I waited until Theo fell asleep . I didn't want to leave but I knew I had kids to tuck in. Yeah it's 1 am, but they refuse to go to sleep without it.

I quietly opened the door, hoping for it to not squeak. I took my shoes off before I entered the house so I didn't make noise. I carefully placed them on the welcome mat inside, and walked to the kitchen.

It was dark, I opened the fridge to find what dinner was, disappointed to see nothing but jugs of water, and soda pop.

"Where have you been?" Meredith asked from be hind me, startling me slightly. I turned around to meet her gaze I knew was burning threw my soul.

Every time I'm with him I feel so guilty, but I feel so addicted, attached.

I breath in. I can do this. I can lie. A simple lie.

"I wasn't with a girl, I was actually out getting us a marriage counselor," I lied. I knew it was a stretch but maybe Theo could help us through this.

She breathed out. Her makeup was clearly running down her face before. She came towards me.

"I'm so sorry maximus , I really am," she hugged me tightly. I couldn't help but let some tears roll out. I hugged her back. God why do I have to lie.

We sat there for awhile. Sure, I didn't know what to think or what to feel. But All I know is that this is my family.

And maybe I shouldn't mess it up

I pulled away.

"I'm going upstairs to tuck Wendy and tommy in," I said. She nodded and got herself a glass of water.

I walked up the stairs. I heard the little voices chattering. I lightly pressed the door open.

"Daddy!" Wendy said, turning over to shake her brother awake.

I smiled softly, her brown hair was in a messy tornado , Tommy's was too, but his matched a wheat Field.

"Hey, why aren't you guys asleep?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"We were waiting for you daddy," tommy said, rubbing his eyes with his chubby fingers.

"Well I'm here, now let's get you burritos tucked in," I said.

I got Wendy and layed her straight, tucking the blanket in at her sides. I then kissed her forehead.

I walked over and did the same to tommy.

"Goodnight, I love you both, so much," I said, walking out of their room. I shut their door and walked to my own room.

Meredith walked in shortly after.

She gave me quiet eyes. Bags were under her eyes and they were stained black from her makeup.

"Did you not want to eat anything?" She said, her limbs frail.

"No, it's alright. Much too late for that," I said. She nodded.

"I'm sorry," I said.

She turned her head to me.

I kissed her cheek. She weakly smiled.

"I love you," I said. Her eyes got sad again.

"I love you too, more than you'll ever know," and with that she drifted to sleep.

______________________________

I woke up and immediately got ready.

I have to ask theo .

I got in my truck and pulled up to his house.

I knocked on the door. He opened it , smiling. His hair was falling into his eyes. God he's so gorgeous. No. Stop. You're trying to fix things remember.

"Hey, you didn't stay last night?" He asked. I shook my head.

"I had to tuck my kids in. I actually came here to ask you something," I said. He smiled.

"Well go on," he said. Eyes squinted.

"Would you counsel me and Meredith?" I asked. His smile dropped.

"What?" He said, looking down.

"I thought since you used to be a marriage counselor you could counsel us, but if you don't want to do it it's fine I can find someone else if you want me to-" he cut me off

"I- uh, no, no I'll do it," he said, giving me a quite clearly forced smile. I nodded, and took his hands in mine.

"Thank you," he blushed. Stop. No more. You had your fun now no more.

"Here, come to my car I'll drive you to my house," I said, he nodded and followed me .

We got in and turned the radio on.

You're much too good to be true

Can't keep my eyes off of you

He sang along, the sunlight hitting his brown eyes and making his skin glow.

God. I'm really in trouble.

We pulled up to my house and got out of the car.

"Wow, your house is huge," he said in awe.

"Thank you," I smiled. We walked in and my wife was in the kitchen .

"Well hello! I'm Meredith nice to meet you!" She said, giving him a gentle hug. He looked a little uncomfortable.

"Nice to meet you too mrs.." he started.

I whispered ,"barrons," he nodded and smiled.

"Nice to meet you too mrs. Barrons, you really are as beautiful as he described," he said. Meredith smiled and gushed.

"Oh you, now, would you like some banana bread? I made some earlier," she said. Theo nodded and followed her into the kitchen .

_____________________

Theo's pov

After I ate the quite delicious banana bread we sat down on his couch in the living room.

"So what do you want to discuss today," I said. God it was so weird pretending me and max were strangers. And she keeps calling him maximus . I hate it.

"Well, we've been having more fights than usual, and some trust issues," she said , kind of quiet.

She really was beautiful. But I couldn't help be jealous, even if it was for just a few moments any time he smiled at her or when she looked at him. God I want him. So much. It's like overnight he changed into a completely different person.

"What are the fights usually about," I said, as if I didn't know he doesn't touch her . As if I didn't know she doesn't scream at him for sleeping with other women even though he doesn't. No. He sleeps with another man.

And it's me.

"Well , I , it's usually about cheating," she said, and her tone completely changed from her perky state , to a destroyed woman.

I almost felt awful.

"Has he cheated?" I asked her. She looked at me with her rainy eyes.

"I, I don't know, ask him," she said. I turned to him.

"Max-uh-Maximus , have you cheated on your wife?" I asked. This was so weird. God. The tension could be cut with a knife. He went a little pink, but I'm sure only I noticed.

"No, I haven't. I'm not sure why she thinks I have," he lied. I looked towards his neck in search of the hickeys I left last night. They were covered by a collar on a button up t-shirt.

"Well, mrs. Barrons, why do you think he's cheated on you?" I asked. Max was staring at me out of the corner of my eye. He was staring at my crotch. Was this his whole plan? To get me hard in front of his wife?

"He doesn't touch me anymore. We haven't had sex since we had tommy," she said. I nodded.

I looked at him. He was biting his lip.

"Why don't you want to touch her anymore?" I asked. As if I didn't know he wants to touch me. Fucking me, not her.

She looked to him, awaiting the answer, as if it would solve every problem possible.

"I don't think I want to anymore," he said. Her eyes instantly glossed over with tears.

I feel bad for her now. It must be awful to hear those things.

My watch ticked. Signaling another shift at the bar.

"I have to go, but we can do this another time, call me when you need to," I said, then quickly escaped the barron house.

God I feel so stupid.

-

Original written date , September 17th, 2019