Jason and You Makes Two

A/N: Hey again. It's been a busy busy weekend. Hurray for holidays! *falls over in a heap* bwahahahahaa. J/K Here's the new chappy of JYM2. Not totally in love w/ this one and I've held it back for several days while I tried to figure out exactly what I wasn't satisfied w/. Anywho... I never actually did, so I'm posting it anyway. It's a couple of days later than normal but ... Well, I explained that already. lol Shutting up now. Gotta run to town and I'll catch you guys next time. Big huggles to everyone who reviewed last time. I really enjoyed them!

Oh! And shout out to Lisa for proofing this one. Yay! I changed a few things after the fact, though. Typical huh? lol
~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 13

Mark pulled up to the last stop of the day with a sigh of frustration. Wyatt Construction was a much larger contractor than he’d realized and he’d yet to travel to all of the worksites in the immediate area, even after working with them for a month. As a matter of fact, this site was a new one and Mark had gotten lost and had been forced to backtrack twice before finding it. It was already close to two o’clock and he still had to drop everything off at the main office of Wyatt Construction before running back to the apartment to get changed for his evening shift.

Still, it was all worth it. With his first paycheck from Nathan, he’d been able to pay Chandra part of what he owed her AND pay his car insurance for the next three months. With the second, he’d managed to pay off both Chandra and Simon. The work was fairly simple too and he’d managed his time pretty well, working both jobs and still having time to have lunch with Chandra a couple of days per week. In the evenings, he’d either hang out with Chandra and Kevin on her nights off, work at McDoogle’s, or go over to Simon’s to relax.

Simon was always happy to see Mark when he showed up and they’d been spending more and more time on the phone as the days passed. On the days that Mark and Simon could meet, they’d usually go to Simon’s house to have dinner, play pool, or just watch TV. It was nice and comfortable and, although their physical attraction to one another had caused a few awkward moments, Simon was really cool about it all.

They liked a lot of the same things; music, movies, food, pool, even board games and cards. At times it was easy to forget that they hadn’t always known each other and Mark couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so content.

The only dark shadow had been his troubled relationship with Jason and his almost constant need to give in and check in with his lover. Simon always seemed to pick up on it when Mark was stressing and had a way of making him talk things out and making him feel better.

With a smile on his face, Mark walked up to the site foreman’s trailer and knocked on the door. An overly tanned and somewhat gruff man answered, ushering Mark into his messy office to retrieve a large folder filled with blue prints before thanking him and sending him on his way. Pushing down the urge to go through them and marvel at the new structure about to be built, Mark tossed them in the backseat with the others and made it back to the main office in record time.

He stopped for a few minutes at Nancy’s desk to drop off some things and then headed for Nathan’s office to deliver the rest. Nathan called for him to enter when Mark knocked, so Mark hurried in and set the stack of files on a clean spot on top of the man’s desk.

“Here you go, Nathan,” Mark announced with an apologetic smile at the gloom and doom expression on his boss’ face. “Have fun with these.” He couldn’t help but giggle a little bit at the threatening look Nathan shot him at that last comment.

“Keep that up, and I’ll make you stay later and help with these things,” Nathan threatened, a grin spreading across his face as he said it.

“Sorry, no can do. I have to work at my other job tonight. I have exactly one hour to get home, change, and get to McDoogle’s.”

“Urgh,” Nathan groaned as he stood up to stretch his large frame. “I don’t see how you young guys do it. I must be getting old.”

“Nah, I just don’t have many hours at my other job. You probably work more total hours than I do. Mine are just scattered out. I have plenty of free time,” Mark assured him as he headed for the door. After a couple of steps, he heard the rustle of paper sliding and quickly turned around to find the stack of files raining onto the floor just as Nathan let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a groan.

“Sorry, I must have piled them too high,” Mark gushed as he made his way over and swooped down to retrieve them before Nathan could do it.

Once he had them gathered up, he set the mess on the desk and started quickly sorting the different blueprints back into their correct folders. “This won’t take but a second and then I’ll get out of your hair for the day. I’ll be more careful next time,” he promised as he began replacing them.

