by Zane Menzy
Matt’s father was one of the cash-starved residents pushed out when the house he had rented for nearly twenty years was auctioned off. Had it happened only a year or two later, Matt would have been in a position to buy the house for his father to stay in, but unfortunately that had not been the case. Instead, Matt bought his father a smaller, more affordable unit closer to the centre of the village. Even though it wasn’t the old family home, it had been such a privilege to give something back to the man who had sacrificed so much for him growing up. The day he handed his father the keys to the unit, telling him he didn’t have to worry about rent anymore, was the only time he had seen his father cry aside from the death of Ricky, Matt’s big brother.
Of course, his father had insisted on paying something, so Matt set up a savings account and had his dad pay a small amount into it each week. He didn’t need the money but it made his father feel better that he wasn’t being given a complete handout.
Matt’s own home reminded him of the house Damon grew up in. It wasn’t quite as large as the Harris household but it was every bit as grand. Matt and Karina however had never kept it to grand levels. Matt and his ex-wife didn’t agree on much but one thing they did agree on was letting a home look lived in. Neither of them had any interest residing in a place that resembled a show home.
They had loved the house for its nice furnishings and its unrivalled sea views. A short stroll across the road and they could step foot on the beach It had been perfect for Karina’s boys, Mason and Lance, they had become regular beach bums, spending everyday they could going for a swim or boogie boarding. Mason had been three and Lance five when Matt met their mother during his time working in London. Karina—an accountant also—worked in the same firm and after a couple months of swapping flirty looks a whirlwind romance began and in no time Matt and Karina were inseparable. By the end of that year they were married and eventually came to New Zealand.
He embraced the family role wholeheartedly and deep down he knew this stemmed from the guilt of not trying harder to stay in touch with Keegan after he had split from Marie. At first, the marriage with Karina was great and everything was exciting but after a few years it became evident they were different people and wanted different things. Finally, six months ago Karina made the decision to return to London. Overnight Matt went from a noisy house with a wife and two kids to being all on his own—again. In his twenties, he had gone from relationship to relationship but at thirty-seven he felt scared to go out and explore the dating pond.
Damon had tried to talk him into using Tinder but he didn’t like the sound of meeting someone based on the swipe of a thumb. Where was the romance in that? There wasn’t any. And romance was something Matt craved. He wasn’t like Damon who would fuck anything that moved, and if it didn’t move then Damon would probably push it just so he could fuck it. That wasn’t Matt’s style; he wanted to give his partners more than just one night and orgasms.
The last time he had been single he was still in his twenties and although he never possessed the vitality guys like Damon had, Matt had always managed to have his own share of admirers. He just hoped whatever it was he had going for him back then was still going for him. It wasn’t going to be easy to get out there and mingle. He was an introvert in an extroverted world—a terribly lonely thing at times.
Aside from the dark nights of the soul brought on by an empty and lonely heart, Matt was bored. So fucking bored. The boredom of coming home to a dead house had been making him stay late at the office. He had been running his own business advisory service in Port Jackson for the past two years and had staff to do the nitty gritty work but in a bid to keep his mind busy he was more than happy to do this bottom-feeder work.
He had even resorted to running and exercise as an outlet for his boredom. As much as it was to try and get into shape it was also an excuse to drop in and see Damon. Matt would drive all the way into the city just to run around the domain until he was ready to visit his best mate. He felt bad for dropping in unannounced nearly every day, but Damon insisted he didn’t mind. Matt hated the idea of being some sort of burden but seeing Damon’s face always made him feel better. The guy was like medication designed to reduce pain and sadness.
Sometimes when he was alone on days like this, Matt wondered if this was karma coming back to bite him in the arse for being such a selfish idiot when he and Marie broke up and he left behind a life with Keegan. He could say he felt forced into the decision—Marie’s family had been plenty horrible to him—but Matt knew the truth. He had wanted to break away. Chase his dreams that had felt lost forever when he became a father at just nineteen.
