Something Like Rain (Something Like... Book 8) (13 page)

“My action figures seem even lamer now,” William said. “I don’t have anything artistic like this.”

“Sure you do! Someone had to sculpt that rhino figure, decide how it would be painted, and design the parts to move correctly. That’s art too. Maybe even of a higher caliber, since all I have to do is point a camera and push a button.”

“It’s not that easy,” William said, examining the photos that Kelly had identified as his own. A photo of the high school track taken from ground level made it appear more like the barren landscape of an alien planet. In another, Royal flexed nonexistent muscles, tears of laughter in his eyes. “Remind me to show you the photos on my phone,” he murmured. “They’re terrible. Oh.” Another photo had caught his eye. Jared. He might have been running on a cold winter day because his breath was visible, hanging on the air. Jared’s hair was mussed, his brow low in concentration, which made him look tough. And sexy. Worst of all he was featured on the wall as part of a collection of things that Kelly loved. His brother, competitive running, and guys. He wondered if he’d ever end up there too.

“I’ve been meaning to take that down,” Kelly said. “Unfortunately it’s one of my best.”

“Yeah, in more than one way.”

“Meaning?”

William looked over at him. “I never found Jared attractive before. Now I know what you saw in him. This photograph reveals it.”

Kelly looked to the photo and stared.

“Honey!” shouted a loud voice that sounded like it was in the same room. “We’re ready!”

William flinched.

Kelly laughed. “She should have been an opera singer instead of a lawyer. Let’s go before she really gets loud.”

They went downstairs to a cake alight with tiny flames. As Kelly blew out the candles, William attempted to set aside his jealous feelings. Maybe it took time to get over a crush. That could be the reason they hadn’t kissed yet. William wouldn’t let that discourage him. He liked Kelly and was willing to fight. Someday he
would
be included on that wall!

Presents followed, as did a trip to a camera store, where Kelly traipsed around gleefully like a little kid who had won a Toys “R” Us shopping spree. He chose a new lens for his camera, a ridiculously long one that would let him take photos from far away. Then they went to a nearby restaurant for Italian food. Kelly’s father, Doug, told one funny story after another, most of them embarrassing work-related anecdotes. When his wife chastised him for this, he said, “Hey, if you don’t like toilet humor, you shouldn’t have married a plumber!”

William smiled throughout most of the meal. What a great family! He wondered if they knew he was dating their son, but he wasn’t too concerned. He hadn’t told his own parents yet, wanting to give them more time to adjust to him being gay. When the festivities wound down and everyone left the restaurant, Kelly’s family returned home and Bonnie hitched a ride with them. Before they left, William saw more than one pair of eyes filled with a knowing twinkle. He supposed that answered his question. He felt elated once they were alone again, Kelly pointing his new camera at the restaurant.

Then he turned, aiming it at William. He remained still as Kelly took a few steps back. William summoned the affection he felt to the surface, hoping it would be captured on film. The shutter clicked.

Kelly lowered the device. “Have you been in front of a camera before?”

“No more than anyone else.”

“Go on, admit it,” Kelly said, raising the camera again. “You’re a supermodel, aren’t you?” He took a series of photos, William grinning in elation. Take that, Jared! Kelly kept backing up, now standing in a lane where he could get hit by a car.

“Shouldn’t we find somewhere more scenic?” William suggested.

Kelly stopped playing around. “You’re right. I need a view. This thing is made for distance.”

“I think I know a place.” One of the locations he had singled out. The kind ideal for giving someone a present.

He drove them downtown, Kelly playing with his camera on the way. That was fine. He wanted their destination to be a surprise. Maybe he should have used a blindfold. They parked next to the Pfluger Bridge, which stretched over the Colorado River. William led them to it, heart pounding in anticipation. Or fear. He really didn’t want to mess this up. The evening had grown dark enough that Austin’s skyline was lit, Kelly gasping in appreciation. Once they reached the middle of the bridge, Kelly leaned against the rail, taking more photos, checking the display, making adjustments, and snapping even
more
photos. This seemed to stretch on forever, and while William was glad the location was a hit, the wait wasn’t helping his nerves.

“So…” He cleared his throat, hoping to attract attention. “Is that thing digital, or do you have real film inside?”

“Digital.” Kelly lowered the camera. “I used to have a film camera, but I blew through way too much cash on refills and development.”

