Page 104 of Something Like Winter
Water slides, a wave pool, and all the overpriced snow cones you could eat. As far as Tim knew, there were only two Splashtowns: one in San Antonio and another near Houston. Back in high school, Ben often hinted that they go, but of course Tim had been too twisted up with fear then. That they were finally going now tied in nicely with his high school nostalgia tour, even if the “astronaut of the stratosphere” was tagging along. Tim was just happy Jace had agreed to this nutty plan. Maybe Marcello knew what he was talking about.
Only Allison’s presence threw him off. Why did Ben insist on bringing his fiercest chaperone? As Tim drove them to San Antonio, Ben spent half the trip down in the backseat with Allison, laughing it up or singing—especially when Tim tried making conversation with Ben. Hearing that voice again—even slightly changed due to age—was worth the beating Tim’s confidence was taking.
A guard at the gate checked Tim’s name against a list before they were allowed into the park. Party headquarters was at a restaurant near the entrance. Despite Marcello’s promise of Austin’s hottest guys, all the other party-goers were much older and fully clothed. Maybe the eye candy was out enjoying the actual park, like Tim was eager to do, but he wanted to at least put in an appearance. Marcello greeted him dressed in a ridiculous Hawaiian-patterned shirt, complete with hula dancers and pineapples.
“Happy 49th,” Tim teased, giving him a hug. “I didn’t get you anything because you’re already too damn rich.”
Marcello batted his eyelashes. “The only thing I’ve ever wanted is your happiness. Speaking of which, who do we have here?”
Tim made the introductions. When he got to Jace, Marcello snuck Tim a look of approval. Wrong guy, dumb ass! Even Marcello thought Jace was hot, and he’d been around the block—maybe even the globe—a few times. After a little more birthday banter, they were free to hit the locker room. Allison went her way, while he, Jace, and Ben got changed on the boys’ side.
When they met again back outside, the sun warming their skin, he caught Ben looking him over. Tim stretched and casually flexed. Of course he wanted to win Ben over with more than just his body, but he’d take what he could get.
They started with the nearest water slides, and for a while Tim forgot about his intended conquest and just had fun. The park was nearly empty except for nomadic groups of gay guys. The lifeguards on duty appeared either amused or uncomfortable, many seeming happy to see a girl in their group. Allison soon abandoned them for the attention of one of those lifeguards. One down, one to go.
The wave pool came next. They lost themselves in the oddly enjoyable experience of getting knocked around by water. More than once Tim let himself “accidentally” collide with his former flame. Ben even forgot himself enough to smile, his eyes half-lidded before he seemed to wake from his dream and look around for Jace.
As fun as flirting was, Tim figured he wasn’t likely to get anywhere while Jace was around. They tried tubing next, Tim preferring to swim along the slow-moving river. After a break for lunch, they hit the artificial lagoon. Ben caught Tim staring and splashed him, so Tim splashed back before Jace playfully came to his rescue. Soon they were in the middle of a huge—but friendly—water fight. As much as Tim wanted to, he couldn’t dislike Jace. Regardless, he was still glad when Ben’s boyfriend waded back to shore to dry out in the sun.
Tim headed toward a wall of rocks, showing Jace that Ben was left alone. Once he climbed onto a stony outcrop, Tim watched them both— Jace to see if he was checking on them and Ben, who was floating on his back. Tim couldn’t stop staring. Ben’s body had matured, but he would probably never be very big. He didn’t really have any muscle, but Tim didn’t care. He liked Ben’s size, how it made him feel stronger in comparison. He wanted to wrap his arms around that narrow torso, squeezing until Ben laughed and told him to stop, just like they used to.
And then he wanted to do a whole lot more.
Three waterfalls coursed over the wall of rocks, behind one a grotto. Glancing toward the shore, he saw Jace lounging there. Chances were, his eyes were closed behind the shades he was wearing, so Tim moved toward the cave.
“Check it out!” he called, hopefully just loud enough for Ben to hear. “There’s a cave behind this one.”
Ben waded over to see. Tim stood beneath the waterfall, the pressure of the flow relaxing his muscles, the cool water helping keep down one muscle in particular. As soon as Ben was near, he held out an arm, breaking the water flow and creating a door for Ben to duck through. The cramped interior was lit solely by filtered light from the entrance. The small pool inside was probably designed for kids, only deep enough to reach Ben’s waist. Tim waded in, the water lapping at his crotch as if encouraging him.
Ben still played the angel, looking at the water, the walls, anywhere but directly at Tim. “You know this is where everyone comes to pee,” he said.
Tim grinned. “Or to do other things.”
Ben didn’t react. “They should put a hot tub in here. That would be way cooler.”
Come on, Benjamin! Stop playing. “I liked hearing you sing today.” Tim moved a little closer to him. “In the car. It was nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Sometimes at night, on the very edge of sleep, I swear I could hear you singing.” Tim laughed at himself. “That sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Never in a million years did I think you’d be in my life again, that I really would be able to hear the sound of your voice.”
Ben’s attention was on the ceiling now, as if praying to God to help him avoid temptation. “Do you still paint?”
No more changing topics. No more talk. Tim remained silent, thinking about how long it had been since they had kissed, how Ben’s hand over his on a wooden spoon could feel more intimate than sex. Finally Ben looked at Tim with eyes both vulnerable and wanting. He started to say something, but Tim shook his head and moved in close. Wasn’t it about time they picked up where they’d left off?
Tim touched a lock of Ben’s hair, heavy with chlorinated water. He brushed it behind Ben’s ear and let his hand keep moving to the back of his head, pulling Ben in for a kiss.
Their lips met, but it wasn’t electric. Ben’s lips were mush beneath his, not responding, and Tim knew he had lost. He had tried everything he could, but Jace was the better— Fire! Ben’s lips came to life with hunger, his body pressing against his, and then Tim knew why Lucifer was so desperate to conquer Heaven and make it his own. He hadn’t been wrong, his memories polished by nostalgia. In fact, they had grown dusty and tarnished, because Tim had forgotten how wonderful kissing Ben could be.
Tim grabbed Ben tight, hands clenching at his back while Ben seemed so desperate to touch every part of him that he couldn’t settle at one place. He felt Ben’s hardness rub against his own and wished he could shout down the walls of the cave, sealing them safely away from the outside world forever and ever.
The constant roar of the waterfall was broken before Jace spoke. “About done?”
Ben shoved Tim away hard enough that he fell backward, splashing into the water. At the cave entrance, Jace’s towering form blocked out the light, and Tim wondered if he would have to fight. Except Jace’s face wasn’t angry but drawn and hurt. He didn’t even look at Tim. Only at Ben who spluttered an apology.
Tim got to his feet, Jace’s gaze flicking in his direction. “Maybe you should wait for us outside, Tim.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. Maybe Jace hid his anger well, only revealing his demon when others weren’t looking. Tim left through the waterfall, staying close to the entrance and straining to listen. If Jace flipped out, Tim would step in to save Ben, and it would be check and mate.
