Rebound Love

Monogamist

Archer

It has been weeks since I overheard my boyfriend, Jay's, secret call. I had once again regretted how I had easily jumped in bed with the man after a bad break up from my cheating ex-girlfriend, Hannah. Yes, it didn't take long for me to follow my old pattern and move into Jay's place. That was six months ago. I had hoped being with Jay would steer me clear of more cheaters.

I should've known better.

As numb as I was, I could feel it. I knew something was wrong when Jay started to put his phone, screen down when it would buzzed alerting of an incoming text. He sweetened his excuse by saying that no one was more important than his boyfriend, me. I knew the man was cheating when he started taking calls and moving away from my vicinity, telling me that it was work and that he didn't want to bother me. But I knew... and I knew I needed to move out of Jay's place and end things with him.

I had always been a serial monogamist. My sisters told me many times to break the habit of finding someone so close after my breakup. I should've listened to them. They told me that I was like a magnet for cheaters and with me playing for both teams I was abusing my heart for the feeling of wanting to be close to someone. I hated that as much as I needed it.

Sometimes when I was feeling down, I would let myself remember the time when I was locked in the school library, back in highschool. It was the best three hours of my life. The boy's name was Oakley. I thought that he was the most beautiful boy in school. He wore purple and pink a lot and it didn't make him look weird, but somehow it made him look even more handsome. Spending three hours with Oakley, I realized that I like boys too. Bisexual. I had googled the term on my laptop as soon as I got home that same day.

Back then I was still dating the Cheers captain so I did not do anything towards my sudden need to get to know the boy better. But those three hours had given me the perfect way of basking in Oakley's presence. His gorgeous smile, his melodious laughter, and the way he easily told me stories about his parents and friends. I had quietly realized that I was crushing on him.

I had tried to find my version of Oakley after leaving high school. I dated a lot in college, both men and women. Everyone in my family was supportive of my choices as long as I was safe. My older sisters were protective and advised me many times to take things easy and not rush into things. But since I was young, I had been a lover. I loved my partners and I loved them hard until one-day disappointment comes along and the process repeats itself all over again.

"I know you're cheating on me." I finally confronted Jay when he walked into the kitchen.

Jay looked defeated, he knew that he was caught. And yet, he still tries to defend himself. "Look, Archer...I didn't mean to. This was just a one-time thing, baby, I'm sorry, this was my fault. You know I love you, and you know that I'm a weak man." Jay had his arms around me and started kissing the side of my neck. The one spot he knew perfectly that was going to melt me into a puddle of goo. Jay had the perfect male beauty, his body was perfection, his face was handsome and his voice was as sweet as honey.

"Jay, please, not now..." My hands were on his chest, I was supposed to push him away. But when Jay's hands slipped under my sweatpants and cupped my bare ass, I knew that I was losing the battle.

"Jay..."

"Shh...baby, let me make it right. You know I love you." Jay pushed my pants down and got on his knees. I was speechless, my train of thought was stunted when my boyfriend deep-throated my d**k. My fingers were grasping the strands of my cheating man. I should have stopped him but the man was gagging on my c**k and it didn't take long before I sat on the sofa and Jay rode me like he hadn't cheated on me so many times before. It was not after Jay finally drifted off from exhaustion, that I started quietly packing my clothes.

When I moved in with Jay I didn't pack much, mostly clothes, shoes, and other personal belongings. As I packed and moved them to my car, Jay was still out like a light and didn't even notice that I was moving out.

Yes, it was a cowardly move. But I was afraid that the man would persuade me to stay. After all, it wasn't Jay who was weak. It was me. I had proved it many times before with my failed relationships.

When my car stopped at my old apartment building where my best buddy was living, I knew I was going to get scolded for moving in with Jay. Gabe warned me about Jay. It was either Gabe or my sisters and the two women would be more vicious than my best friend. So I opted for the lesser one.

"Dude, I've known you since high school. I told you that your cheer captain was hooking up with your fellow quarterback and you didn't believe me. And now, you're going through the process all over again. Shit...man, I've never wished your luck on my worst enemy." Gabe sighed after letting me into his place.

Gabe could see that I was drowning myself in self-pity and my best friend did not like it.

"Let's get you settled in before you get yourself in trouble again." Gabe chuckled, shaking his head. He was trying to lighten up the situation before he continued. "You know, you should just move your stuff here. It'll be like college all over again."

I smiled and shook my head, I hugged my very straight best buddy and sat on his living room sofa. Gabe and I attended the same law school, we shared the same dorm room before moving out to a two-bedroom apartment near campus so we could bring our s*x partners and have them stay over. Both of us were sexually deprived college students, I appreciate that Gabe never questioned my preference. Though my short-lived monogamist lifestyle had the man question my choices in men and women.

"Careful there, Gabe, I might take you up on that. Maybe it's better to have my stuff at yours than in some storage. And...I don't have to wonder if you're home or if I can invade your privacy when people cheat on me."

"f**k, Archer, do you always make a guy feels good about his life choices?" It was Gabe's turn to shake his head. He motioned for me to relax, took my shoes and jacket off, while he grabbed both of us a pack of beers.

"Cause I care about you, and I don't want you to have a shitty hangover at the office tomorrow." He plucked a can of beer, gave one to me, and took one for himself.

"s**t, Gabe, I know what you told me about Jay, also Hannah, but they're too beautiful. And Jay can be the sweetest, and his ass...fuck, the man can move those hips and sucks c**k like a champ."

My words made Gabe laugh, he was thankful that he wasn't gulping his beer. "I can see how you choose them. I'm glad you have your priorities lined up when you pick your lovers."

"Hey! Rather me than you and your eternal bachelor lifestyle. I'm almost scared to stay here with your revolving door for your women. I am pretty sure that you have exhausted those dating apps by now, but you always prove me wrong."

Gabe chuckled. I was glad that he didn't push on my issues, cause I was so sure that Jay was it for me. Well, mostly because I was twenty-eight. I always assumed that I would've settled down by now.

"So now that Jay's out, you're coming with me to our high school reunion, right?"

I took a big gulp of the beer. I wasn't planning on attending the event. I thought it was a waste of time. High school was okay, but every time I remembered about my teen years, my mind kept on getting back to Oakley. I hated that I didn't trust my guts enough and was too scared to get closer to the beautiful boy. But I was still dating my girlfriend and like my usual foolish self, I didn't notice the signs quickly enough. Not until I caught her making out with one of my teammates.

"I'm going to trust you to keep me safe there, Gabe. I'm not ready for a new relationship. I'm going to take your advice and take a couple of months off before committing myself to a new relationship."

"And you promised you wouldn't get involved with the first person that caught your eyes at the reunion?" Gabe raised his eyebrow, telling me that he was obviously not convinced.

"Pinky swear." I mocked my best friend and gave him my pinkie finger.

"f**k, let's do it like real men and spit on it." Gabe spit on his palm and offered his hand to me.

"Gross, dude, not with you. Spitting palm is only done when you want to handle another man's dick."

"f**k, I didn't think of that...eww," Gabe scrunched his nose and went to the kitchen sink to wash his hand. "Okay, we'll pinkie swear. But I'll deny this ever happened. I have a reputation to uphold." His face was all too serious when he shoved his pinkie finger, I laughed thinking that I was going to be okay.

I would recover. My heart would cope with the hurt and I will bounce back and find another lover to love. It's a rinse and repeat process but I know that I was not going to stop until I found my perfect someone.