Page 94 of Something Like Summer
The usual terror andexcitement stole over him as he returned to stage to begin hissong. His fiancée rejected his apology as she did in everyperformance, leaving him alone on stage. Ben turned to theaudience, the remaining lyrics those of remorse.
“Had I but known you whenyou were poor, had you but known me when I was pure.”
He swept his eyes over theaudience, barely seeing them through his musical trance, butsomething pulled him back. A gaze more intense than others. Had theeyes been silver?
“If I could pull this lovefrom my chest, leave you standing with all the rest.”
Tim. Ben was sure he wasout there. Seeing the audience from the stage was never easy, butthe shape of his face, the glint of those eyes. It had to be him.Ben wanted to step forward, out of the blinding spotlight, but hewouldn’t allow his voice to waver.
“But now there’s nothingleft inside of me, just broken pieces no one can see.”
The lights faded, theentire theater in shadow. The applause made Ben flinch before aharsh whisper reminded him to return backstage. He waited in thewings as the rest of the play went on, squinting into the darknessat the figure he had seen, convinced at times that he had beenmistaken. Then came the curtain call. Ben joined his fellow actorsin their bows, impatient for the lights to rise so the audiencecould leave. By the time they did, the table was empty.
The next night was much thesame. From his first line Ben’s attention was on the audience morethan the play. The figure sat at a different table this time, butthere he was, a solitary silhouette who never took his eyes offBen, even when the lines weren’t his. Ben could see him a bitbetter at this new table, nursing a beer. Was that a cocky smilebetween swigs?
“Isn’t that right,Jacob?”
Ben’s imaginary fiancée puta meaningful hand on his shoulder.
“Y-Yes!” He scrambled forhis line. “Yes, my dear, that is precisely what we shall do. Runaway together, prove the nay-sayers wrong!”
He turned his fullattention back to his acting, not looking at the audience againuntil his final song. He put all of himself into his voice, singingonly to the table he could no longer see.I know you’re there,he wanted tocommunicate.I don’t know what you want,but please don’t run away.
When the lights came up atthe end of the show, an empty beer glass was the only evidence thatthe table had been occupied.
* * * * *
“There’s someone waitingfor you,” Brian said as Ben scrubbed the makeup from his face. “Inreception.”
“Jace?” Ben asked, alreadyknowing otherwise.
“No, but maybe I shouldgive him a heads up,” Brian said, raising an eyebrow. “Whoever yourmystery man is, he’s smoking hot.”
“Allison’s going to be sadwhen she finds out you’re crossing over,” Ben joked.
Ben didn’t hear Brian’ssnappy comeback. His chest felt tight and his breath short as hehurried to make himself presentable. Was he excited? Nervous? Didhe have a right to be either of these or was that the beginning ofinfidelity?
Steadying himself, hewalked to the reception area, resisting the urge to run. Only oneperson waited there, and he was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.Silky blond hair framed his young face. His complexion was perfect,his mouth delicate and pink next to the black lip piercing. Hisblue eyes looked Ben over before settling into a scowl. The angeronly accentuated his handsomeness.
“You’re Benjamin?” the boyasked.
“Ben,” he corrected,having already put the pieces together. This wasn’tgood.
“So much for the legend.”The beauty faded momentarily, overshadowed by hate.
“And you are?”
“Ryan, Tim’s boyfriend.”He waited for a reaction, disgusted when none came. “What, he nevertold you about me?”
“I haven’t spoken to Timin years.”
Emotions played acrossRyan’s face—doubt, suspicion, sorrow. How young was he? Still ateenager, that was certain. Ben suddenly felt old. He thought backto his emotionally tumultuous adolescent years. What would he havewanted to hear if he were Ryan?
“You’ve got nothing toworry about,” he said. “I’m happily married. I’m not interested inTim anymore.”
Ryan’s handsome visagereturned to anger. “That doesn’t mean he’s not interested in you. Iknow he’s been coming here, so you can stop with thelies.”
Ben sighed. He wouldn’t beable to defuse this situation. Better to retreat and let them sortit out at home. “I have to go, but I hope you two work things out,”he said, turning to leave but stopping when he saw Brian standingin the doorway.
