Page 75 of When Ben Loved Tim

“Perfect. Then you don’t need her anymore. Let them think you’re still dating, even after you aren’t anymore.”

He rolls his eyes. “It’s not that simple.”

“Sure it is. What would you need her for?”

“How about prom photos? My mom is obsessed. She didn’t get any last year, for obvious reasons. My parents are going to think it’s weird if I don’t go with the girl I’ve been dating all year. Unless you want to throw on a wig.”

I’m tempted to laugh, but it’s actually a valid point. “So we’ll invent a reason for you guys to break up before then.”

“Or I could just keep dating her,” Tim says, his brow furrowing. “That way it’s bulletproof.”

“Yeah, but she’s…” A real human being. Working with her on the project backfired. It was easier not to care when I still had a two-dimensional impression of Krista. I can’t pretend to actually like her, but I know now that she bleeds when pricked.

“What?” Tim prompts.

“Krista is going to be really hurt if she finds out about us. Lying to your parents isn’t nearly as bad as cheating on someone, right? I’m not being judgmental here. We’re both doing this to her.”

Tim’s forehead creases in thought. Then his eyes go wide when we hear a distant rumble.

“Oh shit!” he says, tearing at his clothes to take them off. “My parents are home early!”

“I don’t think we have time for a quickie,” I say while watching him undress.

He doesn’t laugh. “They won’t understand why I’m wearing my old uniform. And you’ve gotta get out of here!” The rumble stops for a moment, but it won’t be long before the garage door goes down. Which is a shame, because that’s what I was hoping to do.

“Use the front door,” Tim says, attempting to push me out of the room. The pants around his ankles make him stumble. “Fuckin’ run!”

“All right, all right,” I say, distracted by the jock strap he’s wearing.

We hear the garage door rumble again.

“Or maybe you should hide instead,” he says. “Get in the closet.”

“Not for anyone!” I snap. “Even you!”

I open his bedroom door and listen, hearing muted voices, but they don’t sound close. I’ve still got time. “Better tell them you just got back from a jog,” I say to Tim, since he’s looking hot and flustered. “In case they hear the front door.”

And with that, I take the stairs two at a time and see the light in the garage switch off as I’m sprinting across the driveway. I’ll come back later tonight to finish what we started. Although when I slow to a walk on the next block over, the idea doesn’t sit right with me. I still want his body. And his heart. That hasn’t changed. But something has to, because I can no longer pretend that Krista’s feelings don’t matter.

Chapter Fifteen

I’m standing in front of my economics class with Krista at my side. I’m doing most of the talking, like we planned. A few days ago I stopped by her house for a trial run. The photo of Tim was even more alluring than the first time, because I haven’t seen him since we talked about everything. It’s only been a couple days, but it feels like an eternity. I force myself to focus on the presentation before I start saying his name over and over again or something crazy.

“The more that inflation continues to swell,” I tell the class as Krista slowly blows up a balloon, “the less purchasing power money has. If workers demand higher wages so they can continue to feed their families and pay their bills, companies might raise prices even higher to compensate. If this cycle continues unchecked, it gets really bad, because it can lead to hyperinflation.” Most of the class is watching Krista now while grimacing in anticipation of the inevitable explosion. “That means prices could double every single day, like they did in Germany in the early twenties. And if that happens, the entire economy goes—”

POP!

Most people jump in their seats, even though they knew it was coming. Some of them laugh nervously. I’m thrilled with Krista’s timing, but she hasn’t said the next line like she’s supposed to. When I look over at her, I notice her chin trembling. I tear my eyes away and decide to cover for her.

“That’s why it’s important for governments to—”

“Waaaaaaah!”

The pathetic wail is coming from Krista, who covers her face and rushes from the room, the door slamming shut behind her.

“Er…” I say, looking to the teacher for help, but she seems just as confused. All I know for sure is that this presentation is a big part of our final grade. “That’s why it’s important for governments to enact fiscal policies,” I continue, “like instituting price controls or raising interest rates. Because it’s easier to deflate a balloon than it is to put it back together again.”

“Very nice!” the teacher says. “Would you like to check on your partner?”