Cheated On Claimed Tonight

Lila checked her phone one last time as the elevator climbed to the tenth floor. It was just past seven, and she had picked up Tyler's favorite Thai food from the place on 53rd Street.

Extra spicy pad see ew, the way he liked it. She smiled to herself, thinking how nice it would be to surprise him. Lately he had been moody, saying he was stressed about job interviews that never seemed to go anywhere.

She paid the rent, the cable, the groceries, everything. But tonight she wanted to remind him they were in this together.

The hallway smelled like someone's dinner cooking.

She balanced the paper bag in one arm and fished for her key with the other. The door clicked open quietly. She stepped inside, kicking off her shoes.

"Tyler?" she called softly. "Babe, I'm home early."

No answer. The living room lights were on low, the TV off. She set the food on the kitchen counter and noticed something odd.

A pair of red high heels sat by the couch. Not hers. They were strappy, expensive-looking. Next to them was a small black purse with a gold chain. Her stomach twisted a little.

Maybe one of his friends brought a girl over? But Tyler never had friends over when she wasn't home.

She walked toward the hallway that led to the bedroom.

Her socks were silent on the hardwood. Halfway down, something caught her eye on the floor. A black lace bra. Just lying there like it had been tossed. Her heart started beating faster.

This wasn't right.

She kept moving, slower now. Voices came from behind the closed bedroom door. Low, breathy. A woman's giggle, then Tyler's voice, rough and excited.

"Come on, baby, ride me harder. Your pussy feels so fucking good. Tighter than hers ever was."

Lila froze. The words hit like a slap. She knew that tone. She had heard it when they were together, back when things felt good.

Her hand reached for the doorknob before she could think. She turned it slowly and pushed the door open just enough to see.

Tyler was on top of a blonde girl with long legs wrapped around his waist.

He was moving hard, fast, grunting. The girl moaned his name, nails digging into his back. The sheets were tangled around them. The room smelled like sex and her perfume.

Lila stood there for what felt like forever, but it was probably only seconds. Her chest hurt so bad she couldn't breathe right. The takeout bag was still in her other hand. She dropped it. The plastic crinkled loud on the floor.

Tyler looked up. His eyes went wide. "Lila?"

The girl squealed and tried to cover herself with the sheet.

Lila didn't say anything. She just turned and walked out. Her legs felt heavy, like they belonged to someone else. She heard Tyler calling after her, scrambling, but she didn't stop.

She grabbed her shoes at the door, didn't even put them on, and ran into the hallway.

The elevator ride down was a blur. Tears burned her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall yet.

Outside, the rain had started. Cold drops hit her face as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She waved for a cab, climbed in, and gave the driver the first place that came to mind: the rooftop bar at the Meridian Hotel on 57th.

She had walked past it a hundred times, always thinking it looked too fancy for her. Tonight she didn't care.

The cab pulled up. She paid with the last cash in her wallet and walked inside. The lobby was warm, gold lights everywhere. She took the elevator to the roof. When the doors opened, wind hit her, carrying the smell of rain and expensive drinks.

The place was half full. Soft jazz played. People in nice clothes laughed at tables under string lights. The city sparkled below, wet and bright.

Lila went straight to the bar. "Vodka tonic. Double."

The bartender nodded and poured. She drank half in one go. The burn helped. She drank the rest and asked for another.

That's when she felt it. Someone was watching her.

She turned slightly. A man sat a few stools away. Older, maybe late forties.

Dark hair with silver at the sides. Tall, even sitting down. Black suit, no tie, top button open. He had a glass of something amber in his hand. His eyes were on her, steady, not creepy, but intense. Like he could see straight through the mess she was feeling.

He lifted his glass a little, almost like a question.

Lila stared back. Something hot and angry and needy stirred in her chest. She was done crying over Tyler. Done being the one who gave everything and got nothing, she can't believe that Tyler cheated on her.

She slid off her stool, picked up her drink, and walked over to him.

"You look like you know what you're doing," she said, voice low because of the music and because she was already a little buzzed.

"Can you fuck me better than my cheating boyfriend ever did?"

He didn't blink. A slow smile curved his mouth. Deep voice, smooth. "Let's find out.”