Broken Silence Read online

  “What?”

  “I wanna be the dude in a dude sandwich,” Doobie moaned between bites of his BLT.

  “That’s fucking gay,” Rich said.

  “That’s what I just said,” Marcus quipped.

  “How?” Doobie furrowed his brow.

  Rich couldn’t believe he had to ask. “A dude sandwich? You want to be sandwiched between two dudes? That’s gay.”

  “No! I mean a dude sandwich, like with me as the centre between two women.”

  Rich shook his head. “Why call it a dude sandwich, then?”

  “Well, you call a piece of baloney slapped between two slices of bread a baloney sandwich, right?”

  “I don’t care if you’re right or not. It still sounds gay.”

  He shared a laugh with Marcus, both of them rolling their eyes at Doobie.

  “Change of subject. When’s your sister coming home?” Etienne asked.

  Rich shrugged. “Tomorrow. Her flight gets in to Toronto some time in the morning and the parental unit is already down there so they can drive her back.”

  “You heard from her since she left?”

  “Nah. Mom and dad have, so that’s good with them. You know how mom would have freaked otherwise. They’ve been telling me bits and pieces of her trip, but I figure I’ll just take her out for dinner when she’s back and hear it all at once. You know what Lora’s like.”

  Etienne nodded. “Still, Turkey? That’s a big trip.”

  “Yeah. But, the squirt went with some of her friends from University, so it wasn’t like she was all alone or anything. Could have been worse.”

  “She could have gone with Marcus. That would have been worse,” Etienne joked.

  “Seriously, stay away from my baby sister,” Rich said in a threatening tone.

  “Come on, we had one date in high school and I haven’t touched her since.”

  “You better not have touched her then, either, douchebag.”

  Marcus shrugged. “Calm down. You know I never.” His friends might joke, but they all knew when to draw the line.

  “Uh oh, Michelle’s glaring daggers at you. Better get moving, Rich,” Doobie said.

  Rich sighed. It was going to be one of those nights. They were busy, then quiet, then busy, then quiet. He could never quite tell what was going to happen. Looked like they’d picked up some in the last ten minutes, though.

  He left his friends watching the game and went to calm his cousin down. After getting an earful, he decided to pitch in again and deliver food from the kitchen to clear up the backlog that had taken over.

  He finally picked up the heaping platters of appetizers for Mrs. Brogan and the rest of the nurses.

  “Here you go, ladies. Dig in.”

  “Thanks, Rich!”

  He took a quick look around to see that it had quieted down some. The hockey game was almost over by the looks of things so some folks would start to clear out soon. He might have a few minutes before it started up again.

  “So, what’s new?”

  Mrs. Brogan grinned widely. “My babies are coming home for Christmas. I just heard from Neil this afternoon and he’s bringing Jonah and David back on Christmas Eve and they’re going to spend the week until New Year’s. Isn’t that fantastic?”

  Rich froze. Jonah was coming home?

  One of the other nurses leaned forward. “Spill, Betty. Is Neil going to be expanding the family?”

  Mrs. Brogan snickered. “Well, he did say that he’d been thinking of it. I’m hoping I’ll have another son next year.”

  The table virtually exploded with ooh’s and ahh’s, covering up the curse that Rich couldn’t stop from leaving his mouth. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Jonah was going to get married?

  For the first time, probably ever, Rich cursed the fact that he lived in Canada. Why was gay marriage legal again? Damn it, this wasn’t good. Well, it was good for Neil and Jonah, but it just brought home, once again, that Rich couldn’t have what he wanted. He brought his hand up to rub the ache in his chest.

  Neil’s mom was so accepting of her son and Jonah. It was almost enough to make Rich want to vomit. He’d heard the comments his friends and family had made when the couple had first come out. The news had spread through the Tri-Towns like a grass fire. Doobie and Marcus alone had gone days trying to figure out which one was the pitcher and which one was the catcher. It had nearly been enough to make them start betting.

  Rich just hoped they never found out about his past relationship with Jonah. If he could call it that.

