Broken Rules

  Ten years ago, Jonah Chevalier was kicked out of his home for being gay. In a bid to escape his pain, Jonah moved halfway across the country to start over. Now, his mother's death brings him home where he will discover a shared passion with his childhood best friend.

  Neil Brogan returns home hoping to reconnect with Jonah and ends up with more than he ever thought possible. They live on opposite sides of the country but the distance between them may be more than mere miles. Neil hopes to convince Jonah that some rules are made to be broken.

  MLR PRess AuthoRs

  Featuring a roll call of some of the best writers of gay erotica and mysteries today!

  M. Jules Aedin Jeanne Barrack Sarah Black Michael Breyette Jade Buchanan Jamie Craig Ethan Day Angela Fiddler Kimberly Gardner Amber Green David Juhren M. King Josh Lanyon Gary Martine Lloyd A. Meeker Reiko Morgan Willa Okati

  Maura Anderson

  Laura Baumbach

  Ally Blue

  P.A. Brown

  James Buchanan

  Kirby Crow

  Diana DeRicci

  Dakota Flint

  Roland Graeme

  LB Gregg

  Samantha Kane

  Matthew Lang

  Clare London

  Z.A. Maxfeld

  Patric Michael

  Jet Mykles

  L. Picaro

  Jordan Castillo Price Luisa Prieto A.M. Riley George Seaton

  Victor J. Banis

  Alex Beecroft

  J.P. Bowie

  Brenda Bryce

  Charlie Cochrane

  Dick D.

  Jason Edding

  S.J. Frost

  Storm Grant

  Drewey Wayne Gunn

  Kiernan Kelly

  J.L. Langley

  William Maltese

  Timothy McGivney

  AKM Miles

  William Neale

  Neil S. Plakcy

  Rick R. Reed

  Jardonn Smith

  Caro Soles JoAnne Soper-Cook Richard Stevenson Marshall Thornton Lex Valentine Haley Walsh Missy Welsh

  Stevie Woods Lance Zarimba

  Check out titles, both available and forthcoming, at www.mlrpress.com

  BRoken

  RuLes

  JAde BuchAnAn

  mlrpress

  www.mlrpress.com

  This book is a work of fction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fctitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright 2011 by Jade Buchanan

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  Published by MLR Press, LLC

  3052 Gaines Waterport Rd. Albion, NY 14411

  Visit ManLoveRomance Press, LLC on the Internet: www.mlrpress.com

  Cover Art by Winterheart Designs Editing by Kris Jacen

  ISBN# 978-1-60820-341-3

  Issued 2011

  This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fnes and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.

  Dedication

  To my large and loving family for helping me to see the lighter side of

  life, but especially to my Aunt Marilyn who never failed to ask me

  how this book was coming along. I'm going to miss you.

  chAPteR one

  "Hey, Jonah, you still take it up the ass?"

  Jonah Chevalier froze, unable to believe anyone would actually have the balls to say that to him. In the middle of the Tim Horton's to boot. Jesus, he hadn't missed this town at all.

  Looking to his left, he spied Rich Matheson standing a yard away from him. He looked just as good today as he had the last time Jonah had seen him, unfortunately. A thick mop of wavy black hair covered his head, his features were strong, cheekbones to die for and eyes so dark blue they appeared nearly the same color as his hair. Seemed his personality hadn't changed much either.

  Rich smirked, obviously aware of Jonah's perusal. Those thin lips never had looked good with that cock-sure look on his face. He hated it just as much today as he had ten years ago.

  "Rich, they haven't locked you up yet?"

  Rich snorted out a laugh, the harsh, grating sound raking Jonah's ears. There was the other reason he'd never liked Rich. Actually, there were more than two reasons, but he didn't have all day to stand there and start listing them off.

  Sauntering over to him, as if they were the best of friends, Rich patted him on the back, the good old boy movement turning into a caress at the end. Jonah stepped aside, not wanting to be touched. Where was his sandwich? He just wanted to get out of here. He gripped his coffee tighter in his left hand, raising the cup to take a bracing sip.

  "If you're looking to have a good time while you're back, give me a call. You know the number?" The words, spoken in a low murmur, were just as creepy as the caress had been.

  "Why the hell would I know your number?"

  "That mean you want it?"

  "You going to block the way all day, Rich, or let me pass?"

  Jonah started, shocked at the low timbre of the voice that came from behind Rich. Almost afraid to look, he peered over Rich's shoulder, meeting an all too familiar deep chocolate gaze before he stepped around Rich.

  He was tall and lean, with a shock of dark brown hair. Jonah would recognize that body anywhere. He'd have to be careful around Neil Brogan. Nothing quite like getting your ass kicked in your hometown for ogling some prime piece of man. And Neil was defnitely prime.

  Jonah's fngers itched to be able to touch. Run his palms down that body. Touch skin that he just knew was taut. Couldn't be a police diver if you weren't in the best shape of your life.

