“Are you jealous because Ben went on family vacations with us? Is that the problem? Because I don’t understand, Brad. Shouldn’t you be happy for your brother that he had some worldly experiences in his life? I’m sorry, we didn’t invite you, but you and I aren’t exactly friends.”
“No, we’re not, which means you should leave.”
“I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on with Ben.”
Brad turns his back on me. “You need to leave Ben alone, let him live his life. For eight years or so, he’s been under your spell, and it’s time he figured out who he is. He’s never been given a chance to be Benjamin Miller because he’s always been Elle’s best friend. For once, Ben’s putting himself first. I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not. It’s about time he’s removed himself from your clutches.”
“My clutches? You make me sound like I’ve done him a disservice by being his friend, and yet Ben’s had opportunities he would’ve never gotten. How easily you forget it was Ben, who came up to me and followed me around. I could’ve ignored him, treated him like crap, but I didn’t because he made me laugh because he saw me for me and not who my family is.” I wipe angrily at my tears. “All I’m asking is for you to tell where he is. There are things I need to say to him that can only be done in person.”
Brad faces me and slowly shakes his head before shrugging. “Sorry, don’t know.”
“You’re a liar Brad Miller.”
“No, I’m a big, brother protecting his little brother from the big bad wolf.” He tilts his head toward the door. “I think it’s time for you to go now. I’m sure Daddy’s credit card hasn’t been used in the last hour, better hurry before it burns a hole in your pocket.”
I flip him off because I’m too angry to get the words out. However, my action doesn’t even faze him. He waves goodbye, leaving me no choice but to leave. Once I’m at the bottom of the driveway, I pull over and let my tears flow. I wasted half a day thinking Brad would help me. I’m left with no other choice but to ask Talia, plead my case with her while making sure she understands I’m not a threat to her relationship with Ben.
The question is, when I finally confront him, what will I say? Do I demand he tell me about the night of his birthday? What if he doesn’t, where does that leave us? Deep down, I feel as if something happened between us, something triggered this avalanche of weirdness and I need to know what so I can fix it. Brad’s right, in a sense. For eight years, Ben and I have been friends, and I’m not about to let our relationship end. With or without Brad’s help.
20
Ben
I love New York City. Okay, love may be stretching it, but I’m definitely happy and glad I decided to take the internship. My workload has increased. Never a bad thing when you’re trying to impress your boss. At our weekly check-in, Margie was ecstatic with what Talia and I had put together for Eo’s management team, which was basically starting the group at the bottom by rebuilding and expanding their fan base with a series of summer concerts. It was a shot in the dark, but one Talia and I were happy to present. We still have a lot of work to do on our proposal until it’s finalized. However, Margie wanted to see how we handle individual projects as well. I can say, without a doubt, I’m enjoying this job.
Tonight, Talia and I, along with two other sets of interns are going out for drinks to unwind from the long work hours we’ve endured as a result of our managers including us in their meetings. Coming into this internship, I didn’t know what to expect. Professor Jacobs didn’t have a lot of information on what my duties would be, other than I’d be working in the field of marketing. Being included in the day-to-day dealings has been a dream come true for me.
The bar we’re in is one of the new trendy hot spots with music so loud you can barely hear the person next to you. Yet, we continue to yell at each other, we nod like we understand what the other person is saying, and we laugh when they laugh because we don’t want to embarrass ourselves and miss a social cue.
Tara orders a round of shots. She, along with Ashley, Roy and Jeff are the other interns working for Omni. Everyone, including Talia, thinks we’re long overdue for a night of debauchery. I don’t disagree, but I’ve been down this road before and getting sloppy faced drunk usually leads to bad choices, which leads to life changing moments.
Okay, not all parties end up like my birthday. That night was nothing more than an unfortunate incident. One I’d love to forget, but can’t. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, Elle is always at the forefront of my mind. Maybe it’s because my project revolves around a band and I spent so much time with 4225 West, that it’s bound to bring back memories. I remember my first tour with them. I didn’t think my mom would let me go, but she shocked everyone when she told me to have fun.
“Okay, I’ve cleaned the house, and I bought her flowers.”
“I’m sure she’ll say yes. Do you want my dad to come over?” Elle asks. She’s currently sitting on my couch with her knees pulled to her chest, reading one of the books that’s on our required summer reading list. I have yet to start mine, while she’s on her third.
“I think my mom would crap her pants if Harrison James was in her living room.”
Elle looks up from her book and rolls her eyes. “He can be very smooth when he wants something.”
“And he wants me to come on this month-long tour?”
She shrugs. “His princess does.”
“You’re so spoiled.”
Elle closes the book and sets it down on top of her bag. “I’m not, Ben. You’ve been to my house. We live modestly. We have chores. We work.” By we, she’s referring to her brother and sister. Yes, she’s right. I’ve never known children of famous people who have jobs, albeit, they work at the café which is owned by family. However, the Powell-James siblings stay out of trouble and are never in the tabloids. Believe me, I’ve Googled Elle far too many times.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. Maybe your dad should come over or your mom.”
Elle digs through her bag and pulls out her cell phone. She types away but doesn’t tell me to who. The nerves I was feeling a few minutes ago have increased tenfold. I’ve never had someone famous in my house before, and I’m not sure how my mom will react. I know she loves the band and was a fan long before we moved here. Me choosing to fall for Elle, was just dumb luck.
I begin to pace, and when I’m not pacing, I’m sweeping the floor and wiping imaginary dust particles off the lampshade. Elle tells me to stop worrying, but I can’t. The sound of a motorcycle rumbles to a stop in front of my house.
“You texted your dad?”
She shrugs. “Like I said, he’s smooth.”