Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #44 (11.2)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

So now Roy and Dustin are hanging out with Lee and Marshall. Does this mean they're a couple... or maybe just hungry? See what's happening in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to! Their links follow my tale!  Enjoy!

The Sheriff #44 (11.2)

“So, I see there’s been some new developments,” Lee commented, breaking into Roy’s thoughts. Which were pretty well centered on Dustin.

 Roy glanced at his friend. Lee’s face revealed nothing. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I don’t think you’ve heard a word I’ve said in the last five minutes and you keep staring toward a certain blond is what I mean.” He gave Roy a wry smile. “You want to talk about it?”

He probably was staring at Dustin, wasn’t he? Everything between them had changed. Roy’s whole perspective had turned topsy-turvy in the blink of an eye. And yet it felt so right. At the same time, what happened with the younger man was opening up whole new ways of thinking Roy’d never thought of before.

“I’m not sure what to say,” Roy admitted. “And I sure as hell don’t know what it is I’m feeling. But whatever it is, it’s good. Does that make sense?”

Lee nodded. “You like Dustin, don’t you?”

“I do, but it’s more than that. I like him in a way I’ve never liked any man before. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I just never expected it to happen to me.” He was fumbling for words now and he knew it. “Does that sound as stupid as I think it does?”

“Not at all. Dustin’s a good kid... Sorry, young man. He’s no kid, is he?”

“No, that he is not.” Roy chuckled in spite of himself. “In fact, Dustin knows more about some things than I do. And I think he’s got a good heart, just needs to… I dunno. Grow up a little bit. But I think he’s trying.”

“I think he is too. And I think you’re a very good influence on him. I see the way he watches you. Not just today, but before. Recently, anyway. I wondered if there might be something there. Guess now I know.” Lee flipped the steaks as he spoke.

“So you aren’t against us being together or anything?”

Lee gave him a startled glance. “Why would I be?”

“Well, what with the trouble before… you know…”

“With Marshall? Yeah, I wasn’t happy about all that. But that’s been dealt with and it’s done.”

Roy glanced across the back yard, and his eyes met Dustin’s. He couldn’t have prevented the smile that came to his lips if he’d wanted to… and he didn’t want to.

“Yeah, I think you got it bad,” Lee said with a smirk.

Roy felt his cheeks turn warm, but he wasn’t about to deny it.

“You worried about tonight?” Lee asked.

Roy turned toward him. “No,” he said, “’cause I won’t let anything happen to him. I’m going to make sure that asshole never hurts him again. Then I’m going to show him that he does have value, ‘cause he’s pretty down on himself at times. But I think that has to do with things that have happened to him when he was growing up. Filled him with doubt. Let him think he’s worthless. But he isn’t. There’s something special there…”

His voice trailed off as he watched Dustin and Marshall rise from their chairs and head toward them.

“Roy Landry,” Lee said. “You’re a good man, and never doubt that for a moment.” He raised his voice, addressing the two young men. “I’m about to take the steaks off to rest for a few minutes. 

What are you guys up to?”

“Just thought we’d see if the chefs needed more beer,” Marshall said.

Roy laughed. “He’s the chef, I’m just the assistant. But that sounds like a good idea.  I’ll grab the beers. Everyone want one?”

Apparently everyone did. “I’ll help you,” Dustin quickly offered.

“Thanks.” Roy ushered Dustin toward the house. He just knew Lee and Marshall were both smiling, and he didn’t care.

As soon as they were inside the kitchen, he pulled Dustin to him and pressed their lips together for a very long time.

to be continued

Now visit the other Briefers and see what's happening!

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #43 (11.1)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Now that Roy and Dustin have had sex, does that change anything? Or maybe everything? See what's going on when they visit Lee and Marshall in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. And don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #43 (11.1)

“Hey man, you okay?”

Dustin glanced toward Marshall, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from Roy, who was manning the barbecue grill along with Lee. Well, to be more accurate, Lee was grilling and Roy was handing Lee whatever he needed.

Everything felt so surreal. Sitting in a lawn chair, next to Marshall, in Marshall and Lee’s backyard, sharing a meal with them like they were all the best of friends or something. Dinner had become lunch, because of Dustin having to work, at Lee’s insistence.  Tonight would be the night when—hopefully—they would catch Jordan in the act, and put him away for good, so he couldn’t hurt anyone ever again.

So why was he more nervous about hanging out with Roy’s friends than the impending confrontation with Jordan? Maybe because things had taken an unexpected, although far from unpleasant, turn yesterday. Dustin’s ass still tingled, albeit in a pleasant way, at the memory of Roy inside of him. But what did this even mean in the scheme of things? Once the immediate danger from Jordan was gone, would they go back to… He couldn’t even finish the thought.

Belatedly, he realized he hadn’t answered Marshall’s question. And he’d gone back to staring at Roy… again. His cheeks began to heat up when he heard Marshall’s low chuckle.

“So, what’s going on with you and Roy?”

