Connectivity

by Whitney Cannon

  After some time Josh was startled by the school bell ringing. Within a few moments, the office began to fill up with students all needing something between classes. The office door opened next to him, and Cory exited first looking right over to Josh. Josh smiled as Cory took his hand and they all thanked Dr. Kerrigan once more, shook hands, and bid each other goodbye.

  Back outside the school was bustling with people hurrying around to get to their lockers or classes. Several people waved and called out greetings to Cory which he returned.

  “So everything went fine. Could you hear at all?” Cory asked.

  “Not with the door closed, no,” Josh answered.

  Nodding his head, Cory continued. “Mom and Dad basically said that they were worried about my health and explained that the doctors wanted me to rest and try to keep low stress for a while. It more or less played out like yours. My teachers will meet to discuss getting my coursework compiled, and I might need to come in to take exams, or finals, that kind of thing.”

  Before Cory could say any more though, they were interrupted by loud boisterous cheers of Cory’s name, which in turn, caused several others to turn their attention their way.

  Turning in the direction of the calls they were greeted by a group of guys, some of whom Josh recognized from Nick’s house, and some he didn’t recognize at all. The group quickly advanced on Cory and Jim and Diane called out that they would see them back at the house. Cory waved goodbye and was promptly passed around from person to person with greetings and questions about his accident.

  Grabbing for Josh’s hand once again, Cory introduced Josh around to the new faces in the group. Josh met a tall guy name Samuel and another guy named Aiden who were also on the baseball team. After shaking hands with the new guys, Josh was bro-hugged, back-slapped by Jake and Dylan, who seemed happy to see him again. Cory finally took a moment and explained that he was doing well, but his doctors wanted him to take it easy and he would be finishing his senior year from home.

  The guys all seemed concerned and kind of bummed that Cory wouldn’t be coming back to school, but were genuinely happy to know Cory was doing well. When the bell rang again, all the guys said hasty goodbyes and promised to be in touch.

  “Hey, Cory,” Jake called, as he went off in a different direction from the other guys. “If you feel up to it we’re playing Smithville on Friday. Maybe you and Josh can come cheer us on.” He waved and rounded a corner disappearing from view.

  Once they were alone again the pair made the return trip to the parking lot and headed back to Cory’s house.

  “Would you be interested in going to watch the game on Friday?” Cory asked, looking over at Josh.

  “Yeah, absolutely. We should totally go and support your team. Everyone I’ve met so far seems really nice, and I know they’d love to have you there for support.”

  Cory pulled Josh’s hand up and gave the back of it a kiss. “Thanks, Josh. It would be cool to watch even if I can’t play. If my coaches haven’t heard by then that I’m not coming back, I’ll need to talk to them, too.”

  “No problem. We should make a date night out of it. We’ll go to the game, then we can go out to dinner or something. It’s funny that even though we’ve only known each other a short time and you’ve become this huge part of my life, we’ve never even been on a date.”

  Cory chuckled. “You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that. We’ve basically skipped the dating stage and gone straight to the life partners stage.”

  “Exactly,” Josh said and returned the kiss to Cory’s hand. “So date night. Game, dinner, then something fun. What do you and your friends usually do when you go out?”

  “We usually go out for pizza, or to one of the guy's houses after a game. But since I’ve never been on a date I don’t know what we should do. Movie I guess?”

  “Nah. Then we can’t talk much. But, I guess we could do other things in the dark,” Josh leered and waggled his eyebrows at Cory who laughed at his antics in return.

  “Fine. No movie. What else is there? Maybe walking around the plaza or something?” Cory asked.

  “Dunno. We’ll figure something out though. I’m kind of excited about date night now. I’ve never been on a date either, but I’m glad you’re my first, Cory. I wouldn’t want to go out with anyone but you,” Josh said.

  “Aww. You’re such a sap, Josh, but I totally agree.”

  ~

  Once they arrived home and made some quick sandwiches, they headed straight for the garage. Josh was hopeful they could get his dresser sanded all at once, but he’d never done anything like refinishing furniture before so it was anyone’s guess.

