Broken Rules

by Jade Buchanan

  Neil shook his head. "Get dressed, Jonah." Throwing out an arm, Neil pointed at Rich. "We will talk later. Hey, don't you look at him!" He moved, putting himself between a fully clothed Rich and Jonah's half naked form. "Jonah, get your fucking clothes on, now!"

  Silently, Jonah pulled his dress shirt on and left it unbuttoned. He wanted to get out of here and just go home. He wanted a shower. And if he was really being honest with himself he just wanted to lie down in a ball and cry because of the injustices of life. Why, oh why, had Neil come to Rich's bar this late at night? And why had Jonah come here in the frst place? As long as he was wracking his brain, he might as well ask why he'd thought it was a good idea to make out with Rich and let him take his clothes off.

  He wanted a shower. A really hot shower.

  "Jonah!"

  "I'm coming!" he cried out, looking around for the rest of his clothes. One glance at Neil showed that he had already picked up Jonah's suit jacket and tie and was heading for the front door. Jonah quickly followed him.

  "Jonah?" Rich's voice was hesitant.

  He didn't know what to say to him. None of this was Rich's fault. "I—"

  "Rich, I swear to fucking God, I will kick your ass if you say another word. Jonah, we're leaving now!"

  Jonah had to practically run to catch up with Neil. They crunched over the gravel in the parking lot, heading for Neil's car. Silently, Jonah slid inside, wincing when Neil practically threw his jacket and tie at him.

  "Fucking Christ, Jonah. Rich? Rich? What's wrong with you? If you wanted to get fucked so bad, you should have just..."

  Okay, that was enough. He wasn't a kid and Neil could just take the bug out of his ass. Who did he think he was? "What? Come to you? Geez, sorry Neil, next time I'll make sure to ask my straight friend for a fuck when I have an itch to scratch."

  "First, I'm not straight, jackass, and I don't appreciate the sarcasm, and second, Rich? Christ Almighty."  

  Jonah sat in silence while Neil pulled onto the bridge at the Lower Notch. Neil had already called Henry and told him Jonah was okay. He was glad it had been Neil to look for him at Rich's. As embarrassing as it had been to have his childhood best friend walk in on that little party, he would have been mortifed if it had been his cousin-in-law instead.

  Neil turned off the car, leaving them in silence. It was nearly pitch black outside, keeping them in a little cocoon.

  "So you want to explain that?"

  Jonah made a face. "No."

  "Jonah."

  "What? There's nothing I can say."

  "Were you going to have sex with him?"

  Jonah wanted to cry at the tightness in Neil's voice. "I don't know."

  "Fuck."

  "What do you want me to say?" He didn't know what Neil wanted. He was still reeling at the whole 'Neil wasn't straight' confession. "What do you mean, you aren't straight?"

  "I'm bisexual. I've been out to my family since university.

  They've met a few of my boyfriends before. Most of the family is cool with it, or at least they don't dare say a word in my mom's hearing."

  "But, don't you have a girlfriend?"

  "I did. I broke up with her two weeks ago."

  "No, that's not right. Tom told me you were still with her." He hadn't just made that up, it'd happened.

  Neil shook his head. "Apparently I should have told the family. They need to learn to mind their own business."

  Man, what was going on? "Je ne sais pas ce qui se passé."

  "I know, buddy."

  Jonah wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer to this, but... "Why are you so upset that I was with Rich tonight?"

  Neil sighed, fnally turning to face him. Jonah glanced up, meeting Neil's gaze.

  "Because I think I have feelings for you. No, I know I do. It's fast, I know, but there you have it."

  Jonah threw his hands up. "Tabarnac. You can't tell me that. Damn it Neil, you can't say things like that. It isn't okay."

  "Well, what the fuck do you want me to do? Lie to you?"

  "I don't know! But you can't say things like that and expect me to..."

  "What? Want me back? You think I don't know this is fucked up? You don't even live in Ontario anymore and there's absolutely no chance we can do anything unless you like long distance and fuck, Jonah."

  Jonah couldn't fgure out what to say. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to do. He'd never felt this way before and it was tying him up in knots. What were they doing? Was this just some weird one-off thing or was there actually a chance for a relationship? Jonah didn't know what to think. He'd been with plenty of men but he'd never been in a relationship. He didn't even know if he could do it. Was that even what Neil was suggesting?

  "Why did you go to Rich's?" Neil asked, his voice low.

  Shrugging, Jonah sighed. "I'm not sure. I didn't go there on purpose. It just kind of happened."

  "And you were drunk." Neil's voice tightened. "Don't think I'm going to forget that you were driving when you were most defnitely under the infuence."

  Jonah hung his head. Neil was right. There was no good reason for him to be out on the roads. He could have hurt himself or worse, someone else. What was wrong with him? Obviously his mind was still taking a vacation today. "I've never done that before, I swear. I was upset and then I saw the lights on at Rich's. I went in and he just..."

  "What? If he forced you to—"

  Jonah threw out his hand. "No, he didn't do anything. He's an asshole but he's not like that. I just wanted to feel close to someone and he gave me a beer and then he kissed me and things just sort of happened."

