Something Like Rain (Something Like... Book 8) (24 page)

Keith had begun the lecture, asking the group what they looked for in a relationship. William’s hand shot up.

“Commitment,” he said with new determination. “Loyalty is important.”

Yeah! He needed to get back to how things were before the accident. Now that they had set that mistake behind them—

“Trust,” Kelly declared. “You should be able to trust the person you’re with.”

Ouch. William had never considered it before, but the entire accident could be boiled down to one small transgression. He had broken Kelly’s trust. He was supposed to ferry them safely to school and had instead nearly cost Kelly his life. He placed his hand over Kelly’s, noticing how tense it was. No surprise. The anger was always there beneath the surface, lurking until needed, which was all too often.

“Humility,” a voice declared.

William didn’t recognize it at first, surprised by how clear it rang out. The entire room went silent, all heads turning to focus on one person. Jason.

“Humility?” Keith asked, standing in front of the marker board.

“Yeah,” Jason said. “I don’t want some guy I have to impress or one who feels like he needs to show off. I just want someone who loves me that I can love back. Simple as that. That’s all it takes. I don’t really care about honesty or being totally understood or any of the other stuff, because being human is all about messing up and breaking trust and telling lies. I wouldn’t want to be with someone perfect. Just some humble, totally normal guy will do.”

Being human is all about messing up and breaking trust.
He felt like Jason had read his mind and granted him forgiveness, without even knowing his sins. William was human—fallible—and that was okay. God he needed to hear that! Jason seemed bolstered by his convictions, meeting each gaze with his own. Then it was their turn to lock eyes, William wanting to communicate his thanks or maybe fall to his knees and start crying, because there was something about this guy—shy and awkward until he rose up from the ashes like a phoenix, just like he had always wanted Kelly to do. The assessment from earlier had been wrong. Jason
was
good enough. He could hold his own with Kelly or anyone else, William was sure of it, because the light emanating from him was pure and bright. Strong.

“Humility,” Keith said, sounding equally impressed.

William tore his attention away to look at the group leader, sneaking one glance back. Jason’s attention was on the lecture again. William looked to the others, wondering if they were equally moved, but everyone seemed to have moved on, which was baffling and made William feel like he had been the only person to notice a heart-stopping explosion. Then everyone started talking, half of them standing. Keith had given them an assignment, but William had totally missed the details. He remained confused when Emma stood and walked across the room, attention on him. She smiled when close enough and said, “You seem nice. Let’s be partners!”

“Sure!” William said with a chuckle. He had no idea what was going on, but it’s not like he would be graded on his performance.

The room continued to split into pairs, all of them boy girl. Emma plopped down in Kelly’s seat after he wandered away. William had always found confidence attractive and Emma was no exception. Despite the fact that she was overweight, she carried herself with pride, even relying on her natural beauty rather than makeup, although her honey-brown hair was pulled back in an elaborate fashion, smooth and flat in the front and collecting into a playful bundle in the back.

“French twist,” Emma said, noticing him staring. “I can do yours like this too, although you’ll have to grow it out more. Or get a weave.”

“This is the longest I’ve had it in years,” William said. He actually needed a comb to brush it to one side! “I usually keep it short so I can get my cap on easier.”

“You do have a big head,” Emma said appraisingly. “Must be hard shopping for a hat that fits.”

“My head isn’t big!” William said with a chuckle. “I meant my swim cap.”

“Swimmer eh?” Emma nodded approvingly. “I don’t suppose you have a Facebook account with lots of photos? Or maybe a YouTube channel where you record yourself swimming.”

“You know this is a
gay
youth group, right? Because I’m starting to think you’re hitting on me.”

“You mean you’re not a lesbian?” Emma tsked and shook her head. “When will I learn? I always tell myself, ‘Emma, make sure to notice their gender before you get so irresistibly charming!’ So anyway, tell me more about you.”

William grinned while shaking his head. “What’s our assignment exactly? I don’t know what we’re supposed to be doing.”

“This,” Emma said. “Getting to know each other. I’ll go first. My name is Emma, I’m from Houston, I plan on being a huge Broadway star before I’m twenty, and I’m determined to find a girlfriend by this time next week. Your turn!”

“Okay. Uh, I’m William, I live here in Austin, I work at the juice place at the mall, and I’ve been dating that guy over there for nearly two years.” He jerked his thumb to where Kelly was deep in conversation with Lisa as they worked on the assignment. Whatever it was.

Emma peered in Kelly’s direction critically. “Are you sure? You can do better than that!”

William laughed incredulously. “There’s no one handsomer!”

“Well sure, but it’s good to play the field, explore your options. Know what I mean?”

William made a face. “Are you sure you’re not hitting on me?”

“Positive. So what do you look for in a guy?”

“Didn’t we already play that game?”

“Right, right.” Emma squinted thoughtfully. “You said that loyalty is important. Boy do I know the right guy for you! He’s loyal to a fault.”

William finally understood. “You’re trying to hook Jason up. That’s really sweet! None of my friends ever did that. Like I said though, I’m already spoken for.”

“My mom says you should never let anyone speak for you.”

“Why’s that?”

Emma shrugged. “Something about being accountable for one’s own opinions and actions, but me, I think it’s bad for other reasons. If you let someone speak for you, pretty soon they’ll be telling you what to think, how you should act, even what kinds of clothes to wear.”

This made William shift uncomfortably. Kelly could be a little controlling at times, but it wasn’t
that
bad. Although he did often try to get William to put a different shirt on. “My relationship is fine, and I’m sure it won’t be long until someone sweeps your friend off his feet.”

Emma perked up. “Oh? Why’s that?”

