by Sam Elswit
“I’m sure you like being on your back,” Jeb said. A new energy sprang from within. I needed to take Jeb down a peg and put him in his place. I muscled up to my elbows as a thud knocked Jeb away. I sat confused as Jeb gasped for breath just a few feet away on the ground.
The sun cast a halo around his silhouette which had me blinking against the light to find the identity of my savior. It reminded me of my father after I fell out of the sycamore and broke my leg. He was always there to protect me. But, this time Isaiah reached a hand down to lift me to my feet. In his other hand was the mallet we’d been using to build the fence.
“You dirty cheating-”
“Cheating? You come out here looking for a fight and you expect a fair one?” Isaiah shouted back.
The adrenaline in my body began to subside and I nursed at the wounds that I knew would take some time to fully heal. Isaiah pulled my arm over his shoulder and held me close around the waist. I felt safe again.
“Get the hell out of here or I’ll make sure you both get another taste of this,” he waved the mallet.
Zeke was holding his eye with one hand and his stomach with the other. Jeb pulled himself to his feet as Isaiah stood with the mallet ready to strike. The pair of large brothers stumbled toward their truck.
“This ain’t over,” Zeke said, ripping open the driver’s side door, “Mama’s comin’ next time and she’ll make sure to make things right.”
The truck suspension creaked as it tried to accommodate their combined weight. As they started to tear down the street, I was glad to be rid of them. Isaiah doubled over from the pain he was experiencing. It was only then that I noticed the bruises along his arm, and the dislocated shoulder.
“Next time?” I asked.
Isaiah grabbed at his arm and snapped it loudly before collapsing to the grass by the picket fence. I took a seat by his side wrapping my arms around my tucked knees. He was breathing hard, just as I was trying to catch my own breath.
What would they do next time? I imagined another beating. Would we be able to hold them off better next time? Maybe just knowing what was coming, we could be ready for it.
“I think we should talk,” Isaiah said.
The pitch in his voice was monotone. His steady and intense gaze didn’t touch me. He looked over the wheat fields as though he was ready to set them ablaze with a single look. And, I was glad to not be struck by it.
Chapter 20
Isaiah
If only I’d been stronger, this mess wouldn’t have happened. It was my fault and nobody else’s; Joshua had been hurt. I was supposed to be his protector. Sure, he was a muscular guy in good shape, but he was soft. He might have been in a couple street fights over a girl or lunch money, but he’d never been in a place where he would have to fight for his life.
I damned myself for lingering at the house for too long. I should have just left when the old man died. Even if I didn’t have Joshua by my side, at least I wouldn’t feel responsible for his injury. My family would never leave me alone, no matter how far I ran. This was my fate and mine alone.
Joshua limped into the rocking chair on the porch. He took some hard hits from someone nearly twice his size. I admired his spirit in the fight. He didn’t go down easy. It made me fall harder for him. Knowing that he would give his all to a fight that wasn’t his meant more to me than all the sweet nothings we whispered in bed.
I marched to the kitchen and snagged an old bag of rigid peas to put on his bruises. He took it with thanks.
“So those are your brothers, eh?” he said with whatever smile he could muster.
“Yeah,” I croaked. My arm still surged with pain from the reset. Zeke knew just where to hurt me; he was the one that dislocate it the first time. I clenched and unclenched my fist to get the blood flowing back.
“They must be great around the holidays,” Joshua joked. I joined in with an awkward laugh to put him at ease, but I was sure he saw right through it. I creaked into the chair beside him and leaned back. The chair hit the wall with a thud.
I knew they would be back. They had told me so, and they were men of their word. Of course they would have to bring Mama along for the ride. Just the idea of her invading this broken but happy home was enough to set me over the edge.
I needed Joshua to leave. It was the only way to make sure that he wouldn’t get messed up in the middle of this. If only I’d done so sooner. I should have just stayed with Phillip.
Wait a minute.
They mentioned a phone call. Only two people in the entire town knew about my family, Joshua, and Phillip. There was no way that Joshua would have made that call. Plus, we’d been inseparable. He wouldn’t have had the time to himself to make the call. Phillip must have tracked them down and told them the truth.
Dammit Phillip.
“You need to go to college,” I said, “It’s not too late.”
Joshua had a quizzical look on his face that spelled out everything I needed to know. The skin on his cheek was yellowing from the bruise that was just beginning to show.
“I’m not leaving you,” he said.
“But, you have to,” I replied, “both for my sake and for your degree, remember? That’s why you wanted to go in the first place.”
“I’m not leaving,” he said, adamantly, “If those guys come back, I need to be here to make sure they don’t kill you.”
“And, what about you!?” I shouted back. He sat in befuddled silence. I’d hoped to get him to leave on good terms. He could keep all the happy memories as he moved on with my life. But, it was becoming clear I would have to push him away. “What’s so great about staying here? It’s all bad memories anyway. Your dad just died, why would you want to stay?”
“Because you’re here,” he said, simply. He let the sack of peas drop to his lap and made to stand up, but I put a hand on his shoulder to keep him seated. “This old farm still needs tending, too.”