These dreams had been more than dreams. They were a twisted sort of revenge. A way to prove to the arrogant pricks here in Port Jackson that he was every bit as good as they were. After leaving Marie he came back and finished his study, got good grades, got that great internship, saved up the money to go overseas travelling and establish a career in a top accounting firm. He did it all. He had achieved his dream. His success.
Yet, sitting as he was, alone in a fancy house, he couldn’t help but wonder if his definition of success had been all wrong. He had helped raise another man’s kids while neglecting to ever get to know his own child. Matt had resented his mother when she abandoned him and his father, but at least she had waited ‘till he turned 18. She didn’t leave before he was even a year old and still in nappies.
Matt sipped back on his beer, washing down his guilt.
You fucking deserve feeling like this Matthew Andrews, you arsehole.
He wiped his nose as he felt the start of tears tingling in his eye sockets. He felt bad sending Damon down to do his dirty work. He tried reassuring himself that this was the best option. Damon knew Keegan. It probably wasn’t a stretch to say that Damon had been more a father to the boy than Matt ever had been. He prayed that Damon could convince Keegan to at least come back for a holiday. Maybe then they could get to know each other a little better.
Matt knew Marie’s family would have done nothing but bad mouth him through the years and other than a handful of short visits he was never there to defend himself against their slander. But Matt had Damon on his team and he knew Damon would do anything in his power to help him out. Aside from his own father, Damon was the only person Matt knew he could truly rely on and who would never betray him.
I’m counting on you buddy.
The phone suddenly blared through the house, startling Matt from his pity party. It rang and rang with a loud volume of urgency. He took a moment to steady himself so that he didn’t sound too sad or drunk when he answered. He swaggered his way to the kitchen and found the phone laying on the bench.
“Hello,” Matt said, doing his best to sound together.
The sunniest voice he had ever known answered back, one he hadn’t heard for far too long. “Heeeeey, Matty Pie. Guess who?”
Matt laughed, instantly happier. “Jason!”
“Got it in one,” Jason said. “How is my poverty peak sister?”
“Brother,” Matt corrected.
“Whatever,” Jason dismissed. “What are you doing right this instant?”
Matt looked around the quiet kitchen. “Nothing much.”
“Good so we can have a drink together.”
“Umm, I would love to but I can’t exactly go jump on a plane and fly to Sydney just this moment.”
“No, silly. I’m home. In Aotearoa. I’m at my Mum’s place.”
Matt felt his mood skyrocket. “You are?”
“Mmm hmm, girl. Get your best frock on cos I’m coming over. I have BIG news!”
“You do?”
“Yip. I’m coming RIGHT now to this ridiculously flash house of yours my sister has told me all about, so get your arse ready for a big night.” Jason paused and giggled. “Okay, that probably sounded all sorts of wrong. I don’t mean I am going to fuck you. What I meant was—”
“It’s okay, Jason.” Matt laughed. “I know what you mean.”
“Phew. Thank god. I’d hate to get a poor boy’s hopes up. See you soon, doll,” Jason said, followed by a kissy sound before he hung up.
Matt knew he better prepare himself because he would soon go from a lonely house of one to entertaining a friend whose personality was as loud as a crowded stadium.
Chapter Five
The sun beat down mercilessly on Keegan’s shirtless body as he pushed the mower over the untamed lawn in the backyard. The grass was thick, messy and a dirty-green colour, cutting it short resembled shaving Oscar the Grouch. Amidst the screaming throttling of the mower, nothing could come close to drowning out the filthy thoughts in his head about making a video with Liam.
Even if they didn’t touch each other and it was just a mutual wank of some kind, it would still be fucking hot. As he pushed the lawnmower around in wobbly lines, Keegan’s mind mulled over endless questions.
Will Liam get naked? Will he ask me to be naked? I wonder how he strokes his cock?
