Page 31 of Something Like Forever

“Yeah, but not in the eyesof the law.” Tim lowered himself for a smooch and pushed himself upagain. “Come on. If we hurry, we might be the first gay couple inAustin to get hitched.”

Ben laughed again,nervously this time. “I don’t need to be first. And wearemarried, no matterwhat anybody says.”

“I totally agree with you.Still, this way we’ll be able to file taxes together and all sortsof boring stuff that we couldn’t before. We should show oursupport, you know? People fought to change the law, and we can showour appreciation by doing what they made possible.”

“You’re right,” Ben said,hoping it would be enough.

Tim nipped at Ben’s neck,placing a kiss there afterwards. “Is that a yes?”

Ben honestly wasn’t sure,which was an uncomfortable sensation because he usually knewhimself so well. Why hesitate? He loved Tim! No doubt about that.Ben knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him, so whatwas the problem? They should rush out and make their marriageofficial in the eyes of the law. Simple as that. Intheory.

The phone on thenightstand rumbled. Tim reached over to grab it. When he saw themessage, he laughed and tossed the phone on the sheets. “Marcellois throwing a party to celebrate.”

“When?”

“Tonight, although he sayspeople are welcome to show up now if they want.”

“I’d rather go tonight,”Ben said, stroking the muscles of Tim’s arm. “I was looking forwardto being lazy with you. I don’t want to rush downtown for anythingeither. Not today. I’d rather do other things.”

“Other things?” Timasked.

Ben started moving hiships back and forth. “If my days of living in sin with you arenumbered, I plan on making the most of them. What’s our personalrecord?”

“Four times in one day,”Tim said instantly.

“Think we can breakit?”

“We’ll probably breaksomething if we try!” Tim laughed. “We were teenagers.”

“And now we’re moreexperienced. Should be a cinch.”

Ben gave himself over tothe needs of his body, which was easier than trying to figure outwhy the idea of marrying the man he loved—the one who for allintents and purposes he was already married to—filled him withunease.

Chapter Five

The good news was like adrug, pure-grade optimism that had been injected into the vein ofthe gay community, keeping them riding a high that would hopefullynever end. Judging from the smell in the air, there were plenty ofreal drugs too, along with booze and who knew what else. Thatwasn’t unexpected. Marcello’s parties always became a little wild.Except the charity fundraisers. Those remained dignified, but whenthe big guy invited people into the private areas of his home,things tended to get crazy. So far everyone still had their clotheson, although the current discussion of filling the hot tub withtapioca pudding would probably change that. Either way, Ben wasn’tready to go home just yet.

The day had been anexciting one, even if he and Tim hadn’t managed to break anypersonal records. Too many people wanted to call to express theircongratulations, and to bask in the good news with them. By noon,they had risen and gotten dressed. Tim insisted on taking them outfor lunch. They picked up Jason on the way. Ben even managed tomention William without upsetting anyone.

“If you two ever decide toget married,” Ben told him, “I’m happy you’ll have the rightto.”

Jason had grinned hisappreciation and asked the most obvious question. “What about youguys? Think you’ll get married again?”

“Absolutely,” Tim answeredfor them both.

Ben merely smiled. Hismother had made the same inquiry, which was responded to with avague, “I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t!” Allison hadn’t thought toask when they spoke on the phone, but she texted afterwards, Benreplying with, “I guess we better talk to our lawyer and get itfigured out.”

He didn’t see any reasonto rush. The lawyer who had officiated at their wedding, AdrienYork, was a clever man. He had made sure that inheritance wouldn’tbe an issue, that they had power of attorney in emergencysituations, and that they could visit each other in the hospital.They were set. Everything was fine.

Ben turned to look acrossthe living room. He had left Tim’s side to get them fresh drinks,but he hadn’t made it to the kitchen, his thoughts distracting him.At the moment, Marcello was telling a story and getting big laughs,Tim shaking his head beside his friend and adding details, whichwere no doubt closer to reality. Ben watched for a minute, thenasked himself again, just to be sure. The answer was the same. Hestill loved Tim. He still wanted them to spend the rest of theirlives together. Why not eliminate any last vestiges of doubt bysigning one more piece of paper?

If he couldn’t figure itout sober, then maybe it was time to get wasted. Ben hurried intothe kitchen, grabbing a beer for Tim from the refrigerator beforegoing to a cluster of bottles on the counter and trying to find thewine he had been drinking.

“Congratulations!”

Ben turned to face an older man with whitehair and keen eyes. He looked exceedingly gleeful, but then so didmost people here. The older man nodded at the bottles. No, at hishand, as it turned out.

“Did you just get marriedtoday?”