Broken Silence

by Jade Buchanan

“Yeah, they don't change all that much, do they?”

  Rich shrugged. He wasn't sure what he could say.

  The bell at the door rang, loud in the quiet of New Year's day. There weren't too many people who came out in the afternoon on New Year's. Too many folks hung-over from New Year's Eve, he figured.

  Regardless, it meant that there were only a handful of people in the bar when Matthew walked in and arrowed straight toward Rich.

  Well, fuck him sideways. How was he going to get out of this?

  “Rich! I'm going to need something alcoholic. Mr. Rock came in last night and I drew the short straw.” Matthew shuddered.

  Despite himself, Rich grinned widely. “Oh, poor baby. Was it anything good?”

  “I don't want to talk about it. I mean it. Although, let's just say I'm never eating boxed macaroni and cheese again. I think that answers your question.” Matthew shuddered again before taking off his jacket and throwing it down on the stool between him and Jonah. Rich stared at the fuchsia sweater that was revealed and couldn't help himself.

  “Fucking Christ, Matt. Could that sweater be any gayer?”

  ***

  “You’re an asshole,” Matthew huffed out. He turned around and started to leave. He didn't need this.

  “Shit. Sorry. Look, I didn’t mean that the way I...”

  “Yeah, you did.” He sighed. Fine, he could do this. “Just forget about it. And refrain from commenting on my wardrobe if you can help it. Unless you want me to start quipping about your lumberjack meets Jason Voorhees apparel.”

  Rich stroked a hand down his belly and the plaid shirt that currently covered his drool-worthy six pack. “There’s nothing wrong with my shirt.”

  “Uh, honey? If it has holes in it, it’s time to go in the big silver garbage can. Unless you’re trying to look like a deranged serial killer?”

  “Fuck.”

  “Eloquent as always.”

  Rich shook his head, but didn’t say anything else. Damn, the man was hot when he got all bothered. It made Matthew want to sneak him into a private room so they could get down and dirty. He wasn’t sure what it was about Rich, actually scratch that, he knew it was the whole package. Rich was drop-dead gorgeous, had a weird sense of humor and was loyal to a fault. Who wouldn’t be attracted to that?

  Sure, he had a few issues, but they were working on it.

  “Hi, there. I'm not sure if you remember me?” A hand inserted itself into Matthew's field of vision and he started in surprise. He hadn't been paying attention. When he saw who it was, Matthew beamed a smile.

  “Of course, I remember you. How are you doing?” They shook hands and Matthew immediately propped himself up on the stool beside Jonah. “Rich, I'm going to need that liquid sustenance.”

  Rich actually looked like he needed it more, but Matthew figured if he drew Jonah's attention toward him then Rich could take a breather or something.

  Matthew had only ever met Jonah once, but he remembered him clearly. Last summer he’d nursed Jonah’s mother. She’d been coughing up blood for over a year before she finally came in to get checked out and by that time it was too late. All they could do was make her feel comfortable while she passed away from the cancer that had ravaged her body.

  She’d given him a letter to give to Jonah, hoping her son would come back home, and Matthew had met him then. It wasn’t the best situation, but he’d been drawn toward Jonah as soon as he’d met him. If he’d been a local, Matthew would have asked him out on the spot, regardless of the circumstances.

  He also very clearly remembered what Rich had said about Jonah. They’d dated, or whatever Rich wanted to call it, about a decade ago. Rich was the reason Jonah had left home. Or, being caught with Rich was the reason. Matthew didn’t really know how much contact Rich and Jonah had had since then, but he’d been too afraid to ask when Rich had brought it up the one and only time he’d spoken about Jonah.

  What had they been talking about when he came in? Matthew wasn't sure it was something he could ask Rich later. Despite everything, they really weren't that close yet. Yet, being the operative word. Matthew didn’t care what it took, he was determined to crack Rich and find out more about the man. He was falling for him, despite himself.

  Rich plopped a beer in front of him and left without saying anything. His tall, dark and silent routine was working for Matthew. He might have to do some gymnastics in bed to get Rich out of this funk. Too bad he was working tonight, but he had tomorrow off.