“I never said anything was going on,” Dustin began, which elicited another chuckle.

“You didn’t have to. I see the way you’re eyeing him. Same way he’s eyeing you. It’s not exactly rocket science, you know?”

Dustin knew. But he didn’t exactly have a ready answer either. Stalling for even a little time, he raised his bottle of beer to his lips and drank, while his mind debated what to reply. He was limiting himself to two beers since he had to work tonight. He needed to have all his wits about him for that. It might come in handy right here and now too.

Not to mention, when he got up that morning, he knew that he wanted to be with Roy again, and Roy had let him know that feeling was pretty mutual when they’d had sex in the shower that morning. And again, later on, after they’d gone out on patrol.

“Is he eyeing me?” Dustin finally asked.  As if in answer to his own question, he darted another look at Roy, and their eyes met this time. And Roy smiled. And Dustin’s heart began to thump so loudly he was sure Marshall could hear it.

“I’d say so,” Marshall replied. “Fact is I’ve never seen him look that way at anyone before. Not any of the women I’ve seen him date. And there have been a few of those, over the years.”

Dustin turned his gaze back to Marshall. Women, yeah. How could he have forgotten about them? Maybe because when he and Roy were together, the sexy sheriff acted like anything but straight. “You think he likes women better?”

“Dude, no, that’s not what I’m saying. Chill out, okay?” Marshall tossed back his own beer. “What I’m saying is he’s never brought any of them here, and here you are. ‘Nuff said?”

Dustin could only nod, not trusting his voice at that moment. A question was burning a hole in his brain and he was dying to ask it, but he was afraid, at the same time. Finally, when he couldn’t stand it any longer, he blurted out, “How did you know?”

“About you and Roy?” Marshall seemed surprised. “You guys aren’t exactly hiding it—”

“No, I mean, how did you know Lee was the one?”

“Oh.” Marshall fell silent, and Dustin wondered if he’d said something wrong.

“I knew Lee was the one because… because I thought about him all the time. And I dreamed about him too. And I wanted to be with him always.”

“You did?”

“I did. And whenever he was around, my heart would… I don’t know how to describe it, other than it was full, like it was larger because he was in it. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah, it does. So the age difference never made a difference?”

“Nope,” Marshall replied. “Not a bit. Age is only a number. It doesn’t matter to either one of us.”

“But how did you know he felt the same way?”

“I didn’t at first,” Marshall admitted. “But I hoped. You always have to have hope. And then one day my dreams came true, when he told me he loved me too. And that was pretty much that.”

“So how long have you known Lee?” Dustin asked.

“Hey, let’s see if the guys need more beer.” Marshall quickly drained his bottle and began to rise.

“Sure, good idea,” Dustin agreed, following him across the yard to the patio where the two men were grilling.

to be continued

Now go and visit the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #42 (10.5)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Looks like Roy and Dustin are acting on that mutual attraction, judging by what went down last week! The fun continues in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #42 (10.5)

Acting on an impulse he couldn’t explain, Roy leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Dustin’s glowing backside. His skin was surprisingly smooth, and he began to pepper it with more kisses. He thought he heard Dustin moan in response. He kissed his other cheek, still thrusting both fingers inside of the younger man.

“How much more do you want me to stretch you?” he asked in between kisses.

“No more, Dustin said. “I’m ready. Please. Now.”

Roy laid one last kiss on Dustin’s ass before helping him off his lap. As Dustin straightened, their lips met again, meshing in a feverish urgency.  They rose together, still joined, and fell onto the bed, Dustin beneath. His long blond hair fanned out across the pillow. Roy drew back long enough to admire the sight. Dustin’s cheeks were flushed, his lips rosy and kiss-swollen, and his blue eyes glowed with lust. Roy thought he looked damn sexy.

Roy reached between them and stroked Dustin’s weeping cock.

“Oh yeah,” Dustin breathed hoarsely. He spread his legs and thrust up into Roy’s hand. His cock was velvet and steel and all kinds of nice. Roy pumped it, hard. Dustin arched his back.

“Oh god, oh god,” he moaned. “Roy, quit teasing and fuck me. Please!”

Roy didn’t need to be asked twice. He positioned himself on his knees between Dustin’s legs. One hand on Dustin, he used the other to maneuver his cockhead into position. Roy wasn’t exactly a virgin, and while his prior experience had all been with women, he figured the theory was the same.

He slowly and carefully entered Dustin, listening for any sign of the safe word. He had no idea how this felt to Dustin, but he wasn’t about to hurt him. Judging by the euphoric expression on his face, Dustin was feeling no pain.

Roy didn’t stop until he was fully sheathed. This was far from what he’d expected. Dustin was hot and tight and soft, holding his cock with a grip much tighter and far more sensual than any woman he’d ever been with. He’d thought being with a man would somehow be… rougher. This was anything but.

Gathering his thoughts, his instincts kicking in, Roy began to slide back, pulling almost completely out of Dustin before slamming back in.

