Page 57 of Burn Bright
Did I mention he came to my apartment tonight to ask meinperson? Luckily, I made up the couch before he arrived. The knitted blankets are folded and tucked in the closet with my pillow.
I’m sitting cross-legged on the lumpy lime-green sofa, a flimsy paper plate with my sandwich balancing on my thigh. My stomach grumbles. I had to skip lunch because of an interview at a genetics research lab on campus. A necessary sacrifice even if my stomach does not agree.
“You always eat sandwiches for dinner?” Ben wonders.
“It’s a top three supper staple.” I pick up the white bread cut in a diagonal. “I’m not exactly a Michelin-star chef.”
“Same.” His lips start to rise. “What kind of sandwich is it?”
“Tuna salad.” I’ve learned a lot more about Ben, including his refusal to consume any animal products. I take a large bite and speak as I chew. “Does this hurt your vegan soul?”
He has a slanted smile. “I’ll survive.”
“Shucks,” I deadpan.
“Trying to kill every Cobalt off one by one?” he teases.
“I gotta take my shot considering your brother aimed first.” My next bite is bigger. I quickly realize I’m more ravenous than ladylike. Whatever. It’s not like I’m courting Ben Cobalt or trying to woo him with feminine wiles. We’re just friends. Licking my thumb, I continue, “And I know I sound bitter and butthurt over the auditions, but I was thebestdrummer there. I was watching everyone go up on stage and perform for the band, and I was thebest. I know my worth, and Tom?—”
“He messed up,” Ben says in agreement. He might as well have thrown a brick at my face. The surprise is all the same.
“You’ve never seen me play.”
He raises his shoulders up and down in an easygoing shrug. “I don’t have to. Tom admitted you were the best one who tried out, but you were just too young.” He eyes the half-eaten sandwich. “Don’t kill me off yet, okay?”
“I doubt I could.” I lift my sandwich to my mouth. “Cobalts never die.”
His smile is fond for a second. “I like that one.”
“I’ll take the praise, but I’m not the originator.”
“I know,” he laughs. “I’ve heard it before. My family has many mottos.”
It reminds me. “How’d the whole pride of lions come about?” I wonder, since Cobalts are associated with the animal. The color blue is obvious.Cobalt blue,duh. But lions, less so. “Is it a king of the jungle thing?”
“Maybe partly.”
“You don’t know for sure?”
“No, most things like that about the Cobalt Empire feel like myths. Legends. Told too many times from person to person over decades, and they’ve created a life of their own. We embrace them because why the hell not? Some, I’m sure, my parents even started. Some were definitely started by us. Whatever the case, it’s always just bonded us closer as a family.” He tips his head in a thought. “Though, among my siblings, I’d say I’m more black sheep than lion.”
“Hmm,” I chew slowly, then swallow. “Same.”
“Black sheep of your family?”
“Yep. It seems we’re the same breed, Friend.”
“Knew I sensed a connection, Fisher.” His smile edges across his mouth.
Do not blush at your tuna fish, Harriet.Too fucking late.
Ben lifts a ceramic pot off the windowsill. He inspects the sad little plant and the drooping heart-shaped leaves. “The actual drum audition isn’t why my brother has a problem with you, is it?” His eyes flit back to me.
The tuna fish sinks to the bottom of my stomach. “He told you I emailed the bassist,” I guess.
He nods like it’s nothing, which feels a lot like another brick to the face.
Another realization strikes. “You knew, and you still asked me to go to this party with you?” I question like he’s delusional.“I was a vindictive brat who tried to get Tom kicked out of his own band.”