  “I'm doing okay,” Jonah said, drawing his attention back to their conversation. “It's strange being back here again. But, you're a welcome surprise. How are you doing?”

  Matthew shrugged. “Doing good. Still a weird place, all in all, but I like it. It's got its perks.”

  “Yeah, I imagine it does.”

  Was it just his imagination or did Jonah glance at the swinging door that Rich had left through? Was he trying to imply something? Or was Matthew just overreacting?

  Now he really wondered what they'd been talking about when he'd come in. He hadn't been paying attention, all his thoughts had been on how nice it was to see Rich again after so long. They'd texted, sure, and done the odd phone call, but they hadn't managed to meet up in person since Christmas. And that was a nice memory to have.

  He was saved from having to say anything when another body sat down on his other side. Well, this was turning into a busy spot.

  “Hey, Jonah! Fancy seeing you here. I'm Lora, if you don't remember.”

  Matthew swiveled to look at the newcomer. She was a redhead who looked like she was full of sass. He liked her immediately.

  “Lora, nice to see you. Geez, I can't remember the last time I ran into you.”

  “I was at the funeral, but you probably don't realize that. Before that you probably remember me as a tiny little thing who wore braces and followed Neil's brothers like they were golden gods. They liked it, truly.”

  Jonah laughed heartily. Matthew grinned at the sound. He wanted to hate the man for what he'd been to Rich, but their meeting last summer after Jonah's mom had died would forever stand in the way of that. Matthew liked him. He was good people, as Aunt Adeline would say. And he was also nice to look at, so Matthew wasn't complaining.

  If he was real honest, he was glad that Rich's only real relationship had been with this man. Jonah was nice, strong and honest. He was the perfect man for Rich to be with. Things obviously hadn't worked out, but Matthew couldn't be upset that Rich's only relationship before him had been with a good man.

  Besides, it was the before him that was the most important part of that statement. If what Betty said was to be believed Jonah and Betty’s son were pretty close to making things permanent so he wasn't a threat to Matthew's budding relationship with Rich. If he could call it that. When he was being optimistic and rose-coloured glasses and all that.

  “I don't think we've officially met,” Lora turned to Matthew with her hand out.

  “Matthew Clark. I'm the new nurse in town.” He was forever going to be introducing himself that way, even if he lived here for awhile longer. At least until someone newer than him came to the hospital.

  “Lora Matheson.”

  “Matheson?” He studied her more carefully. Was she Rich's sister?

  “Yep, of the Matheson's Bar and Grill Matheson's. Rich is my brother, I think he told me you guys are friends.”

  “Yeah, we are.” He couldn't keep the smile off his face at that, though he tried.

  Jonah physically jerked at that, but he didn't say anything. Matthew kept a friendly look on his face, trying not to give anything away. Well, this was just fine and dandy, wasn't it? Rich could come back at any moment. He was starting to suspect that the other man was hiding out.

  His sister obviously agreed with his inner thoughts. She grinned at him before facing the swinging door in front of them.

  “Rich is good people. He used to buy me tampons.”

  Rich let out a sound like a bear as he charged out
of the kitchen doors. “Oh for Christ’s sake. Once! I bought you tampons once! Can you stop telling people about that now?”

  “What, am I ruining your street cred?”

  Rich shook his head. “Don't listen to anything she says. She makes shit up.”

  Matthew couldn't stop himself from laughing. “Sure, sure. Sounded like she wasn't making that up.”

  “Food, Rich?” Lora asked as she batted her lashes at her big brother.

  Rich growled in return. “You work here now. I'm not getting you food or drink.”

  “Oh, come on. I'm not officially working today.”

  “Get your own food.”

  “Geez, you're such a slave driver. Jerk. You know, you should be nicer in front of Matthew. He's going to think you're an asshole.”

  “Too late for that, I'm sure,” Rich deadpanned.

  “Actually, it is too late.” Matthew winced comically before grinning up at Rich.

  “You want food?” Rich asked him. “You, I'll serve. My sister, not so much.”

