Something Like Rain (Something Like... Book 8) (68 page)
Jason would be okay in Austin.
At least he didn’t doubt William’s love for him, believing it would survive separation again. Maybe he was right. It wouldn’t be easy though. William took out his phone. For a long time he considered what he would say, his food growing cold. He thought of disorderly hair and piercing eyes, a guy willing to do just about anything to win his heart, loving him shamelessly and insisting William do the same. Brave in all aspects except one. He supposed everyone was allowed a fault or two. William laughed at memories they had made together and clenched his jaw against tears at others. Then he sent his response. Two words. One promise.
Four years.
Epilogue
The helicopter zoomed above the treetops, the gust from the rotor blades sending snow flying, making visibility difficult. Leafless branches reached for the sky like dead fingers. Naked trees were easier to see beyond than the green pines that could provide shelter. That was where their survivor was likely to be, when really, he should be in a clearing. If he was still conscious after being missing for more than a day, and if he heard the helicopter coming, William prayed the survivor would go to where he would be visible. Astoria definitely wasn’t short on trees, or undeveloped land. He understood why people came here to hike. He just didn’t get why they didn’t wait until spring. It was January! Stay at home and pig out on leftover Christmas candy!
“There!” The AMT pointed, William following the finger to another clearing. He saw gloved hands waving in the air and breathed out a sigh of relief. The sun was already going down and they had been talking about returning to base. They would still do so, but not empty-handed. William was lowered down. He checked the survivor’s condition, hooked the man to himself, and they were carried up again. All a matter of routine.
The reporter waiting at the base when they returned, camera crew and all—
that
made him nervous. Astoria provided a nice quiet existence, meaning news crews didn’t have much to report on. This, combined with reality television shows that followed a few different bases—one close by—meant heightened public interest in what the Coast Guard did. He knew Jason was a fan of those shows and once asked casually if William might appear in an episode. Not likely. He and Jason stayed in touch, texting or video conferencing whenever possible, but so far he hadn’t visited.
William ignored the news crew, talking instead to the paramedics who were waiting to whisk the survivor to the hospital. He had new respect for what they did, having been in the trenches himself. The survivor was being rolled on a gurney toward the ambulance when he reached out with red frigid fingers to grab William’s hand and spoke. “I want to know the name of the man who saved my life!”
William smiled in response. “Jason Grant.”
The man frowned. “But your uniform… It says Townson.”
“That might be my name, but trust me, Jason made this possible.”
The survivor appeared confused as he was rolled into the ambulance, but he smiled and waved just before the doors shut. People tended to forgive any odd behavior when you had just rescued them. Once the vehicle was on its way, William gave a quick statement to the news crew, taking note of the station and asking if the footage would be streamed online. That way Jason could see. It might not be reality television, but it was close.
His heroic actions were rewarded with paperwork. Once that was done, William checked the clock, relieved to see his shift had ended hours ago. Time to go home. He didn’t live on the base. Housing there was scarce, and he hoped that someday he might not be living alone. For now, he still was, and so he had chosen humble accommodations. The apartment complex—if it could be called that—had once been a motel. Some units were large, the walls between rooms having been torn down. His was still what a traveler would have stayed in overnight: a large space for a bedroom, a small kitchenette in one corner, and a separate bathroom. He walked up the concrete stairs, traced his finger along the frosted rail, and opened the door to his home.
The interior was dark and silent. Maybe he should get a dog. Or even just an alarm system to shut off. Anything that demanded his attention. William ditched his clothes, showered, and got dressed again, still coursing with too much adrenaline to sleep. What to do with himself? Get a burger? Watch a game show? Jack off for the umpteenth time this month? He looked around the room, reminded of his quarters back in Cape Cod. The silence was deafening, but it didn’t have to be. People who loved him lived nearby. Two hours to Portland. Daisy would be asleep by the time he got there, but Lily never minded him showing up. He could crash there and enjoy the morning with his little girl. Or he could sit around feeling sorry for himself.
William hopped to his feet, grabbed the keys, and went to the door. He paused before opening it, hand on the knob. He sometimes dreamed of opening the door to find Jason standing there, smiling sheepishly with a backpack over one shoulder. William would shake his head ruefully, invite him in, and then… everything. He wanted it all.
William grasped the knob and turned. The door opened. Concrete and a railing, beyond it a parking lot. Exhaling, he locked the door behind him and was halfway down the stairs when he felt his phone rumble. A text message.
Just making sure you haven’t forgotten about me.
William fought down a smile and texted back.
Who is this?
Jason.
Doesn’t ring a bell.
It will. Eventually. I’m your husband in the future.
Oh yeah?
Yup. We live in a small house, spend Sunday mornings in bed, and eat all our meals together. We even start a family of our own.
William grinned.
And then what?
Forever.
Jason sent the word and William felt it in his heart. They had been struggling since the day they first met. Falling in love hadn’t been hard. Finding a place for them alone, or time enough for two—that had been the only true challenge. William wasn’t giving up, and he knew Jason wouldn’t either. Their love for each other was constant, too strong to be weakened by separation or distance. In that way they were eternal. Forever had begun when they first laid eyes on each other. With any luck, someday they would spend the rest of it together.
__________
Hear the story in their own words!
Many of the
Something Like…
books are available on audio too. Listen to Tim’s tale while you jog with him, or ignore your fellow airline passengers while experiencing Jace’s story again. Find out which books are available and listen to free chapters at the link below:
http://www.jaybellbooks.com/audiobooks/
Also by Jay Bell
Kamikaze Boys
True love is worth fighting for.
My name is Connor Williams and people say I’m crazy. But that’s not who I am. They also think I’m straight, and mean, and dangerous. But that’s not who I am. The stories people tell, all those legends which made me an outsider—they don’t mean a thing. Only my mother and my younger brother matter to me. Funny then that I find myself wanting to stand up for someone else. David Henry, that kind-of-cute guy who keeps to himself, he’s about to get his ass beat by a bunch of dudes bigger than him. I could look away, let him be one more causality of this cruel world… But that’s not who I am.
Kamikaze Boys
, a Lambda Literary award winning novel, is a story of love triumphant as two young men walk a perilous path in the hopes of saving each other.
Get
Kamikaze Boys
for your Kindle now!
Or, for more information, please see:
Also by Jay Bell:
Something Like Stories - Volume One
Benjamin Bentley and many other beloved characters from the Something Like… series make their triumphant return in this collection of short stories and bonus material.
Something Like Yesterday
travels to the past where Eric Conroy attempts to find love against a backdrop of intolerance and political upheaval. In
Something Like Fall
, Ben meets Jace's family and tries to cope with many changes in the years that follow. Allison Cross finally gets her dues in
Something Like Tonight
, examining the relationships in her life during a girls night out.
Something Like Eternity
takes the series where it has never gone before as Victor Hemingway seeks out his ultimate destiny. Also included is a character guide and a timeline of key events thus far. Laughter and tears await you in this very special anthology!
For more information, please see:
-Table of Contents-