Page 52 of Something Like Winter

“I had input into it. Why?”

“I’m just wondering if you’re a fan of cubism.” If this worked, Tim just knew a fat check was waiting for them. “Picasso, maybe?”

Eric nodded in appreciation. “I’m more a fan of his friend Georges Braque.”

Close enough. “Man with a Guitar?”

“Violin and Candlestick.” Eric laughed. “I’m going to have to see some identification. You can’t be from the fraternity.”

“If it makes you feel better,” Travis chipped in, “I have no idea what you two are on about.”

“Your friend is wowing me with his knowledge of art,” Eric explained.

“Just don’t quiz me,” Tim said, “or you’ll find out how limited that knowledge is.”

“Well, you have countless years to brush up on the old masters.” Eric leaned back, seeming more relaxed. “To what do I owe this pleasure? Air conditioner broken again? Or is it the roof?”

“Both,” Tim laughed. “I take it we hit you up every year.”

“Always in pairs,” Eric nodded. “Last year it was Corey and Stephen, the year before Quentin and Jerry, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Quentin is still around,” Tim said. “The others must have graduated.”

“Or been kicked out,” Eric said, his smile fading.

Tim wasn’t sure what to make of that. “Let’s hope not. When were you a brother?”

“Oh, don’t make me reveal my age. And to be honest, I’m no longer a member of Alpha Theta Sigma—not even an alumnus. I’m afraid you’ve been sent here as a joke.”

Tim shook his head. “But you were a member once.”

“Once.” Eric swiftly changed the subject. “That accent, Travis, are you from Tennessee?”

“Kentucky,” Travis said. “I’m from Bowling Green.”

“Ah, not far from the state line, then. I had a cousin from Clarksville with a similar accent that I could listen to all day.”

Eric and Travis bantered on for a while, giving Tim time to figure out the situation. Eric might have parted with the fraternity on unhappy terms, but Tim still didn’t understand why being sent here was a joke. A waste of time maybe, but Eric seemed like a personable guy with good taste. Unless Tim was missing something. He looked Eric over for clues. No wedding ring, the gentle handshake, the tidy appearance. On their own, these things didn’t really have meaning. There was no surefire way of knowing. But maybe…

“If there’s something I can do for you,” Tim said when conversation died down, “just let me know. I mean, if you were kicked out of the fraternity, that doesn’t mean you can’t be let back in. Time heals all wounds.”

Eric appeared amused. “Time can also create wounds. Some issues are even hotter now than when I was young.”

“Such as?” Tim prompted.

Eric’s tone grew serious. “Who one chooses to love.”

Bingo. Tim played innocent. “You mean going after another brother’s girl?”

“Or after another brother.” Eric’s smile was bitter. “So now you know why your brothers sent you up here. I was caught in a compromising situation, which I’m sure you’ll hear all about when you return. The story has become legendary and no doubt exaggerated. Every year two of you are sent here, and every year that pair leaves emptyhanded.”

“Things change,” Tim said.

Eric shook his head. “Not that much, they don’t. Not in that fraternity.”

“I’m gay.”

“Really?” Eric’s disbelief was more than apparent.