Love Is a Bunch of Stupid Decisions

Chapter 15

It had been one week since Ben had gone out with everyone in Orlando, specifically the ensemble girl Emily that I was not fond of in the slightest. While things between Ben and I had gone back to somewhat-normal, something still felt weird. He didn't seem to check in on me as much, or seem as concerned for me. In fact, he didn't seem to mind when I worked through the whole day, and into the night. I guess I had snapped at him and told him to stop taking care of me, but he knew that was just because I was exhausted that one night. Right?

"Alright, you've been acting all sorts of weird this week. What's up?"

Ava and I were hanging out in her hotel room, like we sometimes found ourselves in the early afternoon before shows on the rare occasions that I wasn't working. I guess I hadn't realized that other people were able to see how upset I was. "I bet you already know." I say, with a bit of a defeated laugh.

She sighs, the sympathetic smile in her face telling me that she definitely knew. "I know. Ben talked to me about it a few days ago."

"Ben talked to you and you didn't even tell me?" I say, suddenly defensive.

"Calm down, before you kill me, let me explain," She says, throwing her hands up in the air. "He told me not to tell you and I thought it was for the best not to, either... but not anymore. I hate seeing you guys like this. It's like you're not even dating."

"What did he tell you?"

She bites her lip, like she's trying to think about how to word it. "He just told me about how busy you are is all. How every second he's with you, you're on a phone call, or on your laptop. And he feels like you're not putting any effort towards him anymore, I guess."

I groan, throwing my head back. "I want to, though. I wish I could give him more of my time but there's only 24 hours in a day and I'm still learning how to do this new job and I-"

"Charlotte," Ava says, cutting me off. "I know you. I know you're doing the best you can. But I can see where Ben's coming from too... when was the last time you made time for him? Like, just him?"

I stare at the ceiling, thinking about it for a minute. "I guess it has been a while."

"Then I guess you know what you need to do," She smiles.

"You're right," I say, sitting up. "Wait. Did he say anything about... Emily?"
Something in her face changes. "I had a feeling that would come up." My stomach turns. "Charlotte, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Honest. I think Ben is just lonely and misses you and doesn't know what to do. But if I think you have anything to be worried about with her, I'll let you know."

"Thanks, Ava," I say, giving her a hug. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go try and win my man back."

I opened the door to Ben and I's hotel room to see him with coat, shoes, and sunglasses already on, obviously about to go somewhere. "Hey," I smile. He looks up from his phone to shoot me a smile, then looks back down at it. "Are you headed somewhere?" I ask.

"A few of us were going to head out and get some lunch."

"Oh, fun," I continue, realizing two things: One, how awkward and tense the air felt, and two, the fact that I wasn't getting an invite. "Uhm... could I come?"

"Don't you have to work?"

"I decided to take the afternoon off. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." I grab my purse and my jacket, slipping my shoes on as he waited. "Also, while we're at it, what are you doing after the show tonight?"

He shrugs. "Maybe hanging out with Iain, Josh and Sky. Why?"

"Do you want to do something? Just us? We could get dinner, or we could even just stay in and watch a movie... it doesn't matter."