Page 84 of When Ben Loved Tim

Tim grimaces. “Yeah. I made up a story about how—before I moved here—we promised that we’d get back together in college. And that when Krista wanted to take things further, it felt like cheating on Carla, even though we’re not together right now. I built up to it over the last couple weeks by getting more and more distant.”

“Like you did with me?”

He shakes his head, as if not understanding.

“When you ignored me at school.”

“Oh.” He squirms. “I was trying to play it safe. So nobody would suspect.”

I might have believed that if he’d told me sooner. “Really?”

I can tell that Tim is holding back until he sighs. “And I uh… wanted to see if I could stop doing this. It would have made everything easier. No offense.”

“None taken,” I murmur, pleased with the result of the experiment. We’re in a strong position now. Tim tried to go without, decided that I mattered too much to him, broke up with his girlfriend, and came running back to me. “So it sounds like you’re in the clear.”

“When it comes to Krista?” he shrugs. “I dunno. She was sad last night, but what if she’s pissed at me today?”

I attempt to put myself in her shoes, imagining that Tim and I had dated for a few months before I learned that he still wasn’t over some guy from his hometown. Which would suck, but it would be easier than someone new coming along and taking him from me. I’d probably cry myself to sleep. And I might try to get him back. But ultimately… “I think you’ll be all right.”

“Yeah?” he says with a grin.

I nod while nibbling my bottom lip, transfixed by that smile. And the cocky expression when he tilts his head toward the tub. “Wanna take a shower together?”

“No!” I say, remembering that we could be overheard at any moment. “You’ve gotta get out of here. Hold on.” I leave the bathroom and listen. I can hear the rest of my family in the kitchen, so I wave him over, and together we ease down the stairs to the entryway.

“When do I get to see you again?” he whispers.

“Never, if you get caught,” I reply, pushing him out the door.

Tim resists while chuckling, but he finally turns and heads down the walkway.

I exhale in relief until I close the door and spin around. My mom is standing not far away and doesn’t look pleased.

“Young man—” she begins.

“I can explain!”

My mom crosses her arms over her chest. “Go right ahead.”

Crap! I’m too on the spot to make something up, so I stick close to the truth. “Tim broke up with his girlfriend last night and was really upset. We stayed up late talking and accidentally fell asleep.”

“Mm-hm,” she replies. “Listen, you’re eighteen years old now. That makes you an adult. But while you’re living under this roof, I expect you to follow our rules. Your boyfriend isn’t allowed over on school nights.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

She purses her lips at this. “Honey, I’veheardyou guys.”

I don’t think she means conversation. My face begins to burn. “Like I said, he just broke up with his girlfriend.”

“Oh.Ooh!”

“Yeah,” I say sheepishly. “It’s a work in progress. Him falling asleep here really was an accident.”

Her face softens. “Okay. Well… From now on, Friday and Saturday nights are fine, but that’s it. Your father and I deserve a solid night’s sleep.”

“Sorry,” I say with an apologetic wince.

“Finish getting ready,” she replies. “I’ll see you at the table.”