Broken Rules

by Jade Buchanan

  "You know, Heather, I really don't want to deal with this right now. I'll talk to you when I get back. Stay the hell out of my house, for the love of God. You had no right to do that." This was ridiculous; Jonah never would have just barged into his house and answered his phone. And where had that thought come from? If he had to think of a guy coming into his house, he should be picturing Danny, the last guy he'd dated.

  Neil stared down at the spot his shoes had been a moment before, seeing the empty space beside where Jonah's loafers had rested this morning. Aw, shit.

  "Excuse me for trying to do something nice for you. You could show a little grat—"

  "I have to go. Bye." He snapped the phone shut, exhaling deeply, trying to get his thoughts back under control.

  Arms came around him from behind. "You have to dump her already, Neil. The girl is a bitch with a capital B."

  "Not now, Debbie." He didn't want to discuss anything right now. He was fucking pissed at Heather and he didn't need a lecture from anyone. He simply didn't want to deal with it.

  "Seriously, Neil. Shit or get off the pot, but you need to make a decision. Preferably one in which you break up with her."

  "I'm serious—not now!" He pulled away, bending over to put the other running shoe on. Damn it. He was going to be late meeting Jonah.

  His sister in law didn't give up. Not that he expected to. "So, want to tell me what that little piece of information was about? You're supposed to be on rotation this week?"

  It was just his luck she was here in the frst place. Turning, he faced her. "Why are you here? I didn't hear you come in."

  "I brought food for David. Came in a few minutes ago when you were getting dressed upstairs. The poor kid will starve if you don't physically place the plate in front of him, you know. Don't try to change the subject, Neil. Are you going to get in trouble for taking a leave?"

  "No, I'm not going to get in trouble. I explained to my commander that I was taking this week off and he was okay with it." His commander didn't understand his need to be here but he'd okay'd Neil to trade a week with someone else, and everything had worked out in the end. Hell, Neil himself didn't fully understand himself why he'd made such a big deal out of being here for Jonah. He just knew when his mom called him that he needed to be here. He didn't have a choice.

  "So, he was okay with you taking a week off because your friend lost his mom?"

  "Yeah."

  Debbie crossed her arms, tapping her foot on the tile in the entryway. "Really?"

  Fuck, he didn't want to deal with this. Why did everyone in his damn life think they could butt into his business? First Heather and now Debbie? Okay, maybe he was just in a bad mood, but fuck! Give a guy a break.

  "Debs, don't worry about it. I have everything under control. And if I don't leave now, I'm going to be late meeting Jonah."

  "Fine, go, but this isn't over."

  "Yes, it is. I'm not a child."

  "No, but I bet if I said something to your mom, you'd change your tune."

  Pausing on his way out the door, Neil glanced back at her. "I mean it, Debs. This isn't any of your business. I know what I'm doing, and I don't need you guys butting in." That said, he didn't need to stay and hear what she was bound to say next. Making his way quickly through the door, he let it slam back on her response.

    

  Pansy. That's how he felt, sitting out here in his rental car, watching people go in and out of the double doors to Matheson's Bar and Grill. He took a deep breath, girding his loins and trying to remember that he was just here to have fun with an old friend. Nope, he shouldn't think of 'loins' and that particular friend in the same sentence.

  He just needed to remember that he was here to have fun with an old friend and leave it at that. Nothing to it. In and out and he'd be home sooner than he realized.

  He paced forward, opening the door and letting out the wash of voices. Seemed some things never changed. He hadn't been in here much when Rich's dad owned the place, but it had always been a popular place to hang out. Of course, it wasn't as if the Tri-Towns was crawling with bars and restaurants, so folks didn't have that much of a choice if they wanted to actually go out at night.

  It sure looked different, though. He sensed Rich's touch in the big screen TV's mounted on the wall. The Leafs were playing the Senators. No wonder it was so busy. Although, heck, it might always be like this. He made note of the score, turning away from the screen to glance around. Crisse, was that Jacob Harning? Look at him, the boy had certainly grown up. Jonah quickly looked away before he found himself checking out a kid he used to babysit. Did that ever make him feel old.

