Page 76 of Something Like Summer
Now it was Ben’s turn toshrug. Part of him wanted to keep Tim in the dark about his lovelife, to reinforce that Tim had forfeited his right to be a part ofBen’s life. Then again, bragging about Jace would be satisfying.Inspiration struck. Ben took the photo of him and Jace out of hispocket and handed it to Tim.
“His name is Jace. We’vebeen together for over two years. Someday he’s going to take me toParis.”
Tim took the photo andexamined it wordlessly. He swallowed roughly. He was holding backtears! Ben instantly regretted his decision and cursedhimself.
“I guess I deserve this.”Tim’s voice was trembling.
“I’m sorry,” Benwhispered, wanting to reach out and comfort him in ways that he nolonger could.
“Don’t be,” Tim said,pulling himself together. “I missed my chance, right? A guy likeyou doesn’t stay single.”
“You either,” Ben smiledsympathetically.
Tim shook his head. “Nope.Not since you.”
“But you said-- The fratboys?”
“That was just sex,” Timsnorted. “All the guys I’ve been with were nothing more than aone-night stand or fuck buddies. None of them meantanything.”
In Ben’s darker moments, hehad hoped that Tim would never find anyone else and would alwaysregret leaving him. Now that he was face to face with that reality,Ben wished the opposite. They should be sitting here, both boastingabout their boyfriends and exchanging stories of their romanticescapades. The idea of Tim being alone all these years was tragic.A bit unlikely, too!
“You can’t tell me thatnone of those guys fell for you,” Ben challenged. “If not a fratboy, then someone.”
Tim grinned, having fullyrecovered himself. “There were a few, yeah, but they weren’t--” Heshot a glance at Ben and let the sentence hang before he stood andstretched. “I tracked you down tonight in the hopes of seducingyou, but instead the evening was completelyembarrassing.”
“No, itwasn’t.”
“You aren’t the one whoalmost cried. I think I’m going to cash in my chips and call it anight. Hey, you still have my phone?”
“Yeah.” Ben stood to digit out.
“Good. Here, trade me. Youcan have this one,” Tim handed him one that was nearly identical.“I bought it to stalk you tonight, but I obviously don’t need itanymore. It’s all paid up.”
“I can’t,” Benprotested.
“You can. Besides, I likethe idea of being able to get a hold of you whenever Iwant.”
“Oh. Well,thanks.”
They walked back to Tim’scar in silence. Ben struggled for something to say. So much of hislife revolved around Jace that making conversation without bringinghim up was difficult and he didn’t want to upset Tim further. Asthey approached the car, the sugar daddy issue came to mind, butthere were some things Ben would rather not know about.
“I’m happy for you,Benjamin,” Tim said. “I’m glad that someone recognized how specialyou are and held on tight.”
“Thanks,” Ben saidawkwardly. “I’m sure there’s someone out there for you,too.”
“Oh, there is.” Timwinked.
Ben didn’t know quite whatto make of this as Tim slipped into his car and was gone. He lookeddown at the new cell phone in his hand. What had he gotten himselfinto?
__________
Chapter 22
Ben didn’t know what Tim’smajor was, but it wasn’t in subtlety. He didn’t hesitate to makeuse of the cell phone he’d given Ben. He called the next morningjust to “test the phone” and to ask what classes Ben had. Then hecalled in the afternoon to invite him go-kart racing. Ben gave aflimsy excuse not to go. In the evening Tim called to inform himthat he was picking him up anyway.
Ben gave in, despiteAllison’s disapproval. On the go-kart track that night, an epicrace of tiny proportions took place. Ben took the lead, thesymbolism of being chased by Tim not at all lost on him. He halfexpected a go-kart version of an airplane, piloted by Jacenaturally, to descend from the sky and attack. Like a miniature RedBaron, Jace would rain twin trails of bullets down the track untilTim’s car exploded into flames. Of course this never happened.Instead Tim announced that Ben had earned a round of beers on histab for winning the race and chauffeured him off to abar.
Ben carefully nursed twobeers, determined not to do something stupid. As bemusing as it wasbeing the center of Tim’s attention, he wasn’t about to ruin thingswith Jace. His heart knew to whom it belonged. Regardless, Ben wascareful not to hurt Tim’s feelings by avoiding any conversationabout Jace, and Tim never mentioned his sugar daddy.
