HOPING FOR A GOOD BREAK by BA Tortuga

HOPING FOR A GOOD BREAK by BA Tortuga

Alan and Colby have had an on-again, off-again love affair thanks to the rodeo. Alan hasn’t been able to give it up. When a dear friend of both men has a bad break, literally, during a freak accident, the whole situation makes Alan rethink being on the road, and away from his lover Colby.

Story also appears in the RODE HARD ANTHOLOGY.

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~Excerpt~

"What do you mean broke?" The urge to pull the phone away from his ear and stare at it was strong. Huge, because Colby couldn't stare at Little Mike in person. "Like Shiloh Walker cracked that vertebra last year?"

"Like he cain't breathe on his own no more, Colb. Like he ain't never gonna be whole." Little Mike sounded lower than a worm. "Alan's been wantin' to come on home to you, so I told him to load up all the horses and head out. He had a two hour drive to fetch them back 'fore he could get started."

Jesus. The words hit him, each one a blow to the chest. "What do you need, Mikey? You know I'll help any way I can."

"There's no help now. He's got pneumonia. He can't breathe on his own and he's done give up. You know James -- he don't want to live like this."

"I know. I-- Christ, I'm sorry, Mikey. You let me know what you need with the stuff." He meant bills or funeral arrangements or anything. Mike knew that, too. He'd come to the service, but if Mike needed him before that...

"You got it. Tell Alan to give Elvis some oats for me."

"I will." He went ahead and hung up, knowing Mike didn't need his worry or sorrow. The man had enough of his own. James was the best of all of them, and this broken neck and severed spinal cord was no way for a cowboy to go.

He tried to call Alan again and got nothing. Someone let his minutes run out again, he'd bet. Damn it, where was the damned fool? Even with going back for the horses, Alan should have been here by now. He hoped Alan knew he was still welcome, even though Colby had gotten tired of being second to the rodeo, had maybe had a little snit and not answered the phone for a bit.

This was still Alan's home, right?

God, he hoped so. Hell, he didn't know anything right now, his head reeling from what Mike had told him. He gritted his teeth. He'd need to get some stalls ready for the horses.

He assumed there were three horses coming -- Little Mike's Elvis, Alan's Joanie, and whatever little mare James had been able to afford. Alan pulled a three horse trailer and no one had called for money to rent a bigger one. Hell, Alan's truck didn't have a gooseneck hitch anyway...

Colby pushed his phone into his pocket and headed down to the barn. He'd need to feed and water, check shoes and hooves, and make sure they all got a vet check-up this week.

Dust started billowing near the gate, the big metal thing sliding open. Huge black Ford shining. Alan.

Relief made Colby's knees weak for a moment. He grabbed the top rail of the corral fence, just standing there, watching Alan drive back into his life.

Those blue-sky eyes stared at him, the shock of blond hair sticking out from under the cap and scarred jaw familiar as breathing. When Alan pulled into the turnaround next to the barn and killed the engine, Colby walked over to the driver's side door, needing to see Alan up close. To touch.

"Tell me it's cool to come home, man. I cain't drive no more, and I need you like breathing."

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WHERE THE MEN ARE MEN by Julia Talbot

WHERE THE MEN ARE MEN by Julia Talbot

Skeet might not be the brightest lightning bug in the swarm, but he knows enough to know he wants Dan. Dan thinks he’s too old for Skeet, but he’s about to find out different. Will their affair last more than just the summer and survive the llamas?

Story also appears in the RODE HARD ANTHOLOGY.

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~Excerpt~

"Are those sheep? Shit, those are the biggest sheep I ever did see." Tanned and long and lean, Skeet Nasum was the prettiest thing Don Jancey had ever seen, even if those pretty green eyes were staring at a small bunch of alpacas like he'd never seen nor heard of them before.

Beautiful, but maybe damned stupid.

"Alpacas, you idiot." Don whacked Skeet with his hat. "They're cousins to llamas."

