Thompson house, Lawndale, Sunday morning...
Kevin and Brittany were waking up. Kevin felt on top of the world while Brittany felt absolutely mortified. The reason was that she'd spent the previous night having sex with Kevin instead of her lover, Daryl, and enjoyed every second of it.
"Babe," said Kevin, "Last night was awesome!"
Horrified to have had good sex with her husband instead of her adulturous lover, Brittany said "Um...I was pretty drunk."
Kevin said "You were still great."
Feeling intense shame, Brittany didn't dare admit that she'd enjoyed it just as much as he did. When Kevin tried to kiss her, she turned away.
"Like, what's wrong, babe?"
Curling up under the sheets, Brittany said "I have a headache."
Missing the tone, Kevin said "That's a hangover for ya. Taking a shower usually helps. Come on."
"If you don't mind," Brittany growled, "I'd rather sleep a little longer."
Kevin accepted this explanation.
"Okay."
He went into the bathroom. Once alone, Brittany had the following thought.
Daryl, I'm so sorry!
She began to silently cry.
Later...
Brittany was in the back yard hanging the freshly washed bed sheets on a clothes line. As the Thompsons lived next door to the Carbones this happened to coincide with Quinn watering a rose bush in her back yard.
"Morning, Brittany" Quinn said with a polite wave.
Brittany said nothing but sighed.
Concerned, Quinn asked "What's wrong?"
Walking up to the fence, Brittany said "Quinn, I...sniff...I did something terrible last night."
"What?"
"I...I..." Brittany took a deep breath. "...I HAD SEX WITH KEVIE!"
Raising an eyebrow, Quinn said "So? He's your husband."
"What about Daryl!?" Brittany frantically asked.
Suspending disbelief, Quinn said "Let me get this straight. You're upset because last night you slept with your husband instead of an adulterous lover."
Nodding, Brittany said "How could I have done such a thing!? Nine years of hot sex with Daryl and I throw it all away in one night of passion!"
Rolling her eyes, Quinn said "Brittany, you're acting like sleeping with your husband is some kind of betrayal."
"BECAUSE IT IS!" Brittany exclaimed, "Daryl will be devastated when he finds out."
Quinn sternly said "Brittany, sleeping with Kevin wasn't betrayal. The nine years you've been nailing Daryl on the side, THAT'S the betrayal."
Brittany said "I don't know what to do. I love Daryl, I do. But...Well, after last night...you see..."
"You love Kevin again, don't you?" said Quinn.
Brittany nodded.
"What I don't get" said Quinn, "Is why you stayed with Kevin when you didn't love him anymore."
"BECAUSE I NEVER STOPPED LOVING KEVIE!" Brittany admitted, "He's a jerk and an idiot, but he's also a good father and loving husband. I just couldn't resist when Daryl started paying attention to me. I couldn't leave Kevin, but I wanted Daryl, so I decided to...um...What's that thing where you try to have everything when you can't?"
"Having your cake and eating it too," said Quinn, "Brittany, you never should've cheated on Kevin in the first place. If you were disappointed, you should've tried to talk it out instead of banging another man on the side."
Brittany said nothing as she twirled her hair on her finger in a lame attempt to think.
Quinn said "Look, Brittany, you know my position on monogamy. You know I don't approve of what you've been doing these past nine years. Maybe last night is a sign. Maybe you should end things with Daryl and try to have a better marriage with Kevin."
Dismissive, Brittany said "Quinn, monogamy may work for you and Jim but it doesn't work for me, Kevin and Daryl."
Brittany then walked away as Quinn continued to try suspending her disbelief of the whole situation.
Thompson house, later...
Brittany had just finished making the bed when Kevin entered the bedroom.
"Hey, babe," said Kevin, "I'm, like, gonna watch the game at Jim's."
"Kevie," said Brittany, "Could you, like, stay the night there? I don't wanna get fat from the food I ate last night so I scheduled an all night workout with Daryl."