“Fuck,” Dustin moaned. “Fuck yeah.”

Roy wanted to be in even deeper. He slid Dustin closer to him, then raised his legs and hung them over his shoulders, giving him a better angle of attack. Dustin matched each movement, thrusting his hips as they fell into sync with one another. When Dustin tightened his muscles around Roy’s cock, he thought he just might lose control.

Roy didn’t want this to end, not yet. “Hands and knees,” he instructed Dustin, breathing heavily as he struggled to keep from coming. Dustin obediently changed positions, deftly keeping Roy inside as he rotated beneath him. The need to come began to recede, but the desire to fuck was just as strong as ever. He leaned across Dustin’s back, slamming inside of him balls deep. Their flesh slapped together wetly.

Roy reached beneath Dustin and fisted his slick cock. His hand slid up and down without resistance, and he felt it pulse at his touch. Dustin must be close to his release. He wanted to feel him come, feel his pleasure.

“Are you almost there?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Dustin panted. “So close…”

“Do it,” Roy urged, “come for me.” That was something he’d never said to any woman, not ever.

Dustin’s movements became even more frantic. He leaned backward toward Roy, turning his head. “Kiss me,” he practically begged, and Roy happily obliged. He loved the feel of Dustin’s lips on his, loved everything about him.

He tightened his grasp on Dustin’s cock even as he felt it tighten, his whole body responding as he came. Wetness covered Roy’s hand as he continued to pump him as long as he could. A surge of electricity seemed to flow between them, as if a circuit had been completed. Every nerve ending Roy possessed tingled. Without warning, he began to come, longer and harder than he’d ever remembered coming before, filling Dustin’s channel until he had no more to give, and they collapsed together in a sweaty tangle on the bed, panting.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers have been up to!

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Well, Roy has finally acted on that attraction to Dustin he's been feeling for a while now, and it looks like it's more than mutual. See what develops in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #41 (10.4)

Damn, that felt good. Sure, he’d played with women’s nipples before, many times, but none of them had ever showed an interest in touching his. He hadn’t realized they were so sensitive.  He grasped the back of Dustin’s head and gently lifted it until their eyes met. He wanted to read Dustin’s expression for himself, not have to guess at what he might be thinking.

“If we’re going to keep going, we should go to my room and get more comfortable, I think.”

“I like that idea.”

Dustin’s smile was more than enough to convince Roy he was very much interested in continuing what they were doing. Roy could see a desire in his eyes that matched his own.  “Then let’s do it.”

They disentangled themselves long enough to rise from the couch. Roy took Dustin’s hand in his and drew him up against him, meshing their lips together once more with feverish urgency, as though he couldn’t stop kissing the blond. He walked him slowly backward, guiding him carefully.  Once they reached the bedroom, they drew apart in order to strip.

Roy was certainly familiar with the male form, and he wasn’t particularly bashful about being naked in front of another man. God knows, he’d run across Lee and Marshall on more than a few bare-assed occasions, and they weren’t exactly shy either, so he thought nothing of it.

But looking at Dustin’s naked body was different. Dustin was rousing a desire in Roy such as he’d never felt before. And he had every intention of doing something about it. No sense in pretending to be shy, either. Shy was for innocent virgins, and Roy was neither innocent nor a virgin, even if his experience didn’t extend to encounters with the same sex. Yet.

“You know I’ve never done this before—” Roy began as he pulled Dustin into his embrace once more, his hand exploring the texture of Dustin’s firm back and soft skin.

“You sure you want to?” Dustin broke in. He trembled under Roy’s touch.

“Damn sure I want to,” Roy said. “Is there anything I need to know before we get started?”

Dustin smirked. “Looks like we’ve already got started, I think.”

“Smart ass, aren’t you?” Roy lightly slapped Dustin’s ass, and when Dustin moaned, he did it again. “Like that, do you?”

“Hell yeah, keep it up. Maybe lay me across your lap? Do it right.”

Roy took a seat on the edge of the bed and patted his knees. Dustin quickly situated himself across Roy’s legs. “How’s this?”

“Mmm, scoot up a little bit.”

Dustin complied without hesitation.

“Yeah, that’s good,” Roy said. “I can reach you better there. You sure you want this?”

“I’m sure.”

Roy raised his hand and brought it lightly down onto one of Dustin’s buttocks.

“I barely felt that, do it harder,” Dustin urged.

Roy repeated the motion with a little more emphasis. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t, I promise. Tell you what, we can have a safeword, and if I use it, then you stop. Okay?”

“Okay, what kind of word should we use?”

Dustin wriggled his ass in what Roy knew had to be a deliberate motion, before replying, “Something we wouldn’t normally say. Like turnip or kumquat or something.”

“Okay, how about turnip?” Roy lifted his hand again and brought it down with a little more emphasis on Dustin’s cute ass. Hard enough to redden the skin.

“Oh yeah, just like that,” Dustin moaned. “Feels good.”

