Something Better

If I Only Knew The Answer

"I don't know why you are nervous!" Ronnie said to Brandon, who was driving holding too tightly to the steering wheel.

"He'll be there, and I don't know if I'll be able to take seeing them together," Brandon gave Ronnie a pathetic smile, "That's why I didn't want to be there for the big surprise part, to watch her walk into his arms, instead of mine, it's too much for me!"

"Dear Lord! You better get a hold of your emotions my friend, thank fuck you are not drinking!" Ronnie scoffed, "I told you what Charles said, Martha is crazy about you! You've got to let her see that you want to be with her, that you are ready!"

"What if I fuck it up?" Brandon whined.

"Hello? Are you living in the present? Things are already fucked up!" Ronnie laughed and shook his head.

"I hate you sometimes!" Brandon half smiled, as he pulled into the valet parking area of Caesar's Palace.

They made their way to the party room after being directed by a receptionist. Brandon was still nervous, but he was also excited to see Martha on her birthday and he hoped to finally make a proper move on her. They opened the door to find the circus. Performers were dressed up, unicycling and juggling, cartwheeling and tumbling. There was cotton candy, hotdogs and fairground stalls.

"Fuckin' hell!" Ronnie whispered looking at Brandon's wide eyes.

"I can't see her," Brandon said looking around for her familiar face.

"Hey! Welcome!" Charles said with a huge grin stepping out of the crowd.

"Hey man!"Ronnie said pulling Charles in close, "This is amazing!"

"It is Vegas, after all!" Charles laughed, "I'm glad you guys could make it."

"Where is the birthday girl?" Brandon said bouncing up on his toes, trying to disguise his building anxiety.

"Probably at the bar, she has had a few," Laughed Charles looking round for his friend.

Just at that moment her well known figure stepped up on to the little karaoke stage. Brandon smiled as he watched Martha in a floor length golden glittery dress take the microphone. She gave a shy smile at a few people who were encouraging her with clapping close to the stage. Brandon hoped she wouldn't catch his eye, he wanted to watch her unknown. She looked so beautiful, her dress hugging her petite figure and her hair, shiny and wavy tumbling over her shoulders. Brandon felt his heart swell as he looked at her. He couldn't believe he had missed so many chances to be with this beautiful, kindhearted girl. He decided then, as the first notes of her sweet singing voice danced through the air, that he would fight for her.

"Good times, for a change..." Martha sang, her body swaying with the music.

Brandon stood smiling as Martha sang a song so appropriate to their situation.

"Let me, let me get what I want this time," Martha sang sweetly as she ventured a look into the crowd. Suddenly Brandon's heart started up as Martha saw him and their eyes locked. He felt as if a key had been turned inside him and he was revving up for a race. Martha's cheeks flushed as she smiled at Brandon.

"Lord knows, it would be the first time," Martha finished the song keeping her eyes on Brandon and smiling. She waved awkwardly at her little clapping audience as she stepped of the stage and walked straight over to Brandon.

"Hi!" She beamed as she walked up to Brandon and Ronnie.

"Happy Birthday!" Brandon managed to say as he hugged her, he felt intoxicated by her perfume and his face in her hair, he wanted to lift her up and take her to the nearest hotel room.
Martha kissed his cheek as they pulled apart and then giggled as she tried to rub off the lipstick mark she had left on his stubbly jawline. Brandon felt he was unable to take his eyes off her. The air between them was so charged he felt as though he was moving under a strobe light.