Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #27 (7.4)

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.

Roy thinks the best way to catch Jordan in the act is through Dustin - by baiting a trap with him. But only if he's willing, of course. Dustin agrees, so the next step is to get in contact with the authorities in Tucker Falls, aka Sheriff Sinclair. See more of Roy and Dustin in this week's episode 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 #27 (7.4)

Breakfast at Milly’s Diner was a quiet affair. Dustin thought Roy seemed to be lost in thought. Probably figuring out what the hell to do about Dustin. What little conversation they had was mostly small talk about the weather.  Dustin thought maybe that was discretion on the sheriff’s part, since apparently he was involved in some kind of ongoing investigation regarding Tucker Falls. Who knew?

And when had he stopped thinking of him as the Sheriff and started calling him Roy? Dustin didn’t know, and he decided not to analyze that too closely. He was always reading into things. That’s how he got into the trouble he did. Didn’t need to start anything new, he was already in enough deep shit as it was.

Dustin was half afraid they’d run into Marshall and Lee. Not that that was a bad thing, but his mind was in too much turmoil. He didn’t think he could handle running into them too, especially if they wanted to know what was going on. Luckily that didn’t happen.

Roy insisted on picking up breakfast, and Dustin didn’t argue. Who knew how much longer he’d even have a job after this? Although it wasn’t his fault, and he knew it, people didn’t always look at things the same way he did. They’d probably blame him for getting involved with Jordan, and thinking with his dick.

After they ate, they got in Roy’s truck and drove to the sheriff’s office in Tucker Falls. The compact brick building was small compared to other police stations Dustin had seen in bigger towns. But at least it was something. Roy was working out of his house, after all, and didn’t even have a jail cell.

An older woman sat at what he assumed was the reception desk. She was hunting and pecking on an old fashioned typewriter when they walked in. Dustin was surprised any of those relics even existed. Why would you want one when you could use a computer? The woman didn’t look up immediately, not until she came to the end of whatever she was typing.  She nodded at it, then  glanced up at them, over the top of her wire rim glasses.

“What can I help you with today?” She spoke to Roy, of course, since he was the one in uniform. She probably thought Dustin was his prisoner or something.

“Good morning, ma’am,” Roy said. “Sheriff Sinclair’s expecting us. Sheriff Roy Landry.”

Dustin noticed Roy hadn’t explained who he was, not that it really mattered. How badly did he want to be known by the police department where he lived? Not very.

“If you’ll take a seat over there, I’ll tell him you’re here.” She waved toward a row of metal and leather chairs clustered together against one wall.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Roy tipped his ten gallon hat, then nodded to Dustin. They took adjoining seats. Roy removed his hat and held it on his lap.

Other than the woman and themselves, the office was empty of life. Maybe the deputies were out doing deputy stuff or something. Dustin hadn’t noticed any marked cars in the parking lot when they’d arrived. He assumed Sinclair didn’t run the station all on his own. He wondered what you had to do to get a job like that? Although truth be told he’d rather work with Roy than here, but Roy had pretty well shot that idea down, hadn’t he? Course, after today, this sheriff wouldn’t exactly be looking at him in a good light either.

Lost in thought, he was surprised when Roy laid one hand across both of his. “Stop that. There’s no reason to be nervous. Plus that’s a nasty habit.”

Dustin hadn’t been aware he’d been picking at his fingers. That only showed how unnerved he was. He hadn’t done that in a long time. He glanced up, meeting Roy’s eyes.

“Everything’s gonna be okay,” Roy assured him.

Dustin’s heart hammered in his chest so loudly he could barely hear over it. What in the hell was wrong with him?

And why did he have the insane desire to kiss this man?

“Sheriff Sinclair will see you now.” The receptionist’s voice broke into Dustin’s trance. To his surprise, Roy looked as shocked as Dustin felt. Roy yanked his hands back, cleared his throat loudly, and stood so quickly he almost dropped his hat and knocked over a nearby chair.

“Then let’s… I mean… Oh hell, just come on.” He gave up and barreled across the room toward an open door where a man in uniform stood. Dustin followed hastily after him, heat rising in his face.  Was that a snicker he heard from the receptionist?

to be continued

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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #26 (7.3)

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.

