Chapter Eight: My Cheating Heart

Renly's Point of View

My flower is staying after school today to audition for the play. I figured it would be the perfect time to pay this Quentyn Martell a visit. Fortunately, I know where he lives. I used to have sexual relations with one of his relatives before I met my flower.

My ex-lover Oberyn lives with Quentyn's family. I pray he is not home today. I believe he had to work. At least I hope he had to work. I park in the way-to-familiar drive way, a shiver runs down my spine. I have not seen Oberyn since I cheated on Loras with him. A decision I regret to this day.

I'm sweating. I pull the V-neck collar of my shirt away from my chest. It's getting difficult to breathe. If I see Oberyn I might explode. I can handle this. I inhale, hold my breath, then exhale, but that doesn't help me relax.

The flowers are the same as they were the last time I spent the night here. That seems so long ago. I always liked those flowers, sunflowers. Loras hates them so we never keep them around. They don't grow where he is from.

The walk up to the door is familiar; I stare at the cobblestones beneath my feet and count my steps as I go. Its twenty-five steps from my car to the front door. I take another deep breath and exhale before I bring myself to ring the door bell.

Fate must really hate me. I find myself staring at Oberyn. His long wavy hair touches his shoulders. There is stubble on his chin, and a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He blows smoke at me. My heart drops into my stomach where it's dissolved by acids.

"I knew you'd come back to me."

Oh gods that voice. It sinks deep within me and I have to bite my tongue to keep from moaning. He's grinning seductively. He shakes his perfect mane and I shiver. Get a grip. He has a new tattoo on his perfect biceps. My eyes target his muscled arms. No. I can't.

"No. That's not why I'm here."

"Well that's not what I like to hear," he says sensually. Damn that bastard. He scratches his whickered chin and my knees knock together. "How can I help you, my dear?"

Oh shit I don't remember why I'm here. Loras. It's Loras. I scratch my neck nervously as I stare at a man I used to sleep with. He flicks his cigarette in the grass and leans against the door frame.

"I am here to see Quentyn."

"He's out. Is there anything I can help you with, darling?"

"When do you expect him back?" I ask, my eyes scanning the perfection of this man.

"He should be home any time. Would you like to come in and wait?"

"Sure."

Oberyn steps aside so I can come in. It's like my legs are doing the thinking for me. As soon as I am inside he shuts the door behind me. I feel his breath on my neck and nearly jump out of my skin. If he touches me I am going to explode.

"You can wait for Quentyn in the den. I'll get us some beers."

I nod. I remember where the den is. I politely take off my shoes in the foyer and make my way to the den. I stare at the photos on the wall. They seem like a functional family. The daughter, Arienne is in a University out of state. She's beautiful. There is a picture of her with her arm around Oberyn.

I sit down on a leather couch and lean against the arm waiting for Oberyn to come back. He hands me a beer and sits down in a recliner beside the couch, spread eagle. He scratches his groin twice and sips his beer. I can't take my eyes off him. After a few minutes of silence he lights another cigarette.

"So, why are you waiting for Quentyn?"

"He beat up my fiancé."

Oberyn scratches his crotch again and leans forward to get the ash tray. I stare at the hairs peaking out the neck of his sleeveless shirt. He winks at me.

"You have a fiancé?"

"Yes. His name is Loras."

"Is he the pretty little one who lives with you? He's young."

"He's seventeen."

"Oh so you're robbing the cradle."

"You're older than me."

"Yes, but you were over eighteen when I made a move on you. You were good. I made a mistake with you. I should have never cheated."

He has moved to the couch. Thud, thud, goes my heart. Oberyn touches my arm. He rubs my arm in soft circles with his thumb. Thudthudthud! I stare into his dark eyes. Goosebumps form on my arms and legs when Oberyn puts his hand on my knee.

"You had a chance," I gasp.

"I wanted to ask you to marry me, but I screwed up."

"You wanted to marry me?" I squeak.

"Still do."

