“What? Yeah. Just didn’t expect to get attacked by the cabinet. Uh, one shot or two?”
“One.” I shook my head as I watched Ben rub his. “I’m a total lightweight, and we haven’t eaten in hours.”
“I think I can find some snacks. Or we can send Roscoe out for food if you want something more substantial.” Ben poured a splash of rum from a white bottle into the glasses before handing me one.
“Sláinte.” He clinked his glass against mine then drank deeply. I watched, spellbound, as he swallowed and swallowed until his glass was empty.
“Wow.” I paused and took a sip of my drink to mark his toast then winced as the astringent tang of alcohol punched me in the face. I wasn’t exactly a big drinker.
Unlike Ben, apparently, I noted as he poured himself another round. I warily watched the liquor go into his cup. “Maybe food’s not a bad idea. What do you have?”
Ben grabbed his new drink, and this time only took a sip before he searched the fridge and cabinets again. “Just the usual junk food. Chips and dip. Pretzels. Sandwich makings. Some lunchmeat. You want a sandwich?”
“A sandwich sounds good, actually.”
In moments, Ben had the tiny booth covered in sandwich ingredients.
“Mayo or miracle whip?”
“I can make my own sandwich. It’s literally my job.”
“One, you’re not at work here, and two, I thought your job was to take orders not to cook?”
“Po-tay-toe, po-tat-toe. I’ve been known to help Gwen when she needs it.”
“Because that’s who you are. You’re the kinda person who kills themselves taking care of everyone around them. It’s my turn to take care of you, so just sit there and look pretty.”
Did he seriously just tell me to sit and look pretty?
“Yup, just like that. Actually, the open mouth is a good touch, makes me think of…” He busted out laughing as I glared at him. He plopped a few more ingredients onto the table. “Never mind.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, but I stayed where I was and let him fuss over me.
After Ben so sweetly made my sandwich for me, he slid the plate across the tiny table, and I dug in. Suddenly I was feeling ravenous. Ben quickly made his own, and we ate in companionable silence for a moment.
It was still so surreal to me that we were in a rock star’s bus at the festival. “You never said. Whose bus is this exactly?”
“It’s, uh… It’s Reuben Bello’s.”
“You know him?” I couldn’t remember if I should be embarrassed or not. “I’m sorry if I said something tacky about him. I’m sure his music is awesome. I haven’t really listened to it.”
Ben waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it.”
“So you guys are friends? Have you known him long?”
“Feels like forever,” he muttered as he took another huge bite.
“Are you his agent?”
Ben shook his head. “More like music producer.”
“Really? I’m sorry to say that I don’t know much about the industry. Have you worked with him long?”
Ben snorted. “I’ve worked with him since the beginning.”
“Oh wow. I still feel bad that I didn’t recognize you. The security guards seemed to be fans. I guess that means you’re kinda big in the industry, huh? Have you worked with a lot of musicians?”
This time Ben made a choking sound.
