Page 98 of Something Like Summer
“No.” The lump wouldn’tleave Ben’s throat. Little by little, Tim had always tried toplease him.
“Yeah. They weren’tthrilled. If they were distant before--” Tim shook hishead.
“They’ll get over it,” Bensaid. “And if they don’t, then they can fuckthemselves.”
Tim smiled.
“Don’t go back to Ryan.You don’t need him. Or me. Or anyone else for thatmatter.”
“I’ve always needed you,”Tim disagreed.
“You might want us, butyou don’t need us. You said I bring out the best in you, but allthose wonderful things were already there, even before I camealong. Live for yourself, Tim. Decorate the house with yourpaintings. Don’t hide them away. Don’t hide yourself away, either.There’s a whole world out there waiting to see you. The real you.You’re so beautiful, and I don’t just mean your face or yourbody.”
“Don’t go,” Timpleaded.
Ben could only shake hishead. If he said any more it would be too late for both of them. Heturned and walked slowly to his car, grateful for and despairingevery second that passed without Tim trying to stop him. Ben openedhis car door and looked back to where Tim stood.
“Until next time?” Bensaid.
Tim laughed. “Until nexttime.”
__________
Chapter 27
Jace padded into thekitchen, naked except for a pair of flannel boxers. He poured hisritual cup of coffee and walked to the bay windows as he had everymorning since they bought their new house. Ben admired his body,affection welling up as he eyed Jace’s bed-head—hair sticking up inevery direction. Four years of dating and two years of marriage,and Ben found him just as attractive as on that first date. Hedidn’t think that would ever fade, no matter how many decades wentby.
Jace turned to him with aknowing expression. “I thought I wore you out lastnight?”
Ben smirked. “I sleptwell.”
Jace tried to grin inresponse but winced instead.
“Are you allright?”
“My head is killing me,”Jace said.
“You didn’t drink anythinglast night.”
“No, but I’m beginning towish I had, especially if I’m going to have the hangover anyway.”He sat at the kitchen table and rubbed his temples. “Grab me acouple aspirin, would you?”
“Sure.”
His face was pale and drawnwhen Ben returned. “Maybe it was something you ate? Is your stomachokay? You could be coming down with a bug.”
Jace shook his head andtossed the aspirin into his mouth, chasing them down with a swig ofcoffee. The cup shook as he tried to return it to the table beforehis hand spasmed. The cup shattered on the linoleum, hot coffeesplattering across the floor like blood at a crimescene.
“So clumsy,” Jace said,standing to fetch a towel. His legs buckled beneath him and hecrumpled to the floor, the fear reflected in his eyes fading toemptiness.
Ben was at his sideinstantly, holding his head off the floor and launching a barrageof questions that went unanswered. He felt helpless, touchingJace’s face, feeling for fever, trying to find some way to helphim. Jace remained unresponsive.
Ben called 911 and in hispanic gave the operator their old address. He called back when herealized his mistake, fearing they would think him a prank callerand never come. Then he waited, switching between checking on Jaceand running to the front door. What was taking so long? Didn’t theyunderstand how serious this was? Couldn’t they get heresooner?
He ran to the driveway whenhe heard the sirens, his words rambling and confused, but hemanaged to point the paramedics in the right direction. Jace wasunmoving when they collected him off the floor.
“Is he dead? Is he dead?”he chanted, but all the paramedics said was to standback.
He barely had the presenceof mind to shut the door as they left, praying Samson hadn’tescaped. Ben clambered into the ambulance, watching as they put adevice over Jace’s mouth, a bag that the paramedic squeezed to keephim breathing. That was good. That meant he was alive.
