Something Better

Leave The Bourbon On The Shelf

Martha felt sick with nerves. She stared at her reflection, checking every tiny minute detail of her face, right up close to the mirror and then standing back to take in the whole outfit. She was wearing a black chiffon halter neck dress and gold stiletoes that she had bought herself earlier in the day. The dress was cut low at the back so she had decided to wear her hair down. She had fixed it so it fell in slight curls around her shoulders and her fringe was sitting to one side. Her shoes made her short legs look a bit longer, although she was still small. Martha jumped as there was a knock at the door and her stomach was churning, because she knew it was Brandon.

Brandon and the others had gone to meet with a producer straight after breakfast and she hadn't seen anyone since then. Brandon had texted her while she was out shopping, just to see if she was ok and then to say he was back at the hotel and he would collect her at about 8 o'clock.

It was now 8 o'clock and Martha was walking to open her hotel room door to Brandon. She knew things were changing between them and she had a feeling something might happen between them tonight. She was shaking as she turned the lock and opened the door.

"Well, don't you scrub up well Miss Love!" Ronnie sang as Martha blushed furiously in the doorway, "Your majesty is almost ready," He said pointing to Brandon's door with a smile.

Just then Dave and Mark came and stood with Ronnie and Martha. They both complimented Martha sweetly and made comments about how Brandon was such a diva. Martha giggled along as they made jokes about each other. Finally, Brandon came out of his room looking a little flustered and Martha smiled to herself, because she knew that he was also nervous. Dave, Mark and Ronnie started walking down the corridor leaving Martha standing in front of Brandon. He looked at her like she was from outer space.

"You look beautiful," He said so softly as he leaned in close to her as they walked towards the lift. Martha felt like she was soon to be a puddle on the floor, "Sorry I was late getting ready, I couldn't get my bow tie straight," Brandon said impatiently, "I still don't feel it's right," He whined.

"Let me see," Martha ordered as they stopped and faced each other in the corridor. Martha avoided his gaze and concentrated on Brandon's black bow tie. She tugged and fixed it until it was straight. "There you go, looking sharp!" Martha smiled as she allowed herself a glance at his eyes.

"Thank you," Brandon breathed, "I love your hair like this, I've never seen it down before," Brandon moved his hand up and lightly touched Martha's hair, just at the side of her cheek, "it really suits you," Brandon smiled.

"Come on!" A loud voice came from the other end of the hallway, "Enough with the personal grooming, let's go!" Dave was standing with a scowl.

"You're so grumpy!" Martha laughed as she and Brandon joined the others by the lifts.

"You said it!" Ronnie laughed, "Wait till he has a few drinks, then he loves everybody and everything!"

"If we ever get to the bar!" Dave said looking sideways at Brandon as they stepped into the elevator.

Martha's could still feel the exact spot on her face that Brandon had touched, like the cells were reacting to the electricity they conducted. She stole a look at him to find he was looking at her. They both smirked and Brandon giggled.

"I think everything is going to go to plan this evening, gentlemen and lady," Ronnie said pompously just as the doors opened and they walked into the lobby.

Martha felt Brandon put his hand lightly on the small of her back as they left the lift. The top of his thumb pressed on to her bare skin. She laughed at herself and the effect this boy had on her, it was ridiculous! What was it going to be like if he kissed her? What if he actually kissed her? She decided she would probably die, but it was a heavenly way to die. Martha giggled and started to hum The Smith's 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out'.

"Great song,' Brandon said as they entered the function room, "Are you ok with all of this?" He whispered into her ear.

"Yeah," Martha caught her breath, "As long as you guys are here, I'll be fine," Martha whispered back with a smile.

"Ok, you know I'll be with you all night," Brandon smiled, unaware of what he had just said.

Martha smiled, her lips together to keep in her laugh, little did Brandon know she would love for him to be with her all night!

Brandon and the others were busy waving, nodding and chatting to different people they knew as they made their way to the bar. Martha follow taking in the atmosphere of the fancy party, she would never had experienced without her connection to Brandon. Brandon kept looking back at her and smiling as if he was checking she was ok. Martha wanted to grab his little bow tie and kiss him just for being so adorable and of course pretty fucking handsome in his perfectly tailored suit.

"Drinks?" Ronnie said rubbing his hand and raising his eyebrows.

"Cider for me please!" Martha piped up
As the others ordered beers. Brandon asked for a coke.

Brandon leaned against the bar beside Martha and Ronnie and looked around the room. He suddenly stood to attention as if he had been shocked and dipped his head low, pushing himself forward to talk to Ronnie who was busy passing out drinks.

"She's here!" Brandon hissed in a panic.

"What's up?" Ronnie said leaning in to hear Brandon.

"Sophie is here!" Brandon hissed again, looking around the room like a meerkat.

Martha felt her stomach almost hit her golden shoes, as she heard Brandon. She tried to sip her bottle of cider and turned to Dave and Mark to allow Ronnie to deal with Brandon. They gave her weak smiles, because they too had heard what Brandon had said. The three of them gave up talking and just stood and watched Brandon and Ronnie, as if a scene from a movie was being played out before them.

"Are you sure it's her?" Ronnie asked.

"Of course I'm fucking sure!" Brandon spat back.

"It's fine man!" Ronnie said moving his eyes towards Martha trying to tell Brandon to calm down.

"Should I go over?" Brandon asked looking like a lost animal.

"No!" Ronnie barked, "Just stay with us and we'll enjoy our night and if you have to talk to her we'll all be here." Ronnie's voice was soothing as if he were talking to a child.

"I'll feel better if I go and talk to her, just to say hi," Brandon stood at the bar and ordered a whiskey.

"Hey, what this?" Martha laughed as she stepped in trying to lighten the air, "You said you were trying to be good!" Martha said in mock annoyance, but when Brandon looked at her she saw he was different, the soft gaze that she was used to was gone.

"I know," He said coldly, "But it's a party!" He said, his words empty of emotion.

Brandon drank his whiskey in two gulps and stalked off into the crowd before any one could stop him.

"Shit!" Ronnie said angrily as he stood beside Martha, Mark and Dave, "This was not part of the plan guys!" He looked at Martha with a sympathetic smile, "You gotta be patient with him,"

"I'm not going anywhere," Martha said as she took a long drink of her cider. She felt like someone had poured a bucket of cold water over her, she was on edge and panicky. She was hopelessly waiting for Brandon to return, she was trying not to be obvious about looking around for him until Mark stooped and pointed to a spot further down the bar.

"There he is, talking to Sophie," Mark said kindly, "She's the blonde in the blue dress.