In Keegan’s fantasies Liam’s cock always spurt thick white streams of spunk... usually all over his face. He imagined the crown of his mate’s dick to be thick and glistening, a beautiful member worthy of being attached to a king. A king who could surge pleasure like a cresting wave and ravish the shoreline of Keegan’s body. A king who could fuck, and be fucked, like a monster. The daydream was intoxicating, so much so that he could feel the tip of his dick leaking drops of precum from the anticipation. He knew that as soon as he finished the lawns the first thing he would be doing was have a shower and taking care of the rigid need within his pants.
Just as Keegan spun the mower around at the final strip of shaggy lawn, he lifted his chin and saw his mother standing on the deck, holding a glass of wine. She waved her free arm excitedly, a large smile painted across her face. Keegan wondered the reason for her looking so happy, then he saw the reason appear behind her. His throat tightened.
Damon!
The sweat on his body tuned cold at the sight of the man who had claimed his virginity. Damon stood stoically, his arms folded, wearing a pair of white shorts and a black polo shirt. His eyes were shielded behind a pair of black shades and his tanned strong limbs almost glimmered in the sunlight. His dark-brown hair was cut shorter than normal, making him look even better in Keegan’s opinion.
The deed they had done had gifted Keegan x-ray vision and he looked over knowing exactly what Damon’s body looked like under the clothes. He bit down on his lip, trying to shake away the image of Damon’s dick, which he knew hung slightly to the left when soft. Keegan turned the mower off and dropped to a squatting position pretending to tie up his shoe laces so he could hide his Liam fueled erection.
“Look who’s here,” Keegan’s mother called out.
“I can see,” Keegan replied, staying low to the ground.
“Hey, K dog,” Damon said, his tone light, dry and inexpressive.
“Me and Damon are just gonna sit down for a wine. Come in and join us when you’re finished, darling.” Keegan’s mother took a sip on her glass then turned around and led Damon inside to the lounge. Just before Damon disappeared out of sight he looked over his shoulder and snapped Keegan still staring at him. Damon quickly flicked his sun-glassed gaze away and followed Keegan’s mum inside.
Keegan grabbed his crotch, begging his cock to calm down. He started up the mower again, finishing off the final strip of lawn before emptying the catcher. The late afternoon sun was beginning to dip, leaving a red tinge to the sky. Red sky at night, shepherds delight, Keegan thought. A rare event so close to Christmas. Christmas in New Zealand may have been a summer time affair but it usually had rotten luck, often landing on windy or rainy days.
He stayed outside a few minutes after locking up the mower in the garden shed. He took a few deep breaths, composing himself for the inevitable socialising with Damon inside. He suspected it would be a difficult task for both of them. They had not seen or spoken to each other since Damon dropped him off home following the creation of their big secret.
When Keegan walked inside he was glad to see his mum and Damon buried in one of their usual gossips, catching up about days gone by. He took the chance to go jump in the shower, get washed and put on a fresh change of clothes. When he reappeared in the lounge he was greeted by his mother who had a cold beer waiting for him.
“For you, darling,” his mother said. “Thank you for doing the lawns.”
Keegan hitched his eyebrows up and took a swig of the cool beer that oozed down his dry throat with medicinal smoothness.
“I was just asking Damon if he had any photos from your boys’ trip away,” Keegan’s mother innocently said. “I was keen to see some of the hijinks you both got up to.”
“We didn’t get up to any,” Keegan replied speedily. He quickly realised how defensive he sounded. He laughed, trying to cover up his odd response. “Just saw the lakes and mountains.”
“Sounds a rather tame trip.” Keegan’s mother looked across at Damon.
Damon said nothing. His sunglasses shielded his eyes and whatever thoughts he was having. The man usually talked confidently, filling any room with a sense of his own importance. Not today. Not this trip.
Keegan’s mum rambled on, none the wiser to the tension in the room. Any niggling suspicion he had ever had about Damon and his mother hooking up in their younger days was ruled out in that instant. She didn’t seem able to see what Keegan could see. The nerves. The awkward posture. The guilt. Intimate details that Keegan could see so clearly because he and Damon had been just that. Intimate.
