Page 4 of Something Like Forever
“He needs to broaden hishorizons,” Tim said earnestly, pushing himself up on an elbow.“This is about us, isn’t it? Jason doesn’t want to leave usbehind.”
“Exactly!” Ben said, nothiding his surprise. “Did he talk to you about it too?”
“No, but whenever we huglately, he’s got a death grip on me. I could barely breathe thelast time. I thought it was him being excited about the adoption,but then I caught him looking at you the other day when we were outshopping. He was staring across the store at you like his heart wasabout to break.”
“Stop,” Ben said, feelinglike his own was also in danger of cracking.
“All of this is normal,”Tim said. “When I left Kansas— Bad example. I couldn’t wait to getout of there because I didn’t have any friends left. Same when Ileft Houston, but I still felt sad about leaving you behind. I knowwe hadn’t talked for a year at that point, but just the idea thatwe would be even farther apart made me sad. Sometimes you feel thedistance, even while you’re still close.”
Ben reached for him, soTim flopped back down, using him as a pillow again and grinningwhile Ben stroked his hair. “I suppose I felt that way before Imoved to Chicago. It seemed like a really good idea until a fewdays before it was time to leave. Then I panicked.”
“Jason is feeling the samething,” Tim said. “He’ll keep freaking out, and we’ll keepreassuring him. No way is he letting William get away. Not thistime. You’ve seen them together. Remind you of anyone?”
Ben chuckled, causingTim’s head to rise and fall. “You’re right. I’m worrying fornothing.”
“Exactly. I’ll be sure totalk to him anyway. Just to make sure he knows that we’ll always bethere for him.”
Ben felt a swell of emotion. “You’re thebest. You know that?”
Tim grinned in response. “No, but I surelike hearing it.”
“Remind me, what was thathoneymoon law called?”
“No hay nadie más guapo que tú,” Timsaid, eyes smoldering as he pushed himself up again.
Ben peered at him. “Isthat what you said before? It sounded different thistime.”
“No more talking,” Timsaid, face moving closer.
Silver eyes locked ontohis, and Ben knew he couldn’t resist them, so instead he closed hisown. When their lips met, he felt like he could melt into thosearms and spend the rest of the trip tangled up in the sheets. Or atleast the rest of the night, which is exactly what theydid.
* * * * *
Honey-freaking-moon! Attimes the thought had Tim blissed out. He was married! To Benjamin!It didn’t seem all that long ago that his chances seemed ruined.Life was full of surprises though, not all of them bad, becausehere they were on their honeymoon. Acapulco might not enjoy theglamorous reputation it once had, but Tim still adored it. He madesure they got the most out of the trip, dragging them up to theChapel of Peace for tranquility and the breathtaking view, and downto Zocalo for the flea market stalls and restaurants. Ben seemed toenjoy himself, as did Jason and William, but Tim still worried itwasn’t enough.
This wasn’t Ben’s firstmarriage, nor his first honeymoon. Normally that didn’t bother Tim,but at times he found it hard to compete. Acapulco versus Paris.Man… Then again, he was pretty sure that Paris didn’t have gorgeousbeaches or nearly as much sunshine. As for the food, consideringthat they both had simple tastes, Ben had to prefer enchiladasuizas over snails or whatever. Hopefully. But when it came toculture, Tim knew that Paris had most cities beat. The cabarets,art museums, fashion boutiques, rivers, and of course a certainfamous tower. Both cities offered interesting architecture, butAcapulco had been hit hard by a hurricane the year before and wasstill recovering. Then there were local issues with drug violence.More than once Ben had read aloud a news headline, then looked tohim in concern.
Tim stuck to the sameanswer each time. Acapulco was a great place full of good people.He was determined to prove that. Visits to the local museums helpedprove that this too was a city rich with culture, and a few hoursspent atEl Fuerte de SanDiego—a fort built to protect the port frompirates—asserted Alcapulco’s historical significance. Still, thoselingering doubts persisted. When Tim took Ben to a giant mosaicdragon, a mural by Diego Rivera, they marveled over the colors andsymbolism. But could it really compete with the Mona Lisa? Tim knewwhich piece of art he preferred, but one was a household name, andmore likely to be bragged about when they returned homeagain.
“Having fun?” Tim asked.They had taken a bus close to La Quebrada to see the cliff-divingspectacle there, but first they had done some shopping and exploredthe local neighborhoods. Today was their last day in Acapulco, andhe intended to make it memorable. As they walked toward the cliffs,he couldn’t help noticing that Ben was quiet, so he askedwhy.
“I’m good,” Ben said,expression pensive. “Just a little tired.”
“Want me to carry you?Never mind. Why am I even asking?” Tim moved like he was going topick Ben up. His boyfriend—no, his husband!—protested and shovedhim away while laughing. At least his smile hadreturned.
“You can carry me,” Jasonsaid from behind them.
“You’ve got your ownmuscle,” Tim said over his shoulder. “Ask him.”
“I don’t mind,” Williamsaid, shielding his eyes to look at Jason, “but only if I can useyou as an umbrella. Actually, do we have any sunblockleft?”
They had already gonethrough an entire bottle, Jason lubing up William at frequentintervals. At first Tim thought this was an excuse for them to gettouchy-feely, but William was fair-skinned and had grownincreasingly red as the trip went on.
“We’re out,” Jasongrumbled. “How much farther?”
“Where’s that water youpromised?” Ben murmured to himself.
“Could we walk in theshade?” William asked. “If there’s any around here, thatis.”