  To the left, a long bar was nearly hidden in the sea of plaid and cotton. Men jostled at the counter, beer fowed freely, voices raises to be heard over the rock music playing in the background. Crisse, he could barely hear himself think in here.

  Jonah inhaled deeply, losing himself in the familiar cadence of this town. There was just something about the way they talked to each other. Everyone knew everyone else, even though the town wasn't all that small really. It all just seemed so familiar.

  A hard hand clamped down on his shoulder, startling him. Whirling around, Jonah came face to face with a smiling Neil.

  "You been here long?" Neil near-shouted.

  Jonah took advantage of the noise, leaning closer than he needed to. "Just got here."

  "Cool, there's a spot just opened up in the back. Quick, get over there before it's swallowed up again."

  They made their way past the patrons, shouted hello's tossed back and forth. A waitress cut in front of him, a steaming plate of nachos piled high. He followed the food with his gaze, stomach rumbling despite the dinner he'd already eaten. There was something about bar food that just made you want to loaf out and gorge yourself.

  Someone shouted his name and he glanced over to see Joe, a guy he hadn't seen since high school. He hadn't changed a bit. Although, wow, when'd Joe start going prematurely gray? Tabarnac, there was Shorty, he used to play against that kid. Best goalie he'd ever seen. Jonah had never fgured why he stayed here when he could have gone anywhere to play hockey in university. His old Social Studies teacher, Mr. Christensen, was over in the corner with his two brothers, sharing a plate of wings. Jonah smiled at the barbeque mustache the grumpy old man was wearing. It suited him better than the real mustache he'd sported when Jonah was in his class.

  He'd never realized how much he missed this place. Crisse, he hadn't thought about it much, had tried to forget everything here because it had just plain hurt when he'd been forced to leave. But now, being back here made him realize that a part of this place would always be home. And didn't that just fucking suck?

  He'd fnally come back, and yet the one person he'd desperately wanted to see was currently being cremated.

  Neil surged past him, jokingly shoving a younger guy out of the way and claiming the empty table for himself. He beamed up at Jonah, causing his heart to falter for a moment. Damn, this wasn't good at all. He couldn't keep doing this emotional hopscotch. One moment he wanted to cry and then next he wanted to laugh and lust over Neil. It seemed wrong, to feel that way when he should be thinking about his mom. Was he allowed a night off from mourning? Was he even supposed to mourn her passing when she'd all but written him off so long ago? Fuck this, he needed a night for himself, one night. That was all he wanted.

  Mind made up, Jonah quirked a grin at Neil. "Not bad. I see you still have your hockey form."

  "Shit, yeah. Couldn't let Brody get this. Him and Chris can damn well wait at the bar, eh?"

  "Chris?"

  "You remember my baby bro, don't you? Hell, he just turned twenty-two, can you believe that? I feel older every day." Neil shook his head in disbelief. Waving his arm, he caught the attention of the bartender, holding up two fngers.

  "Chris is twenty-two? When'd that happen?" He couldn't believe Neil's brother was already twenty-two. It had been bad enough seeing David earlier. He defnitely felt old
. He remembered those two being born. Well, okay, he was only six when Chris came upon the scene, but still… he had pictures of Neil and him holding onto Chris when they were kids.

  "How are the others? David didn't say much about them."

  Neil sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. His muscled forearms drew Jonah's gaze. He wanted to lick that golden skin. Jonah nearly had to pinch himself so he didn't stare too closely. Neil was most defnitely in shape.

  "Let's see. Tom's doing well. He's a manager over at the grocery store in Liskeard. He likes it, and it defnitely suits him. Debbie teaches, of course, and the two of them are more perfect for each other than when we were in school. It's almost sickening." He laughed, turning to smile at the man who set two pints in front of them. "Thanks Matt. Where was I? Right, Stan went and married Pattie Merrick. You remember her? She totally robbed the cradle on that one, but we forgive her. She's good people."

