Middle of Nowhere - Chapter 8
Title: Middle of Nowhere
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They were created by Annie Proulx. I make no money from this and don't want to.
Thanks: To smilesalot. Thank you for taking time to look at this chapter. You may want to cover your eyes though, for fear of the dreaded POV scenarios. Thank you also to Keren for your support.
Feedback: Oh yes please!! I appreciate every word.
Author's Note: This chapter was looked at, but not beta'd by my badass beta. So all mistakes, confusing POV's, badly-constructed sentences, Britishisms instead of Americanisms, are ALL mine.
Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Chapter 8
“They did what?” Jack asked, as Ennis finished repeating a story Howie had told him.
“They papered up the front door of his cabin, secured it with the toughest glue they could find. Come to think of it, I think they may have took that from my workshop.”
“Our boys sure are creative,” Jack observed. “Surprised they ain’t got us yet.”
“Give it time,” Ennis said, smiling. “I doubt we’ll get through the summer without having something befalling us.”
It was dusk and they were sitting outside the cabin. The slowly setting sun was casting multi-coloured shadows all around them. The boys were inside, getting ready to go to the games hall. Jack noted how unconcerned Ennis seemed with the prospect of being a potential victim of a practical joke, and smiled at the thought of Ennis feeling relaxed enough not to care.
They had barely brushed shoulders all week, so Jack was relishing this opportunity of time alone with Ennis. Late at night when the boys were in beds was there only true time to talk and be together. It gave them a chance to catch up on their respective days, which both cherished and looked forward to. Jack knew this because Ennis told him.
“Look forward to this,” Ennis said, indicating sitting with Jack. “Kinda nice.”
“Yeah,” Jack said quietly. “Yeah, it is.”
For Jack, these moments were bittersweet. As much as he longed for time with Ennis, he wanted more. He was sure Ennis felt the same way. Jack’s frustration with the situation was no more evident when he had to act professional in front of the kids and his peers, while inside he was struggling to keep a grasp of his yearnings. Jack knew it was only a matter of time before he lost control completely.
--
Ennis was hot and needed a shower. He had been on the ranch all afternoon and the blazing sun had been a demon. But teaching the campers for the first time had been a treat, and he revelled in seeing the giddy delight in the young kids faces when they were riding.
Ennis knew that feeling well. He still felt that way even now, when he went out to the ranch back home to ride his beauty, Bonnie. It filled him with wonder and joy to feel the freedom of the earth beneath his feet when he rode her.
For the first time since arriving at camp, a small twinge of pining for home snapped at his feet. But the feeling changed to an excited jitter as the truck arrived back at camp. He instinctively looked around for a glimpse of Jack, knowing he would be lucky as Jack would likely be at the waterfront at this time of day. He still couldn’t help himself.
He jumped down from the back of the truck, and headed into the cabin. It was empty; all the boys were at their afternoon activities. Ennis had the rest of the afternoon to himself, and he had plans to shower, change and spend time in his workshop, to finish up the project he’d been working on for the past few days.
He looked at Jack’s unmade bed, and shook his head with a smile. Jack was always the last up, and rarely had time to make his bed. Ennis started fixing the bed up when he noticed one of Jack’s white t-shirts lying on the floor. Why Jack had so many, Ennis had no idea, but he didn’t care, because Jack looked good in them. Especially after Jack had just showered. The contrast of coal black hair, steel blue eyes and white t-shirt over the taut and fit body made Ennis stand to attention.
Ennis picked up the t-shirt and held it to his face, inhaling the scent of Jack, and was almost knocked out by it. He had not expected it to be so strong, so sharp. So Jack. He lost himself in the moment and didn’t hear the door open and the click of the door closing.
“Ennis.”
He dropped the shirt and spun round, like he’d been caught stealing candy, and came face to face with Jack, who’s hair was wet and blacker than normal, his body sprinkled with shiny droplets of water. The shorts he was wearing were wet too. Ennis was aware his mouth was hanging open, and he swallowed, finding his voice to speak.
“You’re back early,” was all Ennis could manage.
“Not really,” Jack said casually. “I worked out what time you’d be back and made some excuse to Bob. So, here I am.”
Jack walked slowly towards him. Ennis didn’t move.
“You don’t wanna be too long before you’re missed,” Ennis said, his voice barely a whisper.
“Don’t care about anyone missing me, ‘cept you. You miss me Ennis?”
“Jack….,” Ennis began his usual warning to Jack that they were entering territory that was dangerous and if they weren’t careful, they would not get out alive.
“Cause I surely missed you,” Jack went on, oblivious. “Was thinking about you, on that horse, all a them kids with you, their eyes wide open at this magnificent cowboy before them, teaching them how to ride. Bet they thought they were in heaven, or in some Cowboy and Indian movie.”
Despite himself, Ennis laughed but it came out like a high-pitched giggle, as if he’d had too much to drink. He felt giddy and unsteady on his feet. Jack talking like that, and walking towards him like that was beginning to have a strange affect on him.
“Ain’t like that,” Ennis said weakly. He felt a mixture of obvious embarrassment and hidden joy from what Jack said about him. He couldn’t understand why Jack saw him the way he did. No one else ever had, not even Alma. She never said such things to him. Never made him feel special or giddy. Not once. All Jack had to do was stand in front him all wet and he was a mess.
“It is from where I’m standing,” Jack said as he came closer.
“Why you think that anyways,” Ennis said, getting defensive. “I ain’t nothin’ special, I…I ain’t nothin’.” Ennis’s words faded away as Jack pushed him slightly so they were by the bathroom, hidden from view of the main cabin door.
“I don’t listen to foolish talk,” Jack said, with one hand on Ennis’s chest, and the other one round his neck, stroking the wet locks of hair that stuck to the nape of his neck.
“You only need to know one thing,” Jack continued, the words and the steady caresses blending into one. “You’re special. When I can think of better words I’ll get back to you, but I lied to my boss, who I got a lot of respect for, just so I could come by here and see you. Do you understand?”
Ennis could only nod, so hypnotised was he by the combination of Jack’s words and hands stroking him.
“Good, cause I don’t wanna hear such words no more.” Jack leaned in and smelled Ennis.
“Damn,” Jack breathed, his nose pushed against Ennis’s shirt. “You smell good.”
“I stink a horses, Jack.”
“I know.”
Ennis was almost about to fall over with the intensity of Jack’s touch. Everything Jack did and said made Ennis feel like he was the most important person on earth. Ennis knew that was not true, but for just a fleeting second, he allowed himself to believe it.
“I need you Ennis, right now,“ Jack said suddenly. “I can’t wait. What you doin’?”
“I….er….I was gonna shower and change and then, I was gonna, go to the workshop for a spell before dinner.”
Jack nodded thoughtfully.
“Right.” Jack looked at his watch. “Give me ten minutes, wait for me in the workshop.”
“What? Jack, you can’t come in the workshop looking like that, someone’s gonna see you. It’s gonna look strange.”
“You worry too much, you know that?” Jack said, grabbing a pair of jeans and the white t-shirt Ennis had been holding, and changed quickly.
“What you doin’?” Ennis asked, a hint of panic in his voice.
“Getting’ one step closer to you,” Jack said softly. “I need to get back to the waterfront, and
once that’s done I’ll come by.”
Jack started to walk out of the cabin, leaving Ennis standing there, speechless.
“One more thing,” Jack said, turning around when he got to the door. “Don’t shower, and don’t change.”
Before Ennis could argue, Jack was gone.
--
Jack had spent all day working out a way to be alone with Ennis. He was going mad with the thought of it. Just sitting next to Ennis was beginning to feel like torture. He spent so much time deep in thought that Bob asked him if he was alright more times than he could recall.
After seeing Ennis in the cabin, he came racing back to the waterfront. Bob was observing the swimming lessons taking place. Jack stood quietly next to Bob.
“You okay, Jack, you said you weren’t feeling too good. Were you sick?”
“I feel a bit better now, thanks Bob. I think the sun was extra hot today, just got to me a little.”
“No worries, just as long as you’re okay.”
Jack hovered around, trying not to look at the workshop. He observed Cindy helping a girl out of the water and coming towards him, with a grim look on her face.
"Where’d you go Jack? This session isn’t over with, we still have ten minutes left."
"Yeah, I know that, but I was feeling sick so Bob suggested I go lie down a while, out of the sun."