Last week, as you'll recall, Dustin ended up at Roy's house in the middle of the night, not knowing where else to go, and Roy let him stay, promising him to help him. Two lonely men... is it just a matter of time until they realize they might be attracted to each other? 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 #26 (7.3)

Roy was never one for sleeping in. There was generally too much to do to waste his time in bed. Today was no exception. When his phone alarm went off, he automatically shut it off and sat up, clearing the cobwebs out of his head. But something in the back of his mind kept nagging at him. Something urgent. But what was it?

And then he remembered. Dustin was here. He’d come to Roy’s house in the middle of the night with quite a story.  A hook-up gone horribly wrong. Some slick guy who’d coerced Dustin into participating in an illegal activity—and was blackmailing him into doing it again. Roy would definitely have to fill Harlan in on what he’d learned, as he had the feeling this would explain at least some of the recent burglaries in and around Tucker Falls, if not all of them. But first things first, and that was making sure Denver was out of harm’s way until they sorted everything out and took down the guys who were doing this.

If it wasn’t for bad luck, Dustin would have no luck at all, he couldn’t help thinking. A wave of sympathy for the blond suddenly surged through Roy, surprising him. He’d never particularly liked him before, not with all the trouble he tried to cause between Lee and Marshall. Apparently the boy didn’t know that no meant no.

On the other hand, he seemed more than aware that he’d fucked up pretty badly, and was trying to get his life together. Couldn’t fault a guy for not being perfect. God knows Roy was no saint himself.
So what was the plan? He shuffled down the hall to the bathroom, and afterward headed toward the kitchen. A pot of coffee would hit the spot. Probably wouldn’t hurt Dustin any either.

He glanced into the living room as he passed by. Dustin lay on his back, still asleep. The blanket Roy had given him was draped over his legs, leaving his chest bare. Roy hadn’t realized before how nicely developed Dustin was.

Stop staring. He’s a kid. And he’s a he.

Roy roused himself and continued into the kitchen. Just went to show it had been too long since he’d gotten any, if he was getting horny over another man. Not that there was anything wrong with that. He had no problem with Lee and Marshall as a couple, or any of their other gay friends. But that wasn’t him. He wasn’t gay.

Yeah, he really needed to get laid. Soon.

His thoughts were mercifully interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Dustin in the doorway. Dressed in nothing but a pair of royal blue boxers, he ambled into the kitchen, yawning. Roy quickly averted his eyes, giving his attention to the coffee pot instead.

“Didn’t expect to see you up so soon,” Roy said. “Coffee’s almost ready.”

“What time is it?”

Roy heard a chair scraped across the floor. Turning, he saw Dustin had taken a seat at the small kitchen table. He glanced at his watch. “Just a few minutes after six.”

“Shit.” Dustin groaned. “I couldn’t really sleep, so I guess it doesn’t matter much anyway.”

“Sorry about the couch—”

“It wasn’t that. Just had too much on my mind.” He buried his face in his hands, arms propped on the table top. “Just been thinking about what a fuck-up I am.”

“Stop talking like that!” Dustin jerked his head up, startled. Roy had surprised even himself with his vehemence. “There’s no use in feeling sorry for yourself. What’s done is done. The important thing now is to fix it and move on.”

“How can you say that, knowing what I did?”

Dustin’s eyes met Roy’s. Roy hated that he looked so defeated, but he knew he couldn’t let him wallow in this trough of self-pity either. They had work to do, and he needed Dustin at his best. He was already starting to formulate a plan in his mind.

“Everybody does stupid shit sometimes. But you can get past that, if you want to. Do you want to?”
Dustin nodded.

“Okay, then here’s what we’re going to do. We’re gonna go to the diner and grab some breakfast, then we’re going to Tucker Falls and talk to the sheriff.”

Dustin’s jaw dropped. “You’re turning me in? Seriously?” He started to inch his chair back, looking as though he might just bolt, notwithstanding his lack of clothing.

“Calm the hell down!” Roy snapped. Dustin froze. “I didn’t say that. We’re going to tell him what’s going on. I think, from what you told me last night, this Jordan asshole is responsible for some of these unsolved burglaries in Tucker Falls. So we’ll just take advantage of the fact that we have someone on the inside and put a stop to that.”

“You have someone on the inside?” Dustin frowned, his forehead puckering in thought. “Who…” Suddenly his eyes lit with understanding, as he realized what Roy meant.

“You mean me?” His voice almost squeaked out the last word.

“Yeah, but don’t worry. I’ll be backing you up every step of the way. We won’t have to worry about Denver for now, because you are going to cooperate with Jordan, so he’ll have no reason to hurt your cousin. Do you get it now?”

