Well, it looks like our journey with Roy and Dustin is almost done, also Marshall and Lee. So let's visit them for a little bit before we have to say good-bye. Not this week, though. This week the four guys are hanging out, so go catch up with them while you can. Then visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
“You ready for another beer?” Roy asked.
Dustin consulted the bottle in his hand. It was about a
third full yet. “Almost. Give me another ten minutes,” he calculated. “Want me
to get you one? Wouldn’t want you to tucker yourself out too soon.” He gave Roy
a decidedly evil grin, while Marshall laughed loudly.
“I think somebody’s trying to tell you you’re old, Roy,” Lee
joked.
“As if.” Roy snorted. “I don’t remember hearing any
complaints about my age last night, do you?”
“That’s what I mean,” Dustin said without missing a beat. “I
figured maybe I wore you out so much you should save your strength for later.
You wouldn’t want to fall asleep early and miss the fireworks, would you?”
“That’ll be the day when I can’t outdrink you and stay up late enough to set off
fireworks. I’d be more worried about you and Marshall, Sonny Jim.”
“Hey, how’d I get dragged into this?” Marshall protested
laughingly. “This is between you two. Leave me out of it.”
“I guess you’re getting tarred by the same young’un brush I
am.” Dustin couldn’t help but laugh. He was too happy not to. He couldn’t
remember a better Fourth of July than this one. He’d been living with Roy for
several months now, as well as being his deputy, and everything was perfect.
Just perfect. He never thought things could work out as well as they had, and
he wouldn’t change a thing.
“Well,” Marshall drawled, “I guess that’s what happens when
you hook up with old men.” He laughed
and ducked as Lee took a fake swing at him, then gave in when Lee snagged him
and drew him in for long kiss.
Before Roy could even act, Dustin had climbed into his lap
and meshed their mouths in utter harmony. All was still until the two couples
came up for air. Dustin polished off
what was left of his beer. “Anyone want another one while I’m up?”
They were sitting in Marshall and Lee’s backyard. Lee had
barbecued some of the best steaks Dustin had ever had, and now they were just
shooting the shit until it was time to shoot off fireworks. Lee had invited all
their friends from Partners, but they were all busy. Including Dustin’s cousin
Denver, who was seeing the new cashier at the computer store, the one who had
taken Dustin’s place when he left.
Dustin got up and brought back the beers, handing them out
before resuming his next beside Roy, so close that their legs touch. Nice and
cozy, just how they liked it. Dustin was surprised at how demonstrative Roy had
turned out to be. He never would have thought that of the sheriff, especially
not with another man. He figured part of that was the influence of Marshall and
Lee, seeing them together as long as he had.
Roy leaned in and kissed Dustin’s cheek softly. “You sure
you’re okay with not going to Tucker Falls to watch the big show there?”
“Very sure,” Dustin assured him. “I’m right where I want to
be. And I’m with the person I want to be with.”
That produced a smile from Roy and they kissed again, before
settling back in their chairs.
“How’s work coming on the new office?” Lee asked. He had one
arm slung about Marshall, who leaned against him rather cozily.
“Pretty good,” Roy said. “We spend as much time there as we
can. Plumbing’s all good, and the electrician brought everything up to code,
added a few outlets for anything we might need. Melvyn authorized some new
computer stuff for us. It’s going to be pretty cool, I think.”
Dustin was still just working part-time as Roy’s deputy, but
he often ended up working extra just to be with Roy. He was happy with that.
Burnham wasn’t a high crime place. Most of the trouble came from people passing
through town on their way to somewhere else.
“You like being a deputy?” Marshall asked, as he raised his
bottle to his lips.
“Hell yeah,” Dustin said enthusiastically. “Best job I’ve
ever had.”
“Whatever happened to that guy who tried to rob the store
you used to work at?” Marshall said.
They’d been all set to go to Tucker Falls just the week
before to testify against Jordan, but at the last minute, they’d received a
call from the prosecutor, telling them that wouldn’t be necessary. Jordan had
copped a guilty plea, part of a plea bargain. He wouldn’t be getting out of
jail anytime soon.
“He’s where he belongs,” Roy replied. “In prison.”
“Good to know. Things worked out pretty good, didn’t they?”
“Things have been better than good, they’re great,” Dustin
said. “I sure appreciate you guys, and how nice you’ve been to me and
everything. And Roy is the best…” A wave of emotion surged through Dustin,
choking him up so he couldn’t speak. He’d never felt this strongly about anyone
before, not in his entire life, the way he felt about Roy.
“Roy is the best,”
Lee concurred. “And we think you’re pretty fine yourself, Dustin.” He raised
his bottle of beer. “To two of the best guys I know, and to many more years of
friendship.”
“To friendship,” Marshall echoed, lifting his own bottle.
to be continued
Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!
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