Jason stood in front of the couch, looking back and forth between them and growing more frustrated by the minute. “I didn’t say you have to. I was just explaining what happened.” He glared at Tim. “But I can’t show up there alone!”
“I’m ten years older than you!” Tim said, looking panicked. “Is that even legal?”
“How old was that Ryan guy?” Jason retorted. “In the painting he looks younger than me!”
“Ohohoho!” Ben said.
“Ryan was younger than you, and at the time, I wasn’t so damn old!”
“Heeee!” Ben said, wiping his eyes and trying to pull himself together. “You know, this might just work!”
“Oh god,” Tim said, sinking into the couch cushion behind him. “He thinks it’s a good idea. I might as well give up now.”
“Think about it,” Ben said, trying to keep a straight face. “Remember when I got all upset about you and Krista Norman being together? What if I had shown up at school with a super-hot guy on my arm?”
“One ten years older than you?” Tim demanded. “He would have been arrested on sight. Besides, where would you find a guy hotter than me?”
“What makes you think you’re hotter than William?” Jason asked.
Tim raised an eyebrow.
This sent Ben into another fit of giggles, leaving Tim and Jason staring each other down, arms crossed over their chests.
“You know what?” Jason said. “I’ll take Ben with me. We’ll just pretend his name is Tim.”
“No,” Ben said, shaking his head. “It needs to be Tim. Someone to really make them envious. I’m sure William is very handsome, but just look at my man!” Ben pinched one of Tim’s cheeks and jiggled it, causing him to look vindicated.
“We’ll take my car too,” Tim said. “Just wait until they get a load of that!”
Jason fought down a smile. “You’re so superficial.”
“Oh yeah?” Tim said. “In that case, I’ll load up the back seat with painting supplies and show off my deep and thoughtful artistic side. This William guy isn’t going to know what hit him!”
Now Jason really did smile. “Then it’s a date?”
“Damn straight,” Tim said, glowering. “Just don’t expect me to put out.”
“Stop!” Ben pleaded. “I’m going to pee my pants!”
“See that?” Tim asked. “Hot, artistic, and funny!”
Jason pretended to be impressed. “I’m a lucky guy! Remember that when I break up with you. Just one date, and then we’re through.”
Chapter Twenty-one
The Bates Recital Hall was located on the University of Texas campus, which only added to Ben’s insistence that this outing was a good idea. Tim drove them there early, walking the campus and playing tour guide. Occasionally he would smile at undisclosed memories or shake his head at others. The university was nice, but that had never been Jason’s fear. He still didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life, and creating a debt by studying a random subject for four years didn’t seem smart.
“Let’s head back to the car,” Tim said, checking his watch.
“We can just walk to the recital hall,” Jason replied.
“They need to see us pulling up in the Bentley,” Tim insisted. “Tonight is all about making an impression.”
Tim was definitely doing just that, looking absolutely stunning in a white dress shirt that contrasted nicely with his Latino skin. The fabric was thin and gauzy, providing a teasing glimpse of the body beneath. The tight gray slacks were revealing in their own way, although Jason was trying hard not to look in that direction. Tim’s dark hair was swept at an angle across his forehead, the three-day beard carefully cultivated. That he looked gorgeous was no surprise, but now Jason worried he’d stand out even less than usual while next to him.
Not that he hadn’t tried to look his best. Ben had helped him pick out a navy blue dress shirt and brown pants. His hair could still use a trim, which is just how he liked it. He’d felt pretty confident until he walked down the stairs and saw Tim, but he supposed that was what he’d asked for. William would see him with a super-hot guy and instantly decide Jason wasn’t desperate. He might even wonder what Jason could offer a guy like Tim, adding a layer of mystique. Of course, right below that fabricated layer was the desperation he was trying to conceal, but whatever. Fake it until you make it.
“There won’t be any parking by the recital hall,” Tim murmured to himself as he drove. Then louder he said, “I’ll drop you off out front. That’s where we’re meeting them, right?”