  Jonah grinned, taking a sip of his beer. He waved at Paul Docker, laughing when the other man pulled a face at him. Turning back to Neil, he watched his friend run his fngers around the top of his mug. Oh boy, maybe he should keep his gaze out into the crowd.

  "Then there's Patrick, of course. The bugger went and moved to Latchford, but can't blame him for that. Got some forestry job and the pay's good. He's single and the rate he's going he'll defnitely be the last of us to get married."

  "That leaves Chris and David?"

  "Yep, the two troublemakers. I could nearly kill mom for leaving me with the two of them this week. Don't know what Chris is still doing here, he spent a few years in North Bay at college but the damn kid came home a few months back after he graduated and has pretty much been lazing around ever since."

  "He's at home? Your mom hasn't killed him yet?" Jonah defnitely remembered Neil's mom and she hadn't exactly been known for her peaceful nature. The woman was one of a kind, one of the nicest people he'd ever met, but she had an Irish temper for sure. Patrick and Chris had been the only ones to inherit her red hair but the rest of them defnitely had a bit of her personality. He used to love going over to the Brogan's when he was younger. They were so boisterous, making room for Jonah without a hitch.

  "Your mom's a saint for putting up with all of you."

  "Yeah, don't remind her. She defnitely likes to mention that every once in awhile. Usually when she's headed for confession."

  "She still confess all of your guy's sins?" They'd laughed at that when they were kids.

  "Oh yeah. Says the Lord must have wanted her to learn a lesson for sure, to be saddled with so many hellions. Father Peter loves us though, at least we all keep him entertained."

  "He's your uncle, Neil, he has to love you." He stopped, considering that. "Well, and he's a priest, so the two kind of go hand in hand."

  "Hey now, you Michel's boy? Been a while since I've seen your face around here."

  Jonah looked up, caught in a watery blue gaze. The older man's face was a mass of wrinkles, he looked to be a hundred, if he was a day. A few long strands of white hair were smoothed over the top of his shiny head.

  "Mr. Edwards?" Crisse, he couldn't believe Mr. Edwards was still alive. Not that Rita-Anne wouldn't have called him if something had happened to the old man, but still. He'd looked about a hundred, ten years ago. Jonah had no idea how old he actually was. For as long as Jonah could remember, Mr. Edwards had lived by himself out on the corner of Buffam Drive.

  "Yep. Haven't seen you around here in awhile."

  "I live in Calgary now, Mr. Edwards. How are you doing?"

  "Not bad. My joints ache something ferce but I'm still kicking so it could be worse. Your Momma said something bout you being one of those workers. Taking care of kids, and such."

  "Yeah, I'm a social worker. I work with troubled teens. Do you want to sit down, Mr. Edwards?"

  "Hmmph, I read about them troubled teens in one of those truth-telling books."

  Jonah couldn't look at Neil, he couldn't look at Neil, he couldn't… he snuck a peak at Neil, spying his friend frozen on the other side of the booth. Neil's chin quivered, a noise escaped, he was defnitely seconds from laughing. Oh God, he was going to lose it. Quickly averting his gaze, Jonah focused on his beer. When he was sure he was under control, he glanced back at Mr. Edwards. "Truth-telling book?"

  "Yep, one of them books that tells the truth. It was talking bout some kids that got into trouble and were living on the street."

  "Ah. Right." Did he mean non-fction? Oh God, he couldn't look at Neil. He knew if he even glanced at his friend again they would both completely lose it. "What's the gossip, Mr. Edwards?"

  "Oh, boy. There's a new nurse over at the hospital. Your cousin tell you about that? Caused quite the stir."

  Jonah frowned. "Why?"

