by J P Sayle
Drilling his fingers against his legs, disgusted by his own uncertainty, Stuart knew he was a bloody mess. Jutting out his jaw, the stubbornness glowered at the empty room. Who the hell was Aaden, even he seemed to know what was going on. Smouldering jealousy coursed through him, burning a path through his belief that it was stupid fecking emotion. It was well and truly kicking his ass right now, heck he could feel the imprint every time Aaden rang. Muffled conversations and worried expressions, followed by glowing smiles made him feel like he’d swallowed a bag of nails. They ripped at his insides, tearing the cover off his need to dominate, go all Tarzan, beat his chest, show he was the lord of this jungle, and not some asshole called Aaden!
Martin had eventually talked sense into him yesterday after the first call in the morning, but the subsequent two calls were punching the hell out of his control. Rattling had Stuart shifting his gaze towards the door before excited words penetrated his irrational anger.
“Hey, you ready to go? Brad lent me his car.”
Stuart could see the delight light Joe’s face as he bounced into the kitchen, making the tension of seconds ago seep out as the smile bounded through his system. Stuart watched Joe grab his wallet off the counter, freezing when he registered what Joe had said.
“Come on; Brad programmed the route into the sat nav. So, we ready to rock?”
He can’t be serious! His eyes widened in horror at Joe when he held up the keys, rattling them at him, “Come on.”
Stuart stared at Joe’s retreating figure, no, no, this can’t be happening. He had suffered the torments of driving around in that thing. Stuart shuddered in dismay, he would not call that pink monstrosity a car.
Stuart dragged his feet, shoulders hunching into his jacket in defeat. He’d been under the assumption they would go in Joe’s van when he’d offered to drive. He mumbled at Joe’s back, “How the hell have I gotten into this mess?” Opening the front door Stuart was momentarily blinded by the bright pink of the car which sat at the curb, it screamed look at me. God, it was worse than he remembered. It seemed to gleam so much more vividly under the sun. Closing his eyes against the glare, convinced it was giving him a headache, he rubbed his temples.
Stuart searched for a way out. Mind frantic, why couldn’t he think of anything that would get him out of travelling in Brad’s pink panther car? The huge grin on Joe’s face had his stomach dropping, he apparently loved it.
Joe’s small hands stroked over the bonnet, “Isn’t she just the cutest thing? When you suggested yesterday that we go to Go Ape, Martin said to use Brad’s car as it would be safer than taking my van, you know, with everything in it. You can’t be too careful.”
Stuart sighed in disgust when Joe’s loving smile lit his face.
“Aren’t they just the greatest friends?”
Joe’s genuine sincerity had Stuart groaning inside. He would personally kill Martin for this. Revenge, he was told, was best served cold, Martin is going to be getting his, rest assured.
Stuart dipped back into the house, grabbing his Superdry hoodie, tugging it on he watched Princess prance towards them. That was all he needed, he’d hoped she had given up on visiting after not seeing her for a few days. Stuart scowled down at her winding body snaking through his legs, rubbing hair into his scruffy jeans. “Eeewwwwsshu,” moving back quickly as another sneeze tickled his nose. Stuart’s eyes streamed while he looked for an escape.
Growling in defeat, knowing he had no other option, he jumped into the car, slamming the door. His mood plummeted further when Martin strolled out of his house. Could this day get any worse?
Ignoring everyone, Stuart blew his nose. Why didn’t Princess just get it into her tiny skull he was highly allergic? It would seem he would be back to taking the blasted allergy pills again anyway, as the next week loomed large. His disgruntled snort filled the car, Martin and Brad would be away for a whole bloody month. Feeling put upon, Stuart couldn’t help the heavy sigh, even if he had offered for Princess to stay with them.
Shuffling down as far as his broad frame would allow, he reflected on the row that had resulted in his offer. Joe hadn’t told him he was planning to move into Brad’s with Princess for the month.
“Come on, Stuart; it’s the sensible thing to do, it’s Princess’s home, so it just seems right for me to go and stay there.” Joe’s exasperation evident but Stuart pushed on.