Suspecting nothing, Kevin said "Okay, babe. Have fun."
He was about to leave when a light bulb finally went off in his head. It only took him nine years to notice that something was off about all of this.
"Wait a minute!" said Kevin, "I just, like, realized something. Everytime I go somewhere you schedule a workout with Daryl."
Brittany sat down on the bed, more nervous than she'd ever been in her whole life. Kevin ran the previous nine years in his head, finally putting all of the pieces together. Sensing that the jig was up, Brittany resisted the urge to cry. Finally, Kevin reached his conclusion.
"I know what's going on," Kevin said, "I know why you always wanna exercise with Daryl when I'm not around. I, like, can't believe I didn't figure this out. It's like, so obvious."
Brittany was shaking like a leaf until...
"These workouts are actually a cry for my attention" said Kevin.
Brittany was simultaneously relieved and flabberghasted. Kevin STILL hadn't figured out that she and Daryl are having an affair.
Now morose, Kevin said "Aw, man! Every time you, like, want me what do I do? I pawn you off on Daryl so I can have my guy time."
Collapsing to his knees, Kevin said "God, I'm so selfish!"
Kevin proceeded to cry. Heartbroken (and guilt ridden) Brittany rushed over to her husband and wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to comfort him.
"Oh, Kevie," said Brittany as she fought back tears of her own, "This isn't your fault, it's my fault."
"N...sob...No, it isn't," said Kevin, "I, like, let you torture yourself for me and never notice. I...I totally take you for granite."
He clearly meant to say granted.
"Kevie, no" said Brittany.
Kevin said "I, like, totally don't deserve you."
Fighting back tears, Brittany said "Kevie, that's not true!" After a second, she added "Kevin, you're a kind, loving and VERY trusting man. I...I don't deserve you, babe. You...You deserve better than me. I..I love you!"
That made Kevin feel better.
"Like, are you an alien? 'Cause you just abducted my heart."
They looked into each others eyes and smiled. Then, they kissed. The kissing rapidly increased in both passion and intensity. Soon, they were taking each other's clothes off.
Later...
Jim was walking up to the Thompson's front door. He was about to ring the bell when Kevin suddenly answered, his clothes looking like they'd been thrown on in a hurry.
"Hey, Jim" said a very happy Kevin.
Jim said nothing, just stared in partial shock.
"What?" asked Kevin.
Pointing, Jim said "Your fly's open?"
Kevin looked down and saw that indeed it was. As he zipped his pants, he said "Thanks, man."
Jim said "Kevin, it's half time. I was starting to worry."
In truth, Jim was relieved when Kevin didn't show. By half time, however, he began to wonder if something bad happened so he came over to make sure everything was okay.
"Sorry, bro," said Kevin, "Guess I lost track of time."
Jim asked "Is everything okay?"
Smiling proudly, Kevin said "Everythings awesome, man! I just, like, totally got laid!"
Jim had a 'yeah, right' look on his face as he said "Who's the unlucky lady?"
"Brittany."
Jim's jaw fell open and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when Kevin said that.
"That's right, dude," Kevin bragged, "I missed the first half 'cause I was totally getting it on with my hottie of a wife."
Jim was too stunned to speak.
"I, like, owe you, man," said Kevin, "Ever since dinner at That's Amore Brit can't seem to keep her hands off me."
Jim, who was used to Kevin's wife treating him as persona non grata, continued trying to wrap his mind around what he was hearing.
Meanwhile, inside...
Brittany sat at the kitchen table and smiled warmly as she watched her husband chat with his friend from next door. Suddenly, she turned serious and picked up the house phone. After dialing she patiently listened to the ring tone. After three rings...
"Hello?" said Daryl on the other end of the line.
"Hey, Daryl. It's Brittany."
"What's going on?" Daryl asked.
Brittany took a breath to steel her nerves before answering.
"Listen, babe, about tonight. I have to cancel."
