Hiding Behind False Eyes (A Ben Bruce Love Story.... Kind of.)

Chapter Seventeen- A Man that Lost His Mind So Long Ago

Rain’s P.O.V-

Danny was fucking wrecked.

The crowd was booing, and Ben had just asked the fans if they would support him in putting Danny through rehab, though we knew it wouldn’t happen. The crowd roared.

It killed me, seeing him like that, and I cried quietly backstage until Danny stumbled into the wings.

“Don’t cry, you fucking pussy,” he slurred. “I’m playing a show. We’ve got to be professional. I need a drink. Could you manage that babe?”

Unable to take it anymore, I stood up and grabbed Danny by the collar. “You know what, Danny? This is the most fucking pitiful thing I’ve ever seen. Think this is funny? Well it’s not just hurting you. I had a brother once, you know. He was four years older than me, and he had people who cared about him, just like you do. Two years ago, he drank himself to death. It was the most selfish thing he’d ever done. As much as you might like to think it, you’re not fucking invincible. The alcohol is going to kill you if you don’t stop, and you don’t know what that would do to the band, to me. Stop doing this to yourself,” I practically screamed, then shoved him away from me roughly. Making no effort to hide my tears, I ran back to the bus and threw myself into my bunk.

I blamed myself for this. He’d gotten drunk because I’d rejected him; I must’ve done something to lead him on, there must’ve been something I’d said to make him believe that I loved him. I banged my head against the wall.

I’d pushed him too far. This was the worst he’d ever been, and it was my fault.

I heard someone enter the bus. It was Ben.

“Sorry you had to see that,” he said, then kissed me on the forehead, climbed into my bunk and wrapped me in his comforting arms.

“I love you,” I said, burying my head in his chest.

“I love you too,” he whispered and our lips met in a soft kiss. I felt a warm feeling spread from head to toe, but it was quickly replaced again by my self-pity. Now I’d told him I loved him for the second time, and there was no going back.

When you loved someone, you didn’t keep secrets. I had to tell him about Danny.

***

Danny’s P.O.V-

“What the absolute fucking HELL? You know she’s mine, Danny! That was a dick move!”

I didn’t look at Ben, but I knew that he was probably pacing and running his hand through his messy hair in frustration.

“I can’t help it, Ben,” I said. “Don’t you think I’ve tried pushing away the feelings? I’m sorry, but it’s not my fucking fault.”

“She’s my girlfriend, Danny. Telling someone’s girl that you love them, that’s just not something you do! And to top it all off you got wasted before the show! Honestly Danny, how much can you screw up in one night?”

“You’d be surprised,” I said.

Ben slammed his fist down on the table. “You’re really not going to take me seriously? Fine. Fuck this,” he said. “Danny, I love you to death. You’re my best friend, and I don’t want this to come between us. Please just stay away from her, okay?”

With that he threw the bus door open and slammed it behind him as he stepped outside for a smoke.

Naturally, I walked to the fridge and cracked a beer. Time to make this day a little less shit.

***

Rain’s P.O.V-

“There,” I said with satisfaction.