“Yeah,” Jason said. “Right by the door. Actually, there they are.”
William and Kelly were waiting by the curb. They flinched when Tim tapped on the horn and pulled over. Everyone else in the vicinity looked too. Jason’s face was already turning red.
“I’ll find a parking space and meet you by the front door,” Tim said. “Don’t try to kiss me or anything, all right?”
“I’m not going to kiss you!” Jason said, sounding like a temperamental child, which made the vibe in the car even weirder. Trying to play it off as a joke, he added, “Don’t embarrass me in front of my friends.”
Tim rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of it!”
Jason opened the car door, his nervousness dissipating when he saw William. He was wearing… oh, something. Jason didn’t care much about that because he loved his face, the goofy, slightly shy smile, the blond bangs that the wind had blown into disarray, and those emerald eyes which were shining just for him. Or maybe they shined for Kelly, decked out all in black and looking like a sexy panther ready to spring on anyone foolish enough to touch his property.
“Hi,” Jason said, making sure to shake hands with Kelly first. “Nice to see you again.”
“Yes,” Kelly replied. “How unexpected too. We didn’t really talk at all during the meeting, and yet, here you are.”
“Yeah,” Jason said, uncertain of how to respond. Instead he turned and shook hands with William, which seemed too impersonal. Sure they had only met a few times, but that feeling of familiarity remained.
“Should we wait here while your boyfriend parks?” William asked.
“No, we can head toward the entrance,” Jason said. “He’ll find us.”
“That’s quite the car he has,” Kelly commented as they began walking. “Expensive too. Is your boyfriend Richie Rich or is he an older guy?”
“He’s a little older than me, yeah.” Jason felt amused. No doubt they were picturing a gray-haired sugar daddy.
“Have you been together long?” Kelly pressed.
“We live together,” Jason said. “It’s pretty serious.”
Kelly’s crutches hit the ground harder, as if he was trying to crack the concrete. “Now why should that concern me?”
Ah ha. So Kelly was feeling suspicious, despite thinking that Jason had a boyfriend. He felt bad about that, so he decided to make Kelly’s relationship with William the topic, hoping that acknowledging it would show he respected it. “How long have you guys been together?”
“A few years now,” William replied.
“Wow!” Jason didn’t need to fake his awe. “High school sweethearts, huh?”
“That’s right,” Kelly said, voice sounding a little warmer. “It was love at first sight.”
Jason shot a quick glance at William and saw his brow furrowed up, like he didn’t quite agree. “So how did you two meet?”
“We were training for a triathlon,” Kelly said. “William is the school’s best swimmer, and at the time I was the best runner—believe it or not—so we decided to team up.”
“Not quite,” William said. “You cornered me in the hallway and said no matter how good I was at swimming, that I’d never keep up with you on foot.”
Kelly smiled. “And then you showed up at the track that afternoon to really start training. So I started showing up at the pool…”
“Not exactly love at first sight,” William said.
K
elly raised an eyebrow. “Speak for yourself. So Jason, how did you meet your man?”
“Oh. Our story isn’t nearly as good as yours,” he said, playing for time.
Luckily, one of the most ostentatious distractions possible showed up, placing a possessive arm around him.
“Hey, sweet cheeks,” Tim said, beaming at him in a way normally reserved for Ben.
“Uh,” Jason replied, legs feeling weak.
Tim’s smile intensified as he brought his face close to Jason’s. For one terrifying moment, he thought they really were going to kiss, but Tim’s lips went for his ear instead.
“You don’t look happy to see me,” he whispered.
Jason recovered himself and put on a smile, which was good since it probably appeared he was reacting to something amorous Tim had said. He made hasty introductions, Tim pumping their hands and sizing up each of them before turning back to Jason.
“So, honey, where’s that music you promised me?”
“Right this way,” Jason said. And then, just for good measure he added, “darling.”