William shook his head ruefully. “You’re going to get me in trouble. What about you? What kind of girl are you looking for?”

“That depends,” Emma said. “What can you tell me about her?” She nodded to where Jason was talking to a partner.

“Bonnie? She’s my boyfriend’s best friend!”

“Did I mention that I like him?” Emma said. “Whatever his name was. Kevin? He’s a real great guy. You should introduce us!”

They kept talking, William laughing during much of their conversation. Emma was fun! He couldn’t help but wonder if Jason was too. As the assignment came to an end and they were allowed to mingle freely, he kept thinking of the way she had tried to set them up, which felt oddly flattering. He found himself distracted by the idea, his eyes moving of their own accord to seek Jason out. William never saw him looking back. Emma had probably delivered the news by now. William was a dead end. Hell, that described his future as well. One big dead end going nowhere.

He tried to put the entire affair out of mind and nearly succeeded. They were leaving, Kelly done with the group earlier than usual. William was holding the exit door open for him when he heard voices in the hall behind him.

“Two more!” Emma said, hustling his way. “Coming through!”

William stretched out his arm and pressed himself against the far wall, creating a bridge that she had to duck under. Then it was Jason’s turn. He kept his eyes averted as he ducked, allowing William to check him out from close up. Jason had a narrow build, his broad shoulders boney. William liked that, preferring a contrast to his own body. The jeans and hoodie were well-worn, a surprisingly comfortable choice when most people treated the meetings like a dating pool and dressed their sharpest. There was something honest about the way Jason conducted himself, like he wasn’t trying to impress or be anything other than what he was. The butt filling out those jeans wasn’t bad either, but William quickly raised his gaze when Jason spun around and spoke.

“Have we met before?”

Just when he thought he was safe! Getting hit on sure felt good though. “That’s an old line,” William said. Jason’s brow came together slightly, like he was puzzled by this response. Maybe he wasn’t flirting after all! “Wait, you’re serious?”

Jason nodded. “Yeah. I feel like… okay, this is
really
going to sound like a line, but I feel like I know you.”

William wondered if this was a joke after all. If so, Jason had a great poker face. He had a nice face in general, his features honest and humble, like he would imagine a farm boy having. The hint of a five o’clock shadow was masculine, a light scruff that William and Kelly never allowed themselves. Jason just seemed like the kind of guy that would throw an arm around you casually and pull you near for some cuddling, without saying a word. And speaking of words, theirs were silent now as they continued to stare at each other, caught up in a spell.

“Hey!” Kelly shouted from somewhere in the parking lot. “Are we going or what?”

Spell officially broken. William blinked, looked toward his boyfriend, and shook his head. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m pretty sure we’ve never met.” He made eye contact again. “But now we have. See you at the next meeting?”

“Yeah,” Jason said, not laughing in embarrassment or attempting to lighten the mood. “See you then.”

Then he turned and walked away. Talk about intense! With an act like that, it really wouldn’t be long before Jason found a boyfriend. William couldn’t imagine anyone not falling for him. Maybe even Kelly. He considered his original idea anew, how he hoped that Kelly would fall in love with someone else and move on. Jason might have what it took, but William found his stomach uneasy, not liking the thought of Jason being with anyone at all. That is, anyone other than himself.

* * * * *

A rumble in William’s stomach signaled that it was nearly lunch. The variety of tantalizing scents filling the mall’s food court only increased his appetite. He eyeballed the line of juice-thirsty customers, trying to decide how quickly he could clear the queue so he could get something to eat. Then he did a double-take, spotting a familiar face. They had spoken, not long ago.

“Have we met before?”

Jason. When someone new joined the group, they sometimes failed to pick up on his and Kelly’s relationship right away and would get flirtatious. He usually found it flattering and moved on. This time was different. Jason had lingered in William’s mind, popping up in his thoughts more than a few times since that brief encounter. William wasn’t fantasizing about Kelly and Jason running away together either. Not even close.

A woman waiting in line made a face at the menu, shook her head, and left without ordering. That left no one between them. Jason shuffled forward, head still tilted upward as he searched for what he wanted to order.

“Hey!” William said. “Haven’t we met before?”

This caught Jason’s attention. He seemed genuinely surprised, and a little uncertain as to who William was. “Met before?” he asked. Then he flashed a smile, catching on. “No. Sorry. Don’t think so.”

William grinned back, recognizing the response he had given—what was it? Nearly two weeks ago? “Jason, right?”

“That is correct. And you are—” Jason peered at his chest. “Wild Wild Will?”

“Yeah.” William scratched himself beneath the nametag, feeling self-conscious. “They force us to choose ridiculous nicknames.”

“I like it.”

“Thanks. So, what can I get you?”

Jason seemed surprised again. “Uh, what do you recommend?”

“I always get the protein power smoothie,” William said. This triggered a thought, which he indulged in before he could second-guess himself. “Actually, I’m about to go on lunch break. Want to keep me company?”

“Sure,” Jason said, perking up a little.

“Great. Tell you what, your smoothie is on the house. Meet me over by the pizza place? That way I can grab something to eat.”

“Okay.” Jason grinned, then sauntered off into the food court.

William allowed himself a chuckle. He signaled to his coworker to take over his line. As he prepared the promised smoothies, he considered that he was about to sit down with a stranger. He knew very little about Jason. Next to nothing. Why were they about to eat together? His uncertainty dissipated when he saw Jason standing by the pizza counter. That line, asking if they had met before, made sense. He supposed they really had now, but even before then, he had felt
something
. An allure. Jason was holding a paper plate in each hand when he approached, a slab of greasy pizza on each, and yet William felt his pulse quicken. This was ridiculous!