  They each donned the masks Travis had recommended and grabbed up a coarse piece of sandpaper. Josh reminded Cory to take it easy with his movements because of his injured ribs to which Cory responded with a snarky, “Yes, Mother”. Josh chuckled, and they got to work.

  After they finished the bulk of the sanding, Cory removed the drawers and worked on taking the finish off those while Josh finished the edges and sides. Pausing only for short breaks to grab water and change up the music they were listening to, both boys worked hard, moving easily around each other. Cory switched to the more intricate details, and after another half hour, and probably a few blisters, they were fairly well finished.

  Removing his mask, Josh wiped the sleeve of his shirt across his forehead, dusted himself off a bit, and watched as Cory finished the detail work around the corners. Josh grabbed up their water glasses and knowing the kitchen wasn’t too far, went to rinse the dusty items and refresh both their drinks.

  Cory had dusted himself off and was leaning against his dad’s workbench when Josh returned. He smiled upon seeing the ice cold glass in Josh’s hand.

  “Thanks.” Cory took a large drink from his glass, and Josh watched his throat move with his swallows. When he was finished he smirked at Josh and set his glass behind him on the worktop. Keeping his eyes on Josh, Cory came up to him and slowly wrapped his arms around Josh’s neck. “It was kinda hot watching you get all sweaty while you were working.”

  Josh knew exactly what he meant. More than once he’d found himself ogling Cory while his toned muscles glinted with his efforts. “Was it now?” he replied with a bit of husk in his voice and returned Cory’s embrace.

  Cory nodded and hugged Josh tighter, moving his nose up and down the column of Josh’s neck. “I kept watching the way your shirt stuck to your skin showing off your shoulders. Sometimes you’d lift the hem up to wipe your face and I’d get a peek at your abs.” Cory unwound his right arm and moved it between them, leaning to his left a little to create some room. Looking into Josh’s eyes, Cory moved his hand up under the front of Josh’s shirt, running the backs of his fingers from the top of his abs over his belly button, down along his happy trail, and behind the button of his shorts, causing Josh to suck in a breath.

  That was a bold move as neither of them had really touched the other anywhere below the belt line. Josh could feel himself start to respond to Cory’s provocation, and a shudder ran through him.

  There was a question is Cory’s eyes.

  Josh nodded ever so slightly, and Cory’s talented fingers slipped farther inside his waistband.

  The rumble of a car engine approaching reminded them both immediately where they were, and Cory withdrew his hand like it had been set on fire. Both their eyes had widened to comical size, and they breathed out a huge sigh when they realized they could have been caught in a very compromising position. With the garage door open for ventilation, and to help with the dust, the only thing blocking them from public view were their cars in the driveway. Granted Cory’s was the last house on the street so almost no one came down there, but reality hit its mark as Diane pulled her SUV in behind the other cars in the driveway.

  “Inside?” Cory questioned.

  Josh bobbed his head and swallowed. “Yeah. Good.” He felt antsy and worked up and needed to get inside pronto. Grabbing Cory’s hand, th
ey made their way quickly through the kitchen and down the hall to their bedroom. Turning sharply once they were secluded, he snatched Cory up in a cloud of dust and pressed him up against the bedroom door. “God, that was so hot,” Josh said and captured Cory’s mouth in a fierce kiss while he pressed his hips into Cory.

  Cory gasped into the kiss and returned Josh’s assault eagerly. Both of them were hands and lips and teeth, and Josh threaded his fingers through Cory’s hair causing a small moan to escape Cory when Josh pulled him closer with a hand behind his neck. Cory’s hands were back under Josh’s shirt massaging his back and rubbing around to his chest. Josh took advantage of the moment and popped the button on his own shorts, then Cory’s.

  Cory pulled back.

  “If you want to. Can I feel you though, Cory? God, I want to, but if you’re not ready that’s fine. I’d never if you’re uncomfortable.” Josh searched Cory’s face for any sign of his answer.

  Cory responded by removing his shirt and lowering his zipper.