“I can do that,” Nathan sighed as he reached for the folder Mark had just filled and started pulling the blueprints back out and going through them. “These are all for different worksites and I can’t afford for them to get switched…” Nathan’s words trailed off as he quickly looked through the blueprints in his hands again and glanced up at Mark in surprise. “How did you know what went where?”

Mark shrugged and blushed. “I used to study them a lot when I was a kid. I always wanted to be an architect, but it didn’t work out.”

“Is that what you were going to college for?” Nathan asked curiously as he sat back down and let Mark finish up sorting the rest of the files.

“Yeah, but I ran out of money… Anyway, that’s the last of them,” Mark announced as he put one last blueprint into a file and closed it. “I’m off to my other job, now. Have a good evening, Nathan.”

Just as Mark clutched the doorknob, Nathan asked, “Have you ever tried your hand at drawing any of these?”

The man had definitely pushed the right button and Mark immediately turned to him again with a big smile. “Oh, yeah. Used to drive my parents crazy begging them buy me drafting paper. My entire room was covered with them. I still have them, actually. I used to doodle with them quite a bit after I quit school but my…” Mark quickly bit his tongue before the rest of it could come out. He’d almost let it slip that his ex-boyfriend had complained about the amount of time Mark spent on them. “Anyway, I just figured since I wasn’t able to finish school that I’d do better to spend time on other things.”

Nathan raised an eyebrow at Mark’s sloppy cover up but didn’t call him on it. “Why don’t you bring a few of your good drawings in tomorrow? I’d be interested in seeing them. You’re so conscientious at everything you do that I’m sure they’re something else.”

A dark blush colored Mark’s cheeks at Nathan’s compliment and he nodded his head in agreement. “I’d be happy to, as long as you promise not to be too disappointed. I never claimed to be very good at it and I never got the chance to take a drafting class in college.”

“Everybody has to start somewhere, right?” Nathan announced with a clap of his hands. “Now, you’d better hurry before you’re any later and I’ll see you tomorrow. Be careful and don’t work too hard.”

Mark grinned at that and nodded again as he turned back to the door. “See you tomorrow, Nathan,” he called over his shoulder as he headed out.

In some ways he couldn’t wait to hear what Nathan thought of his work. It wasn’t professional by a long shot but he’d always loved doing them to the point that it had almost become an obsession. That was one of the reasons it had bothered Jason so much.

Once Mark would get started, he’d often lose track of time and wouldn’t stop until it was time to leave for work. One time he’d gotten so caught up in a draft that he had spent nearly two weeks immersed in it without even realizing it. Only when Jason had bluntly pointed out that Mark had completely ignored him and that they hadn’t spoken in more than two days, had Mark realized his blunder. Since he couldn’t get a grip on his passion for it, he’d finally stopped altogether.

Now, here was someone interested in seeing them and Mark was thrilled. He had folders full of them in his closet at the apartment and wished he had time before work to pick through them and find the two he liked most. Sadly that wasn’t the case, so he made a mental note to do that at the first available moment before heading off to get dressed for his other job.

~*~*~*~*~

“Welcome to McDoogle’s. Can I take your order?” Mark asked half-heartedly before even bothering to look up at the customer in front of him. He’d definitely lost his enthusiasm for the job over the past few weeks, a fact that Chandra had pointed out more than once while in manager mode.

When Mark realized who was standing in front of him, a bright smile spread across his face. “Oh, hi Simon. I didn’t think I’d see you tonight.”

Simon grinned like the cat that ate the mouse, a sparkle in his blue eyes. “I thought you’d be bored, so I brought you something good to eat,” Simon replied, holding up a grocery bag with a few containers inside.

“Thanks!” Mark crowed as he cast a glance toward the back, searching for Chandra. “I’m starving. What’d you bring me?” In the past few weeks, Simon had spoiled Mark with his great cooking and Mark always looked forward to Simon showing up while he was stuck at work.