“Oh.” William thought of the Italian food, in particular the garlic bread, and worried about his breath. He searched his pockets, finding the gum he had brought. After shoving a stick in his mouth, he extended the pack to Kelly. “Want a piece?”

“Sure,” Kelly said, his expression difficult to read.

This was it, he supposed. The scene was set, the backdrop romantic. Almost. He kept waiting for solitude, since they weren’t the only ones on the bridge. Finally, the area was clear of pedestrians. All they had to do was kiss, except now they both had gum in their mouths, which would surely get in the way. William spit his out in the wrapper. “I’m done,” he said. “Are you?”

“I guess so.” Kelly mimicked his actions. This was so inconvenient! Why did people need to mash their mouths together? There had to be a better way of expressing feelings. Kelly started messing with his camera again, switching back to the normal lens and snapping a picture of him, probably looking all stupid and indecisive.

“I thought you were done taking photos.”

“I can be,” Kelly said. “If you can think of something better to do.”

William glanced around again. They were still alone. He licked his lips, not wanting them to be dry. Then he worried they were too wet. God this was ridiculous! He just needed to do it! “I wanted to give you your birthday present.”

Kelly smiled, leaning back against the rail. “I’m ready.”

“Yeah. Good.” William moved closer and accidentally kicked Kelly’s shoe. “Oh sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Kelly appeared patient and maybe a little amused, like he already knew the game. William would soon wipe that smirk from his lips! He moved forward with new determination, only to look down at a camera lens pressing against his chest, holding him at bay.

“Sorry,” Kelly said. He lifted the strap from his neck and bent down to place the camera in its case. When he was upright again, he said, “So. About that present.”

Ugh. Everything was ruined. William had wanted this moment to be spontaneous, to surprise Kelly and sweep him off his feet. Instead he had bungled it multiple times now and—

Kelly moved closer, expression serious, eyes inviting. Little space remained between them. William’s entire world became that handsome face. He reached out, running a thumb along brown skin, the mouth parting slightly. Then their lips touched, so gently at first that he worried he had missed the mark, but no, they brushed together again and suddenly kissing made sense, because William wanted nothing more. He pressed his lips against Kelly’s, reveling in the sensation. His hand remained cupped against Kelly’s cheek as they kissed, fingers stroking his ear. Then he took a step back.

Kelly was wide-eyed, as if William had managed to surprise him after all. “That was incredible!”

William grinned, feeling proud.

“And here I was thinking it was your first time,” Kelly said.

“It was.”

“Then you’re either a fast learner,” Kelly chuckled, “or one of your pillows at home is covered in slobber.”

“A little of both,” William said. “So what do you think? Was that a good birthday present, or should I have actually spent money?”

“It’s perfect,” Kelly said, looking dreamy-eyed. “Although I’m more interested in the implications. No, that can wait. What I really want is a rerun.”

No problem! With the first time out of the way, and having seen how much Kelly appreciated his efforts, William felt more confident. They locked lips, and this time it was closer to what William had seen on the Internet. Feeling extra brave, he even tried a little tongue, which felt super weird. He broke off the kiss again, the tingling sensation making him laugh.

Kelly bent down to pick up his camera bag and slung it over one shoulder. Then he cocked his head, as if reappraising him.

“What did you mean by implications?” William asked.

“Ah. I wasn’t sure if you were interested in me or not.”

That didn’t make sense. “We’re dating, aren’t we? Of course I’m interested!”

“We’re dating,” Kelly repeated, like it was news to him. Apparently it was, because he added, “Since when, exactly?”

“Since our first date,” William said. “When we played pool together. Right?”

“Sure!” Kelly nodded eagerly. “Yeah! Of course!”

In other words,
whatever you say!
It all became clear then. The reason they hadn’t discussed titles, or made much progress, is because they hadn’t actually been a couple. “Oh my god.”

Kelly, sharp as ever, had also put the pieces together. “It would help if we had actually talked about it. Or if you had made a move sooner.”

“I didn’t want you to think that I thought you were easy!”

“Sounds like you were thinking a little too much. Maybe we both were. So are we just dating, or are we boyfriends?”

“What’s the difference?”

“Boyfriends means being in a relationship,” Kelly said with a playful smile. “Dating means you’re playing the field, trying to find the right person. There is no commitment.”

“Boyfriends,” William said firmly. “If that’s okay with you. I know what I want.”