"Tell me we ain't riding herd on llamas, buddy."

"Of course not. We're playing cowboy to a herd of Charolais and mixed cattle. The alpacas keep coyotes away."

"No shit?"

This was Don's third summer in Colorado, up from Texas to get where the cool nights and good pay were worth the drive. It was only Skeet's first trip, though, and he had a lot to learn.

"No shit. They're better than a dog."

"Huh. Well, as long as they ain't sheep. I don't figure to go all Brokeback Mountain on this one."

Don gave Skeet a sideways glare. "What are you, a rodeo clown now? That's the oldest joke ever, and still bad at that." Especially since Don knew who Skeet had been sleeping with back down in Chappell Hill, and how it had played out that Skeet was in Colorado for the summer because of it.

Skeet had the grace to flush and duck his head. "Sorry, man. Just an automatic reaction."

"Yeah, well, you know it's bullshit to use it on me." He was out with Skeet, because he felt bad for the kid when he got canned for messing around at the ranch. Wasn't something Don advertised, but he felt like Skeet needed a role model, maybe. Oh, hell, he probably just needed to admit that he liked beautiful and didn't mind a little dumb.

"I'm not stupid."

Donnie's head snapped up, his gaze meeting Skeet's. "I never said you was."

"No, you just roll your eyes at me and mumble under your breath."

"I do not mumble." He did roll his eyes. His momma used to say she would pick them up and roll them back if he wasn't careful.

"Liar." Skeet nodded. "Lacey will like the exercise. Where are we moving the herd?"

"Up, I reckon." They had maps and shit. Directions. This was a new summering place to Don. "Summer pasture."

"'kay. Sounds fun."

"Lord, only you would think so." There he went, lying again. Don loved playing old time cowboy, loved the fresh air and simple food and camaraderie of hard-working men.

"Yeah, well..." Skeet shrugged and pulled the brim of his straw hat down. "I'll get Lacey saddled up and ready."

"Hey." Don grabbed Skeet's arm, feeling hard muscle under his palm and fingers. "This is gonna be fun, okay? I'm not raggin' you. Promise."

"I just appreciate the work, man."

"Me, too." He grinned hugely. "Old man Yothers has been good to me over the years."

"Fucking A." Skeet headed off, giving him a view of that tiny heinie. He stared for a lingering moment, his cock giving a nice, hard twitch in his jeans. Lord, this was gonna be a long summer.

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DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL by Melissa Kendall

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL by Melissa Kendall

Sergeant Jason Holt and his boyfriend Sergeant Patrick Wentworth have been in a secret relationship for almost ten years.

When the daily paper brings news of the repeal of the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, they think their prayers have finally been answered.

Yet things aren’t always as easy as they seem, with not everybody at work supportive of their lifestyle and even their parents skeptical. Will they finally be able to be out and proud?

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Excerpt:

My mind filled with images of when Patrick came into my life.

We met our first day at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. I was a Texan boy following in the footsteps of a long line of military men, Patrick a local New Yorker escaping a troubled life. Drawn to each other right away, it didn’t take long for us to become the best of friends.
Only after we graduated from West Point did we both recognize our feelings were more than platonic.

Together, we shipped out to the 504th BFSB at Fort Hood. We bunked together for the first year, and everything was great, until one night about three months after we arrived, things changed.

I jumped in the shower while Patrick went to get takeout for dinner. When I finished getting clean, I headed out of the bathroom to get dressed. Not expecting anybody to be about but me, I didn’t bother wrapping a towel around my waist. A gasp and the thud of paper bags meeting the floor made me realize my roommate had returned.

I looked up, not expecting to see the expression of pure lust on Patrick’s face. I went from flaccid to erect in all of a second, my body’s reaction unmistakable. In two large strides, Patrick closed the gap between us, his lips colliding with mine in a passion-filled kiss. When my brain caught up with my body, I threw my arms around him, pulling him against me in a tight embrace, all the while our lips and tongues danced.

