It wasn't long after my fiercely passionate encounter with Ben that Tom became serious about dating me. It was quickly common for us to share kisses around the set. Every time Ben saw us he made gagging noises, but as soon as Tom or I walked away he'd smirk and wink at me. On more than one occasion I told him only in his wet dreams would that ever happen again. He blew me a kiss and walked away. He was such a prick! I can't believe I let my guard down to have sex with him that one time. I would never admit to him I enjoyed it and wanted more. Hell I wanted both of them at the same time but there's no way I'd ever voice that. Unless I had a few glasses of wine and someone pried it out of me but even that was only a maybe.
A couple of months before we wrapped up filming we learned the show had been picked up for a second season. We would get a two month vacation before resuming filming. In the middle of the announcement with all the present cast and crew together, Ben made an announcement of his own, "It's been fun but I can't work with this little bitch anymore," he gestured towards me.
I was so shocked he'd say that in front of everyone that I didn't react for a moment. The anger bubbled over and I quickly stormed over to him and slapped him with all of my might. I turned his head and nearly knocked him to the floor.
He recovered quickly and yelled "You rotten little bitch!" Before he could lunge for me someone grabbed him from behind and I felt arms encircle my waist and restrain me. As we were both being restrained, we simply screamed obscenities at each other. I ended up yelling "You're dick is so small I couldn't even feel it! It was like being fucked with a gherkin!"
Without missing a beat he retorted "Well your pussy is so loose I'd have to be as big as a wine bottle before you could feel it!"
There were gasps and a few chuckles among the crew. I just lunged for him not fully realizing we'd just revealed to everyone we had sex. The arms around my waist tightened and spun me around. I barely realized it was Tom before he hoisted me up over his shoulder, smacked my rear, and walked away towards his dressing room. Over his shoulder he told Ben to take a walk and cool off.
He managed to get me inside and closed the door before dropping me into a chair. "Clarice this is getting out of control. Why do you despise Benedict so much?"
I snorted and replied "You're asking the wrong person. He started it!"
" Yes I'm aware of that but you keep dumping fuel on the fire. You have the option of ignoring him! What was this business of being fucked with a gherkin? Did you two have sex? "
I sighed and said "There's just something about him that grates on my nerves and I can't ignore him. Yes we had sex once, when we first started filming with me. It was kinda angry sex. He followed me into my dressing room and yelled at me first. It just turned sexual from there. "
"Ok that was before we got serious. Was it consensual? Did you enjoy it?"
" Yes it was consensual. Kind of forceful at first, but I allowed it and enjoyed it. "
His facial expression changed and he looked like he was going to laugh. "Oh now I get it. There's a lot of sexual tension between you two. I think you two just need to learn to get along and work through it. I think you both need exposure therapy."
" What in the hell do you mean by that? "
He smiled this time and replied " Since we're going to be here a lot longer, I think we should rent a house together. Robert told me about a beach house that will be vacant in a week. I already talked to the agent and she's holding it. It's three bedroom so we'll all have our own rooms if we want. I really think you two need to learn to get along. I love both of you and don't wish to lose either. However the childish behavior has to go. We're all adults. "
I scowled at him. I finally sighed and said "I'll do it for you if he's willing."
He came over and kissed my forehead before telling me to behave myself he was going to find Ben. He turned towards the door and opened it only to find Ben standing there with his arm up like he was about to knock. Tom stepped back and let him enter. As he closed the door he said, "There will be no shouting, obscenities, or insults. Talk to each other like adults."
Ben turned towards me and said, "I'm sorry Clarice. I've been horribly immature and haven't given you a fair chance. I read your books and they are quite good. I guess I've just been a jealous fool."
I raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Jealous? Of me?"
He shot a look at Tom I couldn't quite decipher before sitting down on the sofa and sighing. "Mostly you. You have a natural talent. You didn't spend years dedicated to learning this...stuff...you make up stories and songs on the spot. You quickly became an assistant director and just catch onto everything quickly. Instead of being impressed I was being petty and childish. You don't deserve that. I listened to Tom prattle on about you since he met you and it kind of annoyed me. I had pre-conceived ideas about you that wasn't fair to you or Tom. He obviously feels strongly for you and if I don't get over it I feel like I'm going to lose my best friend."
I thought a moment then replied, "I accept your apology. It's just my nature. I've always been told I catch on quickly. What do you mean about making up stories and songs on the spot? I don't recall doing that around you."
He smirked and said "You've made last minute dialogue changes and I've seen the way you describe scenes and plot in a different way to someone who's confused about their character. I've overheard when Tom has told you a reply doesn't feel right and you two work it out immediately. I also caught that impromptu song you were singing when we were shooting outdoors but had to wait on a rain shower. I'd certainly never heard anything like it before."
I grinned. "Oh that! No I didn't make it up on the spot. It's just not something you'd hear on your local radio station. It's an old folk song about honoring the Earth and your ancestors. I learned it years ago."
Before either of us could say anything else Tom interrupted and said, "I have a proposition. I think the three of us should live together and learn to get along. Clarice already said she's willing to try if you are."
Ben quickly looked between the two of us before settling his gaze on me momentarily. I saw something flash through his eyes I took for lust, but it was so fleeting I wasn't completely sure. He nodded his head and replied, "Fine I'll do it for you. We've been friends for too long to let a woman come between us."
Tom said, "Great I'll call the agent and make arrangements."
He pulled out his phone and was dialing a number as he exited the room. I suddenly became uneasy being left alone with Ben. He immediately saw my unease. "Clarice I would never hurt you physically. I'm sorry if you thought I was going to lunge at you after you slapped me."
I sighed and replied, "I'm sorry I slapped you. I should have handled it better."
He snorted before saying "Let's face it, I had that coming for quite a while. You showed incredible restraint by not slapping me senseless months ago." He leaned over and took my hand in his, " I want to at least figure how to get along if not be friends. I realize Tom will probably kick me out of his life if I don't grow up and I wouldn't blame him a bit. "
I felt myself blush at him holding my hand. I replied, "I can try."
He then leaned over and kissed the back of my hand slowly, his lips lingering longer than necessary. The look in his eyes when he slowly lifted his head encouraged me to lean forward slightly. I was positive he was going to kiss my lips. He leaned forward a bit, but before he could move in for a kiss, Tom charged through the door announcing the rental was secured and we could move in within a couple of weeks. He stopped suddenly and looked at us as Ben released my hand quickly. He cocked his head to the right and asked "Am I interrupting something?"
Ben rose quickly and said, "Not at all. Just an agreement between us to do our best to get along." He then clapped Tom on the shoulder as he walked past to leave. He glanced my way as he closed the door and winked.
Tom stared at me and asked if that's all it was. I replied "I apologized for slapping him. He said he deserved it for his attitude and he would try to stop being a fool for your sake. We just shook hands in agreement; that's all it was."
He extended his hand to help me up and replied, "Good. Hopefully this works out." He then kissed me and told me to change he was hungry and wanted to go out to dinner. I agreed and left to change quickly.
Caught in the Middle:The Beach House
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