His biceps bulged under the short sleeves of his scrub top and he was – no, Ben wasn’t imagining it – he was totally trying to cruise his dad!
Ben didn’t know whether to be amused or horrified, because while he had to admit his dad looked good for his age, he was still his dad so – ew. Jon seemed to be oblivious to the other man’s flirtation, and looked up when Ben cleared his throat.
“Oh, hi son. Have you met Tyler? He’s the, what is it, Tyler? OT?”
Tyler reached out to shake Ben’s hand, “Tyler Gaines. Technically I’m a nurse practitioner, but we run a lean shop at C.B. Rehab, so I’m a little bit of everything, including OT.”
“Ben Loomis. Good to meet you, Tyler. Everything go okay with Thom? Anything we need to know?”
“Yeah, actually. I’m glad I’ve got both of you here. He’s having trouble adapting to being limited, which is understandable. He’s used to being independent and taking care of himself, so everyone needs to let him do as much as he can himself. He’s not helpless, just a little sore and weak at the moment. He’ll get tired easily, and physical therapy is going to leave him sore for a while, but he can do more than you’d think.”
“How will we know if he’s trying to do too much?” Jon asked.
“I’ve told him he needs to be honest with everyone about how he’s feeling, but in case he’s not, it’ll probably be obvious.”
“Like when he gets cranky and withdraws?” Ben asked.
“Yes, that’s usually a sign.”
“Thanks. We’ll keep an eye on him and try not to overdo the helping.”
Tyler nodded, “Okay, then, I should be going. I’ll be back same time day after tomorrow.”
“Dad, why don’t you see Tyler out while I check on the food?” Ben nudged his dad towards the door. Jon gave him a puzzled look, but turned to Tyler.
“Yes, of course. Tyler?”
Ben opened the oven door and looked inside, but had no idea what he was supposed to be doing, so he closed it again and hoped his dad would be back before something burned.
“What was that all about?” Jon asked as he came back into the kitchen.
“Seriously?”
“Uh, yeah. Since when do you cook?”
Ben rolled his eyes. “It had nothing to do with cooking. Could you not see that Tyler was totally into you?”
“What? No, that can’t be right.” Jon turned and looked toward the front door, then back at Ben. “Really?”
“Didn’t he try to flirt with you when you walked him out?”
“Maybe, I guess? I thought he was just being friendly.” Jon picked up a potholder and opened the oven, removing the tray of cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
“He’ll be back in a couple of days. You watch – if you’re here he’ll find you.”
Jon shook his head. “I think you’re imagining it. I’m old enough to be his father.”
“Maybe he likes older men? Maybe he thinks you’re a silver fox!” Ben giggled and slapped his hand over his mouth.
“Enough about me and my imaginary love life. Why don’t you go talk to Thom?”
“Yeah, it’s time for The Talk, I guess.”
Thom looked up from his e-reader when he heard the pocket doors that separated the dining room from the hallway close. Ben was walking towards him with a serious expression on his usually smiling face.
“What’s going on?”
Ben took the device from his hand and laid it on the bedside table. “Have you given any thought to what we discussed at lunch?”
Thom licked his lips, watching as Ben’s gaze dropped to his mouth and the younger man’s eyes darkened. “I – yeah. I have, actually.”
“The eye candy didn’t hurt, did it?”
“What do you mean, eye candy?”
“Oh, come on. I saw Tyler, and the resemblance to a certain British actor did not escape me.”
“Oh, that.” Thom blushed.
“Imagine my shock when I went into the kitchen to find him trying to flirt with my dad!”
“No! What did Jon do?”
“He was completely oblivious! So lame.”
“Poor Tyler,” Thom chuckled and shook his head.
“He can try again in a couple of days. But enough about them. I came in here for more important business.” Ben bent over the bed, resting his weight on his arms.
“Business?”
“Personal business,” Ben murmured, closing the gap between them to kiss Thom’s lips.
Thom thought he might go up in flames. How had he ever even imagined he could give this up? He surrendered, losing himself in the kiss and parting his lips at the slightest pressure from Ben’s tongue. He felt Ben’s