My Hometown

by SJD Peterson

  Jimmy shook his head and lowered his eyes. What the hell was wrong with him, thinking things like that about his best friend? They’d gone to kindergarten together, for fuck’s sake, suffered chicken pox together, first heartbreak, puberty.

  “That was messed up, man,” Eric complained.

  Jimmy’s head snapped up. Had he spoken his thoughts out loud?

  “I thought we got past wiping shit on each other when we were toddlers.”

  Jimmy relaxed and huffed out a breath. Okay, no more crazy thoughts. “You mean since we were teenagers,” Jimmy corrected.

  “I’m sure you’re mistaken.” Eric stood up and turned with a sly smile curling his lip.

  And Jesus didn’t that make him all the more hot, that and the ridges of tanned muscles on his flat stomach. The impressive bulge in his Wranglers…. Stop it! What the hell was wrong with him? It had to be the stress of moving home again or maybe because he hadn’t actually gotten off lately and was simply horny. That was it! It had to be. He was going home and getting his nut as soon as he locked the bathroom door. It was the only explanation for the insanity that had taken over his thoughts.

  Jimmy pushed to his feet and snatched the bar of soap back from Eric, then waded out until the water was up to his waist. “Summer before our junior year, you beaned me in the head with a dried-up cow patty. Senior year, you left a bag of horseshit in my truck to bake on the first hot day of the year.” Jimmy tilted his head and pursed his lips. “And if memory serves me, the stench of which caused Michelle Carmichael to upchuck in my lap.”

  “Yeah, my shit stories are legendary.” Eric chuckled. “Still didn’t wipe it on you. That was uncalled for.”

  Jimmy turned away when Eric popped the button on his jeans and pushed them down his hips. No way was he going to check out his best friend’s package, not with the crazies running rampant in his brain. He ran the bar of soap over his head, down his neck, and scrubbed his arms.

  “What? No comment?” Eric asked as he moved up next to Jimmy and bumped his shoulder.

  “I was letting you relive your legendary status without interruption.”

  “That’s big of you,” Eric sniffed. “So, besides scaring me, wiping shit on me, and nearly drowning me, any other reason for your visit today? Shouldn’t you be home with what’s-his-name?”

  The way Eric’s nose wrinkled when he damn well knew Oliver’s name reminded Jimmy of the purpose for his visit. “Why don’t you like him?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t have to. I saw the way you wiped off your hand after you shook his, the displeasure was all over your face. Not to mention, I’ve been with Oliver for two years, you damn well know what his name is.”

  “His hand was all clammy, it had nothing to do with whether I like him or not. Besides, what would it matter? He’s your friend, not mine.”

  “It does matter. It will make it way less awkward if you like him when we’re all hanging out.”

  Eric grumbled something Jimmy couldn’t make out before he dove under the water and popped back up a few yards away.

  “What was that?”

  “I believe they call it swimming under water,” Eric pointed out.

  “Don’t be an ass. You said something before you dove under, what was it?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Fine! Be difficult, but can you at least try to like him? It would mean a lot to me if you did. He’s going to have a hard enough time fitting in around here as it is. It would make it a whole lot easier on him if my best friend accepted him.”

  Eric’s brows dipped, a thoughtful expression on his face, but he didn’t respond.

  “Don’t do it for him, do it for me. Please?”

  “Yeah, I’ll try, but I was just thinking, he’s not the only one going to have a hard time. People around here don’t take too kindly to… to”—Eric waved a dismissive hand—“you know.”

  “Gay people?”

  “It’s not just that and you know it. You could put a pair of boots and a Stetson on that guy and he wouldn’t fit in here. He’s just so…” Eric turned away, heading for the shore, and muttered, “different.”

  “Why is that a bad thing?” Jimmy asked, following Eric.

  “Because it is. I don’t make the fucking rules around here,” Eric responded, a hint of anger in his tone. “It’s one thing to be different, it’s a whole new level of stupidity to purposely draw negative attention to yourself.”

  “Is that what you think Oliver is doing? Ever think maybe, just maybe, that’s the way he is?”