Daryl was surprised. In the course of their nine year affair this was the first time Brittany ever canceled a date. Regaining his footing, Daryl asked "Why? Did something come up?"
"No" said a nervous Brittany.
Daryl asked "Is this because I cancelled on you last night? Brittany, I...I had some stuff to take care of."
Brittany took another deep breath. "Daryl, I think we should break up."
Daryl gasped in shock. "Brittany," he said, "Wh...Why?"
"Look, Daryl," she explained, "Last night I realized why I stayed married to Kevie instead of just leaving him."
Daryl protested "You said you were just staying with him because of the kids."
"I thought I was," said Brittany, "But then I realized that I still love him. I love my Kevie and can't keep cheating on him."
"But, Brittany..."
Brittany cut him off.
"I'm sorry, Daryl, it's over."
She hung up before he could say anything that would change her mind.
Quinn and Jim's house, the next afternoon...
Quinn and Brittany were seated at the kitchen table. The kids were out with Jim walking their new dog, Stripe. On the way home from work Brittany decided to pay Quinn a visit. She'd just finished telling Quinn what happened.
"So" said Quinn, "Daryl's history?"
Nodding, Brittany said "I'm never cheating on my Kevie again."
"Glad you finally saw the light" said Quinn before thinking And it only took nine years.
"Quinn, thank you so much," said Brittany, "If you hadn't taken us to That's Amore I wouldn't have remembered just how much I still love my man."
Smiling, Quinn said "Glad to help."
Brittany said "We should double again. How about we go bowling tomorrow night?"
Quinn said "Okay."
Over the next two weeks Quinn and Jim double dating with Kevin and Brittany became a regular thing. Practically every other night the four of them would do something together. Each time, the evening ended with Kevin and Brittany making passionate love into the wee hours. Jim began to find it annoying before too long, however. Kevin and Brittany were so lovey-dovey with each other that it began to feel awkward being around them. Also, he was beginning to miss one on one dates with Quinn. It seemed that every time they went out Kevin and Brittany would tag along.
Quinn and Jim's house, afternoon...
Jim was mowing the lawn when something caught his eye. That something was Daryl's car pulling up to the Thompson house.
This is not good Jim thought as he shut off the mower and quickly walked over to intercept Daryl.
"Daryl, what are you doing?"
After a forlorn sigh, Daryl said "I...I wanted to talk to Brittany."
Fortunately, no one was home at the Thompsons at that time.
"She's not home," said Jim, "She and Kevin took the kids to that miniature golf place in Middlebury."
Daryl let out a heartbroken sigh. "She broke up with me" he said.
"I know," said Jim, "She and Kevin have been monopolizing my time with Quinn over the past two weeks."
After another sigh, Daryl said "I can't believe Brittany left me for that guy."
Jim proceeded to give him a reality check.
"Daryl, she didn't leave you for that guy. She married that guy seven years before she even met you."
Daryl had a pained expression, as if being reminded that Brittany was never truly his felt like a knife to the gut. Jim, despite his morals, couldn't help feeling a little sorry for the guy.
"Look" said Jim in a firm yet reassuring tone, "it's over between you and Brittany, you need to accept that. You were having an intimate relationship with a married woman, you had to know it couldn't last. Frankly, I'm surprised the affair went on as long as it did."
"Me too," Daryl admitted, "But I love her. I thought what Brittany and I had was real, that her marriage to Kevin was the fake relationship."
Jim said "I'm sure that was true, but not anymore. Eventually she had to choose between you and her husband, and she chose her husband. It'd be better if you just moved on. I know it's hard, but if you really love her you should let her be with the man she loves and let it go."
Daryl said "Jim, have you ever lost at love?"
"Many times," said Jim, "Granted, I've never been romantically involved with a married woman but that doesn't make an unanticipated break up any easier to deal with. We've all been there."
Daryl said nothing but looked thoughtful.
A skating rink in Oakwood, the following evening...
Jim and Quinn were on another double date with Kevin and Brittany. Quinn and Brittany were talking as they skated to the sound of "Never Give Up On The Good Times" by the Spice Girls.
