Page 3 of Something Like Forever

Ben let his arms drop. “Really? That’s alaw?”

Tim smirked. “Yeah, but I understand if youneed a break. Not everyone can keep up with the Wy-machine.”

“TheWy-machine?” Ben repeatedincredulously. “How long did it take you to come up withthat?”

“It’s a work in progress,”Tim said, making his pecs bounce. “Do you think Wyman-machinesounds better? Or I was trying to think of some way to use the‘-man’ part, like ‘I put the man into Wyman.’”

“How about I put myman-part into Wyman instead?” Ben teased.

“Not a chance,” Timsaid.

“There’san American law that says you have to. Itisour honeymoon. Maybeit’s time we switch things up.”

Tim was barely payingattention. He snapped his fingers, like he’d come up with a goodidea. Then he turned his back to Ben, hooked his thumbs in the bandof his underwear, and looked over his shoulder. “Honey?”

“Yes?”

“Moon!”

The underwear came down.

Ben got the joke and shookhis head. “I’msoglad I married a frat boy.”

“I bet you are,” Tim said,sauntering toward his side of the bed, naked now and increasinglyhard. “Isn’t that every gay guy’s fantasy? Not all of them, maybe,but the quiet bookish types who don’t have muscles of their own andwish they could find out what they feel like.”

“Okay, that is prettyhot,” Ben said, pulling down the blanket so Tim could climb inside.“Although outside the bedroom, those bookish types like meaningfulconversations.”

“About art?” Tim asked,sliding between the sheets. “Or architecture. Or how about alecture on Mexican culture?”

Ben grinned. “You’re thecomplete package, baby!” He leaned over for a kiss.

Tim reciprocated, scootingnearer. “So who are you in the mood for tonight? Tim the artist, orTim the frat boy?”

The frat boy, but Benhesitated. “Do you think it went okay with Williamtoday?”

Tim shook his head, notunderstanding. “Is this about our bet to see who could eat themostceviche? Iknow we looked like pigs, but you saw how Jason couldn’t stoplaughing. Especially when I coughed and an entire shrimp cameflying out... Which, now that I think about it, wasn’t very classy.Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Ben said witha smile. “I love all your different sides. And I know you tippedthe waitress well.”

“She was a goodsport.”

“Yeah.” Ben took a deepbreath. “I meant when you and William were alone. When you were outswimming, or went for that bike ride together, did he say anythingabout him and Jason having problems?”

Tim scooted down to resthis head on Ben’s stomach while still looking up at him. “Nope. Hekept talking about their Oregon plans. He’s really excited aboutthe move. Why? Is everything okay?”

“I don’t know,” Benadmitted. “We shouldn’t say anything, but Jason is acting like he’schanged his mind.”

“About the proposalor—”

“Oregon. I think he wantsto stay in Texas.”

“With William?”

“Yeah.”

Tim looked confused. “But what about—”

“I know. Oregon is a goodidea, isn’t it? William can return to active duty and be close tohis daughter, and Jason…” Ben exhaled. “Tell me he needs to broadenhis horizons.”