  "Well…" Mr. Edwards leaned in real close, placing both hands on the table. He gestured for the two of them to come closer. Neil immediately complied, a grin quickly hidden. Jonah suspected he knew what Mr. Edwards was going to say. "See, the new nurse is one of those teapots."

  He backed up, crossing his arms.

  Jonah opened his mouth, meeting Neil's gaze. A teapot? What the hell was a teapot?

  Mr. Edwards harrumphed. "A teapot." He placed one gnarled hand on his hip, holding the other out at shoulder width and folding his wrist down. He looked exactly like he was ready to sing out "here is my handle, here is my spout".

  Jonah looked blankly at Neil. Neil shook his head. "The nurse. It's a guy. There's a rumor that he may be—"

  "A little light in the wrist, if you know what I mean." Mr. Edwards fnished off.

  Jonah jerked his leg, hitting the underside of the table. Neil grabbed his beer, steadying it. He frowned at Jonah, questioning.

  Oh, dear Lord. Tabarnac, what was he supposed to say? Jonah picked up one of the paper coasters, fddling with it. "Is that right?"

  "Well, no one's come right out and asked the boy. But, he's a nurse, for darned sake. I think it's pretty obvious myself. Your Daddy didn't take no shine to him either. Course, that may be because he was your Mom's nurse."

  Jonah started. "What?"

  "Yep, the last person to see her alive, I s'pose. Cryin' shame, that."

  Neil immediately drew Mr. Edwards into a discussion about something else. It was a good thing because Jonah doubted he'd be able to pull two sentences together right now. He didn't know what to say. He still didn't know what had happened to his mom. All he knew was that she'd been admitted to the hospital last weekend and then she passed. No one was talking, and he couldn't ask his dad about it. He didn't even want to imagine how that conversation would go over. Maybe if he could talk to this nurse…

  "You okay?"

  Jonah lifted his head, realizing he'd been staring into his beer for who knows how long. He nodded at Neil, trying to dredge up a smile.

  "You want to go over there?"

  "What?"

  "You want to go to the hospital? Maybe you can fnd some answers."

  How did he do that? How did Neil always know what to say, what Jonah was thinking? His chest tight, Jonah jerked his head. Yeah, he wanted answers.

  chAPteR six

  Jonah shifted under the covers. He wasn't ready to face the world yet, so another half hour cocooned in the bedroom would be nice. If only he wasn't waking up alone. He hummed, imagining what it would be like to have someone spooned behind him. Hairy arms wrapped around his body. Long legs tangling with his own.

  Someone like Neil. Jonah twisted to lay on his belly, remembering last night at the bar. Wishing things had gone just a little different…

  "I can't wait any longer."

  Jonah glanced up in surprise, cock in hand, confused when Neil entered the men's room and locked the door behind him. "Neil?"

  "I've been thinking about you all night." Neil licked his lips, his gaze wondering down Jonah's torso, lingering on his hand and what he held.

  Swallowing hard, Jonah backed away from the urinal. "Neil?" he asked again.

&nb
sp; Nostrils faring, Neil strode forward, causing Jonah to back up until he slammed into the wall behind him. Neil grinned, not stopping until he was pressed fush to Jonah's body. Groaning at the feel of Neil so close to him, Jonah grasped the other man's waist. He arched his hips, sliding his thickening shaft along warm denim.

  "Mmm, this is what I wanted, from the moment I saw you in Tim's." Neil slid rough hands down Jonah's sides, pressing in with each gliding caress. "Fuck, Jonah, this is what I needed."

  "Oh, Tabarnac…"

  Neil rolled his hips, pushing into Jonah, his clothed body rubbing against him, driving Jonah wild. Whimpering, Jonah closed his eyes. Neil was so warm, so hard, he was a dream come true. How did Jonah get so lucky?

  Neil's scent flled his lungs, the smell bringing with it memories of their time together. Sleepovers when they were younger, locker rooms, showers after hockey practice. The feel of Neil's arms the frst time they embraced.