Something Like Rain (Something Like... Book 8) (55 page)

Jason was missing. The Eric Conroy gallery wasn’t huge. It only had three rooms that didn’t take long to explore. William had even checked the sidewalk out front, and after seeking permission, went into the back room and poked his head out the rear entrance. Jason wasn’t there.

“I’m your ride home.”

William spun around to find Ben. “Oh. Hi. Any idea where Jason is?”

Ben chose his answer carefully. “He had something he needed to take care of.”

“Is he okay?” William said. “He’s not answering his texts.”

“I’m sure he’s fine.” Ben had his keys in hand. “Whenever you’re ready—”

“I couldn’t find Emma either.”

Ben smiled. “She left with Bonnie. I realize it’s your occupation, but I promise there’s no need for a search and rescue right now.”

William’s shoulders relaxed. He looked around the gallery, the crowd having thinned out somewhat. So far he had spoken to Marcello, met the famous Allison Cross, and made his peace with Kelly. Those were all the boxes he’d be checking tonight. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Ben turned toward the entrance. “Let’s go. All I can think about is a hot mug of tea and an even hotter bath.”

“Rough day?”

“No. I just like to spoil myself.”

“I thought that was Tim’s job.” William sought him out in the crowd. “Shouldn’t we get him before we go?”

“He’ll be here until the gallery closes,” Ben said, holding open the door. “If you want to stay that long, you can.”

“No. That’s okay.” He normally thought of Ben and Tim as a package deal. If forced to choose, he liked Ben a little better. Tim was hotter and more exciting, but Ben was more like a comfortable old friend. “New car?” he asked when they walked up to a brown sedan.

“Not for me, it wasn’t,” Ben said. “I bought it used after we gave Jason my old car.”

William waited until they were both inside the vehicle before replying. “I’m surprised Tim didn’t buy you something ridiculously expensive and new.”

“Oh he had a few ideas! But I wouldn’t let him. I still have an independent streak. I even financed it on my own, which drove him nuts.” Ben flashed an embarrassed smile as they pulled out of the parking space. “To be honest, he was probably right. My credit isn’t great, and I didn’t get the best deal.”

“Then why’d you do it?”

Ben navigated in silence, considering his answer. “At the time I was still uneasy about using his money. I wanted to prove that I was with him out of love, not because I was struggling to make ends meet when we reunited.”

“And now?”

Ben briefly considered the car interior. “Maybe I’ll ask him to pay it off as my birthday present.”

William laughed. “You two are adorable. I’m going to miss you guys.”

Ben’s head whipped around. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That I’m just passing through.”

“You’re leaving Austin? When did you decide this?”

“Tonight,” he admitted.

Ben seemed genuinely distraught. “Because Jason left so suddenly?”

“No, because I can’t have him.” William looked out the window, the shopfronts of downtown Austin whizzing by. “That sounds petty, doesn’t it? I just mean that it hurts too much to be around him when all I want is to be
with
him.”

“That doesn’t sound petty at all,” Ben said. “Jason loves you.”

William exhaled. “My ex-boyfriend said something similar. He and I were terrible together, but I still love the guy. That doesn’t mean I want to be with him again. I’m guessing that’s how Jason feels about me.”

“Have you told him what you want?”

“Jason?” William thought of the stolen kiss. “He knows.”

“And have you asked what he wants?” Ben checked his blind spot and switched lanes. “Actually, it doesn’t matter if you have, because the answer has probably changed since then.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you ever been in love with two people at once?”

“I guess so,” William said, thinking of Kelly again.

“Did you find that confusing?”

“God yes. I obsessed over what would be the right thing to do.”

“Which probably wasn’t what you really wanted to do, or it would have been an easy decision.”

William looked over at him. “Are you having an affair?”

Ben laughed. “No. This was ages ago. My point is that Jason might be in a similar situation. If I were you, I would give him a little more time.”

“I feel like I already gave him too much.”

Ben nodded. “True, but maybe stick around so he sees that you’re actually an option.”

“You’re saying I should settle down here and hope he dumps this guy?”

“Is there somewhere else you need to be?” Ben glanced at him. “I don’t mean that sarcastically. If you can spare a few more weeks, maybe a month… Just in case.”

William shifted in his seat. “I can stay, but I need something to do or I’ll go crazy.”

“Know anything about drywall? Or insulation?”

“No.”

“Neither does Tim. Maybe you can figure it out together. He bought this huge shed he wants to use as a studio. I’m sure he could use your help.”

“Yeah!” William said, never needing an excuse to be around them. “Is this on your property?”

“Yup,” Ben replied. Then he grimaced. “Actually, you’re about to see for yourself because we’re nearly there. I totally forgot about dropping you off!”

“I didn’t even notice!” William said.

“I’ll turn around.” Ben shot him a smile. “Unless you want to crash at our place for the night. You’re welcome to. A change of scenery might do you good, and it’s not like you haven’t stayed with us plenty of times before.”

“I’d like that,” he admitted. “Tim and I can start work on the shed tomorrow.”

“Then you’ve got a deal!”

“Awesome.” He settled back into the seat, loving the idea. The only thing that would make it better was if Jason still lived there, but maybe he would stop by. Ben could be right. If William proved that he was going to be around, Jason might start to see him as an option instead of just a memory.

