Eighteen

“You’re coming to dinner with us, right?” Keri asks as we step back from the truck where we just loaded the last of the equipment cases.

I cast a look towards the backdoor of the venue. I haven’t seen Ben leave yet. It’s been a while since rehearsal ended. Maybe he left through the front while the rest of us were loading equipment.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be pretty tame tonight. We’ll all have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow. No drinking,” she promises.

“Sure,” I tell her. And then, as casually as I can, I ask, “is Ben coming?”

She shrugs. “I’m not sure.” She produces her phone. “Let me see.”

We walk back into the building to get our stuff from inside before leaving. When we get backstage, Keri gives me a head shake. “He’s not replying. He’s probably still in the dressing room.”

“Send me the address of the restaurant. I’ll meet you there.”

If Ben is still around, I want to see him. If I leave now and he doesn’t show up to dinner, I don’t know when else I’ll be able to catch him al