  Rich sneered at the newcomer, ignoring him. He pressed a business card into Jonah's chest, holding it there until Jonah lifted his free hand to take it.

  "Call me. I know you'll like it."

  Curling his lip, Jonah refused to answer. He slid the card in his pocket without looking. He wasn't sure why he didn't just throw it away.

  Left alone, fnally, he went back to perusing the activity behind the counter, waiting for Neil Brogan to pass him by.

  Heat seared his side; an arm brushed his right before that deep voice spoke again. "Good to see you home, Jonah, although I'm sorry for the cause."

  Swiveling again, he met Neil's steady gaze. Neil was so fucking intense, it made him want to just curl up and look at him all day. Dark eyes stared back at him, set in a face that wasn't pretty as much as it was rugged. His nose had been broken more than once, he had a bump that was very visible, giving him a craggy appearance. He had a typical hockey face, not nearly as attractive as Rich, but appealing. Wholesome. So damn familiar it made Jonah ache.

  "Neil."

  Neil nodded, holding out his hand. Jonah placed his fngers in Neil's strong grip, just about moaning at the feel of the callused palm against his skin. It was one of the reasons he used to avoid him near the end of high school.

  Neil held his hand for a moment, squeezing it gently before releasing it. Jonah had to squash the urge to curl his fngers and hold that heat in his palm. He slipped his hand into his pocket instead, gripping the card Rich had handed to him.

  "Real sorry about your mom. My folks are in Holland on their anniversary trip or they'd be here. Mom was real upset she wouldn't get to see you."

  "How'd she know I'd be here?"

  "We all know how much your mom meant to you. Didn't take much guessing
to fgure out that you'd come home."

  Jonah nodded, trying to fgure out how much Neil had overheard. How long had he been standing there? Would he assume Rich was just joking around? Unable to stand beside Neil while his heart was pounding hard enough to be overheard, Jonah took another sip of coffee, holding onto the cup like a shield. Why was this so uncomfortable? They'd once been the best of friends.

  "They were all set to come home, but I convinced them that if Mom could talk Dad into taking a trip to Holland now after all these years, there was no way in hell they were coming home early."

  "Geez, Brogan, I would have been pissed if they'd come home. Mom wouldn't have wanted them to cancel."

  "Yeah, that's what I told my mom. She sure does wish she could be here though. You know how close they were. My folks thought the world of your mom."

  "Your order's up, sir." The girl behind the counter smiled at him, handing over the brown sac with his sandwich. "And here's your coffee, Neil."

  He took the sack gratefully, smiling at Neil as he stretched to accept the cup. "Well, better go. Nice seeing you again."

  "I'll be seeing you."

  Jonah could only nod, watching Neil saunter off.

  Now, why the hell did that sound so promising?  

  "This fucking sucks."

  Jonah tipped his head back, staring out at the crystal blue waters of Lake Temiskaming. The distant shoreline of Quebec stared back at him, taunting him with memories from the past.

  Tipping his head back again, Jonah drained the last of the dregs from his coffee.

  Letting the cup drop to the ground behind him, he briefy debated whether he should leave or not. He knew he was procrastinating. He didn't want to go home, didn't want to walk into that house and not see his mom.

  He'd come to the Lower Notch knowing he needed time to himself, time to brace himself for what was to come. It had been quite the hike down Mission Road to get here, but one he'd made countless times before in his youth. At least this time he'd been driving and not riding his bike.

  Jonah just wasn't ready to go home, yet. Wasn't ready to face the father who kicked him out of his house all those years ago. He didn't know what to say to his dad, didn't even know if he wanted to see him. It was all so very complicated.

  Gravel crunching interrupted him before he could decide whether to leave or not. Swiveling his head, Jonah watched the car approach. It was a dark blue sedan, the windshield refecting the sun back at him so he couldn't get a glimpse of the driver. He was pretty sure it wasn't some employee coming to work at the dam located at the Lower Notch, but he wasn't sure why anyone else in their right mind would come out here. This was literally the end of the road. Nothing else but trees and the waters in front of them.

  The car stopped behind Jonah's rental, just before the bridge Jonah was sitting precariously on. Keeping his gaze on the driver's door, he was surprised when it opened and a man stepped outside.

  Jonah snorted, turning to face forward again, ignoring his new bridge mate. He wasn't in the mood to talk. Hopefully Neil would take the hint.

  "Thought I'd fnd you here." Neil's voice was deep, rumbling up from his chest. Just the sound of that rumbling drawl was enough to have Jonah's cock perk up. He willed it to behave. There was nothing down that road. He really did know better.

  Jonah stared as Neil stepped onto the bridge, coming to stand beside him. He rested his forearms on the railing beside Jonah's ass, his shoulder brushing Jonah's arm before he settled in place.