“I know too,” Kelly said. “So, boyfriend, how do you feel about holding hands in public?”

“I’ve never tried it before,” William said, taking Kelly’s hand. “But don’t worry, I’ve been told that I’m a fast learner.”

They strolled down the bridge, heading for the city proper and toward an older couple. William felt self-conscious and wondered what they thought. Then he decided he didn’t care, because to him it felt right. His resolve was tested when he spotted a group of guys further along, so he tried to focus on Kelly instead.

“I can’t believe I’ve been dating myself this whole time,” he moaned.

Kelly laughed. “I was just reviewing events and trying to see them from your perspective. Why did you think I took you to the gay youth group?”

“To broaden my horizons?”

“Hardly,” Kelly said, shaking his head. “I wanted you to see that you have options.”

“Like Layne?”

“Like pretty much any guy there.” Kelly peered at him. “You realize that, right? You could have any of them.”

“I don’t want them,” William said, making their arms swing back and forth. “And besides, you were totally trying to scare them all away.”

“I might have regretted my decision to bring you there.”

“Meaning you liked me too. Even then.”

“Yes,” Kelly said, gently squeezing his hand.

“So why didn’t you make a move?”

“No reason.”

William tried to read his face. “I don’t believe you.”

“Okay,” Kelly said, shaking his head at his own foolishness. “Maybe, just
maybe
, I wasn’t sure if you were into me or not.”

William started laughing. “So basically, one of us was arrogant enough to assume we were already dating, and the other was insecure enough to assume we never would. We make quite the pair, don’t we?”

“That remains to be seen,” Kelly said. “There’s so much we haven’t done yet.”

“Like what?”

“Like finding a quiet place by the river where we can make out. One kiss does not a birthday present make.”

William grinned. “How many will it take?”

Kelly picked up the pace, yanking on William’s arm and dragging him along. “I’ll keep count and let you know when we get there. Be warned, I’m not a cheap date. You’ll need lip balm by the time I’m through!”

William guffawed as he stumbled along, feeling like it was his birthday instead.

Chapter Six

“So what’s it like being with another guy?”

William and Lily were walking to class when she asked him this question. Their dynamic had definitely changed. No longer did she flirt with him, although he occasionally caught her checking him out. He took that as a compliment. He felt closer to her now, their conversations less superficial. That hadn’t happened with the other two girls.

“It’s awesome,” William enthused. “Kelly is so amazing! I look at him sometimes and can’t believe he’s mine, you know? Or that he wants me. I love watching him run after school, or how serious he gets when he’s taking photos.”

Lily’s expression was patient. “That’s nice, but I meant sex.”

“Oh!” William felt himself blushing and wondered if there was medicine he could take to prevent it. “We haven’t done it. Kelly has. With other guys. But not since we became a couple! Ha ha!”

“You’ve been together two weeks now, right?”

“Yup!”

“And you haven’t— Nothing at all?”

“Just kissing.”

“I’m surprised. Most guys I’ve been with rush right into sex. Usually. With one or two, I did the rushing.”

“You’re not a virgin?” William said a little too loudly. Quieter, he added. “I didn’t know.”

Lily hugged her books to her stomach. “Remember my boyfriend sophomore year?”

“Patrick. He was your first?”

“And not the last. I love sex.”

“Wow,” William said, seeing her in a new light. “Why didn’t you ever tell me? Do the others know?”

“The way those two gossip?” Lily shook her head. “If a guy has lots of sexual partners, he’s considered a stud. If a girl does, she’s branded a slut.”

“I hate that,” William said with a scowl. “It’s not fair.”

“No, it isn’t, but that’s why I make sure no one brags about sleeping with me.”

“How?”

“By threatening to tell everyone that he has a small dick. Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. No guy wants that said about him.”

William laughed, even though he didn’t like that she was forced to resort to such tactics. “How many times have you had to do that?”

“Just once,” Lily said with a playful smile. “In his case it was true. Not that it really matters. I’ve been with a guy so big that it hurt. Not fun at all. Another was small, but he had all the right moves.”

She laughed. William did too, but he also looked around the hall at all the straight guys he would never have a chance with. “I’m going to need details.”

“No problem. I’d like to hear some too, eventually. So what are you waiting for? Playing hard to get?”

“I want it to be special,” William said.

“Oh.” Lily walked a few paces in silence. Then she said, “Was that first kiss the best one? Or the most special?”