  He finally raised his head, only to be captured by the frowning look on Matthew’s face. The other man was staring at him intently. Rich stared back and let his lust show for once, wanting to see if the rumors were true. Matthew dropped his gaze with a blush, and Rich knew he had the other man. He might not be getting married, he might not be out to his family and friends, but Rich knew how to drown his sorrows. And it wasn’t going to be with liquor tonight.

  Actually, he hadn’t been able to drown his sorrows with liquor since the night he’d stupidly walked drunkenly into traffic, thanks to his dad putting the word out to the family that Rich needed to dry out, but that wasn’t the point.

  The point was that Rich had no intention of being alone tonight. Even if that meant shopping in his backyard for the first time since Jonah left. He needed to feel something, and he intended to drown himself with someone. What a stroke of luck a gay dude just happened to be here tonight.

  Rich shook his head. He’d never hated himself more, but that wasn’t going to stop him. This was the path he’d chosen, and he might as well get used to it.

  Chapter Two

  Matthew waved goodbye to Betty Brogan as she got up to leave the bar. He just had to settle his bill and he could take off too. It had been one heck of a weird night.

  He wasn’t sure at first if it was just his earlier wishful thinking, but Rich was most definitely flirting with him. What the hell? His gaydar was pinging all over the place, and he couldn’t for the life of him figure out what had changed. He’d first noticed it when Betty was talking about her son coming home for Christmas. Matthew had been captivated by the look of pain that crossed Rich’s face. Everyone else had been practically crowing their support, so Rich’s reaction had been jarring.

  Before he could figure it out, he’d nearly been eaten alive by the look that Rich sent him. He’d received similar glances before, but not since moving north, and definitely not by one of the resident jocks that inhabited this place. It was enough to have him reeling.

  Michelle finally brought him his change and he stood up to put his winter gear back on.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  Matthew started at the low, heated voice that sounded behind him. He swiveled in place. “Uh, yeah.”

  Rich stared back at him, those dark eyes locked on his own. Matthew swallowed roughly.

  “You know, you’ve been here for months and I don’t think we’ve ever gotten to know each other. Why don’t you stick around? We’ll be closing soon, once the stragglers disappear.”

  Matthew wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean. Did Rich want to talk, or do something entirely different? Like naked different.

  “Uh, I could probably stick around for a bit.”

  “Hope you’re not in a hurry. It’s the weekend. You don’t have to work tomorrow, do you?”

  “No. Uh, no. I have the weekend free. I start back on Monday morning. Days. Not that you asked that.” He was babbling. Fricking fantastic. He was usually a lot calmer and cooler than this. He was just completely caught off guard. He’d been mooning over Rich for months and the man hadn’t once even bothered to look at him.

  “Good.” Rich nodded before walking away.

  Matthew hoped it wasn’t obvious that he was sticking around. To cover it, although he didn’t know why he cared, he moved himself to a stool at the bar and ordered another beer. Why was he so nervous? He was practically jumping in place.

  It took anothe
r half hour before the stragglers finally left. Matthew stood up and watched Rich lock the front door. His staff had already left so it was just the two of them.

  “So...” He trailed off, not sure what to say.

  “Let’s go upstairs. I live above the bar.”

  “Oh. I live with my Aunt. Adeline Tubman?”

  Rich snickered. The expression lightened his face and made him look years younger. “I know who she is. Your Uncle Sid used to come in here all the time when I was younger. He used to crack up with my dad about names.”

  “His name?”

  “Yeah, you know, your uncle was Shit.”

  “Excuse me?” Matthew wasn’t sure if he should be upset or not. What the hell?

  “Sidney Horace Irving Tubman. Shit.”

  “Oh. Oh! Man, how did I never notice that?” Matthew started to laugh.

  “Yeah, and my dad was Dum, Daniel Upton Matheson. If you ignore the spelling, your Uncle Sid used to say they were dumb shits whenever they were together.”

  “I didn’t realize you knew my family.”

  Rich shrugged. “Yeah. Sid used to drink here back in the day with the rest of the crew from the plant.” He looked away before slashing his hand through his mop of hair. “Listen. You want to do this or not?”

  Matthew stilled at the sudden discomfort that was obviously coming from Rich. “Do this?”

  “Don’t play dumb.”