  "Neil?" Placing his hands on the railing to either side of his hips, Jonah tried to anchor himself. In all the scenarios he'd run through in his mind on the way up here, this was something he'd never imagined. He thought he'd seen the last of Neil for a while.

  On the fight from Calgary to Toronto, then on the hop skip to North Bay and fnally the hour and half drive north to Haileybury, he'd never once imagined that he'd run into Neil Brogan. The man didn't even live here. Twice in less than an hour was just too much for his brain to take in.

  "Long time no see," Neil drawled.

  Jonah cut right to the chase. "What are you doing here? Rita-Anne said you moved away." He wasn't sure what to think. They'd been the best of friends in high school, both members of the football team, both played hockey, both had run around in the woods getting into all sorts of trouble. Right up until the day that had changed Jonah's life.

  He'd purposefully withdrawn after that, afraid to see the disgust and condemnation on Neil's face if he found out the truth. He wasn't even sure if Neil knew the real reason for Jonah's leaving.

  Not that it mattered now. There was no sense trying to go back and live in the past. There were just too many obstacles in

  the way for that to happen.

  "I'm on my six days off. As soon as I found out, I made sure I was free to come this week. Thought you might need a friendly face."

  Neil placed a hand on Jonah's arm, squeezing gently. The small gesture was almost enough to have him tearing up. Christ, he wished he'd stopped at the LCBO instead of Tim's. Maybe if he drank enough he'd be able to get through this week without completely breaking down like a baby.

  Nodding, he tried to crack a smile, hoping Neil understood his gratitude. If he opened his mouth right now he'd probably lose it. He blinked back his tears, clearing his throat.

  Neil squeezed his forearm again, releasing Jonah to lean on the railing.

  "Funeral's on Saturday?"

  "Mmm hmm."

  "You staying at your house?"

  "I guess so. Haven't seen the place yet."

  "You seen your dad?"

  "Not yet." Jonah swung his legs to the right, hopping off the railing to land on the bridge behind him. Stumbling slightly on his landing, he grabbed for the railing, trying to fgure out when the last time he'd eaten anything before his sandwich. It was currently sitting in his belly like a lump of coal. The coffee hadn't helped any.

  A warm hand reached out, steadying him.

  Stepping out of reach, Jonah crossed his arms, hugging himself.

  "You look like you've had a few."

  Jonah snorted. "FYI, I haven't been drinking. Unless they've started putting something in the coffee here." He bent down to pick up his empty cup, holding it by his side.

  "I swear they do something special to the coffee. It defnitely feels like an addiction some days, eh?"

  Tapping his cup against his leg, Jonah leaned back on the railing, tipping his head back. "Now if I admit to feeling the same thing, are you going to try to charge me for being under the infuence? All Rita-Anne used to talk about was the big time police man."

  "Yeah, it was quite the decision for me not to move back here when I graduated. Could you imagine how much fun I could have had working out of the Temiskaming District?" Neil chuckled. "Could have pulled over every asshole we played against in school."

  "Just imagine how much fack you'd have gotten the frst time you pulled over a relative."

  "There is that. Seriously, I think that was the deciding factor for me. Well, that and the fact that I just wanted to get out of here. Needed a change, you know?"

  Jonah knew how that felt. He'd desperately needed a change once upon a time. "Yeah, I know."

  "So, how you been? Mom passed on that article they printed about you when your paper came out. Pretty cool. You're all famous, Mr. Chevalier. I should get your autograph." His teasing tone caused all sorts of interesting things to happen to Jonah. He couldn't believe he was standing here getting half a woody over his childhood friend. He didn't want to talk about himself anyway.

  "Yeah, what about you? Rita-Anne mails me every article in the Temiskaming Speaker that Mr. Hometown Hero shows up in. Maybe I'm the one that should be asking for your autograph."

  Neil ducked his head, a dull fush moving up his cheeks. Jonah hooted, slapping Neil's arm.

  "I don't know what I ever did to your cousin that she feels the need to document every move I make," Neil said.

  "It's probably
the fact that she takes your picture every time she writes an article about you. Nothing quite like a hot man in uniform to get everyone reading."

  Neil let out a snort, raising one eyebrow in question.

  Silently cursing himself, Jonah froze, hoping Neil would take it as a joke.

  "So, you think I'm hot?"

  Jonah wiggled his eyebrows, leering in what he hoped was a comical fashion. "Oh, you know it."

  Neil frowned, his jaw tensing before he shook his head on a chuckle.

  They both turned without speaking, staring out at the lake. How stupid could he be? What was he doing here anyway? An ache bloomed inside his chest, that damn phone call replaying inside his mind. He wouldn't be here if his mom hadn't died. God, she was about to be put in the ground and here he was getting turned on and laughing. Rubbing his hand over his face, he blew out a breath. He couldn't go home yet. He wasn't ready for it.