Author's note-[Bracketed text implies text messages]
Thank you to all who have read, voted, or commented on my work in progress. I appreciate the support and criticism
*****
There was a little nook behind the garage. A hammock between two oak trees surrounded on three sided by various other bushes and greenery, the names of which only Tyler knew. Neville loved it anyway, almost every day after dinner he'd have a smoke and swing a little. It was big enough for two or a few, as Tyler liked to say, and comfortable enough to find oneself dozing every now and again. A little camp lantern hung on just the right branch provided the perfect ambience for quiet contemplation. And Neville had to admit the novelty of open space hadn't worn off just yet. Even if it was secluded, the open side faced the back yard and woods beyond. Neville looked at the trees, put his earbuds in and zone out.
The perfect time was just before dark, when only the brightest stars were out. Crickets just beginning to chirp, Neville woke up just in time. He didn't wake Breeze, slipped out quietly from beneath him to take his second shower of the day. He took his time, nursed his tender hole with the massaging shower head a bit before he dried off. Shorts, a hoodie, and his music was all he needed. He didn't even bother to wear shoes, the lantern helped him avoid any presents from the pack. Bruiser crept up on him just as he hung it up, sat and watched him. Neville turned to find the tug rope at his feet and laughed as he picked it. He lay down and held the rope out, the dog lumbered over and latched on. They played for a couple minutes until Bruiser realized Neville wasn't that into it. Too exhausted to do more than hold it, he wasn't any fun and Neville wasn't surprised when he snatched the rope and left. Neville promised he'd make it up to his furry homie later.
Right now all he could do was lay. He decided he wouldn't think too hard about anything that happened between him and Brion until they communicated on a less intense level. The sex was like nothing he thought it could be and they both said a lot of things that might not have been had they been sitting at a bar somewhere. But he said he wouldn't think too hard about it.
His phone vibrated in his lap. A text he could tell by the pattern and he started not to look but changed his mind. A number he didn't recognize but against his better judgement he opened it.
[Not for nothing but you left me again]
[???]
[Don't play with me Nev]
[You knew my name just fine not too long ago]
[Fuck you I'm outside]
[Better had...lol]
[Yeah yeah whatever. Call bruiser and tell him to bring you]
[Bring me where]
[That bear you call a dog]
[Just do it!!]
Neville didn't start to get nervous about the lack of response until maybe twenty minutes had passed. Just when he was thinking he should go inside he heard the jingle of Bruisers tags and then muffled cursing. Brion had always had the foulest mouth. It started when they were kids and it made Neville nearly pee his pants laughing but as they got older it became one of his endearing qualities.
"Real talk I thought you was fucking with me," he said as he eased into the space Neville made beside him. He handed him a pillow but Brion declined, and reached out to scratch Bruiser behind his ears. "This is the smartest dog I ever met," he said with a chuckle before he settled next to Neville, one leg hanging over the side. He kicked his foot out to get the hammock to sway gently and let out a long sigh.
"No wonder you rather be here than at Paris'," he almost whispered after a while. "Baby or not I don't think you can get this kind of quiet."
"Yet you keep talking," Neville said with a smirk and Brion gave him an elbow, rocking the hammock so hard it tipped and dumped them on the ground. Well Neville caught himself before he fell and probably could have saved Breeze but he didn't. "See that's what you get."
"Yeah, yeah whatever bruh...you mind if I make a couple phone calls. Pop left me a ton of messages. Texts and everything. Bet he talked to Claude," he said before he set about dialing his phone. Neville thought he might walk away for some privacy but he didn't complain when Brion got back in the hammock, this time he sat upright and pushed Neville's leg down so one drape across his lap and the other dangled next to his.
Neville didn't know what to think of all this touching so he decided to take it for what it was and not think about it at all. He slipped his earbuds in and turned his music on low, giving Breeze the slightest bit of privacy.
"Wassup Pop...Naw, naw I'm good...Oh did he...Yeah I was kind of shitty last night, probably drank too much but I'm aight now..."Neville could hear Brion's father, or Mac as he was affectionately known, animated tenor voice. He had the same affinity for profanity as his son and Neville often wondered how Mac and his own father came to be so close given his father's Christian virtues. "Yeah Pop I hear you, I just got tied up that's all. My bad...Naw maybe later on tonight. I'm good where I'm at." Neville tried not to smirk at the way Brion shift his eyes at him then, or the way his hand came down from fiddling with his goatee to rest on Neville's knee. "Yeah I know I seen her a couple weeks ago...yeah she gave me his number...Naw not yet...I don't know Pop, guess I don't know what to say...Pop...Pop..."Brion chuckled quietly and held the phone away from his ear as his father continued to berate him for his immaturity. He leaned over and pulled Neville's headphones out of his ears and said, "I'm gonna tell him but this is too funny...Yeah yeah Pop I hear you...Yeah I know he might need me right now. We might need each other. Of course I miss him but it's not gonna be the same as it was. We different guys now...I know Pop I'll stop being a pussy...Yeah right now if you let me get off the phone...Aight, love you too Pop. Tell Margie I'll be over for dinner tomorrow night, shit I might even surprise you both and bring somebody along...Bye Pop...Nope I said good bye...I'm hanging up now Dad...Nope that's it...Aight love you Pop see you tomorrow," Brion said finally and pretended to throw his phone into the bushes. He put his head back and ran his hands over his face before he settled his eyes on Neville and smiled. He opened his mouth to say something but decided against it, laughed to himself and turn to look out over the yard.
It was dark by then but Neville was content to stay where he was, especially when Brion move to put his head on his chest. It was very nonchalant. One hand stroked Neville's thigh absently as the other worked his phone. He had said a couple calls but the way he relaxed Neville figured Brion might be done for the night. He seemed just as content with his legs crossed at the ankles. Then Brion came to a text that made him sit forward a little, just for a moment before he settled back with a hand behind his head.