Years of pent up sexual tension seemed to explode from both of us. Our hands caressed everywhere, unable to get enough.

Feeling fabric under my fingertips instead of skin I pulled away from the kiss and set about trying to get him naked as fast as possible. I unbuckled his belt, and then unbuttoned his fly. As I pulled his jeans open, my heart skipped a beat as his dick sprang out at me. I cocked my eyebrow at him, questioning his choice of commando. He just shrugged. Since he’d given me such easy access, I wasted no time taking full advantage. I pulled his pants down until they were around his ankles, placing my mouth around the head of his cock before he even got a chance to step out of them.

“Holy fuck!” Patrick moaned. “Jesus, Jason ... so ... fucking ... good.” He placed his hand on the back of my head, guiding my movements.

I’d been on the receiving end of having my dick sucked many a time, but never given it. On my knees in front of him, I appreciated the comforting weight of his guidance. Unable to fit more than half his length in my mouth, I wrapped my hand around the base and moved it up and down in time with my mouth. The cacophony of grunts and groans coming from Patrick made my dick ache. I wrapped my spare hand around my own cock and moved it in time with my ministrations on his erection.

I glanced up and noticed him staring at me, lust written all over his face, and I almost came on the spot. I’d always hoped someone would look at me in such a lascivious manner, and for at least a year, I’d been hoping it would be Patrick. However, to see the expression on his face directed at me made my heart beat a million miles an hour. I moaned around his cock, knowing it always got me close to coming. All of a sudden, his cum shot down the back of my throat as he let out a feral sounding growl. The combination of hearing him come and knowing I brought him that pleasure sent me over the edge, my release spilling all over my hand and the floor.

Collapsing in a spent heap on the floor, we remained there for quite a while, the reality of what we’d done sinking in.

The military did not accept gays. I’d known when I enrolled at West Point, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy meant I’d have to hide a side of myself. Raised in an army family, I understood I could never fully be myself by joining. I’d thought I could do it, no problem. Meeting Patrick, I realized hiding my sexual orientation wasn’t going to be as easy as I’d thought.

Once we both got our breath back, we crawled into Patrick’s bed and curled up together, dinner lying forgotten on the floor. We had many firsts that night. For the most part, however, we talked about what happened and what we wanted to happen.

It shocked both of us to find out we’d been harboring feelings for one another for at least a year. We’d also each chosen careers in the military even though we were both well aware we were gay.

Patrick’s hand waving in front of my face brought me out of my memories.

“Where did you go, babe?”

“Sorry, darlin’, I was just remembering the first time I gave you a blow job.”

A smile reappeared on his face. “Mmmm, I remember that well.”

“Me too. How about a do-over?” I asked with a cheeky grin.

“Sounds like a plan.”

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FIGURING IT OUT by Shawn Lane

FIGURING IT OUT by Shawn Lane

Gay, dramatic, and flamboyant, Avery Jennings first fell in love with Joe Gunderson back in their sophomore year of high school when Joe asked Avery to tutor him for an English Lit class.

Avery didn't think he stood a chance with straight Joe and therefore hid his attraction to the handsome football player. When the tutoring ended, so did Avery's time with Joe.

The years pass and both men go off to college. When Avery's boss at the diner introduces him to his new co-worker, he's shocked to come face-to-face with Joe.

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Excerpt:

One day, however, I was surprised when as I was leaving drama class I spotted Joe leaning against a wall directly next to the path I had to take to leave campus and head home. He was alone, which was at least one good thing for me because I hated the idea he would have his friends gang up on me.

I half wanted to run back into the class and ask friends to walk out with me, but part of me was also curious as to why Joe was there. I supposed he might be there for some reason other than me, of course. But I didn’t think so. Deep down in my gut, I knew he was there to see me.