  “Bullshit,” Eric spat. “I know his type. Walking around like he’s some star on stage and everyone around him has paid to come and watch his homo show. Well, I didn’t pay for a front-row seat, thank you very much.”

  “Hey,” Jimmy shouted and grabbed Eric’s arm when he started to storm away. “Homo show? Seriously, that was uncalled for.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Why are you so pissed off? Oliver is not on stage and he’s not acting. He’s always like this.”

  Eric looked down at Jimmy’s hand, then looked back up with a scowl. “Let’s drop it, shall we? I’m sure you don’t want to hear my response to that.”

  “Yeah, I do want to hear it,” Jimmy assured him. “My family is accepting him, why the hell can’t you?”

  “Your mom likes everyone, and your dad….”

  “My dad what?”

  “Your dad does whatever your mom tells him to do, so don’t give me this bullshit that your family accepts him. They put up with him because you’ve asked them to. You know they would do anything in the world for you, but honestly, Jimmy, I think you’ve pushed their kindness and love a little too far this time.”

  Eric jerked away from Jimmy and grabbed his jeans, struggling to pull on the wet material.

  Jimmy stood with water dripping down his face in shock. He knew Eric wouldn’t ever be buddy-buddy with Oliver; they were complete opposites and had nothing in common. But he hadn’t expected the outright hostility Eric seemed to have for Oliver. He had no idea where such anger was coming from. Oliver had never done anything to Eric and Eric had never been the type to judge people or care about labels or such shit. He didn’t even know what to say to Eric, so he stood there with his mouth agape, staring wide-eyed at his friend as if he’d just grown a second head. Had his best friend really just suggested that he was taking advantage of his parents simply by bringing his boyfriend, someone who had been a part of his life for two years, to his hometown to live? The notion was ridiculous, and the more Jimmy thought about it, the angrier he became.

  Jimmy put on his jeans, his movements jerky with anger as it began to bubble up inside him. How dare Eric suggest such a thing? He snatched up his T-shirt and boots. “You know what, I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer. If you want to believe that shit, you go right on ahead, but I’m out of here.” Jimmy stomped away, a good dose of pissed off and sadness churning in his belly.

  “Go home, see if I fucking care!” Eric called out angrily. “Not like you give a fuck what I think anyway.”

  That caused Jimmy to freeze. Besides his mom and dad, Eric was the only other person in this town whose thoughts he did care about. How in the hell could Eric think that?

  Jimmy turned slowly and faced his friend. “I hope that’s irrational anger talking and not really how you feel.”

  Eric stood straight, tense, and posturing with his chest puffed out and his hands clenched into tight fists. “You’re damn right it’s the fucking anger talking, but that doesn’t make it any less true. So go home, run back to your little boyfriend. I don’t have time for you or this bullshit. I have work to do.”

  “Oh so what, now we’re not friends because of Oliver?”

  “No, Jimmy. We’re not friends because you made that choice a long time ago.”

  “What? I’ve always thought of you as my best friend. Where in the hell is this coming from?” Jimmy asked, incredulous at the
shit coming out of Eric’s mouth.

  “Best friend? Best friend?” Eric threw his hands up and stomped over to pick up his boots and shirt. “We’re not fucking best friends, Jimmy. Hell, we’re barely friends anymore and that’s your doing.”

  “I—”

  “When’s the last time you called me? How about come for a visit?”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “When’s the last time you texted me out of the clear blue sky, e-mailed me just to see how I was doing?”

  “I—”

  “Save it for your lover and BFF, Oliver, because I don’t want to hear another thing you have to say.” Eric stomped off, but after only a couple of steps, he turned and glared at Jimmy. “I thought, hoped, that since you were moving back home—which by the way, I had to find out from your mom—that maybe we’d be friends again. I’ve missed you, you dumb son of a bitch. But you know what? Never mind, I’m done.” Eric yanked his hat up off the ground and stomped off without so much as a backward glance.

  What the hell just happened?