He leans in and blows in my ear. My groin is white-hot and screaming his name. It's throbbing for him. I can't take it anymore. He licks my face, and I lose it. I fumble to unzip my pants, but my fingers are shaking so bad I can't do it. Oberyn helps me. I put my hand around his neck and pull him down on top of me. Our lips reacquaint themselves. It's been so long. I wrap my legs around him and squeeze his ass with my hands. I miss the feel of his perfectly toned ass.

He is taking off his belt. I help him get his pants down without breaking the kiss. He pulls down my jeans and slides his hands over the top of my boxers to massage my hard shaft, which is ready to erupt. I moan. I have a fiancé. Loras. Oh Gods, what am I doing?

"Wait," I say when he is about to put his mouth on me. He stops.

"What?" He asks as he leans down to kiss me. I kiss him back and make it deep, before I stop myself. I am clutching his shirt.

"I can't cheat on Loras again. He'd never forgive me."

Oberyn doesn't argue. He zips his pants and puts his belt back on. I pull my pants up and sit up. The throbbing down below has not stopped. He smacks me hard on the groin and I yelp in pain.

"I admire that about you, darling."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come."

"Pun intended?"

We hear a door slam somewhere in the house. I assume the kids are home. I stand when I am greeted by Quentyn Martell. I look over my shoulder to catch Oberyn staring at my ass. I shake my head.

"Uncle Oberyn, is this your new boyfriend?" Quentyn asks wearing a smile so similar to Oberyn's that it makes me cringe.

"Old boyfriend," Oberyn says winking at me, his eyes lock on to my crotch.

"You fool around with old boyfriends?" Quentyn asks looking from Oberyn to me and back. I can only imagine how we must look.

"Not this time. He's actually here to see you."

Oberyn smacks Quentyn on the shoulder and leaves the room. My adrenaline slows down as soon as he disappears. It's replaced by guilt and anger. After little Trystane goes to his room I greet the guy whose ass I am about to kick.

"I'm Renly Baratheon."

"Oh shit."

"You've heard of me?"

"My baby talks about you all the time."

"HE'S NOT YOUR BABY! HE'S MY FLOWER!" I scream.

"Whoa, you're sexy when you're pissed," says Oberyn walking back through to get another beer. He pinches my ass. I want nothing more than to follow him to his bedroom, but I resist the temptation, because I am here for Loras. He disappears again. I watch him walk away; he gives his ass a little shake and turns his head to wink at me.

Quentyn stares at me. I stare back. I am taller than he is, and better looking. This guy is a joke. But this joke beat up my fiancé and I can't let him get away with that. I should just deck him and get it over with.

"Look, I know you've been beating up Loras, and I want it to stop."

"You can't tell me how to treat my own boyfriend."

"Wait, what?"

"Loras and I are going out. We've been dating for a year. Didn't you know? Only he's mad at me. I don't really know why. I guess it's because I hit him. But sometimes it's necessary to hit the ones you love to keep them in line. He wasn't being good. I had to teach him a lesson. He's doing better now. Don't worry."

"What?" I ask.

Is this guy for real?

"I would really like to ask you to stay away from him. He has a crush on you and I am afraid he's going to leave me for you, so if you don't mind, please back off."

I'm not sure what's going on here. But I really think this is some kind of trick. Robb says this guy might use head games. There is no way he deluded himself into actually believing that Loras is his boyfriend.

"Renly, my dear, let me help you out. He's full of shit. He's playing you. Kick his ass and come to bed, I'm lonely," Oberyn says. I have no idea he's been watching, but when I look at Quentyn he's smirking.

"I can't believe you fell for that," Quentyn says.

I deck him. My fist hit him so quickly he didn't have time to react. He fell backwards and I walked toward the foyer. No more head games. I put on my shoes and walk to the door. Oberyn catches up with me.

"Tell your fiancé. Don't lie to him. Explain what happened."

"Why are you helping me?" I ask.

"Because you're the best thing that ever happened to me, Renly, and I blew it. Don't blow it with this kid. You obviously really love him."

He touches my face. I touch his. This is as much closeness as I can have with my ex, though my lower region is aching for more. I kiss his cheek. Just feeling his skin against my lips makes me tingle.

"Thanks."