  “You’re going to have to be a little more specific. I’d rather not get my ass kicked.” He wasn’t stupid.

  “You wanna fuck? Is that specific enough for you?”

  Well, it wasn’t the most romantic invitation he’d had. Matthew chewed on his bottom lip. “I didn’t think you were gay.”

  “I’m not!” Rich ground out.

  “Right. You’re not gay, but you want to fuck me.” Did he want to get involved with someone like that? Although, he wasn’t stupid. This wasn’t exactly an invitation to date. He figured this was probably a one-time only situation.

  “So?”

  Fuck it. He wanted Rich, and he hadn’t had sex since he’d moved north. Maybe it was the beer talking, or his overactive hormones, but Matthew wasn’t about to turn him down. Hell, he’d been fantasizing about this for months anyway. What did he have to lose? He was pretty sure Rich wasn’t going to say anything about it afterward.

  “Why me? I just have to ask.”

  “Fuck, Matthew. Everyone knows you’re gay.”

  Everyone? What the hell? He wasn’t that obvious, was he? “How exactly does everyone know? I mean, I don’t hide it, but no one’s ever said anything.”

  “It’s just obvious. You’re a nurse, aren’t you? And you aren’t exactly the most mascu—”

  “You know what. Forget it.” Matthew turned to leave. He was suddenly reminded of why this was not the brightest idea.

  “Shit. Just...” Rich stepped around him and blocked his path.

  They stared at each other for a moment. Rich let out a violent exhale before bringing up his hands and cupping them around Matthew’s cheeks. Their lips met in the next breath, tongues dueling together. Matthew moaned into the contact, his body zinging to life. Right, forget what his mind was telling him. His body was more than interested.

  He could regret it tomorrow.

  They somehow made it up the back stairs to Rich’s apartment. Matthew’s shirt went flying, but he didn’t care. Heck, all his gear was still down in the bar anyway. It just meant he’d be doing a zigzagging walk-of-shame out of here once they were finished.

  They ended up in Rich’s bedroom, a sparsely furnished room with white walls and dominated by a large bed with a navy duvet. There was no headboard, but there was a small oak bedside table that matched the dresser. A far cry from his own bedroom, that was for sure. Although, he lived with his aunt right now, so he wasn’t pointing fingers.

  They stood facing each other, both pausing for a moment. Matthew wasn’t sure what Rich was thinking.

  “Touch yourself.”

  Well, that cleared things up. Matthew grinned, feeling in his element. “Anywhere in particular?”

  “Jerk off for me. I want to see you come.” Rich palmed his own dick, rubbing himself through his jeans.

  Smiling, Matthew undid his belt, reaching for his zipper and quickly shucking his jeans and briefs in one motion. They fell to the floor and he toed his boots off seconds later.

  Matthew stood for a moment, letting Rich get his fill. He was proud of the way he looked, even if he didn’t necessarily look as good as Rich. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder though and the flared nostrils and low grunt gave every indication that Rich liked what he saw.

  Matthew reached for his shaft, sliding his hand along the hard length, loving the friction of his dry palm on such sensitive skin.

  Rich grinned before he sat on the edge of the bed. He reached for the bedside table and pulled out a well-worn bottle of lube. “You might need this.”

  Matthew accepted the bottle and poured liquid into his palm. He snapped the lid closed and threw it back to Rich before rubbing his hands together. Without a pause, he dropped both hands and let the fingers of one slide along his dick while the other dropped to play with his balls.

  Growling in his throat, Rich pawed his own cock through his jeans, his hand rubbing along the massive bulge.

  Matthew released his sac, bringing his hand to his chest, squeezing first one nipple and then the other. Pinching until they were both red and tender. He bit his lip. This wasn’t going to last long. He was too wound up. Too excited. He couldn’t believe this was happening, but he was going to enjoy every minute of it while it lasted.

  This was going to be fast and easy, but he wasn’t complaining. By the look on Rich’s face, he wasn’t complaining either.

  His breathing quickened, his hand moving along his shaft, thumb flicking his glans before tracing the opening in the tip. He moaned, repeating the gesture, his legs tensing for a moment before he relaxed. Holy crap, that felt amazing.

