Private Show (The Private Series) (31 page)

“I know you didn’t hook up with him.” I say confidently.

She bites on her lips and crosses her chest, “Oh yeah? How are you so sure?”

“Because I know Ben better than anyone.”

Before she can say anything her phone rings and I just drop off my CDs and walk out into the rain.

I didn’t even put my jacket back on. I just wanted to get out of there. Tony is right behind me, holding his coat over my head while I throw mine on. He is a gentleman.

“Thanks,” I say, “so how about that coffee? I think I need to calm my nerves.”

“You got it. And don’t most people have coffee to jack up their nerves, not calm them?”

“I am a little different.”

I take a hot shower to try and warm my bones. The hot coffee and conversation with Tony helped a lot, but I just feel off. I feel lost. When I am standing in the steaming cascade of water, I think about calling Ben. I wonder what he’s been up to, other than sending me a flower every day. He hasn’t texted or called in a while… not that I was reading the messages.

I put on a pair of leggings and a baggy sweatshirt. I pop in a microwave dinner and pour a glass of wine. Wow. I am one cat away from being totally pathetic.

Just as the ding on microwaves alerts me my dinner is ready, I get a buzz at my intercom. It’s a delivery. I rush down to get it. It’s an envelope with no insignia of where it came from or from who. I rip it open to find a fancy invitation.

Miss Tess Martin,

You are invited by Tones Magazine to attend the charity masquerade ball at Neptune 1303 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA.

On the evening of November 23
rd
.

Wear your best and prepare to rock the benefit to stop bullying.

Featuring the chart topping band: Shinedown

Masks are mandatory.

A piece of paper falls out of the envelope. It’s from Mrs. Fuller, telling me that I will be shooting the event with Katherine, my new writing partner, and to keep an eye out for a detailed e-mail.

I have never been to a formal event, but I have always wanted to go to a masquerade ball. And to photograph fucking Shinedown! My all-time favorite band! This is going to be a fun night. I wonder if Ben will be there… I am sure he will be. At least I’ll be working with a new girl and not be too horribly distracted. Although dressing up and dancing with Ben would be a dream.

Stop it, Tess. Think about work. Focus on work
.

What am I going to wear? The event is this weekend! This calls for an emergency shopping trip with Erin. I pick up my cell to call her right away and I have a text from Ben.

Ben:
Are you seeing someone?

What? Nicole! That bitch! Well, there goes the silent treatment.

Tess:
No I am not
.

Ben:
Who were you with earlier?

Tess:
A friend
.

Ben:
I didn’t know you had male friends
.

Tess:
He’s a new friend.

Ben:
Where did you meet him?

Tess:
What’s it matter? You seem to be all buddy buddy with Nicole.

I snip. Not going to stop until I get some answers.

Ben:
I told you, nothing happened! Trust me.

Tess:
Oh, yeah? Then where is the trust on me and my new friend? HUH?! And I see Nicole got her claws into you or I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you right now.

Ben:
I just want to keep what’s mine.

I decide to not reply to that. I want to keep it that way.

“What do you want, Nicole?” I ask, annoyed, when she comes into Chatz. I really hate having to come in at night to help out, I don’t want anything to happen, and give Tess another wrong impression. I feel like I am walking on glass. I am already on the edge, and I feel that if I miss one step I am dead.

“Oh, nothing Ben…” She is trying to be coy and cutesy. I am not buying it.

“Don’t waste my time, I am really not in the fucking mood and I told you not to come here!” I haven’t slept much. I am constantly here or in the office at
Tones,
just to keep myself distracted. But my nerves are just about shot and she is not fucking helping.

She leans over my table and shoves her cleavage in my face. “Just thought that I would let you know, that I saw your so-called girlfriend with another guy not too long ago.”

Now she has my attention.

She smiles knowing she got to me, “Jealous? Want to stick it to her by sticking me?” She licks her upper lip.

“No, thank you.” Just the thought alone disgusts me. I mean yeah, I am horny as fuck, but no way in bloody hell I am going after her… or anyone that isn’t Tess. “Pretty sure I made that clear when I took off out of your place, the other day.”

“Don’t you want to know more about this guy she was with?”

“Not particularly.”

