Betrayal By Patricia Thomas Rating: PG-13 Mackenzie’s eighteenth birthday. That’s when all this happened. I really never meant for any of it to happen…I mean, she was just standing there in her white dress…her long hair framing her beautiful face. I knew that face when it was still young, still just born…what in the world made me think that I had any right to sleep with her? That’s right. I did it. I slept with my best friend’s eighteen-year-old daughter. I don’t like myself for it. I hate the fact that I did this with her. She was willing, I was willing, there was an empty bedroom, everybody was busy with the party…how did it come to this? “Hi, Col.” She was the only one other than Ryan who called me that. For some reason, it didn’t bother me. “Hey, Mack. Happy birthday.” I gave her a hug. “Thanks. God, I can finally move out of this house.” She leaned against the wall and took a sip of her drink. I found myself gazing at her ruby red lips. They looked so full…inviting…okay, you can stop now. That’s Ryan’s kid you’re gawking at. “College?” “No. Boyfriend. I’m not going to college. Fuck that. My dad dropped out of high school and he’s fine. I’m getting married to Anthony, and fuck it if my dad doesn’t like it. That’s his problem.” “What are you going to do about money?” I found myself slipping into the supportive, yet wise uncle position. It was something I’d done for Mackenzie since she was old enough to have problems. But at the mention of her fiancée, my heart skipped a beat. I was old enough to know what that pain was. That was jealousy. But why would I be jealous of Mackenzie’s boyfriend? That just didn’t make sense. “I’m going to feed off dad, and Anthony’s a waiter. We’ll do okay, Col. Don’t worry so much. You’re starting to sound like dad.” She looked into my eyes, and I held her gaze. I found myself unable to look away. Why did I suddenly feel like grabbing her and never letting go? I had Ryan, I didn’t need to be longing for someone else, especially not his daughter. “Well, you know, we spend so much time together, it’s possible that we are the same person.” “You’re cooler than he is. You’re more…sophisticated.” As she said this, her hand went to my arm. I felt heat spread from that spot to the rest of my body. Suddenly I found myself noticing her perfectly polished fingernails. Okay, now it was getting bad. I was getting slightly turned on. She went on, “I like that about you. Did I ever mention how much I like you? You’re so…” She moved closer to me, so that I could clearly see the black eyeliner that was drawn on under her seductive sapphire eyes. She leaned in to whisper in my ear. “…wise.” I was breathing heavier now. Her lips made contact with my neck and I freaked out. “Mack! What are you…?” I gently pushed her away from me, but I found myself still holding on to her. “Come on, Col. Why are you fighting this? You want me. I can tell. You need somebody right now. You need that companionship. You feel empty, Col. You yearn for something more every day. I can feel it. Hold me. Take me into your soul.” Her lips found mine and all of a sudden, it didn’t feel so wrong anymore. She took my hand and led me to the empty bedroom where my life nearly fell apart. Clothes came off. Moans…screams…passion…heat…wet, hot, fast sex. We were trying to get our clothes back on when the door opened. In the doorway stood my best friend of over twenty years and the father of the woman…the girl I had just degraded. “Colin…” “Ryan, look—“ “No, I think I’ve seen enough. Mack, get out.” She hastily put on her shirt and left the room, not even glancing my way. He just stood there looking at me. It was worse than if he had been yelling. The silence was unbearable. “You’re so lonely, Colin…you’re so lonely that you had to turn to her?” “You know it’s not like that.” “Where does this leave us? What’s going to happen?” “I still love you, Ryan. This doesn’t change that.” “I know. But you…you slept with…” He stopped himself and began to cry. The tears rolled down his cheeks unnoticed. “How could you do this to me?” “Ryan, I’m sorry…I don’t know what to say…” Suddenly my eyes began to feel hot and wet. I tried to fight back the tears, but they came. I went to him and embraced him. The hug remained one-sided for a few minutes, but then I felt his arms wrap around me. I heard her voice behind him. “Dad?” “Mack…” “Dad, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry, Col.” She hugged Ryan now, and I backed away. “I really hope I didn’t ruin what you guys have.” “Mack, what do you mean?” “Dad, I know. I’ve known since I was twelve. I’m cool with it. That’s why I felt even guiltier about this…because I knew about you guys. And…what you have is really sweet and precious…and I hope I didn’t ruin it.” “No, of course not, hun…but please, promise me something. Both of you, promise me that I won’t have to deal with this again.” “Absolutely.” “Yeah. We’re both sorry, Ry.” Mackenzie left us. Ryan turned to me again. “Col, you know I love you and I forgive you. But it’s going to take some time for me to get over this.” “I understand. All I need is to know that you still love me.” He hugged me and moved to kiss me, but then thought twice about it and kissed me on the cheek. “I just need time, Col.” After a while of not speaking to each other, Ryan and I are fine. Mackenzie and I make sure never to be alone again. All I ever wanted was some companionship…and somehow I forgot about the companion I’ve had all this time. I love Ryan more than anything, and I just did something stupid to jeopardize what I have with him. Never again. I love him too much. I love Ryan Stiles, and that’s that. As for Mackenzie…she’s in the past. Never again.