"Special treatment for you, I see," she said, sarcastically.
"Ain't nothing like that Cindy,” Jack said, sighing deeply. “I just didn't think throwing up in front of the kids would be a good idea." Jack tried to keep his voice steady, but Cindy's attitude grated on him and he wanted to throw her in the water.
"You get your dumb redneck friend to look after you?"
Jack felt his anger rising. "What is your problem, Cindy? Huh? You annoyed at me for finishing with you? Fine. You don't like the fact that Bob treats me with more respect than you? No problem. But don't insult Ennis when he ain’t done a single thing to you."
Jack turned to walk away and saw Bob looking at him. He'd obviously heard the encounter with Cindy. Jack didn't know if saying something would just make things worse.
"Things with you and Cindy no better I see," Bob observed. Jack shook his head.
"Don't let her get to you Jack, whatever her problem is, she needs to get over it, and it can't affect how you work together."
"I know, Bob, I'm sorry. I am trying to be as civil as I can be, I truly am, but that girl just seems to rub me up the wrong way. You'd think we'd been married for ten years the way she talks."
Bob laughed. "Yeah, some women don't take too kindly to being on the receiving end of a break up. Seems like she's one of 'em."
"You got that right. It's tiresome."
"You wanna get off?" Bob asked. "We're due to finish this session soon anyhow and you’ve done more than your fair share of work today, as always. I do appreciate that you know, how committed you are to your job. You work hard, Jack, and that needs to be recognised."
"Thanks Bob, that...that really means a lot." Jack cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed and overcome with Bob's heartfelt words. Bob patted him on the shoulder and Jack smiled at him with thanks.
He walked towards the workshop, his anger subsiding as his heart began beating faster at the idea of Ennis being in there, waiting for him.
When he opened the door, Ennis was standing by the worktop near the window, with his back to Jack. He looked like he had been trying to put something away quickly before Jack could see.
Jack locked the door, his mind on nothing but Ennis. Ennis turned around and smiled softly, reached out for Jack, and began rubbing his chest gently but with intention.
“Anyone see you come by?” Ennis murmured.
“No talking,” Jack replied.
Jack stopped Ennis’s words with a kiss, opening his mouth wide and taking in Ennis's tongue to play with his, not wanting to wait another moment. The only sounds were their mutual moans at the intensity of their touches and the desire to keep going. Jack continued kissing Ennis as he moved them backwards until they leaned against the wall, away from the
window and behind the door. Out of sight.
Ennis stroked Jack's chest as they kissed with passion, their longing taking over and Ennis broke the kiss to remove Jack's t-shirt. Jack complied, raising his arms and Ennis did the same, but Jack placed them back down, causing Ennis to look confused. Jack leaned in and sniffed the t-shirt, the strong aroma of horses and Ennis sending a shivers down his spine.
Ennis didn’t stop Jack, instead stroked Jack's hair and ran his hands through it, getting rougher and more urgent with each stroke, grabbing the hair at Jack's neck, trying to bring his mouth down to Jack's, but Jack was lost in his own world, inhaling the smell of Ennis, and trying to put it to memory.
When Jack was done, he raised Ennis’s arms, and lifted the t-shirt over his head, and kissed Ennis again, grabbing handfuls of hair, and crushing their mouths together, kissing with such burning emotion like their lives depended on it.
Jack felt Ennis's strong legs push against his in a sexual rhythm that shrilled in Jack's ears. He pushed back with fervour, feeling his dick hard against Ennis's, wanting more skin touching his. He grabbed Ennis’s belt and began unfastening it, before Ennis grabbed his hand, and looked at Jack, who felt bruised with lust.
“Come on, Ennis, come on," Jack urged.
"Wait," Ennis breathed. "I wanna....I wanna do this." Jack surrendered as Ennis undid his jeans, and when the zipper went down he felt he was going to explode from the need. When Ennis knelt in front of him, he thought he was going to cry.
"Oh Jesus, fuck, Ennis," Jack said, the words coming out like a desperate demand, and Ennis must have sensed what he meant, because before Jack knew what was happening, Ennis had his jeans down and his dick in his mouth, licking and sucking him with careful but intense concentration.
Jack leaned his head back with such force that he banged it against the wall, but he felt no pain, just a powerful sensation of desire sweeping through him like wildfire. He looked down, not wanting to miss a second of what Ennis was doing to him. He had hoped and dreamed that Ennis would want to go beyond what they had done so far, but had never not in his wildest dreams that it would be this good.
Seeing Ennis like this, kneeling before him, giving him something he had dreamed about over the past few days, was beyond anything he could have hoped for, or thought up in his imagination. This was so much more, because this was real, this was Ennis giving him this, his own silent cowboy who had said so little about his feelings, but when he did, oh boy when he did, it was like he was reciting a whole book of love poems, because two words out of Ennis were like five hundred out of anyone else. And here he was, saying the most important words of all, as if by doing this, he was saying, "I know, and I feel and want it too."
As the intense feeling began to build, one hand stroked Ennis's hair whilst the other was placed on his shoulder, gripping it like a vice, pulling Ennis forward to make sure that every part of Ennis's mouth was surrounding his dick. He’d had this done to him plenty times before, and knew that Ennis’s technique was clumsy and rough but he didn’t care. It was because of that - Ennis doing something that he probably never in his wildest imagination thought he would do to another man - that made it all the more special. Jack had never felt this way about anyone who had done this to him before. They had been one-date girls who were eager and willing to alleviate Jack of his rampant desire to get off as quickly and as much as possible. There were no deep feelings involved, no meetings of the minds, no flutter of the stomach when they touched him. Most times he had forgotten about the act almost as fast as he had forgotten about the girl. But there was no way he was going to forget Ennis del Mar, not now.
The rhythm continued to build and as Ennis pushed, so did Jack, almost pushing himself off the wall with his intense thrusting, his mind starting to whirl and see stars. When Jack was on the verge of coming, he looked at Ennis, wondering if Ennis was going to pull away before he swallowed; Jack didn’t know if Ennis wanted it, but didn‘t know if he could stop. But Ennis was not letting up, in fact he was sucking so hard that Jack couldn’t do much beyond moan and groan, letting Ennis know how good this was.
“Fucking Jesus Christ, Ennis, I’m gonna shoot, you keep doin’ that, you’re gonna have to…….,” but Jack’s words were lost as Ennis reacted to his warning and speeded up his sucking. It felt as though Ennis was doing everything for Jack, and nothing for himself. Jack wondered for a second how it worked; two men together, but the thoughts were wiped out of his mind when he spurted, fast and furious, right into Ennis’s mouth and down his welcoming throat.
--
As the last drops trickled down his throat, Ennis released Jack’s now softening dick, and leaned his head against Jack’s thigh, wrapping his arms around him tightly. He savoured the touch of Jack’s fingers tangling in his hair, soothing him with absent strokes, soft enough to send him off to sleep.
“Come on up here,” Jack murmured softly, gripping Ennis’s shoulders. Ennis stood up slowly, but couldn’t look Jack in the eye. He felt embarrassed and awkward, unsure how to react after what he’d done. He hoped Jack had liked what he had done to him, because he had enjoyed doing it. He didn’t want to think about the implication of his silent confession.
“Hey,” Jack sighed, when Ennis was able to cast a shy glance at Jack, before dropping his eyes away again. Jack brought his hand to Ennis’s chin, lifting his face towards him. Ennis let him, the simple touch warming his heart and reassuring his uncertain mind.
“Hey”, Ennis murmured, rubbing his hand absently on Jack’s arm. Jack nuzzled Ennis’s neck, stealing quick kisses and soft pecks and Ennis could feel Jack smiling and his touches become more urgent as Jack’s hand wandered down the front of his jeans. He quickly grabbed Jack’s hand away, leaving Jack looking confused.
“It’s okay, Jack, I…..,” Ennis began, flushes of red creeping up his neck.
“I want to Ennis, I wanna do it,” Jack said reassuringly.
“I know, it’s just…..I already did.” Ennis looked at Jack quickly, hoping that was explanation enough. By the look in Jack’s eyes, Ennis knew that Jack had understood.