“You should just sell it, then,” I said, “I’m sure you’ve already had a few offers from down the road.” I’d seen the letters; they were generous prices for the land and would be enough to start a new life anywhere.
“This is my home,” he replied, weakly, “I have so many memories. Like when I fell outta that tree, or when I lost a baseball in Mrs. Denton’s kitchen window; or the first time I met you right there by that fence.” He pointed at the still unfinished project. I felt guilty for not having worked on it since the old man died.
“Who cares,” I said, angry, “you already have the memories, do you need to keep the space where you made them? It’s just stuff.”
“It’s all I got left of my dad,” he said. He struck a nerve. The pangs of guilt were building inside, and I was starting to hate every word that came out of my mouth.
“Dammit,” I said, “can’t you just leave?”
“No,” he replied, “not while someone I love is going to be left behind.” Joshua rocked his chair forward, lifting himself from it, and pulled me into a kiss. Whatever thoughts I’d had in my head vanished. His warmth touch was enough to ease my ailing mind. All the frustration and anger reached a fever pitch, twisting itself into love and passion.
I cupped the back of Joshua’s head, bringing him in as close as I physically could. My hands were unable to hold onto enough of him as they scurried up and down his body, reeling him in. I felt tears start to streak down my face. I wiped them away with my sleeve as I continued to kiss Joshua.
I knew I had to find a way to protect him from the life I was stuck with. But, right now he was my everything and I wanted to make him know how I truly felt. My heart still fluttered with sadness that this might be the last time I see him. I was sure that he had to leave, and I would do anything to make sure he did.
Chapter 21
Joshua
Every fiber of my body burned with hunger. I wanted Isaiah now more than ever. His greedy lips devoured me as I fell deep into his bottomless urge. His hand pressed against the bruise on my back, sending sharp p
ains through my back. I winced. He understood. Isaiah returned lowered his hand to my hip where it rested.
I rose to my feet and pressed him toward the front door. I’d had enough run-ins with outsiders too afraid of my lifestyle today and I was not in the least interested in providing a show for anyone passing by. He followed my lead inside.
I rested a foot on the step but found it hard to lift up my body. Everything ached. Only the endorphins flooding my brain were spurring my passion and no more. Instead, I was pressed into the archway of the dining room by Isaiah.
His fingers hooked around the hem of my shirt and pried it free from my chest. Isaiah paused when he saw the bruises covering my body.
“Don’t worry about them,” I said. His face morphed into frustration. I placed a hand on his shoulder forgetting that he’d just shoved it back into place. He clenched his teeth, grabbed my hand, and moved it to his side.
He stepped back in towards me, this time not seeing me, but seeing the wounds. The first kiss was set on the bruise on my cheek. Just as the sting was starting to subside, he moved to the bruise on my neck, then the wound on my chest. His kiss was gentle as he kissed at every bruise that he could see, and some that I didn’t.
He undid my jeans and pulled them down. My member grew fast as he took it into his hand. I let out a gasp when he kissed the tip. Almost instantly I was rock hard and ready for whatever he had in mind. His tongue wound circles around my throbbing cock.
I gripped at his hair, pulling it taught in my hand as I gasped into the open room. His tongue ran the length of my shaft. I begged for more as he continued to tease. His hand massaged the bottom of my sack. I moaned as my heart beat faster.
With one final kiss, he allowed my dick to enter his mouth. His tongue continued to play with the tip as he devoured more and more of me. My head fell back against the archway that I leaned against. I closed my eyes and gave over to the pleasurable sensation that shot through every inch of my body.
Why did he want me to leave earlier? Isn’t this just what we both needed? I couldn’t imagine leaving someone that could make me feel this good.
His head bobbed the length of my dick, slow at first but quickly speeding up. I felt the swelling deep inside my body. It growled, ready to explode at any moment. I lost myself in the moment, barely able to contain a single thought. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter anymore.
His hand gripped firmly to my ass and with that I could no longer hold it back. A wave of excitement surged from within and I released myself into his waiting mouth. Isaiah excitedly gobbled down everything that I could give to him. My body was spent of energy from a combination of the beating and Isaiah’s mouth.
As I looked down at him, I knew that everything would be alright as long as we were together. I may be bruised and beaten but I was indomitable as long as I had him.
He lifted himself to his feet and held me close. I wanted to do something for him. My protector needed to be pleasured. I kicked off what remained of my jeans and boots and fell over the kitchen table.
“Your turn,” I said.
Chapter 22
Isaiah
Joshua knew all of my buttons, and he was pressing the right ones; the ones that would stop me from pushing him away and give in to my carnal desires. Dammit, all I wanted to do was get him away from me. I was toxic. I knew that above all else, after this I would need to push him away by any means.
I bolted up the stairs, snatching my bottle of lube from the bedside. I pulled off my shoes excitedly, falling to the bed with my haste. The task completed I sprinted back downstairs. Joshua was right where I’d left him.
“Geez, take all day,” he teased while wagging his butt in the air.
I caressed his smooth backside. The bruises from the fight were more pronounced now. I knew where to avoid placing my hand, and unfortunately that meant most of his back.
