After the Game Ended, So Did My Marriage

As we were playing the Truth or Dare, the bottle stopped spinning and pointed straight at my wife’s so-called “male best friend.” He shot me a wink, lips curling into a smug grin.

“Serina’s got a scar on her ass,” he drawled. “I’m the one who put it there—with my teeth.”

The room fell silent.

My mind went blank. That scar near her tailbone... so it wasn't from rock climbing like she told me?

Seeing me frozen, he chuckled and explained, "Relax, it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing the night you two got married. Don't overthink it—it's just a little ‘souvenir' from a best friend."

Then, with a laugh, he added, "If Serina and I really had something going on, do you think I'd choose today—your third wedding anniversary—to bring it up?"

——

The air was suffocating still.

Serina picked up a peach and shoved it straight into Beckett's mouth.

"Eat, before you choke on your own nonsense."

Pinned half beneath her on the sofa, Beckett's hands slid naturally over her hips. "This peach is nothing compared to my big buddy's—ha!"

The others erupted into laughter.

Someone jumped in quickly, trying to patch over the tension. "Come on, Marvin, don’t take it so seriously. You know you can’t treat Beckett like a regular guy—he and Serina are always tossing around dirty jokes. Let’s just keep the game going!"

It wasn't the first time I'd seen this.

My fingers dug into the glass, pain pricking at my fingertips.

The beer bottle spun, then stopped—pointing at me.

"Marvin you lost! Truth or Dare?" they all chanted.

"Dare."

My voice was calm as I rose. I strode straight to Beckett, yanked down his pants, and snapped photos in one fluid motion.

By the time he screamed and scrambled to pull them back up, I had already taken a dozen shots.

Serina was the first to react, shoving me hard.

"Marvin, are you insane?!"

I smiled, raising my phone for everyone to see.

"I've just captured Beckett's family jewels. Tell me—how does this dare compare to biting someone's ass?"

The room froze. No one dared laugh.

"What's wrong? Why are you guys so quiet? Not funny anymore?" I snickered.

The words lodged in my throat like glass.

Serina's face was cold as she fussed over Beckett, helping him fix his pants like a dutiful wife.

Humiliated, Beckett clung to her arm and glared at me. "Marvin why are you being so petty? If you can't handle the game, don't play!"

I forced a laugh. "Isn't this what the game is about? Why are you taking it so seriously?"

"Marvin!"

For the eighteenth time, Serina screamed at me for his sake.

"You've gone too far! Apologize to Beckett right now!"

I was the one insulted, yet somehow, I was always the one in the wrong.

Suddenly, it all felt meaningless.

I grabbed my jacket and stood to leave.

Her hand shot out, gripping my wrist, her face dark with anger.

"Today is our anniversary. My friends are all here. Must you embarrass me like this?"

That word again. Friends. Best friend!

I shook off her grip.

Slap!

My palm cracked across her cheek. Everyone froze in shock.

The air turned to stone.

Beckett forced a laugh, looping an arm around Serina's shoulders and clamping his hand over her mouth.

"Alright, enough. Don't say anything."

His smile softened, his voice gentle. "Marvin, Serina and I are just best friends. We grew up together, running around naked. Even if I stripped bare in front of her now, she wouldn't even flinch."

Then he shoved her toward me. "Go on, apologize and leave with your husband. If you stay any longer, he'll start suspecting every woman in this room of sleeping with you."

He exchanged sly glances with the others, hiding their smirks behind their hands.

Under his urging, Serina's voice came out muffled, almost strangled.

"...Sorry."

My chest clenched hard.

If only she hadn't apologized, maybe—just maybe—there'd still be hope.

But she did.

Without a word, I turned and strode out of the room.

In the end, Serina still chased after me.