  “I'm easy. Whatever you recommend. I only have a few hours before I'm back at work anyway.” He hadn't actually been planning on eating here, but he figured with Rich's sister and old—what, boyfriend? —friend, sitting here, they couldn't just up and leave like they'd planned originally. Too bad he'd had to sleep after getting off shift or he could have been here earlier and they might have had a chance to sit and talk without everyone else here.

  Rich just nodded before leaving again toward the kitchen. It didn't take long before he was back with a towel that he used to wipe down the bar in front of Matthew.

  Matthew was very aware of Jonah sitting on one side of him sipping a beer and Lora sitting on the other. She finally gave a hiss before practically throwing herself to her feet and rounding the bar toward Rich. He moved out of her way and she poured herself a pop before coming back beside Matthew.

  “Diet Coke,” she said. “My idea of gold. The inventor of this stuff was a genius.”

  “Speaking of genius. You guys want to hear what this genius wants to do?”

  “Rich...”

  “No, it's a good idea, Lora. She wants to refurb the Matabanick Hotel and spruce it up. Start having people stay there and shit.”

  Matthew wasn't sure what he was talking about but Jonah was nodding in thought.

  “Man, we used to pack that place. Rode our bikes over in high school. Shit, it was a good thing my mom never knew about that. She would have tanned my hide.” Jonah laughed at that.

  Now Matthew really wasn't sure what to say. He didn't know what they were talking about.

  “I think it's brilliant,” Rich said. “Slightly stupid, at the same time, but brilliant at the end of the day.”

  “Well, I don't really have anything to add, but good luck with it. Sounds like a plan,” Matthew said.

  They other three discussed the general plans of the refurbishment while Matthew sat there quietly. Rich finally left to head to the kitchen again and Jonah turned toward Matthew.

  “So, I wasn't sure you'd still be here. It's not often we have newcomers come up north and actually stay.”

  “Well, I can't exactly leave yet. I don't know if I ever did tell you, but I'm actually here to look after my Aunt Adeline. She's in her eighties and refuses to leave her house. But, she had a bit of an accident last year and it freaked out the family. Since I'm a nurse I was voluntold to come up here. I don't mind it much. The pace is different from what I was used to, but I like it.”

  “Where’d you work before?” Jonah asked.

  Matthew smiled at Rich as the big man returned with a platter of appetizers that he dropped in front of Jonah and a sandwich he placed in front of Matthew.

  “SickKids,” he replied, keeping his gaze on Rich.

  “Cool, where's that?”

  “Umm... in Toronto?” He hadn’t realized he had to qualify that.

  Rich snorted. “Don’t mind him. Jonah lives in Calgary so he forgets.”

  “What, that you all think Toronto’s the centre of the universe?” Jonah laughed.

  “Yeah, that.”

  Matthew had to grin at that. He was sure Andrew would have something to say about that, but it was probably a good thing his friend wasn't here right now. And that Matthew wasn't like him.

  “So, when are you leaving, Jonah?” he asked instead, before he took a big bite of his sandwich. Freaking amazing. He loved the food here.

  “Tomorrow, actually. Neil has to get back to work, even though I still have another week off. It's fine, gives me some free time to myself even though it would have been nice to stay here for a bit longer.”

  “Rumor has it that you're going to be celebrating soon,” Lora piped in.

  “Why?” Jonah asked with a raised brow.

  “There's a bet going on in town that you're going to be making an honest man out of Neil.”

  Rich shook his head at his sister, but didn't say anything. Matthew didn't know what to say so he remained silent, too.

  Jonah blushed. “Well, nothing’s been discussed. We haven’t been together all that long. I mean, we’ve known each other forever, though. I'm sure you'll find out the minute we do decide. The way gossip works in this town it'll be all over the airwaves in minutes.”

  Lora nodded and let out a laugh. “That's true. Did you hear about what happened to poor Danny MacIntire? Mr. Mackie heard about some guy who died in Edmonton over Christmas, and that his name was Dan MacIntire. He spread it along and everyone was all upset about it. So, imagine their surprise when Danny comes home after Christmas and shows up at Mr. Mackie's house for the big party he always throws on New Year’s. I heard that Mr. Mackie nearly had a heart attack seeing the dead spirit of Danny MacIntire showing up at his house. Took him almost thirty minutes and a few fingers of whisky before he'd calm down.”