My dick pressed against the seam of my jeans; urged onward by my love. I was spurred onward as though I was a bull in a ring being goaded by a bullfighter. I couldn’t get my pants off quick enough as I almost tripped over them while taking them off.
I rubbed my hand against his back, being careful not to press too hard. I was greeted by his soft skin pressing back. His warm body was eager for my touch. I moved a hand to my erect penis searching for its reward.
I fell down to my knees to prepare him for what was to come. My dick would have to wait. My hands pulled apart his backside as my tongue found his hole. I ran around the rim to loosen and prepare him for what was to come. I heard the echoes of him moaning reverberate around the room. Still, my tongue wouldn’t be enough to prepare him for my cock.
Gently I slid a finger in, he gasped into the table. I felt him tighten against my probing instrument. I quickly applied some lube and let another finger join. This time he loosened to my touch. I ran my hand in and out of him, making sure a thick coating of lube covered every surface.
I could wait no longer.
I poured a thick coating of the cool liquid over my throbbing cock. A shiver paced the length of my body. Everything felt so visceral, as though the switch in my mind had shut off. Only the parts related to closeness and warmth remained. I needed to be with him.
I lined the tip of my penis up with his prepared rectum. Pressing as firm and as gently as I could, I felt him give way as he had in the past. The he was tighter than usual, pushing back against me.
“Relax,” I said.
“I’m trying,” he replied.
I poured more lube on my shaft as I continued to slide inside. Joshua gripped the edge of the table as every inch I had, filled him. As my hips pressed against his supple behind, I paused. He still hadn’t loosed himself to my attack.
I fell over his back, kissing what skin I could. After a moment I felt him loosen up and I could start to move. I withdrew myself slowly, letting the lube do its job. Then thrust back inside him just as slow. With each thrust I moved just a little faster, as fast as he would allow.
How could I even think of making him leave? This felt so right, the two of us together savoring our pleasurable moments together. The tears I’d had before were coming back as I thought about what I would have to do. My movement became rougher than I initially intended. Soon I was driving myself inside of him harder than I ever had.
He wailed with every thrust as his hand reached down to grab hold of his erect dick below the table. I decided to give into love for now. Nothing else mattered. I brushed my tears away from my eyes as I continued to pound.
Rather than ask me to stop, he begged for more. I gave him all that I could. I would have given him more if I’d had more to give. I would have handed him the moon if I could have taken it as my own. But, all I could give right now was my love.
My legs became weak as I tensed my dick to hold off the incoming orgasm. His body went rigid as his hole flexed tight. The feeling of his gripping rectum was enough to send me over the edge. I could no longer hold back the waterfall of force that had swelled within me.
With one final thrust I released myself; again I gave everything that I could. My body was wracked from the orgasm. My hands were numb with delight, my mind was on fire from the surge of excitement that crushed all other thoughts, and my body was spent of all its remaining energy.
I fell to my back on the kitchen table beside Joshua who glistened in the sunlight from the sweat that covered his body. I tried to catch my breath but it was nowhere to be found. Joshua let his arm fall over me.
I didn’t know what to do anymore. I wanted to protect him from everything, but I didn’t want to let him go. I yearned to go with him. We could go anywhere in the world. But, deep down I knew that I would just be running from all my problems once again. I knew it was time to stop running. Joshua had taught me that. By coming home to say goodbye to his father, Joshua had taught me a valuable lesson about the past; you have to embrace where you came from, even if it hurts.
This was something I had to do alone. Getting him to leave would
be hard for both of us. Holding fast to his arm, I admired the exhausted look on his face. His eyes were shut as I drank in all that I could of his cute features. The bruise still waiting on his cheek only served to remind me how important it was that he left.
“Joshua,” I said. His eyes lit up and he smiled. “You really need to go back to college. I don’t need you here.”
He laughed.
“You’re kidding, right?” he asked, “I decided last night that I was going to stay, through thick and thin, whatever comes I’ll be here.”
“But, what if I don’t want you here?” I asked.
“It’s my house,” he said with a chuckle, “I think I have more say over whether I stay or leave.” I hate to admit, but he was right. There was really little I could do to ask him to leave. I swallowed down the sadness that lumped in my throat and said what needed to be said.
“Listen,” I started, “I can’t be with you anymore. It’s been fun but I was only with you because it was easy.” His smile started to twist and I hated every word that came out of my mouth. “You’re an emotionally frustrated man and I took advantage because your dad died.”
He pushed himself up to an elbow.
“What?” he asked, “that can’t be true. You practically told me you loved me last night. If you’re just trying to make me leave because of whatever your brother’s said-”
“It’s true,” I lied, “I won’t be here much longer. I’m going to pack my things and get out of here tomorrow. Sell this piece of shit property off and get on with your life.”
“That’s a really shitty thing to say,” he said.
“The truth hurts,” I lied again, “I got everything I needed.”
“Shutup,” he said, “Just shutup!”
I cupped my hands behind my head and rested on them. Joshua’s lip trembled as he searched himself for words. After a moment he eased up to his feet, jittery but still able to stand.