My heart beat so hard I was surprised I couldn’t see it pulsing from my chest like some cartoon character. I had slowed my pace, taking small little steps, delaying the confrontation as long as possible. Finally, when I got almost to the point where Joe leaned against the wall, he straightened and stepped into the path right in front of me.

“Uh, hi.” I backed up a step.    

He didn’t smile. “Avery, right?”

I had a little geeky moment where I thought, ‘he knows my name’, but I squelched it and nodded, perhaps a little reluctantly.

Joe glanced toward the drama class. “Are you part of that school production of Cats?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re into that, huh?”

“Yeah,” I said again. I really wished I could get out more than one word, but I was still unsure just what he wanted with me. I gripped my book bag tight, like that was some sort of protection if he decided to pummel me.

He stared intently at me. He had the bluest eyes. I’d always wanted blond hair and blue eyes but damn it all I had been born with brown hair and brown eyes. Just like most of the population.

“You gay?”

Great, I thought. He really was here to smash my face in. But I wasn’t going to lie. I could hardly hide it anyway. I was a little on the femme side and my book bag had rainbow symbols all over it.

“Yeah.”

He nodded. “That’s cool.”

I eyed him cautiously. “Is it?”

Joe shrugged. “Sure. Listen, I wanted a favor.”

I couldn’t imagine what he wanted from me so I said nothing. Probably he wondered if I was a moron or something. I waited for him to continue.

“You’re a brainiac or something, right?”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Sure you are. You get A’s I bet.”

It was true, I did. I’d always been good at school.

“Anyway,” Joe continued. “I was hoping you could help me out with English Lit. I pretty much suck.”

Ah, now it made sense. He wanted me to do his homework or some such thing. Or he’d beat the crap out of me. He wouldn’t be the first tough guy who tried to bully me into doing his schoolwork. But I never gave in.

“I’m sure you aren’t as bad as you think,” I said. “But the truth is, I don’t do other students work for them. Sorry.”

Joe did smile then and showed the most freaking adorable dimples I had ever seen. He didn’t smile nearly enough. “Avery, I’m not asking you to do my work.”

“No?”

“I want you to tutor me. Help me get my grade up.”

“Oh? Oh.” I nodded. “That I can do.”

And so I did. The rest of that semester I met with Joe twice a week after school in the library to help him with English Lit. It turned out to be beneficial to both of us because I helped him pass the class with a B and he kept his buddies from picking on the gay kid. We didn’t really spend much time getting to know each other. Joe was there strictly to learn, he didn’t seem to want to be friends, so I had to accept that.

Oddly enough, though, the night we performed Cats I saw him in the audience.

After that I saw Joe around school each semester but we never really talked. We didn’t even have any more classes together. In my senior year I started seeing another gay student named Brett. And because of that I stopped watching for Joe so I saw even less of him.

Brett and I lasted the whole year and into the summer after graduation. We were each other’s first, but then Brett had decided to go to college back east and we both knew a long distance relationship wasn’t going to work.

I had decided to go to a local state university mostly to keep costs down. I had earned scholarships and with my grades could have gone to some great schools, but my parents, who’d had me later in life, had been in ill health for years and I didn’t want to leave them to fend for themselves. I took a job at the local diner just a few blocks from my house and the owner was a family friend so I could pretty much work whatever hours I wanted around my school schedule.

And it was to my surprise that shortly after the fall semester began, my boss, Hank, came to me one morning as I was making a fresh pot of coffee.

“Hey, Avery, I hired another guy.” Hank was a short, skinny older guy who’d spent most of his life as a short order cook at the restaurant. A few years back when the previous owner had decided to retire, Hank bought the place from him.

“Oh, yeah? Good. We can always use the help. When does he start?”

The bell above the door jangled and Hank glanced toward it. “Right now.”

I turned to greet the new employee and was stunned into standing there with my mouth hanging open to catch flies.

Joe.

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