“Tonight, it’s beef stew with cornbread and that fruit salad you liked so much last time.”

“Ohhh,” Mark said with a groan as he looked back at Simon with a hundred-watt smile. “You’re too good to me. Just let me find Chandra real quick, okay?”

Simon lit up like a Christmas tree at Mark’s comment and nodded before taking off. “I’ll be at our usual table. See you in a few.”

Mark liked the idea of them having a usual table and raced off to find Chandra so that he could go on break. Chandra immediately sent him on his way, with the suggestion that he give Simon a piece of ‘ass’ in exchange for bringing his lunch again.

It wasn’t the first time she’d suggested it and wouldn’t be the last. Either way, Mark just laughed it off as he waited for his replacement at the front register. Within a few minutes, Mark was sitting across from the handsome man with tea in hand, a racing heart in his chest, and a big smile on his face.

“I love it when you smile like that,” Simon said, staring boldly as Mark settled in. Hearing those words made Mark’s smile grow that much bigger.

“Thanks, but you don’t have to keep complimenting me. We’re friends, so it’s not like you have to suck up to get in my pants.”

A deep groan escaped Simon’s chest as he reached down to reposition himself. “So, does that mean I can get into your pants without sucking up?” Simon shot back teasingly. It wasn’t the first time Simon had dropped a comment like that and Mark was sure it wouldn’t be the last.

“You’re not getting in my pants either way, Simon,” Mark replied with a playful smack at Simon’s shoulder, “so please don’t tease me about it. You’ll make me hard again.”

“Oh, God. Please, let’s not talk about getting into your pants anymore,” Simon half-whined as he pushed a big bowl of stew in Mark’s direction before handing him a spoon. “I haven’t been laid in way too long to even joke about that.”

Mark blushed. “Sorry,” he mumbled as he crumbled a cornbread muffin into his bowl. “I know what you mean, though. Pretty soon, my palm is going to be as hairy as my head. You know I haven’t been with anyone since Jason and I broke up. Not that I could. At least, not until I know for sure one way or the other what’s going on between us.”

“Have you talked to him yet? It’s been two months already,” Simon remarked quietly before cramming a spoonful into his mouth.

“No,” Mark replied with a sigh as he plopped an elbow on the table and rested his face on his free hand. “It’s hard to hold back, but I told him three months and there’s still a month left before the time’s up. I don’t want to interfere with his therapy by suddenly popping back up out of nowhere.”

“Have you talked to Jane lately?” The earnest look in Simon’s eyes told Mark that Simon really was interested and wanted to know, if only for Mark’s sake.

“Yeah,” Mark admitted with a sheepish grin. Mark was sure that Simon was getting tired of talking about Jason all the time. They’d been over this subject over and over since they’d been hanging out together, but Simon was the one who’d asked and Mark needed someone to talk to. Chandra hated Jason with a blind passion so she was definitely out.

“I talked to her last night after I went home, actually. She said he was doing okay. He misses me as much as I miss him, of course, but he’s doing his best to tough it out until I contact him. She also said that Jason’s shrink thinks that we’re rushing into things too soon, that Jason will need more than three months to break his old habits and rewire his way of thinking.”

“How do you feel about that?” Simon asked, a serious and somewhat torn expression on his handsome face. Mark wasn’t sure he’d ever seen such a downtrodden look in those piercing blue eyes and he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d put it there.

“I don’t know,” Mark replied in all honesty as he studied his good friend. “On one hand, I think that what Jason and I have is something worth fighting for. On the other, I’m tempted at times to say the heck with it and start over fresh.”

“Maybe you should do that,” Simon suggested, something a little too close to longing in his expression for Mark’s comfort.

What was up with that anyway? Sure, Simon had kind of been interested in the beginning, but he hadn’t shown the slightest sign of anything deeper than physical attraction since that night at his house. Before Mark could work it out in his mind, Simon broke into his thoughts.

