By the Numbers Read Online Free PDF Page A

"Well." He shrugged one shoulder and smiled broadly. "I ride my bike often, and when I had my old place I did free weights a few times a week. But other than that and swimming at the beach when I can, I don't do a lot. I don't even belong to a gym, though that might have to change if I eat too many nachos." He gave Trey a slow once-over. "You work out or work hard."
    Trey couldn't deny he liked the up-down look. Trey was pretty comfortable with identifying as gay, these days. He'd long ago decided that being bisexual had just been more of an excuse than anything for why he married Holly. She'd been one of the women that always seemed to turn up at Corrigan's when he stopped in to have a beer with some of his crew on their nights off. "Hose-hopper", they'd called her. Just one of the many fairly offensive terms for women who hung around firefighters. But Trey had been inexplicably attracted to her, back in the days when he still had a slight interest in females, and they'd dated for five short months before eloping. His mom had cried at being denied a wedding.
    Nathaniel was looking at him expectantly, and Trey realized he'd lost himself in thoughts of his ex-wife. "Uh, yeah." He nodded. "I run and do some inline skating. We exercise together at the station, too. Your tax dollars at work." Trey swallowed the last of his beer and wondered if he could get away with ordering another.
    "I like it. Best results of my tax dollars I've seen in a while." Nathaniel just said it and smiled, then looked around and waved to one of the waiters like it was nothing.
    That was kind of encouraging. Trey hadn't considered the fact that this was more than just a beer together. Nathaniel had been friendly and open, but until now Trey hadn't realized maybe he was looking for more. Of course, he'd misjudged guys' intentions before, so Trey played it kind of close to the vest these days.
    "Yeah?" Trey ventured. "Well... thanks. If you ever want to come for a run with me, let me know. Do you have blades?" He loved his rollerblades.
    "Nope, but I can get some. I've done a bit of ice skating, and it looks about the same." Nathaniel asked the waiter for another beer and looked at Trey with one eyebrow up. "You?"
    Trey nodded gratefully. "Yeah, just one more. Have to work tomorrow."
    Nathaniel ordered the beer and his beef nachos, and Trey ordered his club sandwich, no bacon.
    "Any news yet on when they'll let you back into your place?" Trey asked as the waiter left.
    "They won't get more specific than a month. I know Peter would let me stay that long, but I'm really putting more thought into what you said about extended-stay motels. An end unit with a little kitchen would be great, really -- the dogs aren't that noisy, but a little more space would be nice. A whole two rooms would be even better."
    It actually sounded kind of sucky, but Trey knew Nathaniel didn't have much choice. "A buddy at work stayed in one a while back. I'll ask him what he thought of it, or maybe there's a better one around here somewhere."
    Offer to have him stay at your place, a little voice whispered. You have the room, and you're not home half the time anyway.
    Stupid, Trey thought. There wouldn't be any difference between his house and the guest room where Nathaniel was currently staying. Except, of course, for the fact that it'd be kind of fun to have all the puppies there. Lacey would love them. And Nathaniel would have much more freedom at Trey's place. Trey's guest room had the attached bath and the large east-facing windows that let in the morning sunlight.
    And why the hell would Nathaniel want to stay with Trey, anyway? He seemed pretty anxious to get out of his current situation, and that was with his best friend. Staying with a virtual stranger wouldn't really be an improvement for him, Trey supposed.
    "Yeah," Trey said again, after another swallow of beer. "Let me ask Jim about that place he stayed."
    "That would be awesome." Nathaniel beamed at him, showing even,