“Well, that’s okay, no doubt woulda done the same thing if it was me, no way could I have lasted. Not with the way you were doing it, Jesus, thought I was seeing stars, almost knocked myself out, could hardly think about nothin’ else but what you were doin’ down there……” Jack’s enthusiasm for Ennis’s first attempt at oral sex left Ennis feeling a mixture of jubilation and embarrassment. It was clear Jack had enjoyed it, but Ennis didn’t know how to talk about it, his mind a fog of torturous desire.
“Jack.”
“What?”
“Stop talking.” Ennis kissed Jack long and deep, wanting this to be his words, hoping Jack got the message loud and clear. Jack responded in kind, wrapping his arms around Ennis’s neck, digging his fingers into his skin, grabbing hold of his hair and tugging hard. Ennis did the same, and they crawled at each other as they kissed, their tongues having a conversation all of their own. Ennis felt himself getting hard again.
“We gotta stop, can’t be here much longer ‘fore someone notices,” Ennis breathed, as he finally let go of Jack’s mouth. Jack nodded as he stared longingly at Ennis’s lips.
“Don’t wanna leave,” Jack said glumly, tenderly stroking Ennis’s mouth.
“I know, but we gotta.” Ennis felt the same as Jack, but he had to get himself together again before they joined the boys for dinner.
Jack pouted, and reluctantly agreed. Ennis bent down and grabbed Jack’s t-shirt as Jack fixed up his jeans. Ennis helped Jack with it, kissing Jack again when his head popped through the top.
“Mmm,” Jack moaned, “Your kisses are hot.”
Ennis didn’t reply, he had no words when Jack said such things. They made him happy but made him uneasy too. He smiled and stroked his face in reply.
“You coming with me?” Jack asked softly.
Ennis shook his head. “Need to stay here a while. Got some stuff to do before dinner.”
“If you’re staying, why can’t I? I’d like to see you doing your stuff.”
“You can’t stay Jack, the boys’ll be getting back to the cabin shortly, and besides, you know it’d look suspicious if we arrive back together.”
“Why? We’re co-counselors, it’d be natural for us to be together.”
“Not when I’ve been on the ranch and you’ve been on the waterfront. Why would we be coming back to the cabin at the same time?”
“You know your problem, you think too much. No one is going to be thinking anything but you. You need to lighten up.”
Ennis didn’t want to spoil their special moment, but he needed to do it this way. Plus he had some work he needed to carry on with, and didn’t want Jack around when he did it.
“I’m trying, thanks to you,” Ennis murmured against Jack’s ear. He felt Jack physically shiver and it delighted him. “Now come on, let me get on here.”
“What you doin’ anyhow? Saw you messin’ with somethin’ when I come in.”
“Just some stuff, “ Ennis said vaguely. “Gotta get some work ready for tomorrow.”
“Sure,” Jack seemed happy with the answer and didn’t pursue it. Ennis was glad. He didn’t want to lie to Jack any more than he had to.
“I see Justin whittling on some pieces of wood in the cabin, how’s he doing?” Jack asked.
“Fine. He’s kinda quiet, doesn’t say much, just works steady.”
“Oh yeah? Reminds me of someone else I know,” Jack laughed, unlocking the workshop door. Ennis grabbed Jack quickly and kissed him again, soft, tender kisses this time, and leaned his forehead against Jack’s, listening to Jack’s steady breathing. Time stood still and everything disappeared.
“Gotta do this again. Soon,” Jack whispered.
“We will,” Ennis said, nodding.
“See you for dinner, don’t be late,” Jack said, pulling away, but still holding Ennis’s hand.
“Yessir.” Ennis laughed and Jack stroked his face softly, rubbing his thumb around Ennis’s jaw line.
“That’s right. You know who’s boss. Jesus,” Jack leaned in and kissed Ennis quickly, and then opened the door, “Ain’t never gonna leave you keep looking at me like that.”
“Bye Jack.”
“Bye Ennis.”
When the door closed, Ennis leaned against it, closing his eyes as the smell of Jack filled the room, lingering like a soft summer breeze. He breathed in the sweet scent, wanting to keep it stored inside him forever.
--
Jack walked purposefully towards the cabin, not wanting to draw attention to himself, and had a story prepared should anyone stop him and ask why he was coming out of the workshop, alone. Nobody did.
As he walked past the office, he thought about Meli. He hadn’t seen much of her all week, she had been working hard in the office. He had missed her.
Meli looked deep in thought when he got to the office. She looked up and when she saw it was Jack, she screamed and rushed over to hug him.
“Jacky!” Jack, as always, grabbed her arms and tried to prise her off him.
“You’re doing that thing again,” he choked.
“What thing?”
“Squeezing me so I can’t breathe.”
“Oh that thing.” Meli let go of Jack. “Well, that proves I like you, cause if I didn’t, I’d just
carry on squeezing until you weren’t breathing any more.”
“Gee, thanks - I think.”
Meli sat back down and showed Jack what she had been looking at.
“Did you know there’s a Fox Creek near here?” She said, holding up a map.
“Funnily enough, I don’t.”
“Well there is, and don’t you think that’s great?”
“I suppose…,” Jack said, his tattered brain not working in tandem with Meli’s obscure conversation.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten my surname already!”
“Shit Meli, be thankful I know your first name.”
“Well, it’s Fox. So I thought since there’s a Fox Creek around here, it would be good to visit, what do you think?”
“Well yeah, I guess, but I’m sure it’ll look just like every other creek.”
“Well you see we don’t have creeks in England, so it will be new to me. You want to come?”
“What, now?”
“No! Of course not. When we get a day off.”
“Sure,” Jack said with little conviction.
“What’s wrong? You can bring Ennis too, you know, I wouldn‘t leave him out of our adventure.”
“Yeah, but I doubt that’s gonna work with us being co-counselors. We don‘t get the same day off.”
“Well, we’ll just have to see what we can do, won’t we? It must be so hard to not get a single minute alone together.”
“Yeah, yeah it is….,” Jack said, his mind revisiting the moment when he came in Ennis’s mouth.
“Why are you smirking? Wait a minute,” Meli said, coming around the desk again and standing in front of Jack. “Your hair looks a bit messy, and your lips look all red, like they’ve been doing more than eating an ice pop. You’ve just been with Ennis, haven’t you?
Haven’t you?”
“Well, okay, yeah, but you can’t say nothin’…,” Jack pleaded.
“Oh my god!” Meli screamed. “You’ve been making out with Ennis! That is so fantastic. Where? What did you do? Oh no, don’t tell me that, that would be too much information. Not that I think it’s nasty or anything, I mean, I don’t like knowing what anyone gets up to in the bedroom department, but maybe when I’m drunk, I’ll ask. Oh I am so happy, happy, happy.” As infectious as it was, Meli’s enthusiasm for his encounter with Ennis was still not enough to lift his spirits.
“What is it Jacky boy, you missing him already?” Meli asked.
“Yeah, somethin’ like that,” Jack sighed. “It was great, it really was, but I want somewhere, I mean a real somewhere to meet, but I just can’t see it happening any time soon. This is killing me.”
“Oh honey, don’t fret. We’ll think of something. I’ll work on it, okay? It will be my personal mission to find a place where you two can jump each other as much as you want to.” Meli leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Well, just focus on the thinking of somewhere okay, I’ve got the other part covered. And don’t say a word to Ennis. He’ll totally freak if he knows I’m talking like this with you.”
“My lips are sealed,” Meli said, tracing her finger over her mouth.
“Well, there’s always a first for everything.”
“Hey, watch it, I can be discreet you know.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I’d better go, but thanks Meli, I appreciate this.”
“You’re my friend, Jack, and so is Ennis, so you know you can rely on me. I already have an idea.”
“Jeez, you work fast.”
“On things that really matter, I do. See you later.”
Jack felt better as he walked to the cabin. He saw some of the boys arriving back from their afternoon swim and remembered that they were having their firstly weekly supper campfire that evening. He smiled, thinking Ennis would like that.
--
Ennis had lost track of time in the workshop. He looked at his watch and realised it was dinner. He wouldn’t have time to shower and change, so he rushed right over to the dining hall. He saw Meli walking over there with Simon and waved to them.
“Hi Ennis!” Meli waved back. When they reached him, they all walked to the dining hall together.
“You’re late Ennis, you’ll be in trouble.” Meli shook her head in a mock-serious way.
“Yeah probably, but it was for a good cause.”
“Oh yeah? Spill.”