“Just throw out all of the old baggage and start over with someone new. Jason will get over it and find someone else eventually and you’ll both be happier apart than you ever were together.”

Mark rolled that over in his mind for a moment before sighing. “I just can’t. I…” Something dark seemed to flicker across Simon’s face and Mark immediately let his words trail off as he studied his friend closely again.

For whatever reason, it really seemed to be hurting Simon to talk about Jason tonight. It didn’t make sense, though. Despite how close they’d become, and Simon’s teasing about getting into Mark’s pants, the man had constantly reassured him that there was nothing more than friendship between them. Mark would be the first to admit that he’d been fighting off deeper feelings for the man in front of him from almost the beginning, but he hadn’t thought that was the case for Simon. Had he been wrong?

Suddenly Mark lost his appetite. Setting his spoon back down in his bowl, he looked down at his hands for a moment or two before meeting Simon’s gaze again. Whatever had been there before was gone now, covered up by that confident, glowing smile that Simon normally showed him, but Mark wasn’t convinced. He was sure he’d seen something more there earlier, something far stronger than physical attraction. It made Mark’s heart race even faster, but not in a good way.

“Look, Simon,” Mark said, suddenly standing and brushing a hand down his grease stained apron. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. I love spending time with you, but I’m beginning to think that you…” As Mark searched for the right words to say, he looked deeply into Simon’s eyes, silently begging him to understand. “I can’t hurt you, Simon. I care about you too much to do that to you.”

“Don’t,” Simon said in a commanding voice as he quickly stood and wrapped a gentle hand around Mark’s thin wrist. “I’m sorry I didn’t hide it better, but I’m a grown man and I don’t need you to protect me. I really do like you…as more than a friend…but… Damn it, Mark! Do you really think it would hurt me any less to have you run away now?” The edge of desperation that had slipped into Simon’s tone was almost enough to take Mark’s breath away. He tried to speak, but couldn’t find words.

After a moment, Simon gave him a sad, gentle smile and added, “I’ve already told you that I’d take friendship if that’s what you were offering. Part of that is listening to your problems and, if those problems include Jason, then I can deal with that. If you and Jason work things out, I’ll cope with it. Hell, I’ll even be his friend too if that’s what it takes to spend time with you.”

Mark hesitated, his mind swirling with all that Simon had just admitted. It was almost as if Simon knew exactly what Mark needed to hear from him, which wasn’t a huge shock since he and Simon had always had a habit of riding one another’s brainwaves like that. Still, what was he supposed to do now? And why did his chest hurt so badly at the thought of refusing to see Simon again?

Suddenly Mark remembered where they were and his eyes darted around the room to make sure no one had overheard. There wasn’t anyone else in the dining room where they’d been sitting, but who knew when someone would decide to show up or if one of the customers from the other area would look over and notice the tension between them.

If someone complained, Mark would be in serious trouble. The only reason management hadn’t complained about Simon hanging around was because he and Mark didn’t argue and make the customers uncomfortable. Simon also never visited outside of break times like Jason had.

With a sigh, Mark sat back down, pulling his wrist from Simon’s careful grasp as he did so. “Maybe we should slow it down,” Mark murmured after Simon had settled back in as well. “I mean, we’re constantly hanging out and getting closer than we probably should. You should be out looking for a nice guy who can give you what you need instead of spending every spare second with someone like me.”

A finger forced Mark’s chin up until his downcast eyes met Simon’s. “I’ve already done the bar scene and, believe me, I’m tired of it. I’d rather spend a quiet night at home playing pool with a good friend or cooking dinner together than fucking every twink within a thirty mile radius. That just doesn’t interest me anymore.”

The thought of Simon having sex with other men made Mark’s stomach turn, but there was nothing he could say about it. After all, it wasn’t like he could offer to scratch that itch for him. Technically, he could, but it would be temporary and Mark knew that once they crossed that line, nothing between them could ever be a quick roll in the hay.

“I’m lonely, Mark,” Simon said in a soft, coaxing voice, forcing Mark from his thoughts again. “I just want your company. That’s enough for me.”