Roy obliged with a few more solid whacks. Dustin’s skin fairly glowed, as he alternated between each cheek.

“You wouldn’t happen to have any lube would you?”

“Never had a use for it. Guess I’ll have to get some. What will I be using it for?”

“To get inside of me.” Dustin turned his head, looking up at Roy. “I assume you want to top?”

“If that means I’m inside of you, then yes.” Roy nodded. He couldn’t imagine having someone inside of him. He was more than content with being… what did Dustin call it?... the top. Did that make Dustin the bottom? He assumed so.

“We’ll have to improvise today then.  First, I want you to spit on your finger and stick It up my ass, to stretch me.”

“Spit works?”

“In a pinch it does,” Dustin said. “I sure as hell don’t want to stop long enough to buy some lube, do you?”

“Hell no.”

Dustin reached back and spread his cheeks, offering Roy a view of his pucker. Roy had never seen one so up close and personal before. He wondered what it would feel like. Spitting on his right index finger, he gently circled the rim before gingerly sliding the tip inside of Dustin.

“Farther,” Dustin urged. “All the way in.”

“Don’t forget the turnip, all right?”

“I won’t, just do it!”

Roy was surprised at the intensity in Dustin’s voice. He obliged by sliding his finger inside in its entirely. Dustin felt warm and soft and tight all at one and the same time. Roy wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but that wasn’t it.

“Oh yeah, that’s good. Now move it, in and out, like it was your cock.”

Roy was hesitant at first, sure he was hurting Dustin. But when he didn’t hear the word turnip, he kept going. If he felt this good surrounding Roy’s finger, then how good would it feel around his cock? Roy moaned at the thought.

“That’s it, now put in another finger, then kindof scissor them. That’ll stretch the muscle out enough for you to fit.”

If Roy had any doubts that he wanted to fuck Dustin, his weeping cock laid all those ideas to rest. He’d never wanted anyone as badly as he wanted Dustin right this minute.

to be continued

Now go visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to!

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #40 (10.3)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

They say things happen for a reason, and maybe that's true, but what was Roy thinking when he laid a liplock on Dustin? See what's going on in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #40 (10.3)

Dustin’s lips were surprisingly soft. Why wouldn’t they be? Lips were lips, right? Didn’t matter if they belonged to a man or a woman. Dustin’s tasted damn good, too. Too good to stop what he was doing. Upping the ante, Roy lightly teased at Dustin’s mouth with his tongue. When his lips parted, Roy slid his tongue inside. He felt the moan that reverberated through the other man.

They pressed closer together as they continued to kiss. So close that Roy was more than aware that Dustin was very hard, and so was he. He’d never felt a man’s body against his like this before, but somehow with Dustin it just felt right. Just because he’d never wanted a man before didn’t mean he couldn’t want one now. This one, anyway.

Never breaking the contact between them, Roy maneuvered backward until his legs hit the back of the sofa, and he dropped onto it, pulling Dustin into his lap. Only then did Dustin break the kiss, breathing hard, his eyes large and filled with disbelief.

“Do you want me to stop?” Roy asked.

“Hell no. I just never thought… I mean… not in a million years…”

“Thought what?” Roy pushed back a strand of Dustin’s blond hair, behind his ear.

“That you even liked men,” Dustin blurted out. “Much less me.”

“I’ve never kissed a man before,” Roy confessed. “But I wanted to kiss you, so I did. And quit talking like that. You’ve got more going for you than you think.”

Roy traced the contours of Dustin’s mouth with one finger, fixing him with his gaze. “I’ve learned a lot about love and people ever since I met Lee and Marshall. That and hanging out at Partners.”

“Like what?” Dustin asked softly before he caught the tip of Roy’s finger between his lips and began to suck at it gently.

Goddamn that felt good. Almost, but not quite, like having his dick sucked. Just thinking that way was setting all his nerve endings on fire with the strongest desire he’d felt in a long long time.

“Like loving someone doesn’t depend on what sex they are, but who they are inside. I’ve been with a fair number of women. I like them yeah, I won’t deny that. But I like you too. And I like the way this feels, and goddammit, if you keep doing that, I might just have an accident, right here and now.”

Dustin released Roy’s finger slowly. “Are you saying that I turn you on?”

Roy took Dustin’s hand and pressed it against his crotch. “This answer your question? I guess the next question is do you want me?”

“Very much,” Dustin said, sliding further up into Roy’s lap until their erections rubbed against one another.

 Roy couldn’t believe how much friction two men could generate.

“Take me into the bedroom?” Dustin whispered.

In response, Roy claimed Dustin’s mouth once more, and this time Dustin’s tongue battled with his own, thrusting and sucking and exploring. Roy wanted Dustin, no doubt about that, yet he didn’t want to take advantage of the situation either. Was this a violation of some kind of ethics? He couldn’t think straight, his nostrils filled with Dustin’s scent, intoxicated by all-consuming lust. But he had to be stronger than that, had to stop thinking with his dick.

