Page 56 of When Ben Loved Tim

I’ve already seen enough to know he’s not kidding. And I reallyreallylike the idea of him being my man. I don’t know if this will work, or where any of it will lead, but I can’t wait to find out!

Chapter Twelve

After Ronnie and Leon show up, Tim offers to drive us all downtown. Which scores more points with me, because his car is recognizable. He seems tense until we leave the town limits, although he relaxes again when I find a song on the radio that Allison and I can sing together. Leon is thrilled by our performance and begs us to join his band. I tell him that I’ll need to see a contract first.

Once we’ve arrived and are waiting in line, it’s interesting to see how Tim interacts with the other guys. He tries talking about sports but doesn’t get very far. Then he switches to cars. Ronnie is a little more interested than Leon, although the two friends mostly talk to each other. I’ve got my hands full with Allison, who keeps trying to get details out of me when the others aren’t listening. That leaves Tim as the odd man out. I attempt to get us all talking as a group by pointing out some of the more interesting costumes people are wearing.

“That guy looks like a mad scientist on his way to a job interview,” Ronnie comments.

“He’s dressed up as Warhol,” Tim replies.

“Hey, you’re right!” Leon says. “That dude was crazy. I know the tomato soup thing is super passé, but he did some wild stuff.”

“You mean his pee paintings?” Tim asks.

Ronnie makes a face. “Wait, what?”

“He had a bunch of guys pee on copper plates,” Tim says. “So it would oxidize and create patterns.” He glances at me self-consciously. I nod in encouragement. The other guys are grinning. “It’s true!” Tim continues with more confidence. “Or sometimes he’d have dudes ejaculate instead, like his own take on Jackson Pollock.”

“Those are the dribbly paintings, right?” Ronnie asks.

“Yeah.”

“I’ve got a great book about underground art at home,” Leon croaks. “I’ve even tried my hand at it.”

“Oh yeah?” Tim asks in interest. “In what way?”

“Graffiti mostly,” Leon replies. “And some airbrushing.”

Tim perks up. “You’ve got one of those?”

“An airbrush? Yeah. I got it for Christmas one year. My mom was trying to wean me off the spray cans.” Leon blinks. “Not that I was huffing paint or anything. I think she wanted me to find a more legitimate medium to work in.”

“Next time tell her that it’s all valid,” Tim says. “Piss and come especially.”

The other guys howl with laughter. Allison rolls her eyes. And even though Tim doesn’t volunteer that he paints, I like that he’s found common ground. Maybe he’ll realize that he can hang out with a different—and in my opinion, better—group of friends.

The haunted houses are a blast. I love suspending my disbelief and getting freaked out. Nothing ruins the fun like someone bravely marching through it all. So I am both amused and relieved that Tim is so chicken. Almost every single scare has him jumping and shouting in terror. I’m worried he’s going to die of fright. Although he sure seems fine when we’re feeling our way through a pitch-dark maze. My hands slide along the walls as I guide the group. Tim’s hands are on me. Sure, a lot of that is him clutching at me in terror, but I still like his touches, no matter the reason. When we reach a dead end and the others turn around, Tim does not. Instead he pins me against the wall. I feel his mouth on my neck, which is new. I’m getting seriously turned on by his kisses until a group of girls bumps into us with a shriek and I feel his teeth instead.

“Sorry!” Tim says as we set out to find the others. “I swear I’m not a vampire. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I reply. “I’m just glad you weren’t going down on me.”

“Althoughyoudon’t scare as easily,” he murmurs. “So if we really wanted…”

Oh, I want to! Just not here.

I shrug innocently when we catch up with the others and Allison gives me a knowing look. We survive the harrowing experience, pile into Tim’s car again, and grab a bite to eat before heading back to town. I’m standing in the driveway while watching Ronnie’s SUV drive away when Tim’s hand brushes against my own.

“I’ve got something else for you,” he says. “One last birthday present.”

I watch as he undoes the ball chain necklace he wears. Tim tugs to pull it free of his shirt, revealing the attached house key. “I felt bad about making you stay away when my parents were gone last weekend.” He moves closer to me, the necklace drooping between each hand. “So with this, you can come see me whenever you want.”

“Even when your parents are home?” I tease.

“Yeah,” he says, fastening the chain around my neck. “But only when they’re asleep. Like tonight.”

He seems serious!