“Go ahead.” Trevor crossed his arms and waited.

Simon looked at the screen on his cell. “It’s Heather, my ex. I can call her back later.”

Trevor flinched at that, though Simon wasn’t sure why. The pause stretched on for another minute or so before Trevor spoke. “If I had an ex call me right now...actually, I’ve never had a long term relationship, but if someone I’d been with called me, it would be a man. I’m not sure if that matters as far as this friendship goes.”

Simon’s answer was automatic, “It doesn’t.” Why the hell would it? What he couldn’t stop focusing on was Trevor’s use of the word friendship. When was the last time he’d really made friends with anyone? Sure he had work colleagues, and he had Heather. It wasn’t as though he was a hermit or anything, but friends had never really been high on his priority list before. Now, he really didn’t have a priority list.

“Then nope, I don’t have plans tomorrow morning. Can’t work. I cut my hand on a nail in some guy’s house. He really should get that fixed.”

Simon laughed. “Sounds to me like you need to watch where you’re going.”

“Figures. It’s always my fault. You’d think I’d be used to it by now.” Trevor winked.

“If you’re up for it, I’m going for a jog in the morning. You’re welcome to join me if you want.” Simon actually wanted him to. It was the first time besides wanting his hand to work that Simon remembered wanting anything in a long time.

CHAPTER NINE

They saw each other every day for the next two weeks. Some days it was only for their morning jog. Others they would grab a bite to eat, walk up to Simon’s main house to talk about the remodel, meet and watch a game or Supercross at the shitty pizza joint. Trevor used to love riding dirt bikes, though he hadn’t done it in years. Watching Supercross reminded him of his old passion.

The men had become good friends. Trevor’s mind was always going with crap, but it somehow helped when he hung out with Simon. It gave him something else to focus on. He noticed that helped, having things to keep his attention. It made the desire to find something to drink or take a lot weaker.

It was the day before Trevor got his stitches out. They’d just finished their morning run when Simon told him, “You’ll be proud of me. I’m going out to buy a television today.”

Trevor looked at him over the hood of his truck. They were both sweaty and shirtless, Simon breathing a little heavier then Trevor. Forcing his eyes to veer away, Trevor leaned on his truck. The man was sexy, a light dusting of dark hair on his chest. Abdominal muscles with enough definition to show, but it also didn’t look like he spent hours in the gym, which was fine with Trevor. He wasn’t really into the overly-muscled man. He liked being broader than the men he was with. Not that he was a gym-rat himself, but his work helped with that. Also, it wasn’t as if he would be with Simon, sexy or not.

His whole body looked clean, if that made sense. No scars, he didn’t have tattoos like the ones Trevor had on his right arm. Simon reminded him of something new when Trevor himself felt old and used.

The truth was, he was much more attracted to Simon than he should be. If things were different, Trevor would take more time to admire him. But even if Simon was gay, he had no business going there. Not just because they would be remodeling Simon’s home. Hell, not even because getting involved with someone wasn’t the best idea until he made sure he had his head together a little more. The main reason was he just didn’t want to lose him as a friend. He enjoyed spending time with Simon too much. Blake and Jason made a friendship work outside of sex and dating, but considering Trevor had never really done the dating thing, just the sex thing, he didn’t want to take the chance.

TV. That’s what they were talking about. He had to get his head back in the game. “Yeah? It’s about time. I don’t have anything going on until my meeting tonight. If you want, I’ll ride with you.” Because Simon couldn’t pick out a TV on his own. Yeah, right.

Simon nodded. “That sounds good. I’m going to shower and eat some lunch. Does one work for you?”

“Sure. I’ll be here at one.” Trevor walked to the door of his truck and opened it. He winked at Simon. “See ya then, Dr. Malone.” It was a reflex really, a joke, but every one of Simon’s features hardened.  He looked like the man Trevor met the first day, instead of the guy he’d become friends with. “Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean...” Did Simon think Trevor was hitting on him because of the wink, or was it the doctor thing?