fake (b.t.c.)

six

"i just don't know if i can handle something serious right now."
"who said it had to be serious?"
•••
"great show, everyone." casey said. "and again, we do not have another show today, but there is a cast get together at haswell green's, just down the block."
i hadn't yet gone on for any of my tracks, so i was already dressed in my jeans and jacket for later tonight while everyone else was still in their costumes.
"julia!" erika grabbed my arm and pulled me along with her to her and taylor's dressing room. taylor was already changing out of her costume, and she grinned when she saw me.
"i've been meaning to talk to you this whole week!" she said.
"about what?"
"are you single?" erika asked suddenly.
"what?" i furrowed my eyebrows. "i mean, yes, but-"
"oh, that's great." taylor said. "i heard you and ben went bowling yesterday."
"yeah, we did." i said, now smiling. "we went to that little place-"
"do you like him?" erika jumped in. my face fell again. "what? no, i-we're just friends."
"for now." she said. "i think he'd like to be a little more than friends."
"okay, but can we talk about the other guy who has his eye on you?" taylor said. i rolled my eyes. "and who would that be?"
"you haven't noticed?" her jaw dropped. "kevin!" erika said. "the guy who plays shane!"
oh, i've noticed.
i scoffed. "i couldn't. date him, i mean."
been there, done that.
"i'm pretty sure every straight guy in this cast has a crush on you, julia." taylor took her last pin curl out. "you have your pick of the litter."
"oh boy." i said unenthusiastically.
"julia!" erika swatted my arm playfully. "they're all so cute!"
"i know, i know!" i laughed. "i just don't know if i can handle something serious right now."
"who said it had to be serious?" taylor wiggled her eyebrows. "i bet ben would take just a night."
my cheeks went red and erika giggled. "don't embarrass her, taylor." she turned back to me. "you're coming to the thing at haswell's tonight, right?"
"yeah, of course."
"you should carpool with us! here, this is my address." she scribbled something down on a post it. "we're leaving at five, so we're fashionably late."
"i'll be there." i smiled.
•••
by the time we got out of erika's car, we were giggling uncontrollably as we walked into the restaurant. most of the cast had already shown up, and they were sitting at a long table. erika and taylor grabbed two seats next to each other, and there was only one seat left across from them.
great.
ben and kevin were on either side of the chair, deep in conversation with each other.
"you guys mind if i sit here?" i interrupted.
"not at all." kevin smiled.
"we were just talking about the show today." ben said.
"oh! you guys were great. the fearless dance break gets better every time."
"yeah. the finale just doesn't feel right yet, though." kevin said. "too hard-rock ish."
ben agreed.
"didn't you guys hear?" i asked. "we're getting a new one on monday. i think mary is teaching it in the afternoon."
"mm, good." kevin munched on a fry.
i noticed the way he kept trying to make eye contact with me, and how he snuck glances at us when i talked with ben.
"ben." kevin stretched his arm over the back of my chair, and i felt my cheeks heat up.
erika caught my eye from across the table and wiggled her eyebrows.
ignore him. i'm ignoring him.
i smiled halfheartedly at her. kevin turned away from ben, but left his arm on my chair.
jesus. i thought. and i thought he couldn't get any worse.
i threw a few pointed looks his way, but he didn't get the message. when i was sure nobody else was looking, i dug my heel into his foot and glared at him.
"jesus, julia." he muttered. "i'm sorry."
"save it." i said through my teeth.
•••
i checked my watch. it had been a couple hours, and people were starting to leave. ben was out on the dance floor, doing a little routine he and demarius came up with on the spot. a jazzy, michael bublé-esque tune came on, and he turned to me. "jules!"
out of the corner of my eye, i saw kevin's face fall.
ben bounded up to me and pulled me onto the floor, making me blush and the cast cheer.
"oh, come on, ben, i have to go." i protested, but he was already launching us into a complicated little jazz step.
"yeah, ben!" demarius cheered. "get it, babe!"
i laughed and laughed as we spun around to the music, and more people joined us on the floor. as the song ended, ben smiled at me, and i was still giggling. i looked off to the side of the floor, and saw kevin, glaring at us.