For Better or Worse

“No, of course not, man.”

Guilt flickered again, because Josh didn’t know exactly what Trevor did for a living. A project manager at some big web design firm, whatever that meant. But Trevor had always seemed to like it. He didn’t bitch about work the way most people did.

“What about you?” Trevor asked after a few minutes’ pause.

“What about me?”

“I know that you’ve got a shit-ton of money stashed away. I’m guessing enough to not have to work again if you don’t want to, considering you live like an eighteen-year-old kid.”

Josh tipped back his beer and didn’t confirm what Trevor had said. He didn’t have to. Trevor was one of the few friends from before. One of the friends who’d been there before he was sick, after he was sick, and most important, while he was sick.

“I also know you’re bored,” Trevor continued.

Josh shrugged.

“Your old bosses won’t take you back?”

“They offered. I passed.”

“I don’t blame you. That place nearly ate you alive. But, man, you’ve got to do something. You’re too smart to spend your days working out and writing music you don’t care about selling and flirting with the neighbor.”

Josh stilled as he remembered the real reason he’d invited Trevor over tonight. “Ah, about said neighbor—”

“You’re boning her. I know,” Trevor said distractedly as he glanced back at the TV.

Josh scratched his forehead. “Not the word I’d use, but, yeah, we’ve crossed that line.”

“The naked line.”

Josh nodded, watching his friend’s profile for any trace of tension or resentment. Instead Trevor took another bite of his pizza, reaching across the couch with his other hand in a fist bump, all without glancing away from the hockey game.

Josh returned the hand gesture and laughed. “You’re not pissed.”

“Why would I be pissed?”

“You seemed . . . interested.”

Trevor turned and grinned. “I did, didn’t I?”

“But then why . . .” Josh’s eyes narrowed, and this time when he offered Trevor his fist, it was with a punch to the shoulder. Hard. “You bastard.”

“What? It was obvious you were hung up on her. Thought a little jealousy might get the ball rolling.”

Josh didn’t want to admit to his friend just how well his asshole plan had worked. “I am not hung up on her. I just like her.”

“Dude, that’s what being hung up means.”

“What, you’re telling me you don’t have female friends that you like?”

“Sure.”

“And you don’t have women you sleep with that you also like?” Josh said.

“Yup.”

“Are you hung up on all of them?” Josh asked smugly.

Trevor sighed and rested his head back against the cushion. “Man, you’re dumb.”

“What?”

Trevor turned his head and met Josh’s annoyed gaze. “Yes, I like my female friends. Yes, I like some of the women I sleep with. But, dude, it’s the overlap that’s the gotcha. She’s a female friend and you’re sleeping with her. That’s dangerous territory.”

“It’s not,” Josh said automatically. “It’s just . . .”

Trevor’s eyebrows lifted. “Yeah?”

“Fuck,” Josh said, slumping on the couch. “Never mind, I don’t know. Shut up. I don’t know why I mentioned it.”

“Sure you do. You needed to make sure that you weren’t falling for your buddy’s girl.”

“Oh my God, can we stop with the womanly talk?” Josh muttered. “I’m not falling for anyone. Heather and I are just having fun.”

“Fine,” Trevor said, holding up his hands in surrender. “Whatever. You want another beer?”

Josh nodded, and for several blissful minutes, there was silence, just two dudes watching a game and drinking beer while polishing off an entire pizza.

“Where is Heather tonight?” Trevor asked casually.

“Wedding,” Josh said, not glancing up from his phone. No text from Heather yet. She must still be working.

“Huh,” Trevor said with a smirk.