“Is it?” Mark asked, not sure what his own answer would be if Simon had asked the same question.

Suddenly he knew exactly how he’d answer. It hit him like a ton of bricks that, if not for the knowledge that Jason was waiting for him, just friendship with Simon would never be enough. All Mark could do was stare at Simon in shock as the idea that he’d allowed himself to fall in love with two men at the same time washed over him.

He’d betrayed both Jason and Simon without even realizing it. Perhaps that’s why Jason had always been so suspicious; perhaps his possessive lover had always seen the potential there for Mark to stray. Mark immediately pushed that ridiculous thought away and mentally scolded himself for being overly dramatic before turning his full attention back to the man in front of him.

Simon seemed to be seriously thinking about his own answer to Mark’s question instead of brushing it off and telling Mark what he wanted to hear. That was a comfort in many ways and just the idea brought a soft smile to Mark’s lips. Simon smiled back at him, like he had no choice but to do so. Then he winked, the twinkle coming back into his eyes as he reached a hand across the table to tangle their fingers together.

“Tell you what,” Simon finally replied with a teasing grin. “If you think that you can stand to be in my presence without attacking my hot body, then I’ll return the favor. Everything else is just so much crap. If you want Jason, then there’s nothing I can say or do to change that. I won’t interfere. If you change your mind, just let me know and I’ll spoil you so badly that you’ll never think of another man again. It’s up to you, Mark.”

Despite Simon’s lighthearted tone and casual attitude, Mark knew that the man had meant every word he’d said. It felt good to be given the opportunity to choose for himself. Jason wouldn’t have stopped pushing for what he wanted until Mark had caved and given in.

“Thanks, Simon,” Mark whispered as he turned his hand over to squeeze Simon’s larger one. “If things don’t work out with Jason, I’ll definitely take you up on that offer.”

Simon cocked a sandy brown eyebrow at that before breaking out in a big grin and nudging Mark’s bowl of stew toward him again. “That’s all I needed to hear, Mark. That’s all I needed to hear.” Then the man winked again and waggled his eyebrows like a fool.

Mark giggled a little and rolled his eyes as he dug into his food again. Sometimes Simon could be such a goofball. He loved that about him, though. Jason had been silly to a point, but Mark had always had to guard the words coming out of his mouth lest he trigger a mood swing, the mention of another man or Mark’s own parents being one of his biggest triggers.

So far, Jason seemed to be Simon’s only trigger and, even then, he was happy to talk about the man if that was what Mark needed. It was refreshing and a little disturbing.

He was just so worried that he’d hurt the gorgeous man in front of him. Mark already knew that, regardless of who he decided to be with, he was already in for a world of hurt. Both from his own pain at losing one of them and the pain of knowing he’d hurt someone else that way.

Still, there was little Mark could do. It was already too late to go back now and Simon was right when he’d said that he was a grown man who could take care of himself. If he was willing to risk being hurt, then why should Mark see himself as deserving of any better? He would just have to cherish their time together and try like hell not to fall any deeper.

“Mark, are you okay?” Simon asked, drawing Mark’s attention back to himself with a gentle squeeze of his hand.

Mark quickly pulled it from Simon’s grasp with a blush. He’d become so comfortable with Simon’s touch that he’d forgotten. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“So, how about it?” When Mark gave Simon a confused look, Simon chuckled and tapped Mark on the nose. “You think too much. I asked if you wanted to go to a movie tomorrow night instead of staying in. You told me over the phone this morning that you were off.”

“Sure, that’d be great,” was Mark’s quiet response as he tried to hide his confusion.

*~*~*~*~*
If you'd like to be added to the update list just let me know at jlori10@yahoo.com
~*~*~*~*~
Reviews are appreciated and see you guys next time!

P.S. If you haven't had the chance yet, be sure to check out the short story I posted Sunday. It's a quicky but goody called 'Answer the Phone Already!' Anyhoo... just thought I'd throw that out there. *evil grin*