Page 59 of Something Like Summer
“Okay.”
Jace led him out of theparking garage and two blocks down the road before pulling over ata park. It wasn’t the sort with trees and charming pathways; ratherit was flat and cleared for different sporting events.
“Are you sure about this?”Ben asked as he exited the car.
“No,” Jace respondedlooking around. “I’m improvising. Over there.”
Jace took him by the handand led him across the grass to a baseball diamond. Ben thoughtthey were heading for the bleachers, but Jace led him instead toone of the bases.
“First base?” Ben asked.“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I assure you,” Jace saiddramatically, pulling Ben close, “I’m quite serious.”
Jace kissed him, his warmbody chasing away the winter chill as it pressed up against him.His lips were soft but commanding, and Ben’s body respondedinstantly, catching fire and wanting more.
“Second base is just overthere,” Ben suggested.
“Not on the first date,”Jace said with a smile, gently detaching himself and walking Benback to his car. Ben watched him in the rearview mirror as hepulled away, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to wait three days tosee him again.
* * * * *
Jace’s answering machinedutifully took Ben’s call the next afternoon. Afterwards Benloitered around his parents’ house, waiting for the phone to ring.Why had he played so hard to get? He was only in town a few weeks.He didn’t have time to be coy with Jace.
In the evening Ben left tohave dinner with Allison, leaving her number with his parents andasking them to give it to Jace if he called. Ben found his bestfriend in surprisingly high spirits. He suspected she still had agreat amount of sorrow beneath the surface, but was proud of herfor putting on a brave face. He filled her in on the date’s detailswhile enjoying Allison’s homemade lasagna.
The phone rang shortlyafter eleven. Allison answered it, smiled broadly, and handed thereceiver to Ben.
“Hope I didn’t call toolate,” Jace said, sounding tired.
“Not at all,” Ben replied,worrying that the other man’s enthusiasm for him hadwaned.
“I’m afraid I have tocancel our date,” Jace continued. “I was called in to worktoday.”
“I thought you were onvacation?”
“I was supposed to be.There have been a number of ‘mysterious’ holiday-inspiredillnesses, and I have to pick up the slack. I’m calling from Bostonright now.”
“That sucks. When are yougoing to be home again?”
“Friday afternoon. Do youhave any plans for New Year’s?”
“Uh, I don’t know.” Benlooked at Allison. He didn’t want to leave her alone on a holidayconsidering the situation. Then again, would she really feel likepartying so soon? “New Year’s?” he repeated, asking both Jace andAllison at the same time.
Allison rolled her eyes,smiled, and waved her consent. Ben knew her well enough to tellthat she honestly didn’t mind. He confirmed plans with Jace, andtalked to him a while longer before hanging up. He had thoughtwaiting an extra few days was going to be hard. Now it would beeven longer.
As it turned out, the timewent quickly. He still had a lot of catching up to do with hisfamily and much to take care of with Allison. They retrieved herfather’s ashes together and drove down to Corpus Christi, the citywhere Mr. Cross was raised and had met Allison’s mother. Theyscattered his ashes out into the Gulf and cried together--Allisonbecause she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her father, Ben becauseit hurt him to see his friend in so much pain.
“He was a bastard,”Allison said, shocking Ben. “You know I found a box of love lettersthe other day? A whole shoebox full hidden in his closet. Some ofthem were from my mother, but most were from him.”
Ben couldn’t imagine Mr.Cross doing something as emotional as writing sappy prose, and thesurprise must have shown on his face because Allison responded toit.
“I didn’t know either,”she said. “He must have loved her so much that it broke his heartwhen she died, but it pisses me off. Mom might have been gone, butI wasn’t, and I could have used that love. Instead he bottled hisfeelings up inside, but the worst part is that now I understandwhy. Losing him makes me hurt so bad that I want to do thesame.”
Allison began crying again,and Ben put an arm around her.
“You won’t though,” hesaid. “You’re better than that. What did you always tell me when Ibroke up with Tim and was so miserable?”
“Lean into it.” Allisonmanaged a laugh.