They walked in pairs toward the entrance, William and Kelly in the lead, exchanging glances with each other. Tim seemed amused. Jason still felt nervous, even though their scheme was working. William looked back at Tim, eyeing him and the arm still firmly wrapped around Jason’s shoulders. That arm felt good too—warm and muscular. Jason pretended it belonged to William instead.
“So, Tim,” Kelly said as they took their place in line. “We were just asking Jason how you two met.”
“Do you want to tell it?” Tim asked Jason.
He shook his head, hoping to communicate that he didn’t have a good story.
“Okay,” Tim said. “Well, it’s a little embarrassing really. I was on my way downtown to do some shopping when I saw this handsome guy walking down the street.” He squeezed Jason closer. “So I parked the car as quick as I could and headed to where I’d seen him last. Luckily he had stopped to look at a window display, and I walked up behind him, checking out his reflection in the glass. He saw me too, and when he turned around—” Tim shrugged helplessly. “We just hit it off!”
“Interesting,” Kelly said. “Is that something you do a lot? Pulling over when you see a guy you find attractive?”
“Never before,” Tim said. “Not once. But come on! Look at him! Aren’t his eyes intense? They sort of burrow into your soul, don’t they? Or the way he clenches his jaw when he feels embarrassed. Or his messy messy hair.” Tim ruffled it affectionately. “But really, those eyes are his best feature. Or maybe his lips, because man, the first time I kissed him…” Tim made a face like he’d just eaten something spicy. “And if music is your thing, this boy can play the guitar! He’s the one who should be up there on stage tonight. Then we’d be in for a treat!”
“Thanks,” Jason said, and he meant it too, because he’d never expected Tim to put a positive spin on him like that. Even now, Kelly was openly reassessing him. William’s expression wasn’t as easy to read, but his lips were downturned. Was he unhappy? Unconvinced?
The line had moved forward enough for them to enter the recital hall. The person who took their tickets gave them each a program and asked them to proceed directly to their seats, since they were already behind schedule. The hall itself was elegant, with wood-paneled walls and low lighting that lent atmosphere. Directly ahead of them and above the stage was a huge organ bristling with silver and brass pipes. Theater seating descended from their high vantage point until reaching the ground floor.
“We’re in the front row,” Kelly said. “One of the perks of being handicapped, although they didn’t tell me about all these damn stairs.”
“I think there’s an elevator,” Jason said.
“It’s fine,” Kelly snapped.
He slowly made his way down each step, swearing a few times. Despite his head being held high, he avoided making eye contact while taking a seat. Jason wondered how new all of this was to him, if whatever had caused him to lose a leg was recent history.
Jason ended up seated between Kelly and Tim, which wasn’t his preference but probably for the best, since it would be less distracting. Or so he thought. Jason kept watching the happy couple out of the corner of his eye. When William reached over to take Kelly’s hand, he felt pressured to do the same. Tim’s hand was on the arm rest. Jason reached for it, but when he got near, Tim grabbed the theater program, keeping both hands on it as he read. Or pretended to. The pages weren’t turning, but he did casually elbow Jason’s arm away.
Fair enough. Jason turned his attention to the stage where a piano and a number of other instruments waited. Above these was an artificially low ceiling that blocked the organ and the true ceiling of the hall from view, probably to improve acoustics. Playing here would be a thrill. Jason didn’t crave an audience, but he would like to experience an environment optimized for sound. As the lights went down, he found himself genuinely excited.
The recital began with a female vocalist accompanied by piano, her voice effectively silencing the audience and leaving them rapt. She was obviously scheduled first to grab their attention, which was good because the subsequent dueling banjos followed by a painfully long accordion demonstration felt more suited to a high school talent show. Before Jason could lose faith, a violin and acoustic guitar duet swept him off his feet again. He was so dazzled by this performance that he didn’t notice the next musician on stage until she started playing. The young woman wasn’t dressed for the occasion, wearing instead a concert T-shirt and ripped jeans, which were a stark contrast to the elegant instrument held before her. This was the cellist William and Kelly had come to support, but what surprised Jason was that he knew her too.
