Page 60 of When Ben Loved Jace

I laugh and push the box closer. “What should we do about the invite?”

Jace shrugs. “Could be fun. And you seem likeyou need the break.”

“I really do. I can’t wait until graduation is finally behind me.”

Jace chews thoughtfully before swallowing. “How do you envision this reunion playing out? Do you intend to be Tim’s friend?”

I take a deep breath. I’ve been so overwhelmed with trying to navigate the situation in the present that I haven’t given much thought to the future. “I’ll always be curious to know how he’s doing. At the very least, it would be nice to stay in touch. So yeah, I could imagine being his friend.”

“In that case, maybe it’s good for him to see us together as a couple more often. And I do love a wave pool."

I laugh, but my amusement doesn’t last long when I imagine my two favorite guys in swimsuits. At the same time. That will be a challenge. I’ll have to wear one of those barrels with shoulder straps. Otherwise it’ll be Boner City, population me.

Chapter Fourteen

The sun is out in full force, the sky blue and devoid of clouds, making Tim’s invitation irresistible. I was outvoted anyway. Allison insisted on tagging along to be my chaperone, or so she claims. I suspect she simply wanted in on the fun. I certainly don’t mind, because as Jace drives us there, I realize just how seldom I’ve gotten to enjoy a boyfriend and my best friend at the same time. We sing for Jace from the backseat of his car, where we decided to sit together, since it makes us feel like kids again. And it provides the opportunity to tease him.

“Are we there yet, Daddy?” I complain.

“Are you sure this is the right way?” Allison chimes in. “We should have had Mom drive us instead.”

“Settle down back there, kids,” Jace says gruffly, “oroneof you is getting a spanking.”

It’s a good time. Enough to keep my nerves at bay. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Jace and I slept together this morning. I’m ready to be Tim’s platonic buddy while having fun in the sun.

The parking lot is mostly empty when we get there, aside from a few dozen cars, a pair of chartered buses, and a limousine. I text Tim as he requested, letting him know that we’ve arrived. Then we march right up to the gate, where a pair of employees seem more interested in their phones.

“We’re closed for a private event,” one of them says.

“That’s what we’re here for,” I declare proudly before grinning at Allison.

“What’s your name?”

“Ben. Or um… it might be under Benjamin actually.”

“Do you ever go by Jason?” Allison murmurs while the list is checked.

“Only at work,” Jace replies. “And at the doctor. That sort of thing. My family never calls me that.”

“Mine always call me Alli,” she replies, “which makes you wonder why they gave us names they never intended to use.”

I love that they get along.

“Sorry,” the employee says, shaking his head.

“We’re here with—” I begin to explain.

Then I choke, because I see Tim walking downthe path beyond the gate, his movement lithe like a tiger. A light sheen of sweat covers his brown skin—and I meanallof it—because only a small part of him is hidden behind a pair of ice-blue speedos. Actually, that’s not accurate. The bulge between those thick legs is considerable. There’s nothing small about it!

“We’re with him,” Allison fills in for me while pointing.

The employee turns around. Tim raises an arm in greeting, the muscles of his torso rippling. I see stars before remembering to breathe.

“Damn!” I hear the employee murmur to himself before he clears his throat. “Uh… Go right in!”

“Walk,” Allison whispers helpfully while pushing on my lower back.

I take Jace’s arm for support—the emotional kind—as we go to greet him.