Page 136 of When Ben Loved Tim

“Why’s that?” The answer comes to me before he can reply. “She still thinks you’re dating Krista. Doesn’t she?”

“Yeah, but I’m not, so why make a big deal out of it?”

“Because you’re my boyfriend!” I shake my head. “I can’t believe I need to explain this to you!”

“It’s just a stupid dance.”

“It’s not to me! And besides, what happens before then? Does she think you’re back together? Wait,areyou?”

Tim squirms under my stare. “No. Not really.”

“Not really?” I repeat incredulously. “What the hell does that mean? And what happens if she tries to kiss you? It’s going to seem weird if you don’t want to. You’re her freaking prom date!”

Tim swallows.

I rock back on my butt and pull my legs up to shield myself. “Areyou going to kiss her?”

“If I do, it’ll only be for show.”

My jaw drops. “You’remyboyfriend! You don’t get to kiss anyone but me! How would you feel if I took some other guy to prom and made out with him, just so my parents wouldn’t think that I’m dating an inconsiderate asshole?”

Tim sits up and grabs a pillow to cover himself. “I know it sucks,” he says. “But there’s no way around it.”

“I can think of one,” I growl. “Don’t go! It’s that simple.”

“It’s too late,” Tim murmurs.

“Why? Because you don’t want to hurt her feelings?”

He shrugs. “Yeah. It would be messed up if I ditched her now.”

“Thisis messed up!” I say gesturing between us. “What about my feelings?”

Tim reaches for me. I knock his hand away and roll out of bed to get dressed. “When were you going to tell me?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t find out.”

“That’s great.” I grab his clothes and fling them at him. “So I was supposed to sit all alone at home on prom night, waiting for you to finish so I could get some sloppy seconds?”

Tim presses his lips together while pulling up his underwear. “I know it sucks…” he starts to say.

I turn to face him and cross my arms over my chest. “But what?”

He’s silent when putting on his shirt. “This is the way it has to be.”

“Wrong,” I say, turning my back to him while getting dressed. “This is the way you want it to be. Otherwise you would man up and tell your friends and family about the guy you’ve been with for seven months now. Seven fucking months, Tim! And I’m still a dirty little secret while Krista gets to go with you to—” My voice cracks. I turn to face him again. He’s standing behind me, wearing a glum expression. “I wanted you to ask me,” I croak.

His shoulders slump. “I’m sorry.”

“Just not enough to do anything about it. Am I right?”

Tim looks exasperated. “What am I supposed to do?”

“You really need me to tell you?” I shake my head. “Get out.”

“Benjamin…”

I point at the bedroom door. “Get out! Go home or go screw your stupid fake girlfriend. I don’t care anymore!”