“Umm…..,” Ennis looked around as if someone would be listening in. “I’m trying to finish something for Jack. It’s his birthday in a coupla weeks.”
“Oh great, an excuse for a party.”
“Yeah, and he’s 21, so it’s a pretty special one.”
“Even better, how about we plan a surprise party for him? He’d love that.”
“I’m not sure…,” Ennis trailed off and looked at Simon shyly. “Thing is, I have an idea in mind, and wondered if I could ask for your help.” Ennis said quietly, hoping Simon couldn’t hear.
“I would love to Ennis. This is so exciting! I already have one mission to undertake…ooops! I shouldn’t have said that.” Meli placed her hand over her mouth, but Ennis could see the smirk hiding behind it.
“Oh yeah, why not? You been visited by Jack Twist?”
“No, no, not me,” Meli said innocently. “I am so hungry though, so I need to go and eat.” Meli rushed off with Simon, leaving Ennis to wonder what Jack was planning.
-
Later that evening, as the stars lit the night sky and the moon shimmered on the lake like a clear reflection, Jack allowed himself to wallow in the wonder and beauty of this place, and stole a glance at Ennis, who sat opposite him, deep in concentration as he stoked the fire and placed more kindling around it.
“You see that?” Scott remarked to Jack, his eyes bright with excitement.
“Yeah, I seen a fire once or twice before, believe it or not,” Jack joked.
“I don’t just mean that. I mean the way Ennis lit it, so fast and easy like he did it every day. You live out in the wilderness, Ennis?” Scott laughed.
Jack watched as Ennis tried to hide from the compliment, and evade all the eager eyes that were looking his way.
“Used to camp out a lot when I was younger,” Ennis explained, “my dad taught me how to light a fire. Easy when you know how.”
“Yeah, well, all I know is, if I was lost in the forest, I’d want you with me. You didn’t hardly use nothing, just some twigs and a rock.”
“I can show you next week, if you like, see if you can do it.”
“That’d be great, Ennis,” Scott said, smiling.
Jack watched Ennis smile with quiet satisfaction, feeling pleased that Ennis was able to pass on some of his expertise. It seemed to Jack that Ennis was pretty much good at everything. His mind wandered to just how good Ennis was in the workshop, imagined how good he could be if they were able to find a better place to be alone. How good would Ennis be then? He licked his lips in anticipation of it, momentarily unaware that he was surrounded by ten boys and Ennis himself.
“You hungry there, Jack,” Ryan asked. “We only got hot dogs.”
“Oh, hot dogs’ll do just fine,” Jack said, looking directly at Ennis. Ennis spared a look but went back to fixing his gaze on the fire as soon as he saw the fire that was lighting up Jack’s eyes.
The boys busied themselves with fixing up the hot dogs while Jack and Ennis supervised them. Jack felt strangely euphoric, and he knew the special time he’d spent with Ennis earlier was behind it. Despite Ennis’s inability to vocalise his needs and desires, Jack understood perfectly what Ennis wanted and how he felt. He was deep in the world of Ennis when he heard a voice resonating through.
“Huh?” Jack asked, looking around, not sure who had spoken to him.
“You in a world of your own there, Jack!” Ryan said, laughing.
“I bet he’s thinking on Cindy, wishing he’d never dumped her,” Scott replied. That caught Jack’s attention. He didn’t want to talk about Cindy, and especially not with her brother or Ennis around.
“Okay boys, let’s just cook our hot dogs and not gossip about other members of staff”.
“She’s not just a member of staff, she’s Ryan’s sister, so I’d say we were talking about what a sweet sister she was, and how upset she was that you dumped her,” Scott said, clearly enjoying the conversation.
“She said that?” Michael piped up. Michael wasn’t a particularly chatty kid, but he liked to talk when girls was the topic.
Ryan seemed reluctant to impart any information that he had about his sister’s feelings, but being pushed by his peers to give something away proved too strong and Ryan gave in.
“She ain’t said much to me,” Ryan said, not looking at Jack. “Just how she liked Jack and all, and couldn’t’ figure out why he dumped her. Seemed there was no other girl on the scene, and even joked about the only person he seemed to be with all the time was Ennis. I think she felt put out she was dumped for no one.”
Jack looked at Ennis while Ryan talked. Ennis was acting like he couldn’t hear a thing, and continued prodding the fire with his stick at regular intervals. Jack willed Ennis to look at him, and when he did, Jack smiled and mouthed “You okay?”. Ennis nodded swiftly, before looking back at the fire. That damn Cindy, Jack thought angrily. Seems to cause trouble even when she’s not around.
“You must have made quite an impression on her, Jack, for her to be crying into her pillow every night over you. God help you when you start seeing another girl. She might just kill you in your sleep.”
All the boys thought Scott’s typical dramatic talk was hilarious, and got quite excited by it. All the boys except Justin, who had moved round to where Ennis was sitting and was as intrigued by the fire as much as Ennis was. Jack felt jealous of Justin, being able to just go and sit next to Ennis like that, without wondering if Ennis was going to punch him in the face for doing such a thing.
“Okay boys, we’ve had our fun,” Jack said, standing up. “Now we’ve all eaten it’s time to get back to the cabin, Ennis and me’ll clean up here.”
“Race you back!” Ryan declared, which set off a steady stream of stomping feet through the trees and to the cabin. Justin stayed a little while longer, talking quietly with Ennis until Ennis started putting the fire out. Justin left and Jack sat where Justin had been sitting.
“Need to put the fire out Jack, can’t be sitting here,” Ennis said shortly.
“I know you’re mad for the boys mentioning Cindy, but there ain’t nothin’ I can do about it. Don’t be mad at me, Ennis.”
“Ain’t mad at you, Jack, just wish I didn’t have to hear all that talk.”
“I know, ain’t as though I like it too. You know she meant nothing to me Ennis. Jesus, for most of the time I was with her, I was thinking about you. Just didn’t know what thinking about you meant.”
Ennis didn’t reply, just started moving rocks on top of the fire, keeping busy.
“What were you and Justin talking about over here anyhow?” Jack tried another subject hoping to bring Ennis out of his bad mood.
“Wanted to know how I lit the fire.”
“So he was as impressed as Scott, just not brave enough to say it out loud when everyone else could hear.”
“Somethin’ like that. I’m just glad he wants to talk at all.”
“Me too, Ennis. I think he feels some kind of affinity with you or somethin’, he seems to latch on to you pretty much all the time.”
“Guess,” Ennis replied, shrugging his shoulders. “Ain’t thought too much about it.”
“He talk about his sister much to you?”
“No, and I ain’t pushin’ him. I remember someone telling me, talk when he wants to talk, and listen when he’s ready.”
“Good advice, I say.” Jack smirked. “Come on Ennis, let’s leave this to go out on it’s own. We can take the long way back. Round the workshop and through the trees.”
“Jack…..,” Ennis started.
“The boys won’t be missing us Ennis, not yet. Come on.”
Ennis hesitated for a second, but followed Jack through the now familiar trail around the back of the workshop. Jack heard the lapping of the water against the shore, and the silence of the night taking over them. He locked his fingers through Ennis’s as soon as they were out of sight, and Ennis didn’t pull away.
“Can’t stop thinking about earlier, what you did…,” Jack said. Even in the cover of darkness, Jack knew Ennis was blushing. He pushed him against the side of the workshop and kissed him passionately, pressing himself against Ennis, urging him to open his legs and began thrusting his hips forward.
“Jack, don’t, we can’t do this now….,” Ennis panted, grabbing hold of Jack by the shoulders. Jack tried to kiss Ennis again but he wouldn’t let him.
“I know Ennis, but fuck, I’m dying for you, don’t think I can wait until I….,” Jack reached between their legs and grabbed Ennis’s dick, started rubbing with fervent passion.
“Jack, you gottta stop!” Ennis hissed, trying his best to act in control. Jack knew he wasn’t.
Jack stepped away, and swept his hands through his hair.
“I know, I know! Shit, we gotta do somethin’ fast, I’m gonna go crazy.”
Ennis put his hand on the small of Jack’s back, rubbing softly.
“It won’t be long, Jack. I promise. You gotta trust me.”
“I trust you Ennis,” Jack said, as if hypnotised. Ennis’s reassurance was something for Jack to cling on to while he floundered helplessly, waiting to be rescued.
xxxxxx
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They were created by Annie Proulx. I make no money from this and don't want to.
