Page 56 of Off Script
Knocking my shoulder with his, Ben teases, “Just so long as you don’t like him more than you like me, it’s fine. As you now know, I have issues with family members stealing my girl.”
Does Ben Sutton Have a Secret Girlfriend?
Jasmine Reedy, 21, and Marielle Vasquez, 24, stars of the popular teen dramaBrentwood Highwere photographed outside of the popular Los Angeles eatery, Le Bistro, on Tuesday evening. While bystanders reported that the young women appeared intoxicated, it isn’t their drunken antics that’s creating a frenzied buzz amongst celebrity gossip columnists this morning.
It was only last week that actor Ben Sutton, 30, again sparked dating rumors with hisCaptain Commanderco-star Willa Radford, 27, but this week, Sutton is being linked to a different woman. Fans are claiming that the photos taken outside of Le Bistro may have also unknowingly captured Sutton in a steamy lip lock with a mysterious blonde woman who is definitely not the auburn-haired Radford.
This theory started making the rounds early today when an eagle-eyed fan with the usernameRedRobynne78291first re-posted the paparazzi photos on Reddit’s ‘Hollywood Heartthrobs’ forum, along with her speculation that the man in the background of the grainy photos was Sutton. While the man does resemble thehandsome actor, his identity has yet to be confirmed. At time of publication,RedRobynne78291’s post has garnered thousands of interactions and been re-posted across multiple social media platforms.
Sutton, who stars in the upcoming superhero filmCaptain Commander, is notoriously tight-lipped about his private affairs. Sutton has not officially been linked to anyone since he accompanied actress Bree Daniels, 31, to last year’s Academy Awards ceremony and after parties. While he hasn’t commented on his relationship status as of late, many Hollywood insiders believe that he and hisCaptain Commanderco-star Willa Radford, 27, are indeed dating. If true, then this fan theory is probably a simple case of mistaken identity.
Representatives for Sutton and Radford were unavailable for comment.
19
Ben
After Cole was confirmed to be the father of Kelsey’s baby, he and Kelsey moved to Austin so that Cole could join my dad at our family’s general contracting company. I think my dad pushed for them to relocate to Texas because he realized I needed them as far removed from my life as possible in order to heal from their betrayal.
Following Duke’s birth, I wanted to be the bigger person and set aside my hurt to mend the rift within our family. The friction between Cole and me was tearing my mom apart, so I agreed to come home for a visit. But it was too much, too soon and I couldn’t handle it emotionally. I harbored too much anger towards Cole and my unresolved feelings for Kelsey clouded my judgment. I was still gutted by their deception and being around Kelsey was next to impossible for me.
Throughout the visit, Kelsey sought me out time and again, trying to lure me back into a physical relationship with her. I’m ashamed to admit that I was tempted. Kelsey’s presence had always been a heady aphrodisiac for me. It never mattered how pissed off I was at her or how much I professed to hate her, my body, working independent of my brain, reacted to her in ways I couldn’t control.
It would have been easy to get swept back into her web of lies and deceit, but I refused to do to my brother what he had done to me.
Rebuffing Kelsey was one of the hardest things I’ve done, and I was afraid I wasn’t strong enough to continue telling her no. She could sense my uncertainty, and I knew she’d prey upon my weakness until I succumbed to her advances. So, I cut my trip short and flew back early. In the intervening years, my parents have flown to California to see me, but I haven’t returned to Austin since that disastrous visit.
Unfortunately, some things never change. It’s been two years, but Kelsey’s still playing the same games. While we dated, I only paid attention to her beautiful appearance and willing body. I was stupid and horny and took her at face value. But I no longer do. Like a curtain that has been raised, I clearly see the calculated way she behaves now.
I was mostly saved from Kelsey yesterday because I spent the remainder of the day in the kitchen cooking with my mom and Carlisle. Unfortunately, today has been a different story. Kelsey has spent all day trying to corner me alone in hopes of rekindling our previous relationship. When those attempts proved unsuccessful, she openly flirted with me, making everyone uncomfortable and pissing off Cole. No matter how many times I shut her down, she doesn’t quit.
As I’m in the kitchen drying and putting away the last of the dishes from our holiday dinner, the rest of the family is outside enjoying drinks and more desserts on the patio. Standing at the sink, I watch Carlisle through the large window overlooking the backyard. Something my mom says makes Carlisle throw back her head in laughter, and I smile in response, vicariously basking in Carlisle’s happiness.
Distracted and lost in thought, I don’t sense Kelsey’s presence in the kitchen until she touches me. Her hands slide under my sweater and around my waist, quickly drifting lower and lower. Tensing under her touch, I jerk my body out of her grip and pivot to face her, almost dropping the platter that I’m drying in the process of escaping her hands.
Kelsey’s touch feels wrong.
When I turn to face her, I realize everything about her is wrong. She looks wrong, she smells wrong, she feels wrong.
Sheiswrong for me.
And this time, finally, my body and my brain agree. Kelsey isn’t my person.
Maybe I had to find the right person before I could realize that.
I’m fucking pissed that Kelsey continues trying to involve me in her shit. Eyes flashing, with my voice in a barely controlled whisper, I speak through gritted teeth, “Don’t fucking touch me, Kelsey. Never again.”
She scrunches up her nose and juts out her bottom lip, pouting. “Don’t be like that, Ben.” Kelsey reaches for the button on my jeans, but I slap her hand away. Undeterred, she whimpers, “We were good together, and we still could be.”
“We were never good together, Kelsey. You’re a vindictive, manipulative bitch. But none of that even matters because you’re married to my brother. Loyalty may not mean anything to you, but it means everything to me.” After drying my hands on a dish towel, I throw it on the kitchen counter. “We’re over, Kelsey. We’ve been over for three fucking years, and we’re never, ever getting back together. Leave me the fuck alone.”
Leaving Kelsey gawping like a fish out of water in the kitchen, I join the others on the back patio, eager to get back to my girl.
Continuing the guise that Carlisle and I are merely friends, I sit down next to her but keep space between our bodies. Over the next hour, Carlisle occasionally glances my way and smiles. Sometimes the wind blows just right, enabling me to catch a faint whiff of her vanilla scented perfume. Other times, she shifts in her seat and brushesup against me, and that’s enough for now. Just being close to her is enough for now.
But it won’t be enough for much longer because I need Carlisle in a way that I’ve never needed another woman before.
My mom and Carlisle share a bottle of wine and discuss their favorite books, Christmas shopping, and college football. My dad, my brother, and I sip bourbon and listen to the ladies talk. Occasionally, one of us chimes in when their conversation turns to football, but for the most part, we’re content to listen. Duke has fallen asleep in Cole’s arms, worn out from a long day without a proper nap. Eventually, Kelsey drifts back outside, but she sits off to the side, glaring at us. I ignore her.