  Josh followed Cory’s lead and did the same, tossing his shirt behind him somewhere. Holding Cory’s gaze, Josh slowly trailed his hand down Cory’s chest and abs, mindful of his injuries. When he reached the waistband of Cory’s shorts, he paused.

  “You’re sure?”

  Cory nodded and Josh slowly maneuvered his hand in between Cory’s shorts and briefs. They both groaned as Josh palmed him through the thin fabric separating their skin.

  “God, Josh.” Cory groaned again as Josh moved his hand and got a better feel of Cory’s size and weight. Dropping his forehead down onto Josh’s shoulder Cory hummed a small protest in the back of his throat as Josh removed his hand. The sound died immediately and Cory forced out a sharp breath as Josh replaced his hand inside Cory’s briefs, touching him bare for the first time.

  Josh took a moment to let Cory acclimate to his touch before he did anything more. Panting slightly, Cory held a firm grip on Josh’s hips and seemed unable to even lift his head when Josh softly asked if he was still good, managing only a nod and soft groan as Josh firmed up his grip. He didn’t want to rush Cory’s first time but remembered well enough the first time he’d had a handjob and how quickly he’d tumbled over the edge of oblivion.

  When he finally started moving, exploring really, Cory started to tremble in his arms. Josh wrapped his other arm around Cory’s shoulders and held him steady. Slowly moving his hand up and down the warm hard flesh in his grasp, he listened as Cory’s breathing sped up, and small erotic sounds started to escape from his throat. Cory’s hips started to move in rhythm with Josh’s hand, and he moaned a guttural sound that made Josh a little weak in the knees.

  He slowly sped up his movements and after another minute, added a slight twist on the upstroke, causing Cory to clutch him even tighter.

  “God, Josh,” Cory groaned out the words, and even though the stroke wasn’t very smooth, due to the tight confines of Josh’s hand, Cory seemed close to the edge already. Not having any lube, Josh swiped his fingers over Cory’s head to collect some precome to provide an easier glide, but the move only caused Cory to buck even harder into Josh’s fist. Cory’s quick sharp bursts of breath fanned across Josh’s neck and face when he lifted his head and reclaimed Josh’s lips with a whimpered moan.

  “I’m gonna come. I’m so close,” Cory panted against his lips.

  “I’ve got you, baby. Let go.” He tightened his fist once again and sped up his movements taking Cory right over the edge.

  A keening whimper was swallowed by Josh as he took Cory’s mouth once again, and Cory flew, shooting his load over Josh’s hand and into his own briefs. Bucking up only a few more times, Cory finally calmed and sank into Josh, his knees no longer strong enough to support him.

  As he softened, Josh removed his hand and held Cory in his arms for several moments as his breathing returned to normal and he could stand up more firmly. Cory finally stirred and lifted his head from Josh’s neck with a soft smile.

  “Holy shit that was amazing,” Cory drawled sleepily.

  Josh chuckled a little at his sleepy Complement and softly kissed his lips once more, unable to resist the pliant temptation post-coital Cory made.

  “I’m glad it was good. Imagine what it will be like when we have lube and no underwear to battle with.”

  Cory chuckled a little sleepily, too. “Mmm. Sounds nice.”

  Josh nodded with a soft smile, and Cory carefully zipped himself back up. Josh helped settle his boyfriend on his bed. “Rest up while I go shower, babe. Take a little nap if you want.”

  Cory nodded slowly and pecked Josh once more then curled onto his bed and closed his eyes. Josh looked down at his sated Complement and felt a warmth in his chest that had everything to do with the sleepy boy lying before him. Leaning over, Josh brushed the backs of his clean fingers down Cory’s soft cheek. He gently swiped his bangs aside and placed a tender kiss on Cory’s temple, lingering a little longer than normal.

  When Cory made a content little sigh, Josh straightened up and grabbed his dusty shirt to wipe his hand on and swiped it over his abs as well, catching any evidence that might have escaped. He gathered up his change of clothes and with a look back at Cory, adjusted his own shorts, then quietly left the room to go shower.