As Bonnie coaxed a baleful tune out of the cello, he smiled to himself. Emma would be jealous when she found out he’d seen her crush performing on stage. He was tempted to use his cell phone to record footage for her. As the song reached a gentle lull, Bonnie cast her eyes over the front row, giving a little nod in their direction and smiling when she spotted someone else farther down from them. Family, maybe. The song demanded her attention again, Bonnie closing her eyes as she expertly stroked her instrument. Jason wondered how different the cello would be from a guitar. If given a day to play with the instrument, could he get such a beautiful sound out of it, even for one moment?
The song increased in pace, sounding like a chase through a dark forest or a coven of witches summoning bad magic up on a hilltop. Bonnie considered the audience again, eyes intense, but this time she looked to only one place. His curiosity getting the better of him, Jason leaned forward casually and glanced down the row. He practically fell out of his seat, because even beneath the pile of styled hair and carefully applied makeup, the face lit up like it was her wedding day was unmistakable. Emma!
Jason leaned back in his chair, eyes still wide. What was she doing here? But it wasn’t hard to guess. Bonnie must have driven to Houston to pick her up, just so she could be here tonight. He doubted very much that Emma had done so with her parents’ permission, or else they would have gotten Ben involved. Besides, Emma was still in the closet. Jason very carefully turned to Tim, making sure he hadn’t seen the same thing. Tim’s attention remained on the stage, a flicker of irritation manifesting when he caught Jason staring at him.
Okay. No crisis yet. As soon as the recital was over, he needed to get Tim out of here as quickly as possible. Bonnie left the stage to a round of applause, a series of performers taking her place. Most of them were exceptional, drawing Jason back into the show. When the lights came up again, he hopped to his feet, ready to go, but Kelly was in no hurry. Not only that, but he needed time to get up all those stairs. Jason could hardly rush him. The lobby was full when they got there, people mingling, having drinks, and burbling with excited conversation.
“We’re supposed to meet Bonnie here,” William said.
“Actually, I could use some fresh air,” Jason said, taking hold of Tim’s arm. “Coming?”
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Tim shrugged him off, eyes on the bar. “I need a drink.”
“You’re the designated driver,” Jason reminded him.
“Then I’ll have a very small drink.”
As Tim wandered off, Jason forced his gritted teeth to resemble a smile. William and Kelly weren’t paying attention anyway, searching the crowd for their friend. When they perked up, Jason grew tense. Bonnie was approaching them, Emma trailing along beside her, their hands locked together. He felt a momentary burst of happiness for her before he spun around and saw Tim returning with two flutes of champagne. Like a disastrous cosmic event, multiple forces collided at the same time. Kelly was congratulating Bonnie, William giving Emma a hug, and Tim had put an arm around Jason’s neck, holding one of the glasses near his lips. Then two of these people froze as their eyes met.
“Emma?” said one, sounding confused.
“Uncle Tim?” said the other, sounding panicked.
Then, simultaneously, they both said, “What are you doing here?”
The star of the hour stepped forward to break the tension. “You’re Emma’s uncle!” Bonnie said, offering a hand. Tim’s were both occupied by champagne flutes, so he offered her one. “Oh, thanks.” Bonnie turned to Jason next, observing the arm around his neck. “Hey! Sorry, I didn’t recognize you at first. Wait, you’re Emma’s uncle? The one who can sing?”
“No,” Emma said, looking puzzled herself. “You’re thinking of Ben.”
“And does Ben know you’re here?” Tim asked. “Or your parents?”
Emma looked away. “They think I’m staying at a friend’s house.”
“Which she is,” Bonnie said. “She’s staying with me tonight.”
“No,” Tim said. “She’s staying with us. I’ll call Ben and tell him to come pick you up. He’ll decide what to do.”
“Uncle Tim,” Emma pleaded. “Please don’t! I’ll be home tomorrow morning! It’s not like it’s a school night.”
“You’re fourteen years old,” Tim said. “You’re too young to be on your own in a different city.”