Something In Between: Sequel to On The Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 34

"That's what makes Billy different. Not everyone is lucky to have a friend like you two are to each other. You have a connection that is deeper than most people get to experience. It's challenging to others that may try to love you."

I sighed and let my eyes drop to the puzzle again. She was right. It was precisely why we always sought shelter in one another when anything hard happened to one of us. It was undoubtedly why Billy was so confident for so long that I was more than a friend. But we were friends, just friends. I wasn't jealous of Sarah like Kelly, Sam's 'work wife.' Even thinking of the phrase stabbed my brain with an annoying throb.

"Do I have to choose? Do I have to choose between being in love with someone and my relationship with Billy?"

"Oh, no." There was a rush of a laugh in Mary's voice. "Be honest. You'll find someone that understands."

"I wish Sam would talk to me. I wish he'd give me a chance to explain Billy, maybe even meet him."

"Oh, I think you'll hear from Sam again."

"Why?"

"Just a hunch." She smiled as she returned to her puzzle.

We worked in silence for a half-hour. When Billy joined us, he returned to quietly playing the piano. There was a serenity to him that let me know his conversation with Sarah had gone well. It soothed me as another layer to protect our friendship.

Tim and Tess silently arrived back at the cabin, but their moods were screaming.

"Wow, you two got through a lot," Tess noted as she joined us at the puzzle.

"How was your hike?" With a laugh, I asked. I didn't need to ask; I could tell it had been a near disaster from the moment Tim stomped into the cabin.

"My hike was lovely. Tim didn't seem to enjoy it as much." Tess tried to hide her smile by focusing on the puzzle.

"It was a disaster," Tim blew up from the couch, causing Billy to halt his playing. "It's cold as hell out there, and the snow is up to my knees. It was exhausting."

"It wasn't that bad, Tim," Tess chided. "And you should've expected cold; it's Maine in December."

"Well, I didn't expect it to be freeze-your-nuts-off cold," Tim grumbled back.

"Charming," Tess shot at him.

"Can you just admit it was terrible?" Tim wouldn't relent until Tess admitted misery.

"No, it wasn't terrible. It was pretty, good exercise, and, despite your sunny personality, I was happy to share the experience with you."

Tess' words hit Tim with the blow of a Mack truck. He crumpled to the couch in defeat. Tess rose from the table and settled on the couch next to him.

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

"You're sorry? Why are you sorry? When you tried to share something with me, I was a whiny brat." Tim's voice was apologetic. "I'm sorry."

There was an awkward tension as Billy, Mary, and I witnessed the semi-fight situation unfold.

"You're way too good for me," Tim added.

"Agreed," Billy murmured. It was clear on his face that he hadn't intended to speak the thought.

"Seconded," I added with a laugh.

"Thanks all; way to kick a kid when he's down." Tim made a big production of rolling from the couch to the floor like an injured puppy.

"Oh, Tim," Tess chided, " get off the floor."