* * * * *

William didn’t see Jason during the next few days, but the hours passed pleasantly enough. He and Tim worked on the shed, spending much of their time watching instructional YouTube videos or undoing previous attempts so they could redo them correctly. Ben kept them fed, or encouraged them to take breaks by cooling off in the pool that had been installed in William’s absence. Often they raced each other for fun. William even let Tim win a few times. He sometimes stayed the night, Ben having converted Jason’s old room into a guest room. Even though the furniture and decorations were different, William always thought of him while drifting off. At other times, when he felt too sorry for himself, he would distance himself from these memories by returning home to his mother’s house again.

At the end of the first week, Jason finally showed up. He walked into the kitchen while they were eating lunch, stopping dead when he saw William seated there.

“Hi,” Jason said, sounding more than a little puzzled.

“Hey,” William replied casually. Then he resumed eating chicken casserole, pretending not to hear the quiet conversation that ensued between Ben and Jason.

“What’s he doing here?”

“Helping out around the house.”

“What? Why didn’t you—”

Ben interrupted, their whispers too low to hear now. Tim winked at him from across the table, causing William to miss his mouth with his fork and poke himself in the cheek.

“Anyway,” Jason said in a normal speaking voice, “where’s the mail you wanted me to pick up?”

“Oh! Right here.”

He glanced over and saw Ben hand him a single envelope.

“That’s it?” Jason said.

“Afraid so.”

“This is junk mail.”

“Is it?” Ben said innocently, moving toward the kitchen counter.

“It’s from a pizza place.”

“Maybe you have a pen pal who works at Domino’s, how should I know? Are you hungry?”

“Starving,” Jason said. “You know, if you want me to come over, all you have to do is ask.”

“That’s what I told him,” Tim said. Then he ducked, a roll of paper towels narrowly missing his head.

Jason joined them at the table, eyes still on William, although he didn’t seem upset by his presence. That was good. “So,” he said, after taking a bite. “What have you been helping out with?”

“The studio!” Tim answered for him. “The new one. We’ve got the insulation in and half the drywall up. Before we do the rest, I want to wire—”

“Tim,” Ben said gently, still on the other side of the kitchen. “Darling, would you help me in the other room? Please?”

“Oh! Right!” Tim grinned, picked up his plate, and left the room with Ben.

“Think they’re going to do it?” William whispered.

Jason shook his head ruefully. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to.”

“I thought I heard them the other night.”

“First of all,” Jason said, “I can’t believe you’re still into them like that. Second, you’ve been sleeping here?”

“Yup. In your old room. Now that you’re gone, I figured I’d try to replace you. I’m even taking guitar lessons.”

Jason shook his head. Then he laughed. “I always wanted a twin.”

“Really?”

“No. And I like you just the way you are.”

William wasn’t sure what to make of that. They ate in silence, William finishing first and Jason pushing aside a half-empty plate. “It’s really nice that you’ve been helping Tim.”

William shrugged. “It’s good for me too. Gives me something to do.”

“So you’ve decided?”

“What?”

“To stay in Austin.”

That depends on you
, he wanted to say, but that kind of pressure wouldn’t be fair. Instead he said, “I could imagine settling down here.”

Jason seemed excited, but for a different reason than he hoped. “You really could move in! Ben was super sad before I left. I expected him to call a lot more than he has. Now I see why he hasn’t.”

“Only because I’ve kept him busy. You know how much I eat.” William took a deep breath. “Besides, nobody could ever replace you. Not in his life, and definitely not in mine.”

Jason was silent, but their eyes remained locked. Then he stood, carried their plates to the sink, and turned around. “I’ve gotta get to work.”

“Okay.”

“I have tomorrow off. We could hang out. If you want.”

“Yes!” William said. He worried he sounded too enthusiastic, so he added a much cooler, “Sure.”

Jason smiled. “Okay. My place? Around lunch time?”

“I’ll be there.”

He remained calm until he heard the front door close. Then he leapt to his feet, whooped, and went to find Ben. He hoped they weren’t doing it, although it would be thrilling if they were. Either way, William was determined to share the news and reward Ben with a hug.

* * * * *

William’s enthusiasm had waned by the time he arrived at Jason’s apartment the next day. With Caesar in the picture, nothing had changed. He hoped their most recent kiss hadn’t given Jason the wrong idea. He had meant what he said. No more cheating. What they had once done behind Kelly’s back—that was the first and last time as far as William was concerned.

He knocked on the door, praying Steve…
Caesar
wouldn’t answer. God was feeling generous with the miracles today, because not only did Jason answer the door, but they seemed to have the apartment to themselves. Unless the bedroom was occupied.

“You might want to be careful when eating these,” he said, setting two Tupperware containers of cookies on the kitchen counter. “Mom kept giggling the whole time she packed them. I think she may have discovered hashish.” Or maybe Errol had snuck some into her mixing bowl.

Jason opened the first container, eyes lighting up. He had an oatmeal cookie hanging out of his mouth when he opened the other, a whiff of peanut butter escaping into the air. William watched him chew and swallow, trying not to point out how freaking adorable he looked.

Jason moved the remaining piece of cookie away from his mouth long enough for a quick sentence. “Let’s go for a picnic.”

“Sure!” That brought back memories, except instead of Kelly being left behind… “Where’s Caesar?”

“I don’t think he’ll mind,” Jason said, already turning toward the fridge. “Let’s see what we’ve got. They teach you how to cook in the Coast Guard?”

“Afraid not, but I’m no slouch.”

Jason stepped aside so William could see into the refrigerator. “What can you do with this?”

They both studied the minimal contents, coming up with the answer at the same time.

“Sandwiches.”

Soon they were standing side by side, working in unison. “I’ll make yours,” Jason said. “You make mine.”

“Okay.” William pointed to individually wrapped, flat, orange-colored squares. “Just don’t use that stuff.”