Page 129 of Something Like Winter

when Tim couldn’t find the energy, Ryan left him at home, heading out

with Stephen to find the next big party. When they couldn’t find it, they

would make one, returning to Tim’s house with a convoy of vapid youth

in tow.

And although all of this was taking its toll on Tim, he could deal

with it. Partying and college went hand in hand, so Ryan’s desire to

indulge in the experience was understandable. Except Ryan was no

longer going to class. Tim kept pushing him to return and get caught up,

but sleeping the day away made this impossible. Once Tim had stayed

home, abstaining from partying for an entire week and remaining clean

to set a good example, but this had accomplished nothing. Ryan still

went out and Tim had barely seen him.

The partying was nothing compared to the petty theft. All Ryan had

to do was ask, and yet Tim’s credit cards went missing once, Ryan

turning up with shopping bags, saying Stephen had bought him an early

birthday present. A call to the credit card company revealed the truth.

Tim felt more confused than angry. So often it seemed Ryan was

punishing him without explaining why. Those moments when Ryan

rewarded him with sweetness were becoming rarer and rarer. Tim was

already thinking of calling it quits when Marcello came to visit. “You look tired,” Marcello said, settling on to the couch. For once he

declined his traditional glass of champagne.

“Thank you.” Tim stood over him, arms crossed over his chest. “Is

that what you came to tell me?”

“Sit down.” Marcello looked away until Tim was seated across from

him. “I recently had a disturbing conversation with one of my escorts,

Stephen. I believe you know him?”

“Ryan said he was a model.”

Marcello harrumphed. “Stephendidmodel for me once, but they

weren’t the sort of photographs advertisers are interested in. No, Stephen

has worked for my escort service for a few years now. In fact, he recently