Page 37 of Something Like Summer
* * * * *
“I have another presentfor you,” Tim murmured as the SUV drove away from Ben’s house,taking Allison and Ronnie with it.
“I’m sure I can guess whatthat is,” Ben said.
“Maybe not,” Tim retorted.He pulled something from his pocket and shook it once, causing asimple necklace of metal beads to unravel, the sort that militarydog tags usually hung from. Tim placed it around Ben’sneck.
Ben looked down to see whatwas hanging from it and found a perfectly common house key. “What’sthis?” he asked.
“It’s just in case youever get the urge to come see me in the middle of thenight.”
“A key to your parent’shouse?” Ben asked disbelievingly. “So I can sneak in? Soundsdangerous!”
“Sounds exciting,” Timcorrected. “You can try it out tonight. My parents are probablygetting in bed right about now. Meet me in half anhour?”
Tim didn’t wait for ananswer. He just grinned seductively and headed down the street. Benwent inside and made an appearance for his parents, mentallydebating whether or not to tell them he was going out again. Hedecided against it, just in case they tried to keep him home.Instead he said he was going to bed early and headed up to hisroom.
The painting Tim had givenhim was already there. Of course Tim had painted it. During dinnerBen had noticed paint on his fingernails that matched the colorsexactly. If only stupid Karen hadn’t opened her big trap. Still, itwas incredibly romantic. Ben never had suspected that Tim hadartistic impulses, but it made him love him even more.
The word surprised him. Didhe love Tim? If he didn’t, what else could it be? Ben pondered thiswhile waiting for his parents to settle down for the night, beforesneaking down the stairs and out the front door. Before long he wason Tim’s porch. His hand shook as he used the key, thinking anymoment that a light would turn on or an alarm would sound. At leastthe door was new enough not to squeak as he pushed it open. Thehouse was dead silent, every window dark, but what if the Wymansheard him? How would he ever explain why he was there?
The air conditioner kickedon as he ascended the stairs, causing him to jump. This was twiceas scary as the haunted house had been! Ben took a moment to calmhimself before creeping down the hallway. He opened the door toTim’s room as silently as possible and slid inside.
The shadows in the roomwere long. Ben had expected to find Tim lying on the bed, but hecould see in the limited light that the bed was still made andunoccupied.
“Hey,” came a voice frombehind.
“Gah!” Ben exclaimedloudly. “Oh shit!” he whispered, clamping his hand over his mouth,but Tim laughed as if there was nothing to worry about.
“Your parents!” Benhissed.
“Business trip,” hechuckled. “They won’t be back until tomorrow, but that was a goodtest run. I didn’t hear you until you were at my door.”
Ben slugged him playfullyand laughed himself. He reached for the light switch, but Tim movedhis hand away, pulling out a Zippo lighter instead, which he usedto light a handful of candles in the room.
Ben smiled from ear to ear,knowing what would happen next. He untied his shoes, kicked themoff, and tossed himself into bed. “So I hear that you areofficially single,” he said playfully. “Does this mean that you areback on the prowl again?”
“I never stop prowling.”Tim growled like a tiger as he flicked the Zippo shut.
“I see, but at the ripeold age of seventeen, don’t you think it’s time you settled downwith someone special?”
“Meaning?” Timinquired.
“I want to be yourboyfriend.”
“Jesus, Benjamin!” Timswore. “You don’t let up do you?” He forced away a smile and shookhis head. “It’s not enough that you make me dump mygirlfriend?”
“If she was good enoughfor you to date, then I am twice as qualified,” Ben grinned.“Anything a girl can do, I can better,” he singsonged.
“Off hand, I can think ofa few things that you can’t!” Tim taunted.
“Well, anyway. What do youthink? Seriously.”
“I think I want a testdrive before I buy the car.” Tim leapt on him, kissing his face,biting his neck, and making him laugh. They rolled and wrestledwith each other until their playfulness became more serious. Timtore at Ben’s clothes as if he hadn’t seen him for years. Benfollowed suit, and their passion became almost a struggle, eachmore desperate than the other to touch, taste, explore. Once wasn’tenough tonight. After a break to raid the kitchen for food, theywere back at it again, this time taking things slowly. The candleshad all burnt down by the time they fell asleep, their bodiestangled comfortably together.
When the screeching of thealarm clock woke them. They moaned and griped in unison, notwanting to face the reality of another week of school. Tim got outof bed first. The sight of him standing there naked, sportingmorning wood as he scratched his chest, was enough to brush awaythe last remnants of sleep from Ben.
“Wanna take a showertogether?” he offered.
