Page 133 of Something Like Forever

“Yeah. So hot that I needto change my underwear because I just blew a load. Maybetwo.”

Tim started to laugh. Thenhe groaned. “Don’t do that!”

“Hurtstoo much? I’ll try not to be witty. Just for today. You really arethe man. I can’t wait to get you home.”

Tim grinned, and despiteall he had been through, he still had a winner’s smile. “I can’twait until you uphold your end of the bargain.”

“Complete remission,” Ben said. “No more, no less. Althoughright now, when it comes to my many suitors, you’re in thelead.”

“Ahead of Dr.Sanchez?”

“Dr.Jacob Bishop-Sanchez,” he corrected, “although he lets me call himJBS. And please don’t tell him this because it would break hisheart, but yes, you’re way ahead of him. Although I am a littlejealous that you’ve had him inside you.”

“You’re terrible,” Timsaid, offering his hand.

“Andyou’re the greatest.” Ben brought the hand to his lips to kiss it.“The absolute best.”

ChapterTwenty

Tim was starting to feelmore like his old self. He was home again after just a few days inthe hospital. Over the two weeks that followed, his appetite hadreturned and his hair was starting to fill in. Aside from theoccasional twinge of pain, his body felt okay too. The shortness ofbreath persisted, although that was expected, because he had lesslung to work with. He did the assigned breathing exercises and wenton morning walks. He was just about to leave for one when Benstopped him in the entryway.

“Why don’t you put on yourjogging outfit and try a short run?”

Tim shook his head. Theyhad been over this before. “I’m not going to risk messing up mylungs.”

“But the doctors want youto stay active.”

True. They had him up andwalking around the ward the day after his surgery. Staying activewas part of his recovery but… “Maybe that’s what caused the tumorin the first place. You read about that sometimes, guys like me whoalways make sure to stay fit and eat right. I’m not perfect. Idrink beer too much, but there are athletes who don’t even do thatand boom! They get cancer and everyone is shocked. Maybe I wasputting too much wear and tear on my lungs and that’s what causedthe tumor to grow.”

“Maybe.”Ben was clearly humoring him. “We can ask the doctor about thatnext time, but today, I think you should try. Or we can call Dr.Staples and ask right now.”

Tim shook his head again.“There’s so much about cancer that we still don’t know. She mightnot think that running is the cause, but what if I’m right? Youthink I’m crazy, don’t you?”

“I think you’re being silly,” Ben said.“Youloverunning! Are you saying you’re never going to doit again?”

Tim shrugged. “It’s notworth the risk.”

“Allright,” Ben said, clearly not happy with thisdecision.

Tim gave him a peck on thelips to show there were no hard feelings and left the house. He wastempted. Of course he wanted to jog. Tim hadn’t done so since hisfailed attempts in Japan. He let himself walk faster than heusually did, not struggling to breathe. He might be capable now.That was possible, and maybe the cause of his cancer was a crackpottheory, but he felt it was safer to err on the side of caution. Timcould still swim. It wasn’t his first choice, but it might beenough to keep him in shape. He returned to the house forty minuteslater, not even winded, and sadly without the rush of endorphinsthat he was used to. He could get those from the painkillers he hadused sparingly. Or better yet, why not celebrate life with abeer?

He resisted, but thetemptation grew stronger as the day wore on. Tim hadn’t resumedworking, and Ben had made sure to clean the house so he wouldn’tneed to strain himself. Tim was bored, and he knew that drinkingwould help pass the time. Ben returned home before this happened.They ate dinner together, talked, and settled down to watch TV. Atleast Tim did. Ben was hovering around the entryway.

“What’s up?” Timasked.

Ben was about to replywhen something outside the window caught his attention. “Just keepan open mind,” he said before answering the door.

Tim rose to see what wasgoing on, confused by who walked over the threshold.

“Wellwell, if it isn’t my new running partner,” Kelly said withhalf-lidded eyes.

“Italked to Dr. Staples about your concerns,” Ben said quickly. “Shetold me— Well, she said a bunch of sciencey stuff, but I understoodenough to feel confident that exercise doesn’t give anyonecancer.”

“Justthink how many Olympians would have it,” Kelly chimed in. “It wouldbe an epidemic.”

“I guess so,” Tim said.“But I still think I should take it easy from now on.”

Ben exhaled, looked toKelly in frustration, and left the room.