Chapter 0339

My stomach twists uncomfortably and I put my glass of wine down on the wall in front of us, not sure if I can have any more, not sure that I'll be able to keep it down. I'm suddenly so worried about Luca.

Not that I think he can't handle himself - I just have...no idea what the Atalaxians are going to throw at him right now.

"Calm, calm," Rafe murmurs to me, putting a steady hand at the center of my back. "Nothing good or bad is going to happen just because you're freaking out."noveldrama

And I laugh a little, snapped out of it by my steady brother, and heave a big sigh.

"Do you want some tequila?" he asks, his voice still low as he quirks an eyebrow at me. "You might want some, Ari – you are wound up -"

I grin, glancing over my shoulder again, thinking that that's not half a bad idea, but suddenly my eyes light on something that surprises me.

Ben, sitting in one of the plush black chairs set out for spectators who don't want to stand at the edge of the box, his head in his hands. Instantly I move to him, leaving my glass of wine behind. Rafe turns back to the boxing ring as the announcer comes out, beginning to speak and greet the enthusiastic crowd.

But I ignore it all, moving to Ben's side and bending down to place on hand on his shoulder, another on his curved back. "Benny," I whisper, worried. "Are you - are you okay?"

He shudders a little, and then looks up at me, his face sweaty and his eyes a little unfocused. He doesn't say anything.

"Ben!" I gasp, bending down closer, studying him. He looks - god, honestly, he looks like he saw a ghost. "What's wrong?"

Ben shakes himself suddenly - physically shakes himself, like a dog covered in rain. And then he blinks hard and focuses his eyes on my face. "What?"

"Ben, you're white as a sheet, and all sweaty! What's wrong!?"

"Nothing," he murmurs, shaking his head and looking around, I think embarrassed. "I...must have eaten something."

"You ate what we did!" I protest, and then I straighten a little, assessing the way I feel. Do we all have food poisoning? But...no, I feel completely fine - all of the twists in my stomach are Luca-related. And Ben, now - what could be wrong with him?

Ben focuses his eyes on me again, frowning a little. Not mad at me but....I think not wanting to have this conversation? I don't know. "Too much to drink then," he says, shrugging, dismissive, again shaking his head like he's trying to clear it.

I clench my teeth a little, not wanting to call him a liar, but... I mean, he was perfectly sober a few moments ago. Maybe a little tipsy? But certainly not enough to be drunk. I stare closely at his eyes, checking his pupils. Was he poisoned? There are very specific signs you can look for -

"Ari," Ben says, forcing himself to laugh a little and putting his hands on my shoulders now, pushing me away, just slightly. "I'm fine - I promise, I'm fine. Okay? I just...a little dizzy spell. I'm fine now."

"Benny," I murmur, still worried.

He stares hard at my face, all fa?ade falling, and says two simple words. "Please, Ari."

And I stand up straight, realizing that... that Ben knows what's wrong. He just doesn't want anyone else to, not now. Not yet. And I am totally blowing his cover.

"Okay," I say, nodding, taking a step back, watching him a little anxiously. I tuck my hands behind my back, glancing around, but everyone else is by the edge of the box, clearly paying attention to the announcer.

"You're missing it, Ari," Ben says, gesturing me back towards the wall, his voice guilty.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I whisper.

"I am," he says, pushing himself to his feet. And as he does I see that...well, that his color is coming back. And he does seem... better. "Just...um. Where's the bathroom? I'll freshen up."

"You'd better just be freshening up, Ben," I growl, stepping close to glare at him. "Do not pull a Jackson right now and run away or something."

He laughs, smiling at me. "I promise, Ari," he says, putting his hands on my shoulders. "A little water on my face, and some ice from the bartender. I'll be fine. You know I wouldn't miss this." He lifts his chin towards the edge of the box, to where the announcer is revving up the crowd.

"Okay," I murmur, and then I point to where the bathroom is at the back of the suite.

"LUCAAAAA GRANT!!!!!" The announcer's words echo through the entire stadium, which bursts into a desperate cheer and I gasp, staring towards the edge of the Royal Box, where I promised I'd be.

"Go, Ari!" Ben says, pushing me forward.

I spare him one last glance and then streak towards the wall, pushing my way through my family, settling again between Jesse and Rafe, right in the center of the box.