He thought about it. “Not really. The more Kelly and I kiss, the better it gets. This one time Kelly showed up at the Y when I was getting dressed, and he pressed me up against a locker. Maybe it was the environment, but I swear I nearly blew a load.” He was about to apologize for getting graphic, but Lily seemed cool with it.

“There will be more like that. You can’t plan these things. Sometimes you’re both on fire. Other times, no matter how special you want it to be, it just isn’t. There’s no controlling that kind of chemistry.”

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t wait?”

Lily tilted her head. “More like don’t put so much pressure on the first time. You’ll have enough to worry about without it having to also be perfection. Once you’re more comfortable with each other, chances are
that’s
when it’ll really be special.”

William thought about it. He was tempted to move things further along, but he still had reservations. “I want to be sure that I love him, and that he loves me. Then we can take the next step.”

They stopped outside his classroom. Lily shook her head at him, but she sighed. “You’re really nice. That’s so rare.”

“Lots of people are nice,” William said. “You are, Holly is, Abby—”

“Relationships are different. Believe me. They change people, and no matter how they begin, people rarely remain nice for long. Don’t let this one change you.”

“My relationship with Kelly
is
changing me,” William said. “For the better.”

“If anyone else told me that, I’d think they were being naïve.” Lily smiled gently. “When you say it, I can almost believe it’s true. Is everything else okay? The whole school is talking about you guys. Everyone knows.”

“Good,” William said. “We aren’t hiding it. I’ve been called a few names, but so what? I’m more worried about you. Don’t let anyone be mean. Or take advantage of you.”

“Oh trust me,” Lily said. “The reverse is much more likely to happen.” She poked him in the chest. “Your friend is a stone-cold player. You’re lucky you escaped unscathed.”

William chuckled. “Anyone would be lucky to be with you. The fact is, I missed out on a good thing, but at least I’ve got you as a friend. Right?”

Lily leaned against him and sighed theatrically. “I’ll take what I can get!”

* * * * *

“You’re not listening to me!”

“I
am
listening! I’m just not giving you the answer you want!”

William wasn’t eavesdropping. The shouting was too loud to ignore. His hair was still wet from the shower, his muscles relaxed from an early morning swim. His routine had changed. Every other day he started with a bike ride to the YMCA at dawn and his usual workout before he rode home again and got cleaned up. Then he would wait for Kelly to pick him up for school. On alternate days he drove his car to the YMCA and then picked up Kelly on the way to school. Afternoons were always spent together. Occasionally William would sit on the track bleachers and watch Kelly run, or they would return home to watch more episodes of
Beast Wars
. He was pretty sure he had his boyfriend hooked on the series. A month of viewing had brought them to the second season where the plot took a few interesting turns. Lately they found it more comfortable to watch these at Kelly’s house, where peace and quiet was more common.

“Maybe you should listen to yourself,” William’s mother shouted. Even though his parents were on a different floor, their muffled voices were loud enough to be understood. “You can’t even look me in the eye! You’re ashamed because
this is wrong
.”

“I’m doing what’s best for everyone!” his father yelled.

“You’re only thinking of yourself!”

William grabbed his backpack, deciding to stomp down the stairs on the way out. Hopefully they would remember he was in the house and stop arguing. He was halfway down the hall when his mother’s words halted him in his tracks.

“William deserves a choice!”

He understood what that meant. Who did he want to live with? He had agonized over the question, sometimes late at night, even during the brief reprieve when his parents seemed to be doing okay. That hadn’t lasted long. The bickering had started up again, but the current argument sounded really bad. He crept down the hall and took the stairs one at a time, his steps soft and cautious.

“He doesn’t need to decide,” his father shouted. “He’s a child! We make decisions for him! That’s called being a parent. All I want is what’s best for him.”

William was torn. His father was fighting to keep him, which made him feel loved, but his mother wasn’t backing down. William didn’t want to be separated from either of them.

“He’s almost an adult,” Kate said. “This is going to be hard enough on him if he doesn’t have the support of us both. Like it or not, we’re in this together. Our relationship falling apart is one thing, but our relationship with our children—”

“What am I supposed to do with him?” Lewis demanded.

“Take care of him!” Kate cried. “Feed him, clothe him, make sure he’s safe and educated, because
that’s
what being a parent is all about! Not… I can’t even say it.”