  Eric knew how busy Jimmy had been with school, long hours of class, even longer hours spent studying and doing research, right? It wasn’t like he was having a grand ol’ time in Chicago, enjoying the sights and partying every night. A sinking feeling settled over him as he watched Eric disappear into the trees.

  When he’d first gone to Chicago, he’d done his best to keep up with Eric and what was happening around home. Then talks went from daily to weekly, the texts eventually creeping to a halt. But damn, it wasn’t as if he’d ignored Eric on purpose. Med school had left him with little time to do much else than study. It wasn’t like he was naturally smart; he had to work his ass off. When he did have a few moments free, he spent it sleeping or with….

  “Ah fuck.” Jimmy ran a hand through his damp hair; his shoulders slumped as realization hit him like a sucker punch to the gut. He’d totally neglected Eric. He’d taken their friendship for granted, wrongfully assuming Eric would somehow know, understand what was going on with him.

  He was a complete and utter douchebag.

  Jimmy stumbled back and plopped down on the fallen log and hung his head. He was the worst friend ever. Somehow he had to figure out how to make this right with Eric. Besides his mom and dad, Eric was the most important person in his life. He couldn’t lose him.

  He wouldn’t lose him.

  Long after Eric had left, Jimmy continued to sit there, every tick of the clock making him feel worse about how he’d treated his friend, until he was nauseated, his head throbbed, and if he could figure out how to kick himself in his stupid ass, he’d have already done it. Finally, he pulled himself together enough to stand, gather up his belongings, and with a heavy heart, he headed to his car.

  He’d make this up to Eric come hell or high water. It would take time; he had a lot to prove to Eric. How he was going to do it while taking care of the ranch, starting his residency at Coopersville Memorial next month, and finding time to help Oliver assimilate to country living, he didn’t know. But he would.

  He refused to lose Eric.

  He wouldn’t.

  Chapter Six

  “WHAT THE hell are you doing here?” Eric spat.

  “I wanted to talk to you about what happened at the pond the other day.”

  Eric threw the brush into the tack box and grabbed the saddle from where it rested on a post. “I think we said all we needed to,” he responded angrily. His movements were tense and jerky as he tossed the saddle on the mare’s back. She whinnied and threw her head back, obviously feeling Eric’s tension and reacting in kind.

  He ran his hand down her neck with a soothing touch. “Shh, sorry, girl. The mean old man will be gone in a minute.”

  “Oh, knock it off,” Jimmy grumbled. “She’s responding to your pissed-off vibes. Keep it up and she’s likely to bite you, or worse kick you where you least want a hoof anywhere near.”

  “Yeah, so go home and I won’t be in any danger.”

  “I’m not going home until we talk about what happened.”

  Eric laid his forehead against the mare’s neck, muttering something Jimmy couldn’t decipher. However, he knew Eric well enough that he was at least going to listen. Eric would have stormed off or maybe even thrown a punch if he didn’t want to be bothered. Stubborn fucker rarely did anything he didn’t want to.

  Jimmy started to recite the speech he’d been practicing since their fight but then thought better of it. “I planned on coming here and explaining to you about how crazy busy my life has been with school and stuff, but I realize it’s an excuse for something that is inexcusable. So I’m simply going to say I was wrong and I’m not going to make any excuses. I’m sorry for being a shitty friend and beg your forgiveness.”

  Eric lifted his head and looked back at Jimmy over his shoulder with wide eyes. “Can you repeat that?”

  Jimmy sighed. “I said, I planned—”

  “No, the part about you being wrong. I’m sure I’ve misunderstood you, because James Calhoun Brink the Third is never wrong. Wasn’t it you who said, and I quote”—he made air quotes—“I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.”

  Jimmy put his hands on his hips and gave his friend an exasperated look. “Are you seriously going to quote my teenage self?”

  “I just did,” Eric sniffed. “So let’s discuss this begging stuff a bit further.”