“You mean I’m going to help set him up?” Dustin said.

“Yep, that’s just what I mean.”

Dustin’s eyes gleamed with unexpected enthusiasm. “Then count me the fuck in.”

to be continued

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #25 (7.2)

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.

Last week, as you'll recall, Roy found a frightened Dustin at his door in the middle of the night and invited him in. Probably forgot he was naked at the time. What will happen now once Dustin realized it? Find out in this week's episode of The Sheriff. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale!  Enjoy!

The Sheriff #15 (7.2)

Dustin’s desire to hug Roy was just an impulse, but one which he obeyed without giving it any thought. Much the same way he lived most of his life. Act first, think later. He’d been so focused on explaining to Roy what he was doing at his house in the middle of the night that it somehow escaped his notice that the man had answered the door in his birthday suit.

A fact he was growing increasingly aware of now that he had his arms wrapped around him.

 Roy’s skin, beneath Dustin’s fingers, was surprisingly soft, and warm. He had an inexplicable desire to run his hands up and down Roy’s back, maybe head a little farther south, squeeze that generous ass.

Whoa, hold on there just a darn minute.

Dustin pulled back as if he’d been struck by an electric cattle prod. His heart was racing, and he knew without looking he had a growing hard-on.

This was so not good.

“Are you all right?” Roy asked, obviously concerned.

Well, Dustin couldn’t very well admit to the fact that Roy was making him horny. That would get him booted out the door sure as shit, not to mention he found it hard to believe himself. Okay, maybe not so hard to believe. The guy was attractive. He just never had a chance to be quite so up close and personal with him before since Roy tended to be standoffish where he was concerned. That probably went back to Roy’s relationship with Marshall and Lee, and the things they must have told the sheriff about Dustin back when he was behaving badly. And okay, he deserved that.

Damn, he hadn’t answered Roy, had he?

“Can I use your bathroom?” he asked. Way to avoid a question. “That way, right?” He waved down the hall where he half remembered it being when he was here at Marshall and Lee’s wedding, which followed immediately on the heels of their return from the cruise the four men had all taken. Not together. Separately, but on the same ship.

Damn he was rattled if he felt the need to explain that to himself.

Roy nodded and Dustin gratefully disappeared into the bathroom.

Once he got inside, he wasn’t sure if he needed to pee or be sick. He slowed his breathing down to a more normal rate, decided he wouldn’t have to throw up, did his business, and washed his hands. He took a quick peek into Roy’s bathroom mirror, examining his face carefully. Looked normal to him. Guess that would work. He dried his hands, turned off the light, and returned to the living room.

Roy had thrown on a pair of shorts while Dustin was gone.

Thank God.

Roy had brought out a pillow, blanket, and sheet, and was in the process of making the couch into a makeshift bed. He looked up at Dustin’s entrance.

“Sorry, I only have one bedroom,” he apologized.

“No worries. That’ll be fine. I’ve slept in worse places,” Dustin assured him. Bounced around as he’d been, sometimes he’d had to make due with a spot on the floor. Sleeping bag, if he was lucky. Slept outside more than once. Compared to those times, this looked luxurious. “I’m sorry to bother you in the middle of the night like this,” he apologized again, but Roy waved his apology aside.

“Don’t worry about it, just get some sleep.” He yawned widely as he spoke.

“Think Denver will be all right?” Dustin fretted.

“Yeah, he should be fine. That Jordan guy wasn’t even going to pick you up until ten, right?”

Dustin nodded.

“We’ll be up long before then, with a plan.”

Dustin felt better just hearing Roy say that. There was something very comforting about Roy’s presence. Too bad the lawman didn’t much care for him, but that was his own fault. He intended to behave and not make a nuisance of himself as much as possible. Maybe he could get on Roy’s good side, if he tried.

“If you need anything, you know where the kitchen is, and I’m right in there.” Roy waved toward the single bedroom. “See you in the morning.”

“Thanks again, Roy. See you in the morning.”


As Roy stumbled off toward his bed, Dustin couldn’t help but admire his fine ass.

To be continued

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Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #24 (7.1)

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.

Last week, if you'll remember, Dustin found himself doing something rather illegal, having listened to what Jordan told him. And things are only getting worse. Find out where he ends up 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 #24 (7.1)


Middle of the night found Roy tossing and turning, sleep eluding him. He couldn’t find a comfortable position to save his life. Punching the pillow didn’t help either. Nothing felt right. Certainly nothing felt good.

