Man On The Side
Challenge - Song Fic.
Feedback: Please! Send to milburncreek@yahoo.com
Author's Notes: I wrote this about a week before seeing John Mayer in concert.
Need To Know: Season 5 Finale.
six numbers, one more to dial
before I'm before you tonight
I tried to call
been busy all night
gave up waiting at daylight
excuse me Mrs. Busybody
could you pencil me in when you can
though we both know that the worst part about it
is I would be free when you wanted me
I am the man on the side
hoping you'll make up your mind
I am the one who will swallow his pride
life as the man on the side
one of the many
one of the few
to stand back and wait for you
excuse me Mrs. Busybody
could you pencil me in when you can
though we both know that the worst part about it
is I would be free when you wanted me
I am the man on the side
hoping you'll make up your mind
I am the one who will swallow his pride
Life as the man on the side
I fell in love with the dream that I built of you
playing the part of the queen
taking my own advice
I'm giving up tonight
good luck to you and the king
I am the man on the side
hoping you'll make up your mind
I am the one who will swallow his pride
life as the man
you know life as the man
living life as the man on the side
“Man On The Side” – John Mayer
He'd rejected her in a letter after she played one too many games with his heart.
She was in Capeside staring at the letter, feeling guilty that she hadn't properly said goodbye.
I was the person who could tell her that he was right.
And yet...
My stupid mouth had gotten me in trouble. All I could say was that she should go to the airport so she wouldn't regret it for the rest of the summer. She interprets that to mean that I'm giving her my blessing and that I wanted company to tell her roommate my "true" feelings.
Yeah, her roommate. I know, I wasn't exactly helping her make a decision. Maybe if I weren’t dating her, she would have seen it more clearly.
Every word I said over the PA was more appropriate for her. I could easily speak about how much I loved her but there weren’t words to describe my love for her roommate.
That’s not meant to be romantic. There really aren’t any words since I didn't fall in love with her roommate.
I was in love with her. Only her.
Of course, she didn't hear those words like that since her mind was only on one person.
Him.
* * * * *
I wandered around the apartment, wondering why I kept doing this to myself. Why did this girl have this power over me? It was sad that it was impossible to move on.
She had claimed that she'd visit me this evening to help her buy a new car. Both of us knew there was only one person meant to believe this tale and it wasn't either of us.
I could call her, ask her why she changed her mind. But it wasn't my place to ask. Maybe she'd realized that she should stop lying to the man she truly loves.
Did she love me? Probably not as much or in the same way as him. Sad it was to admit, but true nonetheless.
This was partially my fault. I'd given her too many chances to re-enter my life. I would try to move on. As soon as there was the possibility she'd return, however, there I'd be ready to jump at the chance.
She knew she could take advantage of my generosity whenever she was in the mood. Supposedly, tonight was one of those nights.
The sun was beginning to light up the room, letting me know she'd backed out this time.
I knew that I once had the opportunity to stop this. I could have made sure that she wouldn't go back to his arms.
* * * * *
"Evening, Potter." Yes, he knew it was technically inappropriate to call her that. In public, he'd make sure to refer to her as 'Jo' or 'Joey' or even 'Mrs...' no definitely, not appropriate given their arrangement.
Joey smiled at me warmly as she entered my apartment. "Evening, Witter."
"Did you get decent car advice?" I say before giving her a chance to charm me.
She looked almost apologetic. "Yeah, about that. He had a candlelit dinner made for me last night."
"Of course he did."
"Well, he is my husband. I was actually penciled in his planner."
I continued, "The phone was busy all night. I thought he was making business deals."
"His partner was bugging him so he took the phone off the hook." She lessened the distance between us. "I hope you don't mind." She finished her apology by softly kissing me then showing off those beautiful eyes begging for my forgiveness.
The worst part was that she knew I'd cave in. I'd tell myself this is the last time but all effort was futile.
I led her into the house, shutting the door.
* * * * *
I woke up before she did that morning. I should wake her because he'll realize she's gone in about ten minutes.
Not that she wasn't an amazingly beautiful woman but today she seemed a little less so. Actually, she fell a little everyday she'd live this way.
That must have said something about her beauty back in the day. Before she was living the lie.
Whenever I'd dream about her, she was always restored to that past state. She was the most glorious person in the world in that realm.
In real life, the circles under her eyes would grow darker. The lines on her face would grow deeper. The corners of her mouth would point more downward. She wasn't perfect, least of all when she was in my home breaking marriage vows.
She got up from bed, aware of but refusing to acknowledge my presence in the room. She'd make sure to get dressed efficiently so I couldn't see any incriminating flesh, which seemed ridiculous in light of what we'd done the night before. She'd tiptoe out of the room and, soon after, out of the apartment, convincing herself nothing had happened.
She belonged with her king. But, sadly, I knew I'd be there again when she wanted me.
Back to Main Page