Thanks: To smilesalot. Thank you for taking time to look at this chapter. You may want to cover your eyes though, for fear of the dreaded POV scenarios. Thank you also to Keren for your support.
Feedback: Oh yes please!! I appreciate every word.
Author's Note: This chapter was looked at, but not beta'd by my badass beta. So all mistakes, confusing POV's, badly-constructed sentences, Britishisms instead of Americanisms, are ALL mine.
Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Chapter 8
“They did what?” Jack asked, as Ennis finished repeating a story Howie had told him.
“They papered up the front door of his cabin, secured it with the toughest glue they could find. Come to think of it, I think they may have took that from my workshop.”
“Our boys sure are creative,” Jack observed. “Surprised they ain’t got us yet.”
“Give it time,” Ennis said, smiling. “I doubt we’ll get through the summer without having something befalling us.”
It was dusk and they were sitting outside the cabin. The slowly setting sun was casting multi-coloured shadows all around them. The boys were inside, getting ready to go to the games hall. Jack noted how unconcerned Ennis seemed with the prospect of being a potential victim of a practical joke, and smiled at the thought of Ennis feeling relaxed enough not to care.
They had barely brushed shoulders all week, so Jack was relishing this opportunity of time alone with Ennis. Late at night when the boys were in beds was there only true time to talk and be together. It gave them a chance to catch up on their respective days, which both cherished and looked forward to. Jack knew this because Ennis told him.
“Look forward to this,” Ennis said, indicating sitting with Jack. “Kinda nice.”
“Yeah,” Jack said quietly. “Yeah, it is.”
For Jack, these moments were bittersweet. As much as he longed for time with Ennis, he wanted more. He was sure Ennis felt the same way. Jack’s frustration with the situation was no more evident when he had to act professional in front of the kids and his peers, while inside he was struggling to keep a grasp of his yearnings. Jack knew it was only a matter of time before he lost control completely.
--
Ennis was hot and needed a shower. He had been on the ranch all afternoon and the blazing sun had been a demon. But teaching the campers for the first time had been a treat, and he revelled in seeing the giddy delight in the young kids faces when they were riding.
Ennis knew that feeling well. He still felt that way even now, when he went out to the ranch back home to ride his beauty, Bonnie. It filled him with wonder and joy to feel the freedom of the earth beneath his feet when he rode her.
For the first time since arriving at camp, a small twinge of pining for home snapped at his feet. But the feeling changed to an excited jitter as the truck arrived back at camp. He instinctively looked around for a glimpse of Jack, knowing he would be lucky as Jack would likely be at the waterfront at this time of day. He still couldn’t help himself.
He jumped down from the back of the truck, and headed into the cabin. It was empty; all the boys were at their afternoon activities. Ennis had the rest of the afternoon to himself, and he had plans to shower, change and spend time in his workshop, to finish up the project he’d been working on for the past few days.
He looked at Jack’s unmade bed, and shook his head with a smile. Jack was always the last up, and rarely had time to make his bed. Ennis started fixing the bed up when he noticed one of Jack’s white t-shirts lying on the floor. Why Jack had so many, Ennis had no idea, but he didn’t care, because Jack looked good in them. Especially after Jack had just showered. The contrast of coal black hair, steel blue eyes and white t-shirt over the taut and fit body made Ennis stand to attention.
Ennis picked up the t-shirt and held it to his face, inhaling the scent of Jack, and was almost knocked out by it. He had not expected it to be so strong, so sharp. So Jack. He lost himself in the moment and didn’t hear the door open and the click of the door closing.
“Ennis.”
He dropped the shirt and spun round, like he’d been caught stealing candy, and came face to face with Jack, who’s hair was wet and blacker than normal, his body sprinkled with shiny droplets of water. The shorts he was wearing were wet too. Ennis was aware his mouth was hanging open, and he swallowed, finding his voice to speak.
“You’re back early,” was all Ennis could manage.
“Not really,” Jack said casually. “I worked out what time you’d be back and made some excuse to Bob. So, here I am.”
Jack walked slowly towards him. Ennis didn’t move.
“You don’t wanna be too long before you’re missed,” Ennis said, his voice barely a whisper.
“Don’t care about anyone missing me, ‘cept you. You miss me Ennis?”
“Jack….,” Ennis began his usual warning to Jack that they were entering territory that was dangerous and if they weren’t careful, they would not get out alive.
“Cause I surely missed you,” Jack went on, oblivious. “Was thinking about you, on that horse, all a them kids with you, their eyes wide open at this magnificent cowboy before them, teaching them how to ride. Bet they thought they were in heaven, or in some Cowboy and Indian movie.”
Despite himself, Ennis laughed but it came out like a high-pitched giggle, as if he’d had too much to drink. He felt giddy and unsteady on his feet. Jack talking like that, and walking towards him like that was beginning to have a strange affect on him.
“Ain’t like that,” Ennis said weakly. He felt a mixture of obvious embarrassment and hidden joy from what Jack said about him. He couldn’t understand why Jack saw him the way he did. No one else ever had, not even Alma. She never said such things to him. Never made him feel special or giddy. Not once. All Jack had to do was stand in front him all wet and he was a mess.
“It is from where I’m standing,” Jack said as he came closer.
“Why you think that anyways,” Ennis said, getting defensive. “I ain’t nothin’ special, I…I ain’t nothin’.” Ennis’s words faded away as Jack pushed him slightly so they were by the bathroom, hidden from view of the main cabin door.
“I don’t listen to foolish talk,” Jack said, with one hand on Ennis’s chest, and the other one round his neck, stroking the wet locks of hair that stuck to the nape of his neck.
“You only need to know one thing,” Jack continued, the words and the steady caresses blending into one. “You’re special. When I can think of better words I’ll get back to you, but I lied to my boss, who I got a lot of respect for, just so I could come by here and see you. Do you understand?”
Ennis could only nod, so hypnotised was he by the combination of Jack’s words and hands stroking him.
“Good, cause I don’t wanna hear such words no more.” Jack leaned in and smelled Ennis.
“Damn,” Jack breathed, his nose pushed against Ennis’s shirt. “You smell good.”
“I stink a horses, Jack.”
“I know.”
Ennis was almost about to fall over with the intensity of Jack’s touch. Everything Jack did and said made Ennis feel like he was the most important person on earth. Ennis knew that was not true, but for just a fleeting second, he allowed himself to believe it.
“I need you Ennis, right now,“ Jack said suddenly. “I can’t wait. What you doin’?”
“I….er….I was gonna shower and change and then, I was gonna, go to the workshop for a spell before dinner.”
Jack nodded thoughtfully.
“Right.” Jack looked at his watch. “Give me ten minutes, wait for me in the workshop.”
“What? Jack, you can’t come in the workshop looking like that, someone’s gonna see you. It’s gonna look strange.”
“You worry too much, you know that?” Jack said, grabbing a pair of jeans and the white t-shirt Ennis had been holding, and changed quickly.
“What you doin’?” Ennis asked, a hint of panic in his voice.
“Getting’ one step closer to you,” Jack said softly. “I need to get back to the waterfront, and
once that’s done I’ll come by.”
Jack started to walk out of the cabin, leaving Ennis standing there, speechless.
“One more thing,” Jack said, turning around when he got to the door. “Don’t shower, and don’t change.”
Before Ennis could argue, Jack was gone.
--
Jack had spent all day working out a way to be alone with Ennis. He was going mad with the thought of it. Just sitting next to Ennis was beginning to feel like torture. He spent so much time deep in thought that Bob asked him if he was alright more times than he could recall.
After seeing Ennis in the cabin, he came racing back to the waterfront. Bob was observing the swimming lessons taking place. Jack stood quietly next to Bob.
“You okay, Jack, you said you weren’t feeling too good. Were you sick?”
“I feel a bit better now, thanks Bob. I think the sun was extra hot today, just got to me a little.”
“No worries, just as long as you’re okay.”
Jack hovered around, trying not to look at the workshop. He observed Cindy helping a girl out of the water and coming towards him, with a grim look on her face.
"Where’d you go Jack? This session isn’t over with, we still have ten minutes left."
"Yeah, I know that, but I was feeling sick so Bob suggested I go lie down a while, out of the sun."