“You’ll need a man in the house,” Lewis said, voice lower. “You won’t want to be alone. There’s no point in asking him if he wants to live with me. It’s not going to happen.”

William’s stomach sank. His father wasn’t fighting to keep him. The opposite was true. Abandoning caution, he thudded his way down the stairs, wanting to escape the house. His mother heard, catching him at the door.

“Honey!”

He turned to her, cheeks burning, showing with his expression that he had overheard it all. Lewis appeared behind her, looking as though his misgivings had been proven right.

“We need to talk,” Kate said.

“No.” He didn’t want to have this conversation. Ever. “I’m going to be late for school.”

“After school then,” she said, her voice soft. “We’ll all sit down and we’ll talk this out. Okay?”

He looked again at his father, who had crossed his arms over his chest and was shaking his head. William felt his chin tremble. Not wanting to cry, he fled the house, eyes on the concrete walkway. The cold winter air nipped at his skin, but no way was he returning inside for his jacket. Kelly was waiting in his usual spot, perched on the hood of his car in the driveway. He stood and stumbled forward, as if sensing William’s pain.

“You okay?”

William nodded and hustled to the car, wanting to escape from the house more than the cold. He was inside and seated before Kelly opened the driver-side door. Once his boyfriend was inside, he sat there and stared with concern.

“Just drive,” William said. “Please.”

Kelly complied. As they pulled out, William refused to look at his home, fearing he’d find his parents watching him leave, hurt on his mother’s face and disdain on his father’s. Halfway to school, Kelly parked in a strip mall parking lot and asked for an explanation. William started talking. He let it all spill out, Kelly taking his hand to comfort him. William gripped it tightly, as if he’d found something solid when the rest of his world was falling apart.

“Maybe they’re only taking a break,” Kelly said when William had finished. “Separating so they can work through things, but not splitting up completely.”

“Maybe.”

“Let’s skip school. We can go back to my place. We’ll have the house to ourselves, and we can talk about everything. Or we’ll just watch TV. Whatever you need!”

“I don’t want to get in trouble.”

Kelly was silent. “It’s the last day before winter break. No one will care. Tons of people don’t show up. In situations like these, you need to take care of yourself. Give yourself time to think.”

Why not? Who cared if he followed the rules anymore? His parents were breaking their promise to stay together. He would break his to attend school and everything else that was expected of him. Then he pictured his mother in the principal’s office, already at wit’s end. Putting her through even more would be cruel. “Things are already bad enough. Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”

Kelly looked out the window on his side of the car, then released his hand so he could turn the key in the ignition. They rode the rest of the way to school in silence, William certain he had done something wrong.

“Are you sure?” Kelly pressed as they neared the school. “We could hit the mall. I’ll buy you lunch.”

William shook his head, worried that talking about it more would start an argument. That’s the last thing he wanted. If it was up to him, he’d never be in—or witness—another argument again. Kelly hugged him before they parted in the hallway, reassuring him that things between them were okay. As the day went on, he began to regret turning down Kelly’s offer. He couldn’t concentrate on any of his classes. His mind wandered, imagining every possibility and accepting only one: This was just another fight. One more bump in the road. His mother had asked him before who he wanted to live with, and nothing had come of it. Obviously they still had issues to work out, so they would take time off, realize they missed and needed each other, and patch things up. His father needed a break to pretend he was a teenager again. His mother needed some downtime to rest and focus on herself. William would help by making sure he wasn’t underfoot, and soon all of this would be resolved.

He felt better as the school day came to an end, even joking around with Holly in their sixth period class. Then he went outside and met Kelly in their usual place, but their conversation was cut short when William’s mother drove up. That never happened. He tried to ignore the dread stirring inside.

“Text me,” Kelly said. “As soon as you know something, text me.”

William nodded and went to her car. She rolled down the window, but he didn’t need to ask for an explanation. He simply went to the passenger-side door and got in.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“Mom,” William pleaded.

Kate rolled up the window and pulled the car forward. “If you’re hungry, we can stop somewhere on the way home.”

“I’m fine,” he said. “Besides, we don’t want to keep Dad waiting.”

William wasn’t looking forward to sitting down and talking with his parents, but he was prepared. He would state from the beginning that he wanted to stay with his mom, cutting off any potential arguments. He would also support the idea of them taking a break, proving his maturity and relieving them of extra burden. They didn’t need to worry about him. Not when it would only add strain to their relationship.