“Princess was quite happy here when Martin needed someone to look after her. Heck, she’d been living here before that, sharing the houses with Brad and Martin, you know that. I even had a cat flap fitted so she could come and go as she pleased.” Stuart had glued a smile on his face trying to refrain from shuddering at her antics over those weeks. “It makes perfect sense to stay here, you’ve settled here. It seems silly to pack up for a few weeks then have to do it all again.” Thankfully Joe had given in, in the end. All Stuart had to do was restrain himself around Princess when she got up to her stupid antics.
Stuart would have fought tooth and nail to make sure they had the time needed to make Joe see sense about them being perfect for each other. For that to happen, it was a necessity to be under the same roof as far as he was concerned, and not across the road. He tried like hell to believe it was only that, and not that he would miss him terribly.
Stuart huffed out the window, thrusting his hands into the hoodie trying not to think about it too much or it was going to ruin the day. Instead he sought out Joe, watching him talk animatedly with Martin. He wondered when had Joe become his everything. He felt conviction fill him, the same as it had over the past few days, Joe was it for him. Hell, even the simple things: pottering, making a meal, or sitting reading together warmed his heart.
Distracted by the thoughts of Joe having to leave, Stuart pulled at the loose threads inside his pocket, knowing he was avoiding asking Joe for fear of his answer. He knew Joe worked freelance and could work from anywhere, but where did that leave them? This was supposed to be a break for Joe, but from what, his work, his life?
They’d never discussed money either, Joe insisted on paying rent. Something else Stuart worried about. Did he have enough money, could he afford it? Unsure how to broach the subject for fear it would make him think he wanted him to leave, when in fact it was the exact opposite, wanting to take care of him instead. His unanswered questions were leaving a sour aftertaste that he wasn’t sure of how to get rid of.
Tapping next to his ear roused Stuart from his worries. Martin’s self-satisfied smirk greeting through the glass confirmed his suspicions about offering Joe the use of Brad’s car. Ignoring the urge to wind the window down, and knock Martin on his self-satisfied ass, Stuart opened the door, his mind racing for any ammunition he could use to get back at Martin. A mischievous thought popped into his head causing Stuart to chuckle, feeling lighter when a flicker of worry darted across Martin’s face. That’s right, you bastard, worry.
Recalling weeks earlier when Martin had asked him to drop off some paperwork at his home. Having arrived earlier than expected, and not receiving any response to his knocking, Stuart had gone ahead and used the hidey key to unlock the door, believing there was no one home. He’d wandered through to the kitchen, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight displayed before him through the patio doors.
Brad bent like a pretzel, his naked ass in the air using a fish slice to smear sun cream across his back. What had caught Stuart’s attention, besides all that naked skin, were his glowing ass cheeks. Initially, Stuart had thought he’d been sunburnt on his ass, but on closer inspection he’d seen the outline of handprints. Not wanting to get caught perving because clearly he wasn’t, okay maybe a little, but who could blame him when all that naked skin was on show, and bending so sexily in front of him. What was a man to do? Common sense had prevailed, not wanting to embarrass Brad he’d left quickly.
Though, that didn’t mean he couldn’t yank Martin’s chain about it now.
Stuart figured he probably wasn’t hiding his glee when he poked hi
s head out the car door, asking. “How’s Brad’s ass, Martin?”
Martin’s perplexed look had him sniggering before continuing.
“When I popped over the other week it looked like Brad may have caught a little bit too much sun on his ass. Shit man, it glowed so brightly, I’m convinced he could have been used as one of the beacons down at the beach. It looked like it would have been painful to sit down on. You know what I’m saying.”
Halting, Stuart’s eyebrows arched in worry, Martin’s murderous intent had him pulling his head back into the car. Oh shit. Martin’s white knuckled fists had Stuart gulping going to pull the car door shut, his self-preservation kicking in. You couldn’t be too careful with Martin. He was sneaky bastard, getting in jabs when you weren’t expecting it.
