Page 32 of When Ben Loved Tim

“On one condition,” I reply while getting to my feet.

Tim manages to stand on his own. “What?”

“Say it again.”

Tim is only puzzled momentarily before he puts on bedroom eyes, his voice husky and seductive. “Enséñame a volar, mi mariposa hermosa.”

Spanish has never sounded so good! I’m going to really apply myself at school and get an A in the subject. When I’m not busy with a class of my own, because I’ll do exactly what he wants.

I’m going to teach Tim how to fly.

* * * * *

I wake up the next morning in his bed. Alone, unfortunately, even though I don’t want to rush this. Not anymore. I want to savor every moment with him—let each day bring a new discovery. He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry either. Tim hasn’t kissed me again, despite having plenty of opportunities. After we had burgers last night at a fast food place, we drove home. I made him sing a duet with me along the way. His voice is terrible and he got most of the lyrics wrong, but that only makes me want him more. I like that he’s not perfect. And that I have something special to offer him. He does too. I roll over, my gaze settling on the dresser drawers. I’m tempted to flip through his sketchbooks to learn more about him. Then I imagine Tim sitting on the edge of the bed with me while turning each page to reveal his heart. That’s how it should go, so I’ll wait.

While being a total creeper in other ways. I’m naked between sheets that haven’t been washed since he last slept in this bed. And I love it. I roll back and forth restlessly, my boner refusing to subside as all sorts of fantasies parade through my mind. Eventually my stomach grumbles and I check the clock, surprised to see that it’s closer to lunch than breakfast. I’ll have to make an appearance at home or my mom will worry. Afterwards, I plan on coming right back over here.

I get out of bed and put on my old clothes. After stopping by the upstairs bathroom to relieve myself, I attempt to tame my hair and use some mouthwash—just in case—before bounding down the stairs with a grin. I’m nearing the den where Tim slept last night when an unexpected voice stops me in my tracks.

“But you still like… take it off to wash, right?”

“Uh… You don’t want to know.”

I inch forward until I can peek around the corner. Krista is sitting next to Tim on the couch. Even with their backs to me, I can tell her attention is on the boot that he often props up on the coffee table.

“You should at least get a second one,” she says. “So you have a matching pair.”

I roll my eyes, because it’s a funny idea that I wish I’d come up with instead of her.

“Heh,” Tim replies. “It’s crazy padded on the bottom, so if I did, I’d feel like I was walking around on the moon.”

He glances over his shoulder, as if he’s looking for me. After we lock eyes, he tilts his head, indicating that I should retreat down the hall. So I do.

“Hey, let me get you something to drink.”

“I’ll go,” Krista says. “You shouldn’t have to get up while you’re hurt.”

I clench my teeth. She isnotreplacing me as his nurse!

“No, it’s fine,” Tim says. “The doctor says I have to stay active. Wait here.”

“Aren’t there drinks in that little refrigerator?” she asks.

“Nothing my parents want us to have,” he lies. “Find something we can watch on TV. I’ll be right back.”

He certainly can maneuver well, despite the injured ankle.

I wait at the end of the hall until he sees me. Then I walk to the kitchen and wait.

“Hey,” Tim whispers as he enters the room. “Sorry! She just showed up at my door.”

“I can’t imagine why,” I grumble.

He makes a face. “I didn’t ask her to.”

“I know. I’m just surprised it took this long.” I chew my bottom lip while watching him remove two cans of soda from the refrigerator. I don’t think either of them is for me. “Maybe you should introduce us,” I suggest.

“What? Why?” Tim looks panicked by the idea. “Don’t you know each other already?”