  “So, who actually died, then?” Matthew asked. He’d never get over how things worked here.

  “Some poor soul, but it wasn't Danny, that was for sure.”

  “Wait, this just happened yesterday, right? So, how did you hear about it already?”

  Rich, Jonah and Lora all started to laugh at that.

  Rich shook his head. “Lord, Matthew, we've been over this already.”

  Matthew still couldn't get over it. He wasn't sure he ever would.

  “Ah, here's the man of my dreams. You're late, gorgeous.” Jonah called out to the man who entered the bar.

  He was taller than Jonah, with a head of thick brown hair and the good-natured looks of someone who must smile a lot. Matthew instantly liked the looks of him.

  He liked even more that Neil didn't hesitate before bending over and kissing Jonah's lips briefly. He reached out and grabbed a handful of nachos before offering his free hand to Rich.

  “Good to see you again, Rich.”

  Rich shook his hand briefly, before nodding. “Likewise.”

  “Neil Brogan,” Neil offered his hand to Matthew now.

  “Matthew Clark. I work with your mom.”

  “Right, yeah, she's talked about you. Nice to finally meet you. I think my mom likes you more than she likes her sons.”

  Matthew laughed at that. “I doubt it, but the admiration is definitely mutual. Your mom is great.”

  “She is. Hey, squirt.” Neil nodded at Lora.

  “Are any of your brothers still single, Neil? It's been a dry spell for me.” Lora fluttered her lashes at the bigger man.

  “Jesus, Lora. Don't answer that, Neil. She's going to fucking stay single until she decides to join the nunnery like planned.” Rich slapped a hand down on the bar top, causing Matthew to giggle uncontrollably.

  Neil snorted. “Chris and David are still single. Chris is an idiot, though, and David bats for my team, so you're out of luck with those two.”

  “Damn. All the good ones are either nuts or gay. How is that possible?”

  “Honey, try to see if from my perspective. All the great guys are either taken or straight.” Matthew
added.

  He glanced up at Rich for a moment before realizing maybe he shouldn't have said anything. These guys just made him more relaxed than he'd been in awhile. It was almost like being around his old friends in Toronto. Not having to worry about outing himself to a bunch of rednecks.

  Rich didn't show whether he was annoyed or not, but Matthew figured either way he'd hear about it later. As long as there was still going to be a later, he'd take whatever lumps Rich handed out.

  He thought he saw Jonah look up at Rich with a considering expression on his face, but he wasn’t sure what it meant. Was that in reaction to what he’d said or to the fact that he’d been spending time with Rich? If anyone in this room would know about Rich’s true sexuality it would be Jonah, after all. Shit, Matthew wasn’t sure whether it was a good thing that he was here or not. He was pretty sure Jonah wouldn’t say anything, but he didn’t want Rich to feel uncomfortable.

  Neil snorted. “Welcome to Haileybury.”

  Jonah laughed. “Welcome to my life.”

  “Hold on, what’s that supposed to mean?” Neil asked. “All the great guys are either taken or straight? I’m neither.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that.” Jonah waved a hand. “Besides, you’re taken.”

  “Yeah, by you!” Neil rolled his eyes.

  Matthew tried to hold in his own laughter as he watched the two banter back and forth.

  “Doesn’t matter, you’re still taken, so I stand behind my agreement with Matthew,” Jonah said.

  Neil leaned in and pressed a kiss to Jonah’s lips. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

  The two of them laughed like lunatics, and Matthew chanced another glance up at Rich only to find he’d turned his back on them to fiddle with something on the other side of the bar. Matthew tried not to read too much into that.

  Determined to ignore whatever undercurrents were floating around, Matthew busied himself eating his sandwich and vaguely listened in as Neil and Lora talked about people in town. Considering she was sitting beside Matthew and Neil was on the other side of Jonah, he couldn't help but hear as the two of them literally talked over him.

  Jonah and Rich didn't add much to the conversation, but Matthew knew from brief conversations that it had been a number of years since Jonah had lived here and Rich was busy serving the few stragglers in the bar, so he wasn't standing beside them the whole time.