"Special treatment for you, I see," she said, sarcastically.
"Ain't nothing like that Cindy,” Jack said, sighing deeply. “I just didn't think throwing up in front of the kids would be a good idea." Jack tried to keep his voice steady, but Cindy's attitude grated on him and he wanted to throw her in the water.
"You get your dumb redneck friend to look after you?"
Jack felt his anger rising. "What is your problem, Cindy? Huh? You annoyed at me for finishing with you? Fine. You don't like the fact that Bob treats me with more respect than you? No problem. But don't insult Ennis when he ain’t done a single thing to you."
Jack turned to walk away and saw Bob looking at him. He'd obviously heard the encounter with Cindy. Jack didn't know if saying something would just make things worse.
"Things with you and Cindy no better I see," Bob observed. Jack shook his head.
"Don't let her get to you Jack, whatever her problem is, she needs to get over it, and it can't affect how you work together."
"I know, Bob, I'm sorry. I am trying to be as civil as I can be, I truly am, but that girl just seems to rub me up the wrong way. You'd think we'd been married for ten years the way she talks."
Bob laughed. "Yeah, some women don't take too kindly to being on the receiving end of a break up. Seems like she's one of 'em."
"You got that right. It's tiresome."
"You wanna get off?" Bob asked. "We're due to finish this session soon anyhow and you’ve done more than your fair share of work today, as always. I do appreciate that you know, how committed you are to your job. You work hard, Jack, and that needs to be recognised."
"Thanks Bob, that...that really means a lot." Jack cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed and overcome with Bob's heartfelt words. Bob patted him on the shoulder and Jack smiled at him with thanks.
He walked towards the workshop, his anger subsiding as his heart began beating faster at the idea of Ennis being in there, waiting for him.
When he opened the door, Ennis was standing by the worktop near the window, with his back to Jack. He looked like he had been trying to put something away quickly before Jack could see.
Jack locked the door, his mind on nothing but Ennis. Ennis turned around and smiled softly, reached out for Jack, and began rubbing his chest gently but with intention.
“Anyone see you come by?” Ennis murmured.
“No talking,” Jack replied.
Jack stopped Ennis’s words with a kiss, opening his mouth wide and taking in Ennis's tongue to play with his, not wanting to wait another moment. The only sounds were their mutual moans at the intensity of their touches and the desire to keep going. Jack continued kissing Ennis as he moved them backwards until they leaned against the wall, away from the
window and behind the door. Out of sight.
Ennis stroked Jack's chest as they kissed with passion, their longing taking over and Ennis broke the kiss to remove Jack's t-shirt. Jack complied, raising his arms and Ennis did the same, but Jack placed them back down, causing Ennis to look confused. Jack leaned in and sniffed the t-shirt, the strong aroma of horses and Ennis sending a shivers down his spine.
Ennis didn’t stop Jack, instead stroked Jack's hair and ran his hands through it, getting rougher and more urgent with each stroke, grabbing the hair at Jack's neck, trying to bring his mouth down to Jack's, but Jack was lost in his own world, inhaling the smell of Ennis, and trying to put it to memory.
When Jack was done, he raised Ennis’s arms, and lifted the t-shirt over his head, and kissed Ennis again, grabbing handfuls of hair, and crushing their mouths together, kissing with such burning emotion like their lives depended on it.
Jack felt Ennis's strong legs push against his in a sexual rhythm that shrilled in Jack's ears. He pushed back with fervour, feeling his dick hard against Ennis's, wanting more skin touching his. He grabbed Ennis’s belt and began unfastening it, before Ennis grabbed his hand, and looked at Jack, who felt bruised with lust.
“Come on, Ennis, come on," Jack urged.
"Wait," Ennis breathed. "I wanna....I wanna do this." Jack surrendered as Ennis undid his jeans, and when the zipper went down he felt he was going to explode from the need. When Ennis knelt in front of him, he thought he was going to cry.
"Oh Jesus, fuck, Ennis," Jack said, the words coming out like a desperate demand, and Ennis must have sensed what he meant, because before Jack knew what was happening, Ennis had his jeans down and his dick in his mouth, licking and sucking him with careful but intense concentration.
Jack leaned his head back with such force that he banged it against the wall, but he felt no pain, just a powerful sensation of desire sweeping through him like wildfire. He looked down, not wanting to miss a second of what Ennis was doing to him. He had hoped and dreamed that Ennis would want to go beyond what they had done so far, but had never not in his wildest dreams that it would be this good.
Seeing Ennis like this, kneeling before him, giving him something he had dreamed about over the past few days, was beyond anything he could have hoped for, or thought up in his imagination. This was so much more, because this was real, this was Ennis giving him this, his own silent cowboy who had said so little about his feelings, but when he did, oh boy when he did, it was like he was reciting a whole book of love poems, because two words out of Ennis were like five hundred out of anyone else. And here he was, saying the most important words of all, as if by doing this, he was saying, "I know, and I feel and want it too."
As the intense feeling began to build, one hand stroked Ennis's hair whilst the other was placed on his shoulder, gripping it like a vice, pulling Ennis forward to make sure that every part of Ennis's mouth was surrounding his dick. He’d had this done to him plenty times before, and knew that Ennis’s technique was clumsy and rough but he didn’t care. It was because of that - Ennis doing something that he probably never in his wildest imagination thought he would do to another man - that made it all the more special. Jack had never felt this way about anyone who had done this to him before. They had been one-date girls who were eager and willing to alleviate Jack of his rampant desire to get off as quickly and as much as possible. There were no deep feelings involved, no meetings of the minds, no flutter of the stomach when they touched him. Most times he had forgotten about the act almost as fast as he had forgotten about the girl. But there was no way he was going to forget Ennis del Mar, not now.
The rhythm continued to build and as Ennis pushed, so did Jack, almost pushing himself off the wall with his intense thrusting, his mind starting to whirl and see stars. When Jack was on the verge of coming, he looked at Ennis, wondering if Ennis was going to pull away before he swallowed; Jack didn’t know if Ennis wanted it, but didn‘t know if he could stop. But Ennis was not letting up, in fact he was sucking so hard that Jack couldn’t do much beyond moan and groan, letting Ennis know how good this was.
“Fucking Jesus Christ, Ennis, I’m gonna shoot, you keep doin’ that, you’re gonna have to…….,” but Jack’s words were lost as Ennis reacted to his warning and speeded up his sucking. It felt as though Ennis was doing everything for Jack, and nothing for himself. Jack wondered for a second how it worked; two men together, but the thoughts were wiped out of his mind when he spurted, fast and furious, right into Ennis’s mouth and down his welcoming throat.
--
As the last drops trickled down his throat, Ennis released Jack’s now softening dick, and leaned his head against Jack’s thigh, wrapping his arms around him tightly. He savoured the touch of Jack’s fingers tangling in his hair, soothing him with absent strokes, soft enough to send him off to sleep.
“Come on up here,” Jack murmured softly, gripping Ennis’s shoulders. Ennis stood up slowly, but couldn’t look Jack in the eye. He felt embarrassed and awkward, unsure how to react after what he’d done. He hoped Jack had liked what he had done to him, because he had enjoyed doing it. He didn’t want to think about the implication of his silent confession.
“Hey,” Jack sighed, when Ennis was able to cast a shy glance at Jack, before dropping his eyes away again. Jack brought his hand to Ennis’s chin, lifting his face towards him. Ennis let him, the simple touch warming his heart and reassuring his uncertain mind.
“Hey”, Ennis murmured, rubbing his hand absently on Jack’s arm. Jack nuzzled Ennis’s neck, stealing quick kisses and soft pecks and Ennis could feel Jack smiling and his touches become more urgent as Jack’s hand wandered down the front of his jeans. He quickly grabbed Jack’s hand away, leaving Jack looking confused.
“It’s okay, Jack, I…..,” Ennis began, flushes of red creeping up his neck.
“I want to Ennis, I wanna do it,” Jack said reassuringly.
“I know, it’s just…..I already did.” Ennis looked at Jack quickly, hoping that was explanation enough. By the look in Jack’s eyes, Ennis knew that Jack had understood.