"I'd do anything for you, kitten." I can tell he is having the same problem I am. We have always had a strong physical attraction.

"You're a good friend," I say, wishing for a moment I was single and free to have a wild night of sex with this beautiful man. But I'm not single. I am engaged. I'm in a committed relationship. Loras is my true love. As much as I lust after my ex, I have to cast him aside.

"I wish we could have a second chance," Oberyn says.

"It wouldn't work out."

"Why is that?"

"Because I was never in love with you," I say.

Oberyn nods in understanding. I can tell I hurt him. But now is not the time to dwell on the past. I need to go tell my flower what I did. I have to make things right before the guilt eats me alive.

Fate must really be against me because I miss every green light. By the time I get home Loras should be there. I'm not going to use any gimmicks for this one. No flowers, no chocolate, no gifts. I am going to speak from my heart.

I make it home as it starts to rain. I park beside Gendry's vehicle and make a beeline to the door of the apartment complex. I take the stairs for fear the power might go out at any second and I'd be stuck in the elevator.

The door to our apartment is unlocked which means that everyone is home. Gendry is sitting on the couch watching TV. Margaery and Loras are at the dining room table doing homework together. I hang my keys on the nail beside the door and make eye contact with my flower.

"Hi, Renly, I'm so glad you're home," he says bouncing to me. He leans into me for a kiss, which I rebuff. He's so cute. I wrap a strand of curls around my finger and release to watch them bounce back into place. "What's wrong?"

"I did a stupid thing. Sit down and I'll tell you about it."

Margaery and Gendry leave us. I'm glad. I sit in a chair and take Loras's hand. I stroke the hand that wears the ring I bought for my flower. Loras is staring at me eagerly.

"What did you want to tell me?"

"I went to Quentyn's house to kick his ass," I begin.

"That's not stupid."

"I'm not done. When I got there, Oberyn answered the door. He invited me inside to wait for Quentyn. While we were waiting, Oberyn made a pass at me and I kissed him. I stopped it before it went any further. I'm so sorry."

Loras doesn't speak. He doesn't pull his hand away. He just stares at me. Well, not at me, through me like he's lost in translation. I see a tear roll down his face. I'm a terrible person.

"Do you love him?" Loras asks.

"No. I never did."

"Then what is it?" Loras asks.

"It was physical. Everything between Oberyn and I had been physical. We were never in love. Well, he was in love with me, but I didn't return his feelings. I guess that's why it didn't really hurt when he cheated on me. When I saw him today I was attracted to him, oh gods, was I attracted to him. But I thought of you the whole time. I'm so sorry."

Loras kisses me. I smile beneath his kiss as I lean in to kiss him back. He pulls me close by wrapping his hands around my neck. I don't deserve this kiss, but I accept it. I don't deserve him. Loras breaks the kiss. I want more.

"Did you punch Quentyn?" Loras asks.

"I did."

"I forgive you."

Now he's crying. There is a stinging in my eyes I haven't felt in a long time. I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. The wetness tells me I'm crying too. Loras kisses me quickly and hugs me.

"I don't deserve to be forgiven."

"You went over to my bully's house with the intention of maiming him because of me."

"I kissed my ex."

"But you told me about it."

I wipe my eyes and sniffle. He leans in to kiss me again. Snot and tears get everywhere as we kiss, but neither of us cares. He's never looked cuter. We both laugh.

"I hurt you."

"You saved me."

I pull him into a tight embrace and we cry on each other's shoulders. This is the weirdest fight/makeup I have ever had with anyone I have ever been with. But I have never felt anything like this. My heart is trying to escape my chest and I have electricity coursing through my body. No one makes me feel the way Loras does. I'm such an idiot.

"I love you," I tell him with the tears falling uncontrollably.

"Not as much as I love you," Loras says back.

Somehow we end up in my bedroom. There are no words spoken, no clothes ripped off, no sex, we just hold each other and cry. We've been through so much in the past year it feels like we are long overdue for this much intimacy. Loras falls to sleep before I do. I stare at his silhouette beside me. I kiss his ears and stroke his curls. I think I just fell in love with him all over again.