Page 80 of When Ben Loved Jace

“It’s my fault,” he says with a swallow. “If I hadn’t pulled that stunt at Marcello’s birthday party…”

“Maybe it’s for the best that you did,” I say, wanting to absolve him of guilt. “Now that I know what kind of man Jace really is. He’s a liar. And a cheater.”

Tim presses his lips together. After another moment of hesitation, he says, “Everyone makes mistakes.”

“Do you think I should get back together with him?”

“Wait… What?”

We hadn’t gotten to that part of the story yet. The doorbell rings.

“Hold that thought!” Tim says.

His expression is difficult to read as he rushes from the room. Chinchilla races after him. I’m not sure which one of them looks more thrilled upon their return.

“This is going to be so good!” Tim says with a toothy grin as he returns with the pizza.

“Yeah,” I say, barely resisting the urge to sigh. “It is.”

Maybe it’s the two beers I’ve already finished. Or the slow realization that we can be together again. Either way, I’m feeling sentimental. This might be a new beginning for us. A phoenix always rises up from the ashes. Yeah, that fire is still burning at the moment, and it’s painful as hell, but when the flames are finally quenched…

“Could I get another beer?”

“Coming right up!”

I decide to change topics once he returns and ask about Eric’s cruise.

‘It’s not really his thing,” Tim confides. “Marcello drags him along every year. The cruise is gay-themed, so of course everyone spends most of the time wearing next to nothing.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“It is for Eric, but only because he’s a little repressed. Or as he calls it, old fashioned. He actually thinks it’s sexier to meet someone in their clothes. ‘It’s more alluring that way, Tim.’ Me?I think it’s better to see what you’re getting upfront. You can always ask them to get dressed if you want a striptease.”

I laugh. “Have you been on one of those cruises?”

“Hell no! I’ve seen videos. Most of the guys on the boat are ripped. It wouldn’t be good for my self-esteem. Why do you think I like skinny guys so much?” He looks me over, waggling his eyebrows in a way that is playful rather than amorous.

“I hope Eric has fun anyway,” I say after laughing. “Maybe he’ll meet someone special.”

“That’s what Marcello always promises him. Which is weird, because I swear he has a thing for Eric.”

I shrug. “I guess if you love someone enough, you want them to be happy, even at your own expense.”

Tim’s smile slowly fades. “Yeah. I guess so. Uh… Speaking of which, you dropped a bombshell earlier.”

“Oh. Right.”

“So who broke up with who?”

“Jace suggested that we take a break.”

Tim is clearly conflicted by this news. “So you might get back together with him?”

“I don’t know.”

We eat in awkward silence until Tim tosses a crust to Chinchilla. “You know what this night needs?”

“What?”