it alone. Let me help."

He sat silent for a couple of minutes. Then he finally said, "I don't think you'd understand. I don't think anybody would."

"Try me."

After thinking about it again he said, "I'm not attracted to Barbara anymore."

"You mean you fell out of love with her?"

"No. I still love her. But. Well. I'm not attracted to her. Physically, I mean."

"How can that be? She's still the same person she was. Still beautiful. Still fun. And she obviously loves you. And wants you."

"I know all that. But. Shit! I guess I'm not the person I was. I don't get aroused by her anymore."

"Oh. Is there some problem? Hormones? Low testerone? Do you need a 'little blue pill'? There's no shame in that."

"No. It's not that. I don't know how to say it. I don't even know myself. I think maybe I'm... uh... fuck... I can't even say it."

"What? Can't say what? Tell me, Wes. What is it? Wait. You're not saying that you're... well... gay, are you?"

He looked over at me and said nothing. I could see he was having an internal struggle. Finally he nodded his head and said, "Yeah. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. I mean, I love Barbie. Always have and always will. But I'm not attracted to her. Sexually. And I've found myself looking at the guys at work and thinking things that I shouldn't be thinking."

I was gobsmacked. I didn't know what to say. Was he serious? I never would've even suspected that. It floored me.

"Do you hate me? I kinda hate myself."

"No. Of course not. I'm just shocked. I never would've guessed that in a million years. You were always with a girl in school. And even after graduating. Then married Barbie. Were you always attracted to guys, or is this something new?"

"I think I always was. But I didn't want to be. So I denied it and ignored it. I liked girls, and thought if I got married the thoughts of guys would go away, but they didn't. Now I don't know what I'm gonna do. I love Barbie and don't want to hurt her. But I know she needs a man that can make love to her. Physically, not just love her emotionally."

"Shit. Buddy, I don't know what to say. I'm afraid this is something I can't help with. I wish I could, but I'm at a loss. But I will always be here for you. Like I said, you're my oldest and best friend. But you know you gotta tell her."

"Yeah, I know. I just haven't figured out how." We sat quietly for a few minutes. Each with his own thoughts. Then, "Would you be there with me when I tell her?"

"Dude, I don't know. I feel like that's something that should be between just you two. You know?"

"Yeah. I know you're right. I'm just scared."

"I get that. But if you love her like you say you do, you owe it to her to tell her the truth. She's hurting now from not knowing what's going on. She asked me if I knew and was crying about it. So I think it's hurting her not knowing. They say the truth will set you free, and I believe it. Yeah, it's gonna hurt, but it's necessary to start healing."

"Yeah. You're right. I just gotta muster up the courage to do it. Thanks for talking to me. And I hope this doesn't change anything between us."

"Hell no. I don't care if you like girls or boys. I love you for who you are, not your sexual preferences." We hugged after that and decided that that was enough for today. Wes said he wanted to go in and shower and then talk to Barbie. I washed my hands and headed home.

CHAPTER 4

Wes called me the next day and said he had told Barbie. He said she took it pretty hard. She had left this morning to go to her mom's. He said she was really mad at him. I told him that was probably to be expected, and she would get over her anger. She was hurt and we get angry when we get hurt. We talked for a while and he said he was glad that it was out in the open now. That he hated that he had hurt her, but he knew it was better to tell her than keep living a lie and hurting her for longer. At least now maybe she could start healing after the initial shock and anger wore off a little.

I didn't know if I should contact her to offer my support or not. I do love her and care about her and it hurts me to know that she is hurting right now. I decided to just shoot her a short text saying 'I am here if you want to talk'. I guess that was a pretty good decision because she replied 'Thanks. I do, but not just yet. Thanks'.

I had asked Wes if he wanted to come over and hang out. He said that would be nice. That he needed a friend. So he came over and we spent most of the day together. Just talking and trying to figure out where he was going from here. He said he was relieved that it was out now but he felt like shit for hurting Barbie.

"Yeah. I'm sure. That's quite a secret to keep for all that time. And it was inevitably going to hurt her anyway. In fact it already was. As I told you she asked me if I knew what was going on with you. And she was really upset."

"Yeah. I know. That's the worst part of the whole thing. Hurting her."

His phone buzzed and he looked at it. He had a text from Barbie. He read it to me. 'I am angry as hell. But I appreciate your honesty. At least now I know. I can stop wondering what I did wrong.'

"Hey. That's a start," I said. "Sounds like she wants to forgive you even if she's not there yet."

"Maybe," he smiled.

Wes and I stayed in touch every day over the next week. By phone and texts, as we were both back at work. And I texted Barbie every day just to see how she was doing. Sometimes she replied, sometimes not. I know it is a lot for her to work through. On Friday I got a text from her asking if we could meet somewhere to talk. I told her of course and we made plans to meet at The Burger Joint, a little locally owned burger joint. We met in the parking lot and she hugged me and cried for a few minutes before we went in. While we ate she asked a lot of questions. Most of which I couldn't answer because I didn't know. I told her, "I learned of it the same day you did. It floored me. I never expected that. I encouraged him to tell you. I hope that was the right thing. I knew it would devastate you but I felt it better to tell you the truth rather than keep lying and hurting you. I hope I did the right thing."