  "What kind of things?"

  "Jesus, Neil. I don't know. Things. We didn't have sex. We didn't even do much of anything except me taking some of my clothes off. We were just kissing! What was I supposed to do? I didn't exactly feel like I could go to your house the way I was feeling. Trust me, I may have just thrown myself at you and then you'd be pissed off—or worse, you'd hate me."

  "You wanted to kiss me again?"

  "Yeah." Jonah was about to say more when Neil angled his body.

  "What's stopping you now?"

  Jonah froze, not sure where Neil was going with this. "Say what?"

  "You heard me."

  "Okay, how much did you have to drink?"

  Neil smiled, the funny little quirk that Jonah loved so much.

  "Don't be a dick."

  "Well, technic—"

  Neil captured Jonah's face between both hands before he leaned in and pressed their mouths together.

  Jonah moaned, unable to stop himself. Neil. This was Neil kissing him. He tried to get closer, jerking forward before halting with a snap. Frustrated, he tugged against the strap restraining him.

  Neil reached down, agile fngers releasing the buckle and letting Jonah have the freedom he wanted.

  Man, his head was flled with cotton. He couldn't keep a single thought for more than a second before his mind scattered off into another direction. The taste of Neil was killing him. The feel of those long-fngered hands smoothing down his body was almost more than he could bear. Pushing forward into Neil's hold, Jonah slammed his knee into the console.

  "Fuck ostie!" Stars danced in front of his eyes for a moment. Oh, that hurt.

  "Okay, this isn't going to work."

  "What? No no, this will work. I swear."

  "No, I mean the car. Come on, babe, get out of the car." Neil grinned, opening his door and getting out with a stretch.

  Jonah damned near took off the door in his haste. He stumbled over his feet, fnally managing to get around the vehicle and move toward Neil. He'd no sooner gotten within reach when Neil grabbed him again and pulled him into his embrace. Their teeth met with a clack and Jonah felt his lip split.

  Neil moved back. "Fuck, sorry. I just… holy shit, you feel amazing." Neil pressed their lips together again, gently this time.

  Moaning, Jonah ran his hands up Neil's sides. He pushed up the T-shirt Neil was wearing, wanti
ng to get his hands on bare skin. Neil released his mouth, lips moving over his jaw and down his neck. Jonah tilted his head back, wanting to give Neil as much room to work with as he needed.

  Neil's hands were just as busy, unbuttoning Jonah's shirt and pushing it down his arms. Neil's T-shirt quickly followed, dropped to the ground beside the car. Belt buckles were undone, pants pressed frantically down. Jonah stumbled again, laughing aloud.

  Neil froze before he softly pressed their foreheads together. "You make me lose my mind."

  "Good. Mine left about ten minutes ago."

  The gravel covering the bridge crunched beneath their feet. The only night sounds came from the two of them. Neil's soft breath, the kick of a pebble when Jonah shuffed. It was a beautiful night, warm and inviting.

  He couldn't get over the feel of Neil's body pressed against his own. Hair roughened chests rubbed together, cocks brushing with every breath. It was the biggest turn-on. Neil urged him back slowly, careful of the pants around their ankles, pressing Jonah into the side rail on the bridge.

  "Hey look, weren't we just here a few days ago?"

  "Fancy meeting you here, stranger." Jonah grinned. This meeting was most defnitely more pleasurable than the last. He reached down and pinched his hip, making sure he wasn't dreaming. Was this actually happening?

  Neil laughed. "Did you just pinch yourself?"

  "Shut it, hoser."

  "Take off, eh," Neil crooned.

  Jonah dropped his head to Neil's shoulder, shaking with laughter. He raised his head, leaned in and kissed Neil again. Their breaths mingled, tongues danced slowly. The frantic pace decreased, somehow more profound in the quiet. He could hear the night sounds around them, the soft splashing from the lake.

  He inhaled deeply, drawing Neil inside him, trying to remember every second of this. Moving his hands, he couldn't decide what to stop on so he kept exploring. This was his best friend. Someone he hadn't seen in a decade, sure, but it was like they'd spent years together instead of just days. The bond they'd formed in childhood was so much stronger than the missing years.

  Still, the novelty of being able to touch his friend, stroke the body he'd seen numerous times in locker rooms, skinny dipping at the lake, late night sleepovers. All innocent, but adding something to this experience. Comfort. That was it. He felt like this wasn't their frst time, strange as it sounded.

  "Do you have a condom?" Neil asked, fnally releasing his mouth.

  Jonah dragged in a breath before bending and pressing his lips to Neil's chest. He licked over a nipple, sucking it into his mouth.

  "Jonah, condom?"

  "No, you?"

  "Shit. No lube either?"

  "Why would I have lube?" He frowned. "And don't mention Rich, I beg you."

  "Wasn't going to." Neil lifted his hands palm out.

  "Let's just, you know…"

  "Rub off ?" Neil asked.

  "Do you have to say it?"

  "You're not blushing, are you Mr. Chevalier?"

