Chapter 16

Mike refused to leave him alone. He claimed he was tired, but insisted on staying in his house. Trevor knew he just wanted to talk more about Tina, but he said nothing. It was fine.

Because he didn't have much to do, and his staff claimed they didn't need his help for anything, he left with his friend in tow. And now he was home, cooking for his best friend, making a simple meal of rice and some steak.

"How long are you going to wait before you ask her to tell you the truth?"

Though focused on seasoning the meat, he responded, "When I feel it's right."

"If it were me, I'd just ask her straight up. I mean, there's no need to wait. You're not in a relationship, and she lives in the city like you, so what's the big deal?" Mike groaned.

"You've asked me this same question in different ways within the span of a few minutes," Trevor said, placing the meat on fire and turned to look at his friend.

"I can't help it," Mike sighed, picking up an apple on the table he sat at. "I'm really worried."

And that's why Trevor refused to be angry at him. His friend saw him through his most vulnerable moments. He was bound to worry more. Trevor wasn't so sure what he was doing, or why. But he just had a feeling that he had to wait a bit.

"You don't have to worry, since I'm going to keep going on dates," he said, turning back to focus on the steak and flipping it on the pan, it's aroma filling the room bit by bit.

That seemed to brighten Mike up. Trevor turned back to find him smiling.

"That's great! I'm sure you'll be able to find a nice girl," he said. "Whatever Sam did to convince you, it's genius."

Hearing his brother being mentioned brought his thoughts to how he was doing.

"I have to call him."

His friend appeared confused. "Why?"

"Didn't you say he called you, how can you not know what's going on with him?"

Mike shrugged, expressing that he didn't really know anything, other than he and Sam talked on the phone about dating.

Thinking about whether or not to explain his brother's situation to him for a second, he decided to speak. It's not like they don't share everything with each other. So he told him everything.

"Sam is an idiot."

"Yup." He turned to flip the steak again before picking up his phone from the table Mike sat.

"Should I watch the steak while you call him?" Mike asked, standing up.

Trevor nodded, motioning him to go as he searched for his brother's contact on his phone.

After pressing the call button, his brother immediately picked up at the first ring.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Trevor paused, realizing his brother didn't sound too good. "Is something wrong?"

"Not really."

"You don't sound too good. Just tell me."

He remained silent for a bit before he spoke. "Can I come back to your place today?"

"Excuse me?"

Sam laughed nervously as he continued. "I had a fight today."

His eyes widened as he glanced at his friend who was looking at him curiously, while glancing at the steak occasionally.

"With who? Coco? About what?"

"Not that kind of fight... I sort of beat up a guy I saw at her place."

"What?!"

"I thought she was seeing some other guy, but it turned out to be her brother. She's mad at me now. And she kicked me out, telling me to never come back again."

Trevor sighed when his brother finished. "You're so stupid."

"I know," Sam said sadly. "I tried to apologize, but she's too angry at me."

"Can't blame her."

"So... Can I come over and stay for a bit?"

"Don't you have enough money for a hotel?"

"I do but... isn't it a waste of money to go to a hotel when I have a brother in town?"

Trevor rolled his eyes. He really didn't want his brother over again, but he knew Sam was right.

"Fine," he mumbled.

"Great! Please open the door, I'm here."

Trevor groaned out in annoyance.

"What is it?" Mike asked when he turned to him. He'd turned off the fire.

"Sam is here."

"What? Why?"

"The woman kicked him out."

"Oh."

Trevor nodded at him, instructed him to cook the rice before walking out of the kitchen towards the living room area and door.

He pushed the door open without bothering to check if anyone was there. There's no need to doubt his brother appearing by his door.

And he was at his door. With a smile on his face, yet a tired look. Apart from that he looked a bit... sad?

"Thanks for opening up, bro," Sam said, walking in with his bag the moment he moved away from the door. "It's getting cold out."

"Yeah," Trevor said, locking the door behind him.

"This feels so comfy," Sam said as he jumped on the couch and closed his eyes to take it all in. "And something smells wonderfully like steak here."

Trevor watched his brother silently before saying what's on his mind. "Talk."

Sam opened his eyes and stared at his brother who was now standing above him. He took a deep breath before responding with an, "Okay," and doing as he was asked.

And Trevor didn't expect his explanation to be as intriguing as it was. So intriguing that he forgot about Mike being in the house for a bit.