Then, naturally, he had to take a piss. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, reached for his shorts, out of habit, then decided to hell with it. Not worth the trouble for the short trip down the hall.
Once he finished his business and washed his hands, he was heading back to bed to see what he could salvage of the night when he froze in place as he passed by the living room.

What was that?

His mind must be playing tricks on him, due to lack of sleep. He’d thought he heard someone knock at his door, but who the hell would be doing that at this time of night? Most of the residents of Burnham were long asleep, which was where he should be.

Dismissing the idea as a product of an overactive imagination, he started to move on, but then he heard it again. Yep, definitely knocking at his front door.

Damn, what if it was Lee or Marshall? What if something was wrong? He covered the short distance to the door in quick strides and threw it open, only to find neither Lee nor Marshall. Instead, Dustin stood there, hand upraised as if to knock again.

“Do you know what the fuck time it is?” he started to upbraid Dustin. Was he drunk or what? Then he noticed that Dustin was trembling. He glanced nervously around him as if he was afraid of being seen by someone. What the hell had this kid so spooked?

Without thinking, Roy grabbed hold of Dustin’s arm and yanked him inside nature coming. “Get in here.” Whatever the trouble was, he’d sort it out and send Dustin on his merry way. Not like he was sleeping, anyway. Before he closed the door, he glanced cautiously around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Great, now he’s got me doing it.

Roy turned from the door to find Dustin had seated himself on his couch. His head was bowed, and he seemed to be trying to pull himself together.

Dustin raised his blond head, his hazel eyes fixed on Roy. Roy had seen that sort of look before—desperation mingled with terror. “I’m sorry to wake you up in the middle of the night, but I didn’t know where else to go.”

“Are you in some kind of trouble?” Roy blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“I’m an idiot is what I am. A certifiable major idiot. I deserve everything that’s coming to me, but Denver doesn’t. He’s been good to me, and he doesn’t deserve to be hurt. So I ran, but now I don’t know if that was the right thing to do.”

Nothing was making sense, but Roy could see genuine fear in Dustin’s eyes, hear it in his voice.  He took a seat beside him on the couch, laid a calming hand on his arm. “Slow down, you’re not making sense. How is Denver going to be hurt? Who’s threatening him? And what’s it got to do with you?”

“Jordan, that’s who.” As he spoke the name, Dustin winced, as if the very thought of this man pained him.

“Who’s that?” Roy was clueless.

“Guy I met at the computer store. We’ve been… dating… for a few weeks now. If that’s what you want to call it.”

“What do you want to call it?” Roy asked.

“I call it him seeing an opportunity and going for it. And me thinking with my dick, as usual.” Now he sounded bitter. He locked his gaze with Roy’s. “I’m sorry to be bringing all this to you, but he scared me, I admit it. Said he’d hurt Denver if I didn’t do what he wanted. And tonight… oh God… tonight.” Dustin gave a shudder and squeezed his eyes shut, as if he was trying to shut out the world. Or at least one particular part of it.

Roy moved his hand to Dustin’s back and began to rub soothing circles, trying to get him to calm down. “It’s all right, don’t be sorry,” he said in a voice that was calculated to help put Dustin at ease. 

“Tell me exactly what Jordan said and did. Is this the guy you were with in Partners not too long ago?”

“Yeah, that’s him.” Dustin took a deep cleansing breath and opened his eyes once more. He fell silent for a few moments, as if organizing his thoughts. “It all began one day at work,” he began.

Roy listened without comment as Dustin told about meeting Jordan, and how flattered he was when the sexy guy asked him out. About his two Cro Magnon pals, Rusty and Lenny. And about what he now realized was breaking and entering someone’s house. About Jordan’s threats, and his plans to rob the computer store.

Holy shit.

Roy gave a long low whistle. Suddenly things were starting to make sense. Particularly the robberies in Tucker Falls.

“Have you told any of this to Denver?” Roy asked.

“No, I’m sure he’s asleep. I honestly didn’t know what to do. I just thought about you, and then I found myself driving here, and I’m sorry, I’m being a pest—”

“You are not,” Roy said. “I’m glad you came. That’s what I’m here for. What time did you say he’s coming by to pick you up?”

“At ten,” Dustin said. “Should I go back there and wait for him… or… or I don’t know what…”

“No, that’s the last thing you should do,” Roy said. “Why don’t you just stay here tonight? What’s left of it, anyway. In the morning, we’ll figure something out.”