  "Tabarnac, don't call me that."

  Neil smiled, moving in for another kiss. His thigh moved between Jonah's legs, pressing frmly against Jonah's groin. Oh… oh! Damn, this wasn't going to take long at all. He couldn't remember the last time he'd actually come with anyone other than himself. Hoping Neil had himself well in hand—so to speak—Jonah closed his eyes and thrust his hips.

  Fire spread up his spine before erupting along his nerve endings. Jonah gasped, pressing his mouth to Neil's shoulder in an attempt to silence his cries. They were right beside open water, and he had no intention of half of Temiskaming hearing him come.

  Neil tightened his grip around Jonah, pressing him closer until Jonah could feel their hearts racing in sync.

  Jonah froze, heat splashing out, his orgasm washing over him. He whimpered around the skin in his mouth. Wait, oops. Releasing Neil's shoulder, Jonah licked over the imprints of his teeth. He'd never done that before. Glancing up at Neil, he was just in time to accept Neil's urgent kiss. Neil's hips thrust more erratically before he froze and tossed his head back. A stuttered moan escaped his clenched teeth and more heat splashed over Jonah's belly.

  Crisse, that was hot.

  They slumped into each other, barely holding the other upright. Jonah was immensely glad for the railing still at his back.

  "I'm going to miss you," Neil breathed.

  Jonah closed his eyes, holding tighter to Neil. "I know. Moi aussi."

  chAPteR FouRteen

  Neil moved confdently through the concourse, carrying his single bag over his shoulder. He'd been waiting for this day to come for two weeks now ever since Jonah had suggested it during one of their nightly phone calls. He strode around a couple walking way too slow and looked up just in time to meet Jonah's beaming smile. Picking up his pace Neil practically ran the last few steps before grabbing Jonah in his arms.

  "How you doing?" Neil whispered.

  "Good. Glad you're here." Jonah tucked his head along Neil's neck for a moment before backing up. "That your only bag?"

  "I travel light." Neil chuckled. "Want to get out of here?"

  "Defnitely. Come on. I'm in short term parking and they charge an arm and a leg if you're over your time."

  Neil was barely aware of the sights around him as they barreled through the arrivals level. He did stop and stare at the dinosaurs though.

  "It's for Drumheller," Jonah said, stopping beside him.

  "Huh. Don't see that every day." Sitting on top of the luggage carousel were three little dinosaurs and a whole shitload of luggage and clothing. A large crate with the words Live Animal was propped open with one dinosaur on top of it. The creature had been posed with a sleeping bag he was either trying to rip to pieces or eat. But, it was the sight of the second dinosaur wearing what looked like a pink boa that cracked Neil up.

  Jonah wiggled his brows. "You think that one's a girl dino?"

  "Either that or just really secure. That's awesome."

  Starting toward the exit again, he breathed deeply once they got outside. Looked like it was going to be a nice day. The sun— what he could see of it around the buildings—was bright and welcoming.

  Following Jonah across the street he paused at the entrance to the parking garage and stared at the cow statue dressed up like Picasso. Instead of being down on all fours the creature was propped up on two legs, outftted in a bright red smock and a jaunty cap with a paint brush clasped between its teeth. In front of it, against the wall, was what looked like an abstract painting of the downtown core. "Man, you'd only ever see that in Alberta."

  "Hey, no comments about my adopted Province. Bite your tongue, Ontario brat. Those are all over the city, though. Pretty cool, eh? It's some big art thing they did in cities around the world but it defnitely fts the cowboy culture here. You need to come back for Stampede. It's starting next week. You'd have a fricking blast."

  "Yeah? You ogle prime ranch fesh?"

  "Defnitely. All the real cowboys come out of the Prairies for ten days. It's a thing of beauty. No word of a lie."

  "Yeah? Maybe I'll swing another trip, then." Neil grinned before slinging an arm around Jonah's shoulders. "So, speaking of things of beauty… what are we up to this weekend? Hanging out at your place?"

  Jonah ducked his head. "I, uh… actually, I have a better idea."

  "Yeah?"

  "I booked us in at a Bed and Breakfast on a ranch outside Strathmore. It's not far from Calgary, but I thought it would be nice to get away and just have a different kind of experience."

  "Seriously? I can't wait." Neil grinned. Damn, Jonah had gone all out. He was so glad they'd managed to work both their schedules open enough so they could spend some time together. He was still shaking his head over the fact that he had the more stable schedule out of both of them. Coming from a man who worked one week on and one week off, that was saying something. But Jonah was really all over the place. Especially now that they'd entered July and all his summer programs had started.

&
nbsp; "Hey, did you fnd another volunteer to help with your programs?" he asked.

  Jonah shrugged. "Not yet. I'm sure I'll get someone. I'm hoping now that school's out I might get a few high school kids coming out of the woodwork. We have all our older teen programs settled in place, it's just the ones for the little kids that I'm having trouble with."

  "Sorry, J."

  "Hey, it'll be fne." Jonah stopped beside a black Jeep. "Here we are. Just throw your bag in the back seat beside mine."