It's Always Been You

Chapter 12

"Hey, you made it." Marco slapped Ben on the shoulder as he met the guys in the back part of the store. Marco, José, and Jonathan were there to get fitted for tuxedos.

"You didn't text me back last night." Marco settled down in a chair beside Jonathan.

"What were you doing last night anyway?" Jonathan glanced at Ben from around Marco's shoulder. "Mom made me sit with her and chat since you didn't answer her call."

Marco whipped around to face Ben. José's attention landed on him too, even though he was currently getting measured.

José grinned. "Did you go out with someone?"

"No."

This time it was Marco's turn to grin. "So, what were you doing, Mr. 'goes to bed by 8 pm?"

"I don't go to bed at 8 pm." He dropped down in the chair beside Marco. "I was working. I wanted to grade as many papers as I could so I didn't have to stress about it over the weekend, okay?"

It was mostly true.

Marco narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Don't talk."

Ben rolled his eyes. "You don't believe me. Whatever."

He wiped his hands on the top of his pants. He spent last night with Ariana and he had promised not to tell anyone. They had graded papers, but they also played Mario Kart and watched Voltron until midnight, and ate almost all the Chinese food and snacks he had brought. He even survived the less than friendly looks her ex-boyfriend and his friend shot him.

He didn't even notice Marco had texted him or his mother had called him until he woke up this morning.

José stood with his arms apart, letting the tailor take his measurements.

"Did you and Cristina reserve the venue?" Jonathan asked.

"Not yet, we're still thinking about it." Marco clapped Ben on the shoulder. "Thanks for going out there to see it."

Jonathan glanced at his brother. "You've seen the venue?"

Marco answered before Ben could get a word in. "He went with Ari last weekend."

"Oh?" Jonathan peered at his brother. "He went with Ari," he cooed.

Ben glared at a mannequin.

"How is Ariana doing anyway?" José asked. He was finally allowed to rest his arms.

Marco shrugged. "Fine, I guess. She's looking for a new place."

"What about that boyfriend of hers? El gringo ese."

"They broke up," Marco replied hotly, with a grasp of his leg.

"Enserio? I thought they were serious."

"Yeah, man. He left her."

Ben shifted in his seat.

"Dang."

"Really?" Jonathan piped in.

Marco crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah and good riddance. I never really liked him. He didn't like coming to family stuff and before they broke up he was always complaining about her work."

"Man, that sucks." Jonathan slouched in his seat. "So, she's single."

"Yeah. I think she's okay. I mean, Ben sees her more than I do," Marco noted.

José stepped down from the measurement area. Jonathan was up next. "That's true." José took Jonathan's seat. "Do you two hang out at work?"

"No. She ignores me mostly," Ben answered truthfully.