  -XII-

  At breakfast the next morning it was decided that the boys would hang around the house that day and possibly help Jim and Diane with some work-related business if necessary.

  Josh had learned at dinner the night before, that Jim and Diane worked together running and managing their own landscape design business called Lasting Landscapes. Jim oversaw several teams of workers that did the heavy lifting, digging, worksite prep, sprinkler installation and such on their jobs while Diane was the planner and coordinator for their business. She worked with Jim to decide on the plants and general layout of the terrain for each job, but it was up to her to make the bids to the customers, organize their files and payments, draw up the designs, plus check the inventory at the nursery they partnered with; Wrightwood’s was owned and operated by Liam’s family.

  It turned out that Cory and Liam had known each other long before high school baseball since their families had worked together in business for most of Cory’s life. Liam and Cory had been playing baseball together since they could both wield a bat, and although the families each ran their own businesses neither of the boys had ever worked for their parents before.

  Diane mentioned over the apple crisp dessert she’d made that she and Jim had talked and wanted to extend a job offer to Josh and Cory for the summer. Cory’s parents knew they needed to be together and thought if they each wanted some summer work, what better way to make sure they had the same schedule and could be near each other, than to work for the family business. Diane said they’d be doing odd jobs ranging from helping Jim at a job site, to picking up the plants from the nursery, or even going around town to the local hardware stores and posting fliers advertising the business.

  Josh and Cory had simply looked at each other and known the other would readily agree. So it was decided that after graduation, the boys would be gainfully employed and wouldn’t have to stress too much about what their immediate future would hold.

  They’d fallen asleep last night, after walking Jenny and watching a movie, wrapped in each other's arms and feeling more relaxed and comfortable than they had since the whole Connectivity thing was dumped in their laps.

  So with things finally seeming more settled, Josh and Cory simply wanted a day to relax and hang out together.

  Josh worked on his letter request to the board of trustees for permission to finish his coursework from home, and Cory read a novel by George Orwell that he knew was their last assigned reading for his English class.

  With little else to do, after lunch, they hit the garage again to go over the dresser once more with the fine grit sandpaper.

  About twenty minutes into their work, Cory’s phone rang. After a brief conversation, Cory informed Josh that i
t had been his principal telling him a packet of work would be waiting for him in the office at school and he could come by anytime to pick it up.

  Josh nodded. “Okay, cool. We can finish this up and head out after we dust ourselves off a bit. Would it be alright if we hit up my school as well? I need to get that letter dropped off as soon as possible.”

  “Of course. You know it’s no problem. I’m driving us though,” Cory replied with a smile on his face.

  “Looking forward to getting behind the wheel again?” Josh questioned, realizing it probably had been almost a week since Cory had driven last.

  “Absolutely. I love driving. That’s why I’m so excited about going on some road trips this fall. I love the feel of the wind blowing through my hair when I have the soft top off.”

  Josh chuckled lightly. He loved the happiness in Cory’s voice and expression. “Alright, Speed Racer. Let’s finish this and you can be my chauffeur for the afternoon.”

  Cory bowed properly, and when he straightened up he leered at Josh. “At your service, Master.”

  Josh waggled his eyebrows in response to Cory’s insinuation, and the two of them broke into fits of laughter. After the giggles were out of Josh’s system he wrapped his arm around Cory’s waist and pulled his Complement into his hold. He took in the happy smiling eyes and carefree look on Cory’s face and kissed his soft lips tenderly. “I think I might love you, Cory.”

  Cory all but melted in Josh’s hold and wrapped his arms around Josh’s back as he kissed him again more thoroughly.

  Pulling back, Cory looked up at Josh from under his lashes. “I do, you know. Love you,” he sighed softly. “I know it’s crazy that this happened so fast, and I didn’t even know you last week, but it’s true. You came out of nowhere and literally and figuratively made my heart beat faster. Since I’d never had a boyfriend before I didn’t really know what I was looking for. But you found me. I know now that my heart was looking for you.”

  ~