Page 33 of Something Like Winter

Tim’s instinct was to lie, but Ben was smiling. Maybe he understood what Tim was trying to say. He was opening his mouth to take credit when Karen, Ben’s sister, spoke first.

“It looks like someone barfed up paint on a canvas.”

“We should have cut your tongue out at birth,” Mr. Bentley scolded.

Tim’s stomach sank. This is why he didn’t tell anyone about his paintings. All of them, even the ones that didn’t turn out well, were close to his heart. Having one out in the open was like having a dagger pressed against his bare chest. Anyone could nudge him and drive the blade in, which Ben’s sister had done.

“It’s just something I found somewhere,” Tim said lamely. “You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want.”

Ben’s eyes, more watery than normal, turned toward him. “I love it!”

Mrs. Bentley looked between them, seeing it all with a mother’s insight, and heroically called attention away from them.

“Okay, everyone! Time for cake!” That did the trick. The relatives hustled away, eager to get a slice. Ben went to claim the first piece, setting aside the painting for now. Tim was tempted to steal it back and smuggle it home. Instead he retreated to the back of the crowd.

“Sorry about Karen,” Allison said, joining him. “She’s one of the most miserable people on the planet. I don’t see how she and Ben can possibly be related, but Ben got all the charm.”

“The looks, too,” Tim said, glaring in Karen’s direction as she joined the others in singingHappy Birthday.

“Anyway, he likes the painting,” Allison said. “A lot.”

If anyone would know, she would, so Tim felt a little better. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Just a second,” Allison stepped forward and started singing, just as the birthday song was winding down. She sang an extra verse on her own, her voice like honey. Tim could see why they were best friends. He hoped being able to sing wasn’t a prerequisite of their clique. If so, Tim was screwed.

Ben continued to be held prisoner by his family, each relative eager to have a word with him, so Tim stood back and watched. Part of him was envious that so much love was showered on Ben, but there was no one in the world more deserving. Tim could see Ben had a similar effect on everyone around him. That inner light, the fearless pride inside him— who wouldn’t want to be near that?

Allison dove into the fray and returned with two slices of cake. Tim accepted one of the paper plates gratefully.

“Ben said you weren’t coming,” she remarked.

“To be honest, I wasn’t sure I was still invited.”

Allison smiled slyly. “Either way, I think you’re out of the dog house now. Showing up like that was smooth. I’m going to be hearing about it for weeks.”

“Oh? Does he talk about me a lot?”

Her expression turned coy. “Occasionally.” Allison toyed with her cake, mashing the frosting around in a way that made Tim think of paint. “Just try not to break his heart. You being here today speaks volumes. I’m not going to give you a tired speech about how if you hurt him, I’ll make you regret it. I think you’ve already figured out that losing Ben is much worse than anything I could do to you.”

“Yeah,” Tim said, his voice sounding hoarse.

“Good. Don’t look so down, because he’s heading this way with his happy face on.”

“Hi,” Ben said to him, like they had only just met. “I was thinking we’d hit a haunted house or two. Maybe Ronnie could come along.”

“Ronnie?” Tim asked.

“My boyfriend,” Allison explained before addressing Ben. “Sure. I’ll give him a call.”

She walked away to do just that, Tim’s nerves acting up again. “Does Ronnie go to our school?” he asked.

“Yup.” Ben’s smile faltered a little. “Is that okay?”

“Yeah. Totally.”

Tim wanted to be more open with Ben, but school wasn’t part of that plan. He trusted Allison, since she was Ben’s best friend, but he didn’t know anything about this Ronnie guy. Tim needed time alone with Ben to explain where he was coming from, to tell him how important their secret was, but not so soon after getting back in Ben’s good graces. Like it or not, he’d have to risk an evening out.

Tim didn’t have much to worry about. Ronnie turned out to be pretty cool. He was into sports, which gave them common ground. Tim spent a lot of the drive down to Houston talking to him, feeling unsure what to say to Ben in front of others. The line for the haunted house was long and full of people their age, but Ronnie was still chatting him up. Even if Bryce or Darryl happened to see him now, it wouldn’t be obvious he was hanging out with Ben.