Martin’s angry hiss sliced the air causing Stuart to still. “How and when, did you get to see Brad’s naked body?”
Oh shit, maybe he shouldn’t have rattled the lion’s cage. Martin’s eyes bored holes into him, making him huddle into his hoodie, wanting to hide. Stuart scrambled back a second too late. Regretting he’d not shut and locked the door when he was dragged out of the car, Martin’s meaty fists moving lightning fast, refusing to release him.
“Argh, hey, get the fuck off me, man!”
The quiet violence when Martin spoke sent chills down Stuart’s spine. “I asked you a question, Stuart.”
Chattering quickly, Stuart explained what had happened, his smugness dropping like a stone in a pond, the rippling effects hitting Joe. Joe’s blanching face caught his attention, comprehending he’d fucked up big time, pain lanced deep.
Stuart felt his panic rising, reasoning with Martin he whispered. “Let go. Please, you’re frightening Joe.” Stuart begged, figuring whatever had Joe looking like a scared animal, Martin would understand.
Martin released him, but not before giving him a look of loathing. Ignoring it, Stuart ran to Joe, cuddling him into his chest. The need to make it better and remove the haunted look pushed hard at him. Joe’s trembling limbs shamed him, fuck, fuck, fuck, why did I have to ruin Joe’s abundantly happy mood?
Stuart held tight, breathing in the scent of fresh apples, offering quiet comfort. Stuart silently begged for a truce, gratefully accepting it when Martin stood back. The anger still hovering in his eyes threatened retribution. The resigned sigh changed to relief when Joe’s arms crept around his waist.
Joe’s gloomy expression when he regarded Stuart had him wondering how such a bright sunny day could suddenly be so overcast. How the hell could he fix this? The silence lengthened, but at least the trembles lessened under his caresses.
Martin gave him one last look of warning before stalking off with Princess at his heel. He hadn’t missed her eye roll or quick slide against his legs before she pranced away. Disregarding them both, he focused solely on Joe. Swallowing his pride, confident that no one would hear him begging for forgiveness, he gripped Joe’s chin wanting him to see how sincerely sorry he was. The sorrow buckled his legs, taking them from under him, he swayed for a second. Righting them both, Stuart struggled to breathe past the pain in his chest.
Brushing his lips gently over Joe’s back and forth, attempting to soothe them both. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to get back at Martin. It was a dick move. I am sure he was only messing and wouldn’t have hurt me.”
Joe’s furrowing brow causing him to rethink his statement.
“Okay, so he would have got a couple of hits in, but I can take care of myself.”
Joe’s following expression of disbelief wounded Stuart’s pride, thought he tried to not to take it personally under the circumstances, but it still stung that Joe didn’t think he could defend himself. He had spent years learning different martial arts, and though he might be rusty, he was more than capable of protecting himself and Joe, if need be.
Huffing out a frustrated exhale, Joe’s answering moan while licking his lips, not quite what he’d planned but Stuart’s cock telling him not to argue, jumped to attention eagerly waving hello. His cock apparently hadn’t got the message that he had messed up and that was not on the agenda right then. Not wanting to get off track, he eased back a few inches, Joe’s answering countermand and little cocky smile had him groaning in frustration. The throb between his thighs increasing when Joe arched his lower body into his, lust darkening Joe’s melted chocolate eyes.
Stuart complained bitterly, “You’re not playing fair, I’m trying to apologise for being an ass. You’re the one who wanted to go to Go Ape. I won’t be held responsible if you keep rubbing your gorgeous cock against me, because you’ve got all of a few seconds before I drag you back into that unmade bed upstairs and ravish your naked ass. So which is it, sex or Go Ape?” Stuart’s hope died when Joe’s face lit with excitement at the mention of Go Ape.
Resigning himself to option two, “Come on then.” Stuart spun back to the car. Scowling, he hunched down as he got in, trying to make himself smaller. Asking whatever God was up there to ensure he wasn’t spotted in Brad’s pink monstrosity. The drive to their destination, thank the lord, was short. His mood though, left a lot to be desired.