“Well, that’s okay, no doubt woulda done the same thing if it was me, no way could I have lasted. Not with the way you were doing it, Jesus, thought I was seeing stars, almost knocked myself out, could hardly think about nothin’ else but what you were doin’ down there……” Jack’s enthusiasm for Ennis’s first attempt at oral sex left Ennis feeling a mixture of jubilation and embarrassment. It was clear Jack had enjoyed it, but Ennis didn’t know how to talk about it, his mind a fog of torturous desire.
“Jack.”
“What?”
“Stop talking.” Ennis kissed Jack long and deep, wanting this to be his words, hoping Jack got the message loud and clear. Jack responded in kind, wrapping his arms around Ennis’s neck, digging his fingers into his skin, grabbing hold of his hair and tugging hard. Ennis did the same, and they crawled at each other as they kissed, their tongues having a conversation all of their own. Ennis felt himself getting hard again.
“We gotta stop, can’t be here much longer ‘fore someone notices,” Ennis breathed, as he finally let go of Jack’s mouth. Jack nodded as he stared longingly at Ennis’s lips.
“Don’t wanna leave,” Jack said glumly, tenderly stroking Ennis’s mouth.
“I know, but we gotta.” Ennis felt the same as Jack, but he had to get himself together again before they joined the boys for dinner.
Jack pouted, and reluctantly agreed. Ennis bent down and grabbed Jack’s t-shirt as Jack fixed up his jeans. Ennis helped Jack with it, kissing Jack again when his head popped through the top.
“Mmm,” Jack moaned, “Your kisses are hot.”
Ennis didn’t reply, he had no words when Jack said such things. They made him happy but made him uneasy too. He smiled and stroked his face in reply.
“You coming with me?” Jack asked softly.
Ennis shook his head. “Need to stay here a while. Got some stuff to do before dinner.”
“If you’re staying, why can’t I? I’d like to see you doing your stuff.”
“You can’t stay Jack, the boys’ll be getting back to the cabin shortly, and besides, you know it’d look suspicious if we arrive back together.”
“Why? We’re co-counselors, it’d be natural for us to be together.”
“Not when I’ve been on the ranch and you’ve been on the waterfront. Why would we be coming back to the cabin at the same time?”
“You know your problem, you think too much. No one is going to be thinking anything but you. You need to lighten up.”
Ennis didn’t want to spoil their special moment, but he needed to do it this way. Plus he had some work he needed to carry on with, and didn’t want Jack around when he did it.
“I’m trying, thanks to you,” Ennis murmured against Jack’s ear. He felt Jack physically shiver and it delighted him. “Now come on, let me get on here.”
“What you doin’ anyhow? Saw you messin’ with somethin’ when I come in.”
“Just some stuff, “ Ennis said vaguely. “Gotta get some work ready for tomorrow.”
“Sure,” Jack seemed happy with the answer and didn’t pursue it. Ennis was glad. He didn’t want to lie to Jack any more than he had to.
“I see Justin whittling on some pieces of wood in the cabin, how’s he doing?” Jack asked.
“Fine. He’s kinda quiet, doesn’t say much, just works steady.”
“Oh yeah? Reminds me of someone else I know,” Jack laughed, unlocking the workshop door. Ennis grabbed Jack quickly and kissed him again, soft, tender kisses this time, and leaned his forehead against Jack’s, listening to Jack’s steady breathing. Time stood still and everything disappeared.
“Gotta do this again. Soon,” Jack whispered.
“We will,” Ennis said, nodding.
“See you for dinner, don’t be late,” Jack said, pulling away, but still holding Ennis’s hand.
“Yessir.” Ennis laughed and Jack stroked his face softly, rubbing his thumb around Ennis’s jaw line.
“That’s right. You know who’s boss. Jesus,” Jack leaned in and kissed Ennis quickly, and then opened the door, “Ain’t never gonna leave you keep looking at me like that.”
“Bye Jack.”
“Bye Ennis.”
When the door closed, Ennis leaned against it, closing his eyes as the smell of Jack filled the room, lingering like a soft summer breeze. He breathed in the sweet scent, wanting to keep it stored inside him forever.
--
Jack walked purposefully towards the cabin, not wanting to draw attention to himself, and had a story prepared should anyone stop him and ask why he was coming out of the workshop, alone. Nobody did.
As he walked past the office, he thought about Meli. He hadn’t seen much of her all week, she had been working hard in the office. He had missed her.
Meli looked deep in thought when he got to the office. She looked up and when she saw it was Jack, she screamed and rushed over to hug him.
“Jacky!” Jack, as always, grabbed her arms and tried to prise her off him.
“You’re doing that thing again,” he choked.
“What thing?”
“Squeezing me so I can’t breathe.”
“Oh that thing.” Meli let go of Jack. “Well, that proves I like you, cause if I didn’t, I’d just
carry on squeezing until you weren’t breathing any more.”
“Gee, thanks - I think.”
Meli sat back down and showed Jack what she had been looking at.
“Did you know there’s a Fox Creek near here?” She said, holding up a map.
“Funnily enough, I don’t.”
“Well there is, and don’t you think that’s great?”
“I suppose…,” Jack said, his tattered brain not working in tandem with Meli’s obscure conversation.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten my surname already!”
“Shit Meli, be thankful I know your first name.”
“Well, it’s Fox. So I thought since there’s a Fox Creek around here, it would be good to visit, what do you think?”
“Well yeah, I guess, but I’m sure it’ll look just like every other creek.”
“Well you see we don’t have creeks in England, so it will be new to me. You want to come?”
“What, now?”
“No! Of course not. When we get a day off.”
“Sure,” Jack said with little conviction.
“What’s wrong? You can bring Ennis too, you know, I wouldn‘t leave him out of our adventure.”
“Yeah, but I doubt that’s gonna work with us being co-counselors. We don‘t get the same day off.”
“Well, we’ll just have to see what we can do, won’t we? It must be so hard to not get a single minute alone together.”
“Yeah, yeah it is….,” Jack said, his mind revisiting the moment when he came in Ennis’s mouth.
“Why are you smirking? Wait a minute,” Meli said, coming around the desk again and standing in front of Jack. “Your hair looks a bit messy, and your lips look all red, like they’ve been doing more than eating an ice pop. You’ve just been with Ennis, haven’t you?
Haven’t you?”
“Well, okay, yeah, but you can’t say nothin’…,” Jack pleaded.
“Oh my god!” Meli screamed. “You’ve been making out with Ennis! That is so fantastic. Where? What did you do? Oh no, don’t tell me that, that would be too much information. Not that I think it’s nasty or anything, I mean, I don’t like knowing what anyone gets up to in the bedroom department, but maybe when I’m drunk, I’ll ask. Oh I am so happy, happy, happy.” As infectious as it was, Meli’s enthusiasm for his encounter with Ennis was still not enough to lift his spirits.
“What is it Jacky boy, you missing him already?” Meli asked.
“Yeah, somethin’ like that,” Jack sighed. “It was great, it really was, but I want somewhere, I mean a real somewhere to meet, but I just can’t see it happening any time soon. This is killing me.”
“Oh honey, don’t fret. We’ll think of something. I’ll work on it, okay? It will be my personal mission to find a place where you two can jump each other as much as you want to.” Meli leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Well, just focus on the thinking of somewhere okay, I’ve got the other part covered. And don’t say a word to Ennis. He’ll totally freak if he knows I’m talking like this with you.”
“My lips are sealed,” Meli said, tracing her finger over her mouth.
“Well, there’s always a first for everything.”
“Hey, watch it, I can be discreet you know.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I’d better go, but thanks Meli, I appreciate this.”
“You’re my friend, Jack, and so is Ennis, so you know you can rely on me. I already have an idea.”
“Jeez, you work fast.”
“On things that really matter, I do. See you later.”
Jack felt better as he walked to the cabin. He saw some of the boys arriving back from their afternoon swim and remembered that they were having their firstly weekly supper campfire that evening. He smiled, thinking Ennis would like that.
--
Ennis had lost track of time in the workshop. He looked at his watch and realised it was dinner. He wouldn’t have time to shower and change, so he rushed right over to the dining hall. He saw Meli walking over there with Simon and waved to them.
“Hi Ennis!” Meli waved back. When they reached him, they all walked to the dining hall together.
“You’re late Ennis, you’ll be in trouble.” Meli shook her head in a mock-serious way.
“Yeah probably, but it was for a good cause.”
“Oh yeah? Spill.”