Never give up on the good times
Gotta believe in the love you'll find
Never give it up, no
Never give it up, nooooo
"Isn't this great?" said Quinn.
"Yeah!" said Brittany, "I don't even mind doing the right thing when it's this much fun!"
Meanwhile, Jim and Kevin were also talking. Fortunately, Jim was not going to mention that Daryl had made a visit the previous afternoon.
Kevin said "Dude, this is awesome! Thanks for taking us out again!"
"About that," said Jim, "You don't have to include me and Quinn everytime you go out. You and Brittany can have fun when it's just the two of you." Jim didn't want to say that he was getting tired of all the double-dates.
"I know that," said Kevin, "But me and Brit owe you guys. It's like we're back in high school."
"So" said Jim, "It doesn't bother you that everything you and Brittany do involves me and Quinn?"
Raising an eyebrow, Kevin said "Jim, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Jim, hoping Kevin would take the hint and stop monopolizing his time with Quinn, nodded.
"Forget it, dude," Kevin said, "I don't share my babe with anyone!"
Raising an eyebrow himself, Jim said "What?"
"Duh, Jim," said Kevin, "You're trying to ask if me and Brittany wanna swing with you guys. Not happening!"
Shocked, Jim said "I don't wanna swing with you and Brittany! Quinn and I aren't into that sort of thing!"
Laughing, Kevin said "Too late, dude! It's out there. You, like, can't take it back now."
Jim let out a frustrated sigh.
Quinn and Jim's house, later that same evening...
Jim and Quinn were getting ready for bed.
"Quinn," said Jim, "Why do you keep including Kevin and Brittany in everything lately?"
Quinn said "Jim, after nine years of infidelity Brittany's finally doing right by her husband and kids. I'm just helping her stay on the straight and narrow."
"I know," said Jim, "Don't get me wrong. It's nice that their marriage is no longer crashing and burning, but when are these double dates gonna end? You know, Kevin actually thinks we wanna swing with him and Brittany."
"EWWW! No way!" said Quinn, "First off, we're totally monogamous. That's never been negotiable. Second, you fuck Brittany while I'm stuck doing Kevin! Who's the winner there? Kevin, that's who!"
Later that night...
Daryl was climbing the wall of the Thompsons house. Just like he had so many times over the previous nine years he was using a ladder to get to the master bedroom. He was carrying a bouqet of red roses. He reached the bedroom window, which Brittany never locked out of sheer habit, and proceeded to open it. Daryl then climbed in. What he saw made him drop the bouqet and gasp in shock. Both Kevin and Brittany were asleep in the bed, looking like they'd had some very passionate sex beforehand.
"What the hell!?"
The sound of his voice woke Brittany, but not Kevin. When Brittany saw Daryl, she let out a frightened "eep!"
That caused Kevin to wake up. As Brittany pretended to still be asleep Daryl ducked out of sight by quickly sliding under the bed.
Getting out of bed, Kevin yawned.
"I...I gotta take a leak."
Kevin made his way to the bathroom and locked the door behind him. Once he was gone Brittany stopped pretending to be asleep as Daryl emerged from his hiding place.
"Daryl," Brittany hissed, "What the hell are you doing here!?"
Daryl angrily asked "What was HE doing in your bed!? Please tell me he just had a bad dream."
"Dammit, Daryl," Brittany snapped, "I already told you we're done. He's my husband."
Calming down, Daryl said "Brittany, I miss you."
Brittany angrily said "Daryl, it's over! I love Kevin!"
"You said you loved me!" Daryl retorted.
"I do!" said Brittany, "But I also love my Kevie, and he had me first!"
Before the conversation could go any further Daryl felt a table lamp shatter over the back of his head. Instantly losing consciousness, he fell to the floor with a thud. Brittany gasped in horror.
"DARYL! NO!"
Standing over the unconscious Daryl was an enraged Kevin.
To be continued...