“Stop sulking; we’re here.” Joe’s bubbly excitement brought his attention back to their surroundings.
Stuart hopped out quickly, not wanting to be seen now they’d arrived without incident. Tugging at Joe, Stuart dragged him along at quick speed.
“Hey, slow down. I need to make sure the car’s locked. It wouldn’t do to have it stolen, now would it?”
Stuart snorted, watching Joe stroll back to the car, muttering under his breath, “It would be the kindest thing that could happen to that thing.”
Side-tracked when the level of noise registered, Stuart surveyed the surrounding area. Wet earth and damp leaves gave the air a pungent scent to the air that only happened after a torrential downpour. The dark brown muddy furrows in the ground showed how wet it had been, and that things were probably going to get messy.
Stuart viewed their plans for the day with increased enthusiasm. He hadn’t been sure what to expect, but the large forested area was much bigger than he’d anticipated. The large and heavily wooded area ideally suited for what they were there to do.
The brisk breeze made him shiver into his fleeced hoodie, as he considered the swaying trees. Was he supposed to climb up there? The large canopy of branches and sturdy tree trunks had been fully utilised to support the bridges, swings, and climbing frames. His stomach flipped over at the height of some of the crossing points. The fragility of the ropes and small stepping logs made him feel a little sick.
Metal clanged overhead, riveting Stuart’s gaze, shocking him when children dangled from the strings. Their obvious joy had laughter rustling in the leaves when it bellowed out, the trees appearing to dance with joy at their excitement. Not feeling so joyful, Stuart wiped his clammy palms down his legs thinking he wasn’t going to be dancing with joy, that was for sure.
Hearing Joe approach, he plastered a smile on his face, praying the harnesses they’d use would be suitable for someone of his weight. Joe pulled him forward, rubbing their noses together. Stuart felt his expression must have shown some of his apprehension when Joe spoke.
“Come on, this is supposed to be fun.”
That was easy for him to say when he probably weighed no more than a small child. Dragged along behind Joe, feeling like he was going to the gallows, Stuart tried to recapture his earlier eagerness.
God help me! Stuart swung along to the next floating bridge, watching Joe’s agility with awe. Christ, he really must have had been a monkey in a previous life. Shit, holding his breath, he stared in disbelief as Joe jumped into thin air, abseiling to the ground effortlessly. How on earth could he compete with such grace?
Bracing himself, Stuart inched along the log, stomach knotting when his large feet skidded on the wet bark. Holding on for dear life to the rope, painful blisters on his palms were forgotten when he couldn’t stop himself from looking down. Fear of falling
had him freezing, his mind telling him he should never have been so stupid to think this was a good idea.
Feeling small fingers jab his leg from behind, Stuart sucked in a breath before attempting to wobble back around. Stuart glared down at the small tow-haired boy who looked to be about eight. “What?”
The long-suffering, scornful sigh only a child could pull off had him hunching. “Come on, mister, you’re taking too long.”
Stuart turned back around, chanting you mustn’t clip the child around the ear, you mustn’t. Trying not to think about the drop even with the harness, he shuffled forward to step onto the next floating tree stump. Feeling his stomach drop as his leg dangled between the two stumps, it took a second to register the child’s small body pushing him forward. Knowing it was too late to pull back, he braced too late as the propelling tree stump he was on, crashed into the next one, crushing his thigh.
His lungs struggled to drag in air as he was torpedoed towards the ground. Unsure if the screams were his, pain so intense clouded his senses, blackening his vision before he was rendered unconscious.
Joe
Joe hesitated outside the Stuart’s bedroom door, taking a deep fortifying breath, he plastered what he hoped looked like a smile on his lips. Not entirely convinced it wasn’t more manic than happy, but, at that point, he was past caring.
Joe gritted his teeth together to hold his smile in place when Stuart glowered from the bed. “What are you shouting for now?”