You Love Somebody

10 (Anna)

The people from Eddie's bus were taken to a real, authentic roadhouse where the restaurant was done in rustic, country-themed decor. There was both live music and dancing, and the general atmosphere was fun and happy. 

There was a long table for them to sit at. Anna picked a seat, and Ben immediately sprang forward to hold her chair and push it in for her. She smiled and thanked him, and as she had already suspected, he sat down next to her. She unfolded her napkin and put it in her lap, and caught Ben following her hands down to her lap. She sighed to herself and wondered if there was any chance she was misunderstanding his signals, and whether she herself was sending him signals, he could confuse for interest. 

She declined an alcoholic beverage and asked for a soda instead. Ben seemed disappointed that she didn't want a glass of wine with him. She ordered food and ate while conversing with the people around her, and she smiled and laughed with Ben just like she did with everyone else. After dinner a few of the band members wanted to dance, and that left her alone with Ben at their end of the table. He turned a bit in his chair, so they were facing each other. 

"I hope things are going well for the two lovebirds," he said and smiled. It was puzzling to Anna that he was so blind to Eddie's feelings towards Hailey. 

She smiled and shrugged. "Who knows? He wasn't feeling good about it last night," she said and held eye contact. 

"Last night?" Ben asked, a small line appearing between his eyebrows. 

"Mmmh. At 3 AM when his heart was bursting out of his chest," she gave him a challenging look, determined to make him understand that Eddie was suffering. 

"Was he in your bed at 3 AM?" Ben asked almost angrily. 

"He came to me for help, Ben. He couldn't breathe and I am a doctor." She was keeping her cool, but she didn't appreciate the way Ben was questioning her. 

He took a deep breath and put his hand on her arm. "I don't like the idea of him going to your bed in the middle of the night," he said, lowering his voice. 

She looked down on his hand on her arm, and up at his face. He licked his lips, and she felt an overwhelming fear that he was going to try to kiss her. But before anything could happen, Ben's phone rang. He stepped aside and took the call. She observed him, and it was obvious that he was distraught over something that was being said on the call. He hung up and hurried back to their table. She stood up on pure instinct. 

"We have to go back, Eddie's not feeling well." He reached out to take her hand, but she put it in her coat pocket and walked ahead of him. 

***

They drove quickly back to the rest stop, where the buses were parked. The rest of their company would be picked up later. 

When Ben parked the car, Anna almost jumped out before it stood still. She ran to their bus and up the stairs. Eddie was sitting on the floor, hyperventilating, cold sweat dripping down his pale face. Hailey was sitting next to him, telling him to calm down and listen to her voice. A security guard stood next to them. "Do I call for an ambulance?" He asked Anna, and she shook her head. 

"Move, please!" She said to Hailey as she dropped to her knees next to Eddie, and helped him sit up straight. "My medical bag is in my pod, will you get it?" She almost barked at Ben, who had finally come inside and who looked on with panic in his eyes. He ran off and brought her bag to her. She wiggled out of her coat and grabbed the stethoscope and warmed it with her hand, before she listened to Eddie's heart. He looked at her, pure panic in his eyes, and she put her fingers around his wrist and counted out loud. Eddie's eyes fell to her mouth and he focused on her counting.