He pulled back this time, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “I don’t want you to think you have to do this. I told you I’d help you, no matter what. This has nothing to do with it, okay?”

“Okay,” Dustin agreed. He reached for Roy’s shirt and began to unbutton it. Roy made no move to stop him. He realized that Dustin had more experience than he did, at least in this respect, and he was happy to let him take the lead. For now.

“Seriously,” Roy persisted as Dustin’s fingers pushed the material aside, caressing the flesh he’d bared. When he touched Roy’s nipple unexpectedly, Roy gasped.

“You like that?” Dustin asked, his voice growing stronger, more confident. Lee’d probably say that’s because he had home field advantage.

“God yes. No one’s ever… I mean no woman….”

Suddenly Dustin pushed the shirt back farther and bent his head, sucking Roy’s nipple into his mouth.

Roy thought he’d just died and gone to heaven.

to be continued

Now go visit the other Briefers and see what's up!

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #39 (10.2)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

In last week's chapter of The Sheriff, Roy received a surprise from the mayor of Burnham, when he offered to give Roy a real sheriff's office. Will Roy have a surprise for Dustin this week? Find out in this week's The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #39 (10.2)

Was he dreaming or did Melvyn just offer him an actual office? Roy found himself at a loss for words, something he wasn’t accustomed to.  Which is probably what made the mayor start laughing.

“Took you by surprise, did I, Roy?”

“Well, yeah.” Roy found his tongue at last. “I never expected to hear those words, to be honest.”

“Between you and me, I wasn’t sure it would ever happen, either. Burnham’s a small town. We don’t exactly have a large tax base or anything. Not like Tucker Falls. But we do okay for ourselves.”

“I was grateful you even gave me a job,” Roy said. “I just didn’t think the town could afford anything too permanent.”

“Thanks to Pete, now we can. Roy, I don’t think we say this often enough, but we really appreciate having you around.” Melvyn glanced toward Dustin. “This man has single-handedly made Burnham a safe and secure place to live.”

“Damn, Melvin, you’re gonna turn my head, talking like that.” Roy laughed, self-consciously.

“I’m not saying anything that isn’t true. Before you came along, people treated this town with disrespect, like we were nothing but a bunch of country bumpkins. You made them sit up and take notice, and you let them know we wouldn’t tolerate that kind of behavior here.”

“He’s the kind of lawman I’d like to be someday,” Dustin blurted out.

“He’s a heck of a role model. You know what, maybe it’s time you got yourself a deputy. Part time, at least for now. Let me run over the budget and get back to you, okay? Right now, all the paperwork’s going through having to do with Pete’s place. In the meantime, maybe you can go over there and kind of figure out what needs to be done to turn it into an office. I know Pete kept it in good shape. I’m not sure if we can outfit it with an actual jail cell, at least not right away, but we still have Tucker Falls for that.”

“True. It’s not like we get many of those anyway. Most people just get tickets and go on their way.”

“Amen to that,” Melvyn said. “Well, I won’t keep you. I just had to deliver the good news in person.”

“I appreciate that,” Roy said.

The mayor turned to Dustin. “It was nice meeting you, see you again.”

“Thank you, Mr.—I mean Melvin,” Dustin hastily amended. He reached out a hand, and the mayor shook it then headed out the door, leaving Roy and Dustin alone once more.

“Well, I’ll be damned, Roy said softly. He headed toward the kitchen, Dustin trailing him. “Never thought I’d hear those words.”

“You’re happy about it, aren’t you?” Dustin asked.

“Hell yeah.” He reached into a cabinet, drew out a can of coffee. “Been living here for more than eight years. I was hoping I could put down roots here, make this permanent.”

“I can understand that,” Dustin said softly.

Roy turned toward him. Dustin looked so damn vulnerable, so…. attractive? Roy had to fight the urge to grab him and hug him. He wasn’t entirely sure he had altruistic motives for that hug. His libido was extremely confused. “Want some coffee?” he asked. “Then we can take a ride over to Pete’s place and see what we can see.”

“Coffee sounds good, yeah.” Dustin nodded. “So does going over there. You think the mayor was serious about you getting a deputy?”

“He wouldn’t have said it if he didn’t mean it. Is that something you’d be interested in?”

Dustin’s face lit up, like someone had just given him the best gift ever. His blue eyes shone, and his smile was almost blinding. But then his face fell, and the smile was gone.  “You’re being nice, Roy, but with all this trouble I’m in, I don’t see that happening.”

“We’re getting you out of that trouble,” Roy reminded him. “Tomorrow night. I thought you were interested in law enforcement? At least that’s what you said.” He took a step toward Dustin, his eyes trained directly on the younger man’s.