  Rich licked his lips. He drew his sweater over his head and dropped it to the bed beside him. His jeans were unsnapped and unzippered and finally Matthew got a glimpse of the dick he’d been fantasizing about and that was all he needed.

  Arching, Matthew squeezed his shaft hard. “Uh! Rich...”

  Cum covered his hand, running down his fingers and his shaft. He pumped again and again, determined to make it last as long as he could.

  Rich groaned as if it was him that came, bringing one hand up to run along Matthew's quivering shaft. His finger came away covered with a pearly coating of seed. Shocked, almost unbearably turned on at the sight, Matthew squeezed the head of his cock again, almost afraid he would come again. He was so sensitive, it hurt to touch himself. He wasn’t going to survive if Rich kept on doing things like that.

  Matthew dropped to his knees, sliding into the space between Rich’s spread thighs. He pulled Rich’s jeans down his thighs and nuzzled Rich’s dick with his nose, sliding his own cheek along the thick length.

  What a wonderful cock. It was gorgeous, thick with a flushed tip. Matthew’s mouth watered. He wanted to taste that. Raising his eyes, he peered up at Rich, watching the man while he came closer to Rich’s cock. Sticking out his tongue, he tasted the pre-cum, savoring the bite of flavour.

  Rich made no movement. He was completely still. It seemed like a challenge to Matthew, and he was determined to meet it. What would it take to draw him over the edge? He wanted Rich crazy with lust. He wanted to be able to say that he was the one to drive the man insane with need.

  It was a foolish wish, but he wanted it nonetheless. He wanted some kind of reaction from Rich, and if that was all he could claim, so be it.

  He slid his tongue along the glans, licking up the taste of Rich, drawing it into his mouth. Bitter and salty, and just what he wanted.

  He moaned low in his throat, leaning forward to take more of Rich into his mouth. Rich grunted, moving his hips slightly, thrusting forw
ard in tiny movements. Matthew swallowed, drawing more of Rich in, running his tongue down the shaft and pulling hard on the flesh in his mouth.

  He released Rich with a pop, reaching up with his hand to grab hold of the base of Rich’s dick. Holding it steady, he traced over the thick veins. Moving further down, he sucked on the soft sac, laving it with his tongue. Rich cursed, grabbing hold of Matthew’s head in one big hand.

  Matthew smiled around the tender flesh between his lips.

  “Stop playing around. Suck me,” Rich growled, tightening his hold on Matthew’s skull. His other hand came up to rub behind Matthew’s neck, bringing to life the sensitive skin there.

  Matthew moaned around the sac. Shit, he loved being touched there.

  Arching into the touch, he released Rich’s balls, moving up to take his cock once more. Concentrating on just the head, Matthew laved it with his tongue. Rich arched, bucking his hips.

  “More...”

  Matthew obliged him, tilting his head to run his tongue up and down Rich’s shaft.

  Rich rumbled, dragging Matthew’s head closer to his body, thrusting his shaft along his cheek. The liquid at the tip slid against Matthew’s skin, painting it. Rich’s scent intensified. He was close. Matthew nibbled along the crease where Rich’s shaft met his body, pressing his face against Rich’s cock, trying to give him as much sensation as he could. He tested Rich’s balls in one hand, rolling them around carefully.

  Rich pulled on the back of Matthew’s neck. Without warning, he thrust against Matthew’s face, spurting thick jets of cum along his skin. The warm liquid hit his cheek, dripping down to his chest. Matthew moaned, pressing his face closer to Rich’s throbbing cock.

  ***

  Rich opened his eyes and wondered if he’d done something extremely stupid. He wanted Matthew to leave, but he couldn’t figure out how to say the words without sounding like a complete asshole. Instead, he sat still, body coming down from his orgasm.

  Matthew stood up and swiped half-heartedly at the cum cooling on his body.

  Rich’s dick gave a twitch at that sight. Fuck, Matthew was gorgeous. Lean and lightly muscled, he had a body that practically begged to be explored. A little body, to be sure, the guy was nearly a foot shorter than Rich, but whatever. Rich liked what he saw. From the light brown hair and dimpled cheeks at the top to the sparsely haired legs below. And everything in between, including the tasty cock that now lay limp.