“He’s apparently a tattoo artist or
her
tattoo artist, as she put it.”

Wait
her
tattoo artist? Tess doesn’t have any tattoos. That’s it. Time to get home. I need to text her, since she won’t answer her phone. Maybe I will get lucky this time and she will respond.

Did she get a tattoo? And why is she hanging out with the guy?

I stand and push past Nicole, and as I do she presses herself up against me. I just cringe. My body is only for Tess’s taking.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“Mind your own business, Nicole.” I snap at her.

I motion to Charles that I am heading out and he lifts his hand in a wave. I can’t get out of here fast enough.

Erin knows where all of the good shops are in Seattle, so I follow her around in search for the perfect dress and mask for the benefit. We have already been to three stores and I just haven’t seen the perfect dress yet.

“It’s not like you’re looking for a wedding dress!” Erin snips at me.

“I know… I just want something different, something no one else will be wearing.”

“I know where to take you, come on!”

We end up at this funky little shop and judging by the mannequins in the window, they just might have what I am looking for. As soon as we step in we are greeted by heavy rock music, black and red walls, and a space full of clothes from casual to dressy. There are glass stands full of accessories and a corner filled with shoes. I think I am in heaven!

“Hi, welcome! My name is Monique. Is there anything special you are looking for?” She is dressed like me.

We explain my needs.

Her mouth pops open, “Are you attending the Anti-Bullying benefit with Shinedown?” she asks eagerly.

I nod. “Yes, but I am also working it. I am a concert photographer for the magazine
Tones
.”

She bounces off and returns with a rack on wheels full of colorful dresses. “I think I have just the thing for you!”

I watch as she pulls the most beautiful dress out. It is bright pink and black, fitted on top and poofs out at the bottom with tulle. It’s shorter in the front and longer in the back, or as I like to call it, a mullet dress.

Erin squeaks. “That’s it!”

I couldn’t agree more.

As I get ready to go to Neptune, Erin is there, telling me how sexy I look. But I don’t feel sexy, and all I say is, “Thank you.”

She helps me zip the dress up, “So… do you think Ben will be there?”

I sigh. “Most likely, I mean he is the magazine’s top journalist. I know I am working with someone new tonight, but it’s a huge event and they will have all hands on deck.”

Erin hands me my mask. It’s simple and gorgeous; glittery and pink with a black rose to the side with ribbon hanging from it. And there is a simple swirl design around the eyes. I put it on and I stand in front of the full-length mirror on the back of my bathroom door.

Erin helps me carry my gear down to the black Jeep Wrangler that James dropped off for me this morning. He took care of the deal and I gave him the money. I have been so busy and I am grateful for him taking care of this for me.

I take in a deep breath, and Erin reaches in and takes my hand in hers. “Talk to him Tess.”

I give her tight smile and nod.

“I mean it.”

“I know. Hey, I need to ask you about something…” I need to know the Details before talking to Ben, I think it’s only fair to hear both side, before getting angry.

“Of course, what’s eating you?”

I take in a deep breath, “Remember that night I brought your drunken butt home from Chatz?”

“Yeah and thank you again by the way, you saved me from what did you call him?”

“Ass Hat,” I can’t help but smile, “After I had tucked you in and was leaving your room, you said something…”

Her eyebrows go up and so do her hands, she has a soft smile on her face as she waits for me to carry on.

In one rushed breath I get it out, “You said that I can’t find out that you slept with Ben.”

Erin’s hands shoot to her mouth and she bends over, “Oh, my God! Tess! I am so sorry! I didn’t want to hurt you, by telling you that! Shit! Do you hate me? I am so sorry, it was a long time ago! Like a
long
time ago… and a drunken one nighter.”

“No, I don’t hate you!”

“I am so sorry!” She cries and she reaches for a hug and I let her. I have no real reason to be angry or upset. This obviously happened before I came into the picture.

“I know and it’s okay. I get it.” And I really do. Even after all this bullshit I get it.

“Ben never said anything either?” She asks, wiping away strained tears.

I shake my head, “Do you blame him?” I snort.

“I suppose not. I am really sorry Tess, I love you like a sister and I never want to hurt you.”

“I love you too, you’re my best friend. In the future don’t be afraid to tell me anything okay?”

“Deal.”