"Yeah, it was. I hate it. And part of me hates him, too. But you're right. At least now I know, and I'm not wondering what the heck is wrong. I know I'll heal eventually and maybe now that process can begin. There was no way for it to begin as long as I didn't know what the problem was. I assume it was my asking you to talk to him that finally brought it out?"

"Yeah. He didn't want to talk at first. But finally the dam burst and he told me."

"I almost wish I hadn't asked you. I wanted to know what was wrong, but I was hoping it was something we could work on and fix. But I guess not. I did love him. DO love him. And I know he loves me, but I can't stay married to a man who doesn't want me. Sexually, I mean. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah. I understand completely. He will always be my friend, and so will you. I hope, anyway. I have grown to love you over the years and I hope we can remain friends."

"Of course. I love you, too. That's one reason I asked you to meet me today. You are a great friend and a wonderful person, and I want to stay friends with you. You've been a great help to me at times, and I appreciate it. But I was afraid that my leaving Wes would turn you against me."

"Hell no! I understand completely. Just because 2 people split up doesn't mean their friends have to split up, too. And I'm really glad you did ask to meet because I was worried that this would affect our friendship and I didn't want it to."

"As far as I'm concerned this doesn't change a thing between us. And I'm really happy to hear that you want to still be my friend."

"To be honest, I don't have a lot of friends. And I consider you one of my best. I need you. All of this is a little hard for me to process, too. So I'm glad as hell you want to still be my friend, also."

She came around to my side of the booth and sat down and hugged me. We finished our meal and talked for another hour or so, then went our separate ways.

CHAPTER 5

Over the next couple of months Wes and Barbie started finding their new normal. I spent a little time each week with both of them. Wes and I continued working on his car, hanging out, drinking a few beers, the normal stuff we always did. Barbie and I met a few times for a meal or a cup of coffee or a drink or 2. She was starting to accept it and forgive Wes a little at a time. But we all knew it would take time. She was still staying at her mom and dad's. I had met them before. They are good people and told her she could stay as long as she needed. And I know they meant it. She said that eventually she wanted to get her own place but right now it felt good being with people who loved her.

Wes and Barbie talked a few times over these couple of months. Mostly Wes trying to make amends to her for lying and deceiving her. And trying to explain that he wasn't sure himself up until now. And how he tried to deny that he was gay. He apologized for using her in his attempt to prove to himself that he was straight. And he explained to her that he truly did love her, it wasn't just a front to hide his homosexuality. He said that eventually it got to the point that he couldn't deny it any longer. She eventually forgave him and they started putting their lives back together. Separately.

CHAPTER 6

The following spring Barbie called and asked if I would like to come to a cookout she was having. I had not seen her in about 3 months, had only had phone and text conversations. She had moved into a little cottage down by the lake. I had not been there yet and was anxious to see where she was living. She said some people from work would be there, some of her friends, and a few friends that I know. I told her I would be there. That it sounded like fun. I asked her what I could do to help. She said, "Nothing, just show up." I asked if I could come early to help set up or anything and she said that would be great if I wanted to do that.

It was scheduled to start at 1 so I went at 11. I loved her place. It was small but perfect for 1 person. There was 1 bedroom, a bathroom, and a large living area/kitchen. It was in a wooded area near the lake. It was a beautiful setting. When I first got there we hugged and I stepped back to look at her. "Wow! You look great!" And she did. She had put on a little weight after the split, and wasn't taking very good care of herself for a while. But now she was back to her normal weight, had a nice tan, and looked like she was doing well. And I was really glad to see that. She was wearing a pair of jeans that looked like she had been poured into them and a Dallas Cowboys jersey tied in a knot at her midriff. A pair of boots finished off the outfit. Her ass filled out those jeans very nicely. She had cut her hair. It used to come to about halfway down her back. Now it was just past her shoulder blades. I spun her around to take in the whole view. "Very sexy."

"Thank you. And you look good, too. Looks like you're taking care of yourself."

"Thanks. I try to eat right and work out some to stay in shape."

There really wasn't much to do to get ready so we mostly just sat and talked. And that was nice. It was really good to see her and catch up. She said she was really glad that I had come early so we could talk. She said when I asked about coming early to set up she knew there wasn't anything to do but she kinda wanted me to come early anyway so we could visit a little while before the others showed up.

I asked if she wanted me to grill but she said that Bert had already volunteered. He was just doing hot dogs and hamburgers. And everybody was bringing a covered dish. People started coming in about 12:30. By 1 o'clock everybody was there. About 20 people, I'd guess. Some I knew, some I was just meeting. All in all a good group of friends. We had a wonderful time. By 4 o'clock it was all over and people were starting to leave. The last ones left at 4:30. I stayed and helped with what little clean up there was to do. Barbie asked if I wanted to stay a while and have a couple more beers or something. I said, "I'd love to stay a while, but no more beers. I'm on the bike. I'll just stick to soft drinks now."

We put on some music and sat and talked some more. She wanted to know how Wes was doing. I told her he was still struggling a little but was getting there. We talked about how she was dealing with all that had happened and what her future plans were. And how I was dealing with finding out my lifelong best friend was gay. It was an adjustment for me but it didn't change anything. When she started yawning I knew it was time to go. It was only about 7 PM but she had had a very full day. I hugged her and told her it had been a wonderful day. She kissed me on the cheek and said she was really happy that I had come. I went home and watched TV a while then went to bed.