Keegan felt bad. He wanted to tell Damon it was alright. That he would never whisper a word of what happened. That he was grateful for what Damon had let him do and even more grateful for the reassurance after the deed when Keegan had broke down crying.
Ring, ring. Ring, ring.
Keegan’s mum stood up and raced to the phone on the kitchen bench. The way she took a breath like she was swallowing patience meant it could only be one person. Keegan’s grandmother. His mum stood there nodding her head for the duration of the short call and finally said, “Yes. Okay, Mum. I’ll be there soon.” She rolled her eyes and hung up the phone.
“What did Nana want?” Keegan asked.
“Apparently she has placed an online order with the supermarket in town here but forgot to click delivery and she has no way of picking it up in time.” Keegan’s mother groaned aloud while pulling at her blonde hair. “I swear it’s moments like this I curse them living out in the country.”
“I can come with you,” Damon said. He shifted to get out of his seat.
“No, Damon. You stay here. I don’t want you rushing around for my mum after the distance you just travelled.”
“I really don’t mind,” Damon said, standing there looking desperate to tag along.
Keegan’s mother rushed around looking for her keys. “Don’t be silly, Damon. Stay here and have another drink and unwind a bit. I’m sure Keegan can keep you entertained for an hour or so.”
Keegan felt his face blush. He looked across at Damon who took a deep breath and reluctantly sat back down.
“I’m off. I should be back in an hour or two. You two boys have fun.” She jangled her keys in the air and rushed out the door.
Keegan smoothed his hands over the knees of his jeans. He flicked his eyes to the floor, staring at Damon’s shoes, letting his gaze crawl the length of Damon’s body before meeting his face with a twitchy smile. Out of nowhere, Keegan felt a familiar feeling grip his instincts. The same feeling that hurled him head-on to Damon’s cock the night in the cabin. Mere seconds of being alone with his father’s best mate had unleashed the same dubious desire.
“So, K dog. How have you been?” Damon asked, finally removing his sunglasses to reveal his moss-green eyes.
Keegan nodded. “Pretty good.” He looked down at Damon’s toned legs on display in the white shorts he was wearing. They looked sleek with sweat from his long drive in the summer heat. Keegan’s heart skip
ped a beat and his mouth dried up wanting to quench a very different type of thirst. He wanted so badly to just lean over and touch Damon. Feel him up again the way he had the night he lost his virginity. Make the same mistake all over again.
“Have you decided what your plans are for next year?” Damon asked. His voice made Keegan raise his eyes again.
“Umm. I’m still not sure to be honest.” Keegan ran a hand through his honey-coloured locks. “It’s probably too late for uni now so I will probably stay here and work for a year.”
“You could move up to Auckland and stay with Matty. He would love to have you stay. There is way more work to be found up in Auckland.”
The mention of his father’s name dampened the fire between Keegan’s legs. “I guess, but that would be pretty fucking awkward to bowl on up and live with a guy I hardly know.”
Damon blinked. His mouth opened and closed in a dreary line. “True. But if you came up then you would get a chance to know him better and you’ll see why he is such a good sort. Honestly, your dad is one of the best people going and he would help you out as much as he could.”
Keegan narrowed his eyes, casting a suspicious glare. Damon always talked his father up to him—when his mother wasn’t around—but he had never tried to convince him to move up there. A part of Keegan wanted to get shitty and tell Damon to tell his father to fuck off.
Why would I want to live with a guy who never bothered to come and see me more than a small handful of times.
The pacifist in Keegan won out and he smiled. “That would be nice but I’m not too sure.” He thought how best to word his disinterest in someone who for years obviously had no interest in him. “It’s not that I hate the man or anything or feel annoyed at him not being around but I think it’s a bit unfair to suddenly want to get to know me now I’m all grown up.”