“I do, I absolutely do,” Dustin said. “But things never work out for guys like me. I’d hate to see you get hurt because of something I did. I’m a born fuck-up—“

Acting on pure instinct, Roy stemmed the damning words the only way he knew how. He pressed their lips together , even as he slid one hand to the back of Dustin’s head and held onto him for dear life.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #38 (10.1)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

After leaving the diner, Roy takes Dustin by his house, where they find the mayor waiting. Is something wrong? Are they in trouble? Find out in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #38 (10.1)

Dustin’s first irrational thought was that the mayor’s being there was something to do with him, but he dismissed that idea quickly. It was obvious he had business to discuss with Roy. He hoped it wasn’t anything bad.

“Want me to wait here while you talk to him?” Dustin offered.

“No need for that,” Roy assured him. “Nothing you can’t hear. Let’s see what’s going on.”

They both got out of the truck. The mayor was already heading in their direction. Judging by the big grin on his face, Dustin didn’t think he had any bad news. That was a relief.

The mayor was about five foot six or seven, and his gray eyes sparkled with good humor. Dustin couldn’t help but wonder if his thick black hair was naturally wavy or if he had to use something to get that effect. He had a touch of gray at the temples, but it didn’t really make him look old or anything. He wasn’t near as good looking as Roy, though.

“Hey, Roy, I was just thinking about leaving you a note.” He nodded at Dustin, who nodded back.

“No need now, since we’re here. Let’s go inside.” They followed him inside the house. Dustin noticed Roy didn’t need to unlock his door. He couldn’t imagine doing that at the apartment. Burnham must be a much safer place than Tucker Falls.

“Want a beer or something?” Roy offered.

“Another time,” the mayor said. “Thanks, anyway.”

Roy turned to Dustin. “Want one?”

Dustin shook his head. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Before I forget my manners again,” Roy said with a knowing grin, “Dustin, this is our mayor, His Honor Melvyn T. Callendar.  Melvyn, this is Dustin Johnson.”

The mayor held out his hand and Dustin shook it. “Glad to meet you, Dustin. Any friend of Roy’s is more than welcome in Burnham.”

“Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Nice to meet you too.”

“Shoot, just call me Melvyn. Everyone does.”

“Okay, cool.” How neat it must be to live in a place that was so friendly, Dustin thought. Roy’s a lucky man.

“So, what’s up, Melvyn?”  Roy asked. He waved toward a chair, but the mayor shook his head and remained standing. “Nothing wrong, I hope?”

“Well, I’m afraid Pete Jackson passed on.”

“Damn, sorry to hear that.”

Unsure what to say, Dustin didn’t say anything.

“Pete was our oldest resident,” Roy said softly in explanation to Dustin. “Just turned one hundred a couple months ago.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Dustin said.

“He had a good long life,” the mayor said. “Outlived his wife and both of his children. Didn’t have no other relatives.”

“He was a good guy,” Roy said. “We’ll all miss him.”

“Amen to that.” A moment of silence followed.

“There wasn’t anything suspicious about the way he died, was there?” Roy asked.

“Oh no, not at all. The visiting nurse said she went in to check on him, and he must have passed in his sleep. Very peaceful.”

“Well, that’s good. I thought maybe that’s why you were here. Must be something else, though.”

“A related matter, yeah. I got a call from Pete’s lawyer.”

Roy’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “Already?”

“Apparently, Pete had this all worked out a long time ago,” the mayor explained. “You know where his house is, don’t you?”

“Yeah, sure. Nice little place over on Grover Road. Don’t tell me someone’s already broken in and vandalized it?”

The mayor laughed. He winked at Dustin. “Roy always thinks like a sheriff, doesn’t he? No, no, nothing bad at all, I promise. Roy, how’d you like to have an actual sheriff’s office?”

Dustin glanced up at the handsome sheriff. Roy seemed not only stunned, but speechless.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers have been doing!

Johayan

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #37 (9.6)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

As you'll recall, we left Roy and Dustin having lunch with Lee and Marshall. A lot has changed for these four, but more changes may be in store, if these stubborn men ever decide to open their eyes. See what's going on in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #37 (9.6)

After having finished their cake and pronounced it delicious, the four men headed toward the door. Lee extended an invitation to dinner the following night. For both of them.

“You should take him up on that,” Marshall said with a grin. “He’s gonna barbecue.”

Roy patted his stomach. “I never turn down good food, especially not Lee’s que. Guess we’ll see you then.” He held the check for their table in one hand. Lee had tried to claim it when the waitress brought it, but Roy had been too quick for him.

“See you then,” Lee agreed, and he and Marshall took off, leaving Roy and Dustin at the cash register.  Milly rang them up, took Roy’s cash, then returned the change.

“Y’all come back now, y’hear?” she drawled.

“Of course,” Roy said. “Best food in town, ma’am.”

“Don’t ma’am me, Roy Landry.” Milly laughed. “You’re just trying to butter me up so I’ll keep giving you those extra large  portions you’re so fond of.”

“Doesn’t make me stupid, does it?”

“Your food is very good,” Dustin spoke up. “Everything was great.”

