Broken
989 Words
(Sarah’s POV)
The wipers slapped uselessly against the windshield, smearing snow into streaks. The power outage hit the whole county, even the hospital went to generators, but they sent non-essential staff home. I’d been gone less than twelve hours and already I missed Jake. 4 years married, and I still smiled like an i***t thinking about him waiting with the fire going and Jess probably raiding the eggnog. Christmas was supposed to be cozy this year. Just us three.
I turned up the heat, hummed along to some old carol on the radio, picturing Jake’s arms around me the second I walked in.
All I could think about was surprising Jake and Jess with hot cocoa and the leftover pie from last night. Jess being here made it even better. My little sister; Family.
The driveway was already buried in snow, so I parked anyways, turned off the engine and grabbed my bag.
Snow crunched under my boots all the way to the porch. Key on the lock.
I open.
“Honey? The power’s out everywhere, I had to turn back-”
Phone flashlight swept the living room.
My heart literally skipped a beat seeing what I saw💔
Jake, my Jake buried inside Jessica. Her legs locked around his waist, ankles crossed behind his back. Both of them naked, sweat-slick, flushed. reeking the smell of c*m.
The beam shook in my hand.
Jake’s head snapped up. Eyes wide. “Sarah-”
Jessica didn't say anything, just froze, mouth open, like she's didn't just have s*x with my husband
I couldn’t breathe. Four f*****g years of trust, of late-night talks, of building a life. And here he was, f*****g my little sister on our couch
“It’s not what it looks like,” Jake stammered, scrambling for his jeans.
I laughed, sharp and short, broken. “Don’t.”
He stood, hands out like I was a startled animal. “Sarah, please..let me just explain—”
I backed up. Slammed the door so hard the glass broke down. Snow swirled in behind me as I stumbled down the steps.
“Sarah! Wait! Please..”
I reached the car, yanked the door open.
Jake was barefoot in the snow, jeans half-zipped, shirtless, running after me.
I slid behind the wheel and locked the doors. He reached the driver’s side, banging on the window.
“Open the door! Please,, just talk to me!”
I stared straight ahead without looking at him, felt looking at him would make it worse. Tears burning my eyes, but my voice came out finally. “If you follow me, I’ll call the cops on you.”
His hand froze on the glass, eyes wide, pleading -- Hurt. Like he had any right to look hurt.
I threw the car into reverse so hard the tires split in the snow floor. Tires spun once in the snow, then caught. I peeled out, leaving him standing there in the dark, shrinking in the rearview.
I drove. Didn’t know where, but I know I ended up at O’Malley’s.
The dive bar on the edge of town that never closes. Neon sign flickering through the snow. Parked crooked, walked in.
Inside smelled like stale beer and wet coats. Christmas lights strung crooked over the bar. I took a stool at the far end. Ordered whiskey. Then another. Then switched to beer because the whiskey burned too much.
I kept drinking.
At the other end of the bar,
A group of guys-barely nineteen, twenty-took over the pool table. College kids home for break I guess. They were loud, laughing, doing shots. Some drinking game - chugging beers fastest, loser buys the next round. They were drunk already, but still going. Shirts tight over gym bodies.
One stood out - tall, broad shoulders, dark hair, sleeves rolled up showing thick forearms. He caught me looking, then he smirked. I looked away.
Then looked back.
They kept going. One after another. Faces red and voices slurring. I watched them like they were on TV. Numb. Sipping another beer every minute
The tall one broke away from the group. Walked over, and leaned on the bar next to me.
.“Hey… you okay, beautiful? You look like you could use some company.” I laughed. It sounded hollow even to me. “Company? Sure. Why the hell not.”
I shrugged, took another sip. “Fine.”
“You don’t look fine.” He nodded at my empty glass. “Next one’s on me.”
I didn’t argue.
He sat close. Thigh brushing mine. Smelled like beer and cologne and snow. “Name’s Tyler”
I didn’t give mine.
His friends noticed. Started drifting over one after the other. One touched my shoulder- a light touch. Another brushed my arm. I could have pulled away, should had left at their touches
But I didn’t.
Heartbreak and beer does something to your decision making Makes the rules feel stupid.
Tyler’s hand landed on my knee, and squeezed it. I felt his masculine warm grip,
I let it stay.
Another guy;blond, tattoos—leaned in from the other side. Fingers trailing up my back under my coat. “You look like you need to forget tonight.”
I closed my eyes and nodded once.
Hands everywhere now, gentle at first, then bolder. Ryan’s mouth on my neck. Someone’s fingers sliding under my sweater, brushing my n****e. I shivered.
The bartender looked the other way.
Tyler whispered in my ear. “Got a Motel down the street. Come with us.”
I thought of saying no, I was married
I nodded
Fu*k Jake
They helped me off the stool, their steps stumbling while their arms around my waist, laughing like they’d won the lottery.
She exited the bar
The cold air hit my face as they led me outside toward a beat-up SUV.
I didn’t bother looking back, neither did I care where they took me.
- Writer