Before he realized what was happening, Dustin was hugging him as if never wanted to let go.

to be continued

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Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #23 (6.5)

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.

Last week, Dustin was asked to help Jordan's friend Rusty with a little problem. Imagine Dustin's surprise when he found out it involved "breaking in" to someone's house! Things go from bad to worse this week. What will Dustin do? Find out 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 #23 (6.5)

Dustin felt sick to his stomach at the thought of what he’d so stupidly just done. Made himself an accomplice to a burglary, even if an unwitting one. Try explaining that to a judge. Everything was becoming all too clear to him now, especially what an idiot he’d been to believe someone like Jordan could be interested in someone like him. It hadn’t been him, it had been the computer store where he worked that had been the big attraction all along. If they’d run into each other anywhere else, Jordan would probably not have given Dustin the time of day. That’s what he got for thinking with his dick.

Had there been others before him? Was this a regular racket with these guys? No wonder Rusty and Lenny treated him like shit. They’d probably seen this scenario enacted before. And no wonder their employment seemed so sketchy. They were thieves, if not something worse.

Even as he thought this, he felt something in his spine stiffen. He wasn’t about to go along with helping these assclowns rob the very store where he worked. The store his cousin was kind enough to help him get a job at. Denver certainly didn’t deserve that. He’d been nothing but good to Dustin, gave him a chance when no one else would.  Gave him a place to live.

How could he betray the only family he had? He couldn’t.

Jordan let Rusty and Lenny out at their apartment building, then turned to Dustin. “Want to grab a bite to eat and go back to my place?”

Dustin didn’t think he could eat if he tried. Besides, he knew what else was included in that invitation, judging by what he’d said previously, and he honestly didn’t want to be with Jordan like that. Jordan might be sexy but he was poison. Dustin wasn’t sure he would ever want him again. But it didn’t seem very prudent to say so. Rusty had been carrying a weapon. It wouldn’t surprise him if Jordan did too. And he probably wasn’t afraid to use it.

“I’ve not feeling very well,” Dustin said, which wasn’t actually a lie. “Mind dropping me off instead? I’d rather not get sick in your car.”

“I’d rather you not get sick in it too,” Jordan said in a cold voice, devoid of any compassion for Dustin. He made no move to comfort him, or touch him in any way, for which Dustin was grateful, just drove. A few minutes later, they were in front of the building where he lived with Denver.
Dustin reached for the door handle, but froze at the sound of Jordan’s voice.

“I’ll pick you up in the morning,” Jordan said. “About ten. Make sure you’re ready and waiting for me.”

What the hell?

Dustin gave Jordan a confused look.

“We’re going to case that store of yours,” Jordan said. “I want to know everything about it, the sooner the better. I think that could turn out to be one of our better hauls.”

“I don’t think so.”

Dustin was surprised to realize those words had actually come out of his mouth. He had more backbone than he’d given himself credit for, at least when it came to Jordan.

Jordan’s smile was ice cold. He didn’t seem at all fazed by Dustin’s refusal. “I don’t think you understand. You’re my bitch, Dustin, and you’ll do what I tell you to do, for as long as I tell you to do it.”

“The hell I will!” Dustin blurted out. “What makes you think you can talk to me like that? Find another boyfriend. We’re through.”

Jordan threw his head back and began to laugh, a sound that Dustin found oddly disturbing. “Oh honey, you are naïve, if you think you’re my boyfriend.”  Calming down, he continued. “I will always be able to talk to you anyway I want. And you know why? Because if you don’t do as I say, your beloved cousin will pay the price. And you don’t even want to know what I can do to him, trust me. So be a good boy, get some sleep, and tomorrow be ready when I come for you. And furthermore, if I tell you I want to fuck you, then be prepared for that too. Assuming I even want to. Now go on. I’m done with you for tonight.”

Dustin stumbled out of the car in a daze and slammed the door shut behind him. He watched as Jordan peeled out of the lot. What the hell was he going to do now? He wasn’t about to help them break into the computer store, but at the same time, he wasn’t going to let them hurt Denver.

There seemed to be only one choice left. He had to hide. Get the hell out of Tucker Falls until he figured out something more permanent. But where? He didn’t know anyone.


He’d worry about that later. Right now, he needed to grab his clothes, get in his car and drive… and hope for the best.

to be continued

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