“Glad to hear it.” Milly smiled. “You’re always welcome here, any time. My name’s Milly, by the way, since the sheriff here seems to have forgotten his manners.” The wink she gave Roy belied any potential sting in her words.

“I can’t help it if your food makes me sleepy and stupid,” Roy said, unfazed. “Besides, we were just here for breakfast. I forgot to introduce you, that’s all.”

“Nice to meet you, Milly. I’m Dustin.” He held out his hand and Milly took it.

“Likewise,” she said. “Now shoo, I’m sure there’s a crime wave somewhere with your name on it, Sheriff Landry.”

Roy snorted. “I’m sure there isn’t, but we do have to be going. Talk to you later, Mil.”

Leaving the diner, they got back into Roy’s truck. “That woman sure can cook,” he commented. “Good thing, since I’m not so great at that, myself.”

“Neither am I,” Dustin confessed. “I’ve always wanted to learn, but no one ever wanted to take the time to teach me.”

Roy shot him a surprised look. He wouldn’t have figured Dustin to be interested in something like that. Sounded like he’d had a difficult life, all the way around. It was time someone gave him a break. He patted Dustin’s leg, as if trying to impart some kind of comfort through his hand, then took it back and pulled out of the parking lot.

“Maybe between us we can figure out something for dinner. If you want to try, that is.”

“Really?” Dustin’s voice held a note of hope Roy hadn’t heard before. He turned his head to glance at him, and couldn’t help but notice the way his blue eyes lit up, turning his normally sullen look into something almost breathtaking. Roy quickly looked away.

“Really,” he replied. His voice had thickened for no apparent reason, so he coughed to cover it. Once he felt himself on steadier ground, he added, “Let’s run by the house and see what’s in the fridge, then pick up some groceries.”

“Thanks, Roy.”

Just when had Dustin scooted across the seat, close enough that their legs touched? Roy wasn’t sure if the warmth he was feeling was the heat of their bodies being so close, or… He didn’t finish the thought.

“I don’t have any cookbooks or anything,” he warned Dustin.

“No problem. We can look stuff up on my phone. You can find anything on the Internet if you look for it.”

“That’s true too,” Roy conceded.  The next moment thoughts of dinner were forgotten as he pulled up to his house. A familiar vehicle was sitting at the curb. A man leaned against it, looking at his phone. He looked up at their approach.

“Wonder what the mayor’s doing here?” Roy muttered, half to himself, as he threw the truck into park.

to be continued

Now visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to!

Johayan

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #36 (9.5)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Roy has decided to remove Dustin from harm's way, keep him safe in Burnham until it's time to put the plan to catch Jordan into effect. They run into Lee and Marshall at the diner and have lunch with them. Will things get awkward again? Find out in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #36 (9.5)

The four men took a booth together back in the corner. Dustin found himself sitting next to Roy on one side, Marshall and Lee across from them. Nobody stared at him, but he knew they had to have questions. Luckily, Roy took the lead. Once they’d placed their orders with the waitress, he explained what was going on, beginning with the burglaries in Tucker Falls, and ending with Jordan’s probable involvement.

“This guy is real bad news,” Roy said. “A real asshole. He needs to be put away for a long long time.”

“Wow,” Marshall said. “That is unreal. Are you okay, Dustin?”

Dustin glanced at Marshall, and what he saw in the other man’s eyes was nothing but compassion. “I’ll be fine,” he said.  “Thanks for asking.”

“No problem, man.”

When Marshall smiled at him, Dustin noted with some surprise that it didn’t affect him the way it had before. That was a relief. He could be friends with Marshall now, and not let the other stuff get between them again. If Marshall was willing, of course. That remained to be seen. And there was Lee to consider too. He didn’t blame the older man for being distrustful of him, he deserved it.

“That’s why I’m keeping Dustin out of Tucker Falls until tomorrow night. Things’ll be better once we get that little jackass behind bars. Him and his stooges.”

“You think maybe they can get him for more than just the computer store?” Dustin wondered. He was afraid Jordan might not get much time for just one robbery, but if they could prove there was more than that…

“Didn’t you say his friends aren’t all that bright?” Roy asked.

Dustin snorted. “That’s a definite understatement.”

“Then it should be easy to get one or both of them to roll on him,” Roy said. He turned to Dustin and gave him a quick wink.

Dustin felt himself go hot and cold at the same time. For one insane moment, he had the crazy impulse to grab Roy and press their lips together. He had to get that man out of his head or this wasn’t going to work.

Luckily, the waitress arrived with their food, and the clatter of dishes and utensils shook him out of his strange mood as everyone settled down to the business of eating.

They conversed as they ate, nothing in particular. Dustin was content to let them talk while he listened. They seemed to comfortable with each other. He wondered how long they’d been friends, and how they’d met. Probably an interesting story there. He’d have to ask Roy about it sometime.