  Jimmy took a couple steps forward until he was within arm’s length of Eric. “I really am sorry. I took your friendship for granted. You were right to be pissed off. I could have texted or e-mailed, something, and I didn’t. I just assumed you’d understand I was busy, but that was stupid on my part. I should never be too busy to be a friend. More importantly, your best friend.”

  Eric leaned back against the mare with his arms crossed over his chest, an expectant look on his face.

  “You’re not serious?”

  Eric didn’t respond, only continued to stare at Jimmy with that damn infuriating look on his face, tapping his boot on the dirt and a smug smile curling his lip.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake, fine!” Jimmy grumbled and threw his hands up in frustration. He gritted his teeth and dropped to his knees in front of Eric with his hands clasped. “Please forgive me. Please, please, please.”

  Eric hesitated for a few heartbeats, no doubt reveling in Jimmy’s groveling, before he finally reached out and patted Jimmy on the head. “I’ll work on trying to forgive you. But while you’re down there, do you mind shining my boots?”

  “You’re such an ass.” Jimmy slapped Eric’s thigh, which caused him to jerk back, the mare protesting with a loud whinny. Jimmy jumped to his feet and scrambled back, avoiding the mare just before she shifted and stomped on the ground in the exact same spot Jimmy had been kneeling.

  “Easy, girl,” Eric said soothingly and stroked a hand down the mare’s neck.

  “She did that on purpose,” Jimmy grumbled and wiped the dirt and hay from his knees.

  Eric looked over at Jimmy and chuckled. “I guess she hasn’t forgiven you yet either. Probably will take longer than I will since she’s never been a fan of yours.”

  “That’s because she’s a bigger bitch than I am,” Jimmy sniffed.

  “I don’t know,” Eric said, sounding skeptical. “I’d say you two are well matched.”

  “Shut up.”

  Eric laughed and Jimmy smiled back, relieved the anger radiating off Eric when Jimmy had first arrived was now absent. They’d had their fair share of fights over the years, and Jimmy was glad that, just like in the past, they were able to overcome their differences easily. He wasn’t so delusional to think the pain he’d caused Eric was erased with a little joking, but it was a step in the right direction that the good-natured teasing between them was once again present.

  “Had coyotes running around last night. I chased them off, but I have a missing cow and calf this morning. Was about to head out and see if I could round them up. You want to come with?�
�

  “Sure.”

  “You want to take Suzy here?”

  “That would be a big fat no,” Jimmy retorted. “I’ll saddle up Creepers. I’ve always had better luck with stallions than mares.”

  “That’s because the girls know you don’t like them.” Eric chuckled.

  “I like girls plenty, just ask my mom.”

  Eric shook his head, still laughing while he cinched up Suzy’s saddle. “Moms don’t count. They have to like you. It’s a mom thing.”

  “Whatever,” Jimmy said with a dismissive wave.

  He saddled Creepers without incident, and before long he and Eric were riding along side by side. The gentle sway of the stallion was soothing, but with the early-morning temperature already into the eighties, a fine sheen of perspiration covered Jimmy’s brow and a trickle of sweat rolled down his spine.

  He pulled his White Sox cap farther down on his head to help shield his eyes from the harsh sun. “Going to be a scorcher today.”

  “Weatherman said the high should top a hundred.”

  “I’m so not used to this heat anymore. I swear it’s got to be 100 percent humidity. I’m melting over here.”

  “You damn city boys can’t handle a little heat,” Eric huffed.

  “City boy, my ass. Let’s see how well you do when the temps drop to thirty below. Let me tell you, that’s when you find out how manly you are.”

  “No, thank you. I’ve never been a fan of the cold or big cities, for that matter,” Eric responded. “I’m surprised you’re back. I would have thought you’d do your residency in the cold city. I know how much you hate this place.”

  “I don’t hate this place,” Jimmy corrected. “I hate animal shit and breaking my back for a few measly cents.” Jimmy took in the land around him, the fields of sweet grass, the mountains in the background, and the sun glinting off the large oaks and maples. It was stunningly beautiful, and he had a new appreciation for the views after years in the concrete jungle. “I could never hate this place. I mean look at it, it’s beautiful.”