But Who Would You Live For?

Holding Onto You

Joshua:

"Tyler, what are you doing?"

"Huh?" His head whipped in my direction. His eyes shining with guilty humor. Caught red handed with the small bottle of Hidden Valley ranch dressing.

"What," I walked closer. My hands holding onto the ends of the towel around my neck. He spun around. Backing up against the catering table as I closed in on him. The bottle of dressing never dropping from his fingers. "Are you doing?"

"Stealing this ranch." He held it up for me to see."

"Why?" It was a challenge to keep my face perfectly impassive. A mock seriousness that I'm sure my best friend saw right through.

"We don't have any on the bus. And the venue so kindly provided it for our dressing room."

"For us to eat here. Not steal."

"It's not thievery. I just refuse to let good ranch go to waste, Mr. Dun. And if you do." His expression saddened. His voice intentionally quivering. "Then you are a sick, twisted man, sir."

That's it. I couldn't hold back anymore. I barked out a laugh. Tyler expression stayed somber for a full thirty seconds. Just watching my fit with questioning eyes. Finally, he succumbed to his own giggles.

"They're not going to trash it, Tyler. It's a brand new bottle of ranch. They'll probably just put it out for whoever plays in this venue next."

He twisted the top in one swift movement. Tearing the paper sealed to the lid. "Now it's open. They'll throw it away."

"You're impossible." I reached over to take the bottle from him. "No ranch for naughty boys."

"Naughty?" He snorted. "That's gross."

Despite knowing his end game was to fluster me, my cheeks lit up. "You-I-You know that's not what I meant."

"Yeah." He snatched his stolen dressing back. Walking past me to lounge across the sofa. Cuddling up with the bottle in his hand. "Whatever Santa."

"Knock Knock." There were no actual knocks that followed. Only the sound of the dressing room door being pushed open. I glanced over just in time to see Debby stepping in. "Am I interrupting?"

"Debby!" I squealed like a child. Rushing her into a hug before she could properly enter our room. Her hug back was automatic. A pleased gasp escaped her in the embrace. "You didn't tell me you were coming."

"I wanted to surprise you!"

"You did." I held her at arms length. Taking in her hair, her face, her makeup, her jewelry, her outfit. All perfect as usual. "I'm so happy to see you."

"I'm happy to see you too." She dropped her hands to her side. "I overheard from one of the guys that tomorrow is an off day?"

"It is."

"Good. Because I have plans for us!"

"What plans?"

"Surprise plans." She grinned.

"You're just full of surprises, huh?"

"I try." She flipped her hair. "We have to get going. The cab is waiting by the back entrance."

"Cab?" My eyes darted to Tyler. He was sitting on the sofa still. Pretending to be interested in his phone.

"Yeah?" Debby followed my gaze. Understanding for my hesitance filled her eyes. "Tyler! I didn't see you there when I came in. I'm sorry."

"That's okay." He stood up. Stretching as he did so. "Your eye was on the prize." His smile was strained. But he was trying. "You look well."

"You look tired." She teased. Testing the waters of their new found acquaintanceship.