Everything was very tasty. Dustin’s burger was just the way he liked it, with onions and cheese and hot sauce, and mustard for his fries. Denver used to tell him he was weird for doing that, but Dustin said he’d heard of worse. In some place they liked to dip their fries in mayonnaise. Both agreed that was even stranger than mustard.

The waitress came back to take their dirty dishes and get them out of their way. “How’d you boys like some dessert?” she said with a grin. “Milly made some of her chocolate lava cake, and I’m telling you it’s to die for.”

“Lava cake?” Dustin had thought he was full, but his mouth watered at the sound of that.

“Oh man, her cake is to die for,” Marshall all but moaned. He and Lee exchanged glances, and Lee laughed.

“Go ahead, you know you want to.”

“Like you don’t?” Marshall snickered.

Dustin looked up to find Roy’s eyes on him. “What do you say, shall we make it unanimous?”

“Well, it does sound good,” Dustin admitted.

“That’s right, sugar, you know what’s good, don’t you? All righty, boys, be right back with four big hunks of that cake.” She turned and sashayed away.

Dustin couldn’t help but wish this was his real life, and not something temporary, until they got Jordan put away. He could get off on coming to Milly’s Diner to eat, spending time with Marshall and Lee. And most of all, hanging out with Roy, playing deputy to his sheriff.

He stifled a sigh. Might as well enjoy it while he could.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers have been up to!

Johayan

Cia Nordwell

Carol Pedroso

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #35 (9.4)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

In an effort to keep Dustin away from Jordan, Roy has invited him to stay with him. He's just being a good lawman, right? Find out more in this week's chapter of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

The Sheriff #35 (9.4)

What impulse had made him say a few days? This would all be over after tomorrow night, surely. Roy waited in his truck, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel while he waited for Dustin to grab a few things. Better to be safe than sorry. Sometimes shit happened, and you had to be ready for it.

Dustin emerged from the apartment building a few minutes later, clutching a black duffel bag. He slung it behind the seat and climbed in. 

“I really appreciate this, Roy,” he said. “You going to all this trouble.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Roy said.  His admission took him by surprise, but he didn’t take them words back. He considered Dustin to be a friend, and he would protect him no matter what. He was startled to feel Dustin’s hand come to rest on top of his. He froze, trying not to focus on the unexpected warmth of the younger man’s skin.  A second later, Dustin withdrew his hand, Roy threw the truck into gear and drove off.

So why was he so disappointed to lose that brief connection?

The drive back to Burnham was a quiet one. Roy turned on the radio, to cover any awkwardness, filling the silence with country music. By the time they reached the small town, he’d managed to convince himself he was making a mountain out of a mole hill.

“I’m going to do a quick drive around, see what’s up,” he told Dustin. “Then, if everything’s quiet, which I’m sure it is, we can go over to the diner and get some lunch. How does that sound?”

“You mean you’re going to let me go on patrol with you?” Dustin’s voice was filled with excitement and a little disbelief. 

“Well, since you’re already here, it seems the most logical plan.”  Roy chuckled, unable to keep a straight face. He turned toward Dustin and winked, to let him know he was just kidding. Dustin gave him a wide smile in return.

All was peaceful in Burnham, much as Roy had figured it would be. That’s the way he liked it. He had no regrets that he’d followed Lee here, once they’d found Marshall. He’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Speak of the devil. As he was pulling into the diner’s parking lot, he saw Lee’s pickup already there. Both men were just getting out. He glanced quickly at Dustin. Apparently he’d seen them too.

“Would you rather not…” Roy said, trying to be delicate.

“No, that’s cool,” Dustin said. “I mean, if they want to. That’s up to them.”

Roy nodded. “And what do we tell them if we ask why we’re here together?”

Dustin’s answer surprised him. “The truth. I don’t mind them knowing. I know you trust them, and I trust you.”

Roy felt a warmth steal through him at Dustin’s apparent confidence in him. He cleared his throat, trying to rid himself of the unexpected lump that had just lodged there. Dustin’s response was even more surprising since he hadn’t wanted his own cousin to know.

He pulled up beside Lee’s truck. Lee and Marshall had obviously seen them and were waiting for them. Roy and Dustin got out of the truck and quickly covered the distance between them.

“Hey Roy,” Lee said. “Dustin. Didn’t expect to see you two here.”

“Just thought we’d get a bite to eat,” Roy said.

“That’s why we’re here too. Why don’t you guys join us?”

“Sounds good to me. Okay with you, Dustin?”

Dustin nodded. “Sounds real good. I like the food here a lot. And pleasant company is always welcome.”

Lee arched a brow. Roy knew he had some explaining to do. 

“Good to see you, Dustin,” Marshall said.

“You too,” Dustin responded.

The four men headed toward the door. Lee fell into step beside Roy, while Dustin and Marshall brought up the rear. 

“Everything okay?” Lee had dropped his voice, glancing past Roy at the two young men.

“Yes and no,” Roy said. “I’ll give you the scoop over lunch.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Lee said.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

 

Johayan

Cia Nordwell