“Umm…..,” Ennis looked around as if someone would be listening in. “I’m trying to finish something for Jack. It’s his birthday in a coupla weeks.”
“Oh great, an excuse for a party.”
“Yeah, and he’s 21, so it’s a pretty special one.”
“Even better, how about we plan a surprise party for him? He’d love that.”
“I’m not sure…,” Ennis trailed off and looked at Simon shyly. “Thing is, I have an idea in mind, and wondered if I could ask for your help.” Ennis said quietly, hoping Simon couldn’t hear.
“I would love to Ennis. This is so exciting! I already have one mission to undertake…ooops! I shouldn’t have said that.” Meli placed her hand over her mouth, but Ennis could see the smirk hiding behind it.
“Oh yeah, why not? You been visited by Jack Twist?”
“No, no, not me,” Meli said innocently. “I am so hungry though, so I need to go and eat.” Meli rushed off with Simon, leaving Ennis to wonder what Jack was planning.
-
Later that evening, as the stars lit the night sky and the moon shimmered on the lake like a clear reflection, Jack allowed himself to wallow in the wonder and beauty of this place, and stole a glance at Ennis, who sat opposite him, deep in concentration as he stoked the fire and placed more kindling around it.
“You see that?” Scott remarked to Jack, his eyes bright with excitement.
“Yeah, I seen a fire once or twice before, believe it or not,” Jack joked.
“I don’t just mean that. I mean the way Ennis lit it, so fast and easy like he did it every day. You live out in the wilderness, Ennis?” Scott laughed.
Jack watched as Ennis tried to hide from the compliment, and evade all the eager eyes that were looking his way.
“Used to camp out a lot when I was younger,” Ennis explained, “my dad taught me how to light a fire. Easy when you know how.”
“Yeah, well, all I know is, if I was lost in the forest, I’d want you with me. You didn’t hardly use nothing, just some twigs and a rock.”
“I can show you next week, if you like, see if you can do it.”
“That’d be great, Ennis,” Scott said, smiling.
Jack watched Ennis smile with quiet satisfaction, feeling pleased that Ennis was able to pass on some of his expertise. It seemed to Jack that Ennis was pretty much good at everything. His mind wandered to just how good Ennis was in the workshop, imagined how good he could be if they were able to find a better place to be alone. How good would Ennis be then? He licked his lips in anticipation of it, momentarily unaware that he was surrounded by ten boys and Ennis himself.
“You hungry there, Jack,” Ryan asked. “We only got hot dogs.”
“Oh, hot dogs’ll do just fine,” Jack said, looking directly at Ennis. Ennis spared a look but went back to fixing his gaze on the fire as soon as he saw the fire that was lighting up Jack’s eyes.
The boys busied themselves with fixing up the hot dogs while Jack and Ennis supervised them. Jack felt strangely euphoric, and he knew the special time he’d spent with Ennis earlier was behind it. Despite Ennis’s inability to vocalise his needs and desires, Jack understood perfectly what Ennis wanted and how he felt. He was deep in the world of Ennis when he heard a voice resonating through.
“Huh?” Jack asked, looking around, not sure who had spoken to him.
“You in a world of your own there, Jack!” Ryan said, laughing.
“I bet he’s thinking on Cindy, wishing he’d never dumped her,” Scott replied. That caught Jack’s attention. He didn’t want to talk about Cindy, and especially not with her brother or Ennis around.
“Okay boys, let’s just cook our hot dogs and not gossip about other members of staff”.
“She’s not just a member of staff, she’s Ryan’s sister, so I’d say we were talking about what a sweet sister she was, and how upset she was that you dumped her,” Scott said, clearly enjoying the conversation.
“She said that?” Michael piped up. Michael wasn’t a particularly chatty kid, but he liked to talk when girls was the topic.
Ryan seemed reluctant to impart any information that he had about his sister’s feelings, but being pushed by his peers to give something away proved too strong and Ryan gave in.
“She ain’t said much to me,” Ryan said, not looking at Jack. “Just how she liked Jack and all, and couldn’t’ figure out why he dumped her. Seemed there was no other girl on the scene, and even joked about the only person he seemed to be with all the time was Ennis. I think she felt put out she was dumped for no one.”
Jack looked at Ennis while Ryan talked. Ennis was acting like he couldn’t hear a thing, and continued prodding the fire with his stick at regular intervals. Jack willed Ennis to look at him, and when he did, Jack smiled and mouthed “You okay?”. Ennis nodded swiftly, before looking back at the fire. That damn Cindy, Jack thought angrily. Seems to cause trouble even when she’s not around.
“You must have made quite an impression on her, Jack, for her to be crying into her pillow every night over you. God help you when you start seeing another girl. She might just kill you in your sleep.”
All the boys thought Scott’s typical dramatic talk was hilarious, and got quite excited by it. All the boys except Justin, who had moved round to where Ennis was sitting and was as intrigued by the fire as much as Ennis was. Jack felt jealous of Justin, being able to just go and sit next to Ennis like that, without wondering if Ennis was going to punch him in the face for doing such a thing.
“Okay boys, we’ve had our fun,” Jack said, standing up. “Now we’ve all eaten it’s time to get back to the cabin, Ennis and me’ll clean up here.”
“Race you back!” Ryan declared, which set off a steady stream of stomping feet through the trees and to the cabin. Justin stayed a little while longer, talking quietly with Ennis until Ennis started putting the fire out. Justin left and Jack sat where Justin had been sitting.
“Need to put the fire out Jack, can’t be sitting here,” Ennis said shortly.
“I know you’re mad for the boys mentioning Cindy, but there ain’t nothin’ I can do about it. Don’t be mad at me, Ennis.”
“Ain’t mad at you, Jack, just wish I didn’t have to hear all that talk.”
“I know, ain’t as though I like it too. You know she meant nothing to me Ennis. Jesus, for most of the time I was with her, I was thinking about you. Just didn’t know what thinking about you meant.”
Ennis didn’t reply, just started moving rocks on top of the fire, keeping busy.
“What were you and Justin talking about over here anyhow?” Jack tried another subject hoping to bring Ennis out of his bad mood.
“Wanted to know how I lit the fire.”
“So he was as impressed as Scott, just not brave enough to say it out loud when everyone else could hear.”
“Somethin’ like that. I’m just glad he wants to talk at all.”
“Me too, Ennis. I think he feels some kind of affinity with you or somethin’, he seems to latch on to you pretty much all the time.”
“Guess,” Ennis replied, shrugging his shoulders. “Ain’t thought too much about it.”
“He talk about his sister much to you?”
“No, and I ain’t pushin’ him. I remember someone telling me, talk when he wants to talk, and listen when he’s ready.”
“Good advice, I say.” Jack smirked. “Come on Ennis, let’s leave this to go out on it’s own. We can take the long way back. Round the workshop and through the trees.”
“Jack…..,” Ennis started.
“The boys won’t be missing us Ennis, not yet. Come on.”
Ennis hesitated for a second, but followed Jack through the now familiar trail around the back of the workshop. Jack heard the lapping of the water against the shore, and the silence of the night taking over them. He locked his fingers through Ennis’s as soon as they were out of sight, and Ennis didn’t pull away.
“Can’t stop thinking about earlier, what you did…,” Jack said. Even in the cover of darkness, Jack knew Ennis was blushing. He pushed him against the side of the workshop and kissed him passionately, pressing himself against Ennis, urging him to open his legs and began thrusting his hips forward.
“Jack, don’t, we can’t do this now….,” Ennis panted, grabbing hold of Jack by the shoulders. Jack tried to kiss Ennis again but he wouldn’t let him.
“I know Ennis, but fuck, I’m dying for you, don’t think I can wait until I….,” Jack reached between their legs and grabbed Ennis’s dick, started rubbing with fervent passion.
“Jack, you gottta stop!” Ennis hissed, trying his best to act in control. Jack knew he wasn’t.
Jack stepped away, and swept his hands through his hair.
“I know, I know! Shit, we gotta do somethin’ fast, I’m gonna go crazy.”
Ennis put his hand on the small of Jack’s back, rubbing softly.
“It won’t be long, Jack. I promise. You gotta trust me.”
“I trust you Ennis,” Jack said, as if hypnotised. Ennis’s reassurance was something for Jack to cling on to while he floundered helplessly, waiting to be rescued.
xxxxxx