CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Half of the people at the hospital knew who Simon was. They got stopped every few minutes as they went to take care of Simon’s business.

Sometimes Simon would introduce him—his friend Trevor; other times he would forget. Trevor didn’t really take offense to it. He was sure this all had to be overwhelming for Simon—both having Trevor tag along with him, and the fact that he was seeing people he’d worked with for so long. People he’d cut himself off from.

Most of them were nice enough. He got a few sideways looks, confusion over why he was there, and total shock on the look of one man who asked what Trevor did. Apparently construction wasn’t as respectable as what Simon did, but that didn’t bother him, either. He’d done nothing but use drugs before, and now he had a career, so Trevor was proud of that.

What did make his gut twist was Simon. He was happy, smiling in a way Trevor had never seen from him. Trevor always loved that he could make Simon smile or laugh, but it was nothing compared to how he looked being in this building and talking to these people. He wondered if this was the old Simon. He’d said he was never good with people, but watching him now, Trevor didn’t see that. It could be the atmosphere, the excitement, or the fact that he felt closer to being the man he wanted, talking shop between the walls of the hospital. Whatever the reason, half of the time, Trevor sat back in awe of the man he saw, and the other realizing that he didn’t fit here.

Simon had told him a million times how much he loved being a surgeon, but hearing it was nothing compared to seeing it. This was who Simon really was. It was who he should be...not the man hiding out in his house, in a small town, with his lover.

It was after five when they made it to Heather’s house (which was about three times the size of Simon’s in Rockford Falls) and Trevor was really wishing they’d decided to stay in a hotel. He’d much rather spend the evening fucking away the day instead of meeting Simon’s ex-wife, and experiencing another part of Simon’s life where he didn’t really mesh.

Now they sat in the idling car in front of her place.

“Can we make a run for it?” Trevor asked.

“No way. She’s probably watching us out the window right now. We’ll never make it. Why did we do this?” Simon looked at him.

“Me? I didn’t do this. That was you, Dr. Malone.” Simon smiled at Trevor before he reached out and wrapped a hand around the back of Trevor’s head.

“Thank you for being here with me today. I know I don’t always handle things the best way. I should have included you more. I should have admitted who you are to me.” He pulled and Trevor went easily, returning Simon’s kiss. Maybe things weren’t as awkward as they felt today. Maybe Trevor had no real reason to feel like he was losing Simon.

***

Simon hadn’t even considered that Heather would have Alan over tonight. Sure enough, an hour into being at their house, her fiancé, and Simon’s previous colleague, showed up for dinner.

“Thanks for the heads-up,” Simon said to her since the two of them were alone in the kitchen.

“Does it matter?”

Simon’s eyes darted away when she spoke, and then, “You’re keeping him a secret, Simon? Holy shit. You asked the man to move in with you and you’re keeping him a secret.”

“No. He’s not a secret.” He wasn’t. Was he?

“Then why in the hell would it matter if Alan is here? Oh my God. You introduced Trevor as your friend out there. I didn’t realize. What the hell is wrong with you?” She slapped Simon’s arm.

“Christ. Nothing. Nothing is wrong with me. How am I supposed to introduce him? As the man I asked to go steady with me?” While he defended himself he knew she was right. “People could tell. I know they were surprised—because he’s a man, and because he’s younger...” Pierced and tattooed... “When they asked Trevor what he did.”

“So? And you realize you’re making yourself sound like more of an asshole by the second, don’t you? You’re hiding your boyfriend not only because he’s a man, but you’re also an ageist, and apparently stuck up because you’re the great Dr. Malone and he’s a construction worker.”

Fear and guilt ate through his defense. “Don’t. That’s not it.” And then, “Is it?” But he knew it wasn’t. Not really. Simon respected the hell out of Trevor. He respected the man more than anyone he knew. What Simon did—school, studying, becoming a surgeon—those were things most people could do if they put their minds to it. What Trevor was doing—staying sober, starting over—that took guts Simon never had.