Page 44 of Rock Me

Ben

I drive ushome an hour later, a huge stuffed animal in the back seat.I am uncharacteristically relaxed, having enjoyed today more than any in recent memory.We order in dinner and pass out early, only to be awakened by the incessant buzzing of a phone.Mine sits quietly on the nightstand.

Yawning, Summer reaches for hers.“It’s Anna.She’s texting me,” she murmurs.“Something about me is blowing up on social media.”She opens her phone and begins to scroll through Instagram.“Oh, wow.Ummm… yeah.”

“What?”I ask, nerves suddenly awake and aware.

She glances up at me with a hesitant expression.“I’m not sure you’re going to like this.”

I push myself back against the headboard.“What is it?”

“A photo… actually a video of us at the carnival went viral.And we’re not just kissing.”She wrinkles her nose and turns the phone my way.

My eyes open wide as I watch myself lick cotton candy off her finger in what looks like a very seductive act.Even watching it causes my dick to harden as the memory of the moment comes back to me, my tongue wound around her finger, wishing I could take it further and suck at her nipples, visibly tight beneath her shirt.

I mutter a curse as humiliation and frustration fills me at being caught out in public.“Fuck.”

She turns toward me, sitting up in the bed.“I’m sorry.I know this is the last thing you need.I can talk to Dan myself if you want…”

“It’s fine.”It is actually embarrassing as hell, but hopefully I’ll live it down and it won’t affect me professionally.

I don’t think Dan will be pissed, and my position at Alpha Security is secure.Dan is more understanding than hard-ass when it comes to his people.We had the conversation when he hired me on and spoke about my past, but would clients care?

“My name isn’t mentioned, is it?”I ask, shoulders tight.

“No,” she murmurs.“At least not yet.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well…” she says hesitantly.“I was thinking that if Tawny wanted to get involved and stir up trouble for us, she could possibly post who the mystery man in the video is.Because that’s who you are right now.My mystery man.”

I wince, really not wanting to be outed by name in Tawny’s search for success.

“I’m sorry.I know it’s a low point of being with me,” Summer murmurs, her gaze and expression sad.“If you’d kept your distance like you wanted to in the beginning, this wouldn’t have happened.”

And I wouldn’t have had such a great day with her, nor would I have memories built and stored away.Do I like the fact that we were caught?No.I prize anonymity, and I deliberately don’t have a social media profile.But I knew who she was when I got involved, even if I didn’t think through this kind of consequence.

***

Ben

Summer spends themorning liking messages, talking to fans she didn’t know she had, and thanking well-wishers who want her to win the position as opening act.I watch her cheeks flush and her anticipation build as she realizes people want her to win this competition and open for a major pop star.

She finally pulls herself out of bed and is going to shower when her doorbell rings.It’s been awhile since she’s had company other than Ivy, and I beat her to the door.

“Who is it?”I ask.Although things have been quiet since the attempted drugging, I won’t let down my guard.

“Summer?Who is that?”a female voice calls from the hall.“Ira, I think it’s a man,” I hear the woman say.

“Oh my God.It’s my mom!”Summer grabs for the handle.

“Summer?”a male voice joins in from outside.

“And my dad!”She pulls open the door.“I didn’t know you were in town!”Ushering them in, she grabs first her mother, then her father in a hug.“I’m so glad to see you!”

“Who is this?”Her father glares up at me; I am, for him, an unfamiliar man in his daughter’s apartment.

“Ben Hollander,” I say, extending my hand.Despite me having worked onStar Power, having been on the set, and having slept with Summer, I never officially met them.