Haircut (Beth Harmon X Benny Watts)

Chapter 34

"Is something wrong?" Benny asked with a concerned look on his face. "You haven't said a thing since you came back from the bathroom."

Benny and I were walking back to our hotelroom. I had tried to concentrate on the conversation between Collin and Matt, but I couldn't. The photographs, the magazines and the notebook kept flying through my head.

Townes. He was here. And he was writing something about Benny and I? Did he get an assignment or is he investigating on his own?
Because that would be terrifying.

"Beth?"

I suddenly noticed that I had started to walk faster. Why was he here? This was supposed to be my comeback, my real comeback.

"Hell, Beth, wait."

Benny tried to take my hand, but I pulled it away from him. I knew my hands were sweaty and I didn't want him to know. I kept walking, my eyes on the floor.

"Alright, enough." Benny sprinted in front of and stopped me by laying hands on both my shoulders. "Out with it." His voice sounded irritated.

I looked up from the ground. He raised an eyebrow, looking confused.

I couldn't tell him. He would freak out, more than I was already doing. It would ruin the tournament and New year's Eve. And we both didn't deserve that.

"Sorry. There nothing wrong."

"You're hilarious. What is it? You're pale."

I sighed. "I'm not feeling all that well. Maybe my tiramisu? I don't know."

He inspected my face for a few seconds.

"I know you're lying."

His angry eyes burned in mine. He knew me too well. It was a stupid lie. I lived with a hangover for almost a year. Tiramisu wouldn't get me down.

His eyes softened abruptly, like he thought about something. His grasp on my shoulders also loosened.

"Did you want to drink? Are you scared you will relapse?"

I didn't know what to say. I was panicking inside.
So after a few seconds, I just nodded.

"You forgot that you have never relapsed with me in the same room? You don't have to worry, I'm here."
He grinned.

I knew he was trying to calm me down, but I only felt worse. I hated lying to him, but Townes would fuck the whole thing up. It would be worth it.

"I know." I whispered.

He pulled me close and gave me a short kiss. Leaving my lips slightly tingling.

"Let's go to bed."

He laid his hand on my back, which I was very thankful for. My hands were still sweaty.

I couldn't sleep that night. It didn't matter how many times I turned around, or how many times I stole a little bit more blanket from Benny, my eyes wouldn't close. And everytime they did close, I saw the word Townes written on that stupid notebook. Or I'd see Benny's concerned face and I was filled with guilt.

If only I had some pills right now, I thought. Than I would be sleeping like a rose in les than 30 minutes. But ofcourse, I knew I shouldn't and I didn't even have them.

When I rolled back around to look at the clock it said 4:35 AM. I had to get up in 5 hours. I rolled on my stomache and let out a loud groan in my pillow.

I wish I hadn't, because I accidentally woke up Benny. He moved closer to me and put his arm around my waist.

"I know it's hard for you. But stop worrying and just enjoy laying in bed. It might be less amazing than sleeping, but it's better than moving around like a fish out of the water."

He softly massaged my back with his thumb. "We'll figure it out in the morning."

I nodded, even though it was dark and he couldn't see me. But he knew that I had understood him, because he pulled his arm away from my back and rolled back to his side of the bed.

I tried what he said. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the soft touch of the bed sheets. After another hour, I fell in a restless sleep.

Benny and I had breakfast together. I had told him that, because of my lack of sleep I didn't mind eating without Matt, Mike and Collin. That really was true, but I was also scared that Matt and Mike would start to ask questions. They knew me almost as well as Benny.

We stayed quiet during most of our meal. Benny was reading through a chess book and I was trying to get my mind sharp by drinking too may cups of coffee.

Around 10:40 AM, twenty minutes before our first game, we walked towards the main casino hall.

"I know you're probably really tired, but you better win you're matches today." He said as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Is that supposed to me an encouragement?" I asked.

"Yes it is. If you don't win today, I can't look forward to our big final match on the last day. We couldn't have that, could we?" He smiled.

All the muscles in my body suddenly relaxed. His smile really was the best medicine on earth.

I took a step forward and kissed him.

"I hope you take you're own advice, you're going to play against Collin, remember?" I said teasingly.

He gave me an overly confident look and we walked to the tables. Just before we parted, he grabbed my hand.

"You go this."

I nodded and I walked off to the table with number 17 on it. Behind it sat a boy from around seventeen.

"Hell, yeah I do." I whispered to myself.

~A.N: I freaking love tiramisu