Rules We Break 5 - BBQ

David stood over the small tombstone, downing the last of his whisky and letting out a soft burp. The graveyard was quieter than usual, even for a weekday. David didn’t mind. He was glad to see the flowers were still there. Sometimes the groundskeepers removed them after a day. He liked to think they made a difference, somehow.

But it didn't really matter; they would be removed eventually. David sighed as he knelt down and placed his hand on the polished stone.

"Sorry I couldn't quit drinking. I know I promised I would." He said dully. He gave the stone a pat. "Happy birthday, bud."

The drive home was long and silent. Only interrupted by his ringing phone. He glanced down at it while taking a turn, reading his ex-wife’s name on the screen. He shook his head and quickly pressed the ignore button before throwing it aggressively across the car.

Then he parked, slammed his car door twice when it failed to latch, and glanced over at Sage's house.

The night she finally came over replayed in his head as he walked to his front door, what he wouldn’t give for another distraction like that.

She was unforgettable, the kind of woman you’d see in a magazine and know you’d never find someone like that in real life. And yet, he had. By simply walking into his living room and looking up at the right time.

He remembered the way she looked at him. Like he was real, like he was there. And then she had done it again when she came over.

He’d forgotten what passion felt like. To feel desire and be desired.

It made him forget about everything else.

But after their meeting, she had stopped coming to the window. He would sit and wait, night after night, hoping she would show up again. She never did.

And yet, he’d wait all the same. Just like he would tonight.

He hated himself for that.

But what else did he have?

After one particularly difficult night and a bottle of whiskey, he had shot her a text.

David: Hey. It’s been a minute. When am I getting another show again?

David assumed he was still the man he was long ago. Confident, built, handsome. He still believed that women melted when they saw him.

Then Sage had come along. And with every unanswered text, that fantasy was slowly beginning to crack.

Days later, she replied.

Sage: Been busy. Learn to wait.

David scoffed.

"Fucking bitch."

It was typical. David knew the type. Sage was the kind of woman who got plenty of attention and liked to play the field. He’d dated tons of them in the past, even married one.

And in the end. They were all the same. They’d leave as soon as shit got real.

David closed his eyes as a headache came on, signaling it was time for another drink. He stumbled into the kitchen and opened a new bottle of whiskey, downing a shot before quickly pouring another. He walked over to his couch, bottle and glass in hand, and stared at Sage’s window.

If there was ever a night he needed her to appear, tonight would be it.

But, as usual, she didn’t. The sun set, and the window never opened. David sighed and resorted to the next best thing he could think of. He opened his phone, found a pornstar that looked like Sage, and began jacking off.

He closed his eyes and remembered that night. He imagined her caving in, of her pushing her underwear to the side and straddling his cock.

He imagined her whispering in his ear softly.

“Put it inside me.”

David imagined how tight her pussy would feel. A moan came from his phone. David erupted.

"Fuck!" David grunted as he sprayed onto his stomach. With another long sigh, he looked back up to Sage's window. Then, grumbling, downed another shot and walked to the bathroom.

He stopped and stared at his gut in the mirror.

He grumbled, then flexed for a moment, deciding to focus on his large arms instead.

It wasn’t so bad. He still had the edge. He’d just lost it somewhere.

David gave in to fantasy, picturing his body just as it used to be.

He was going to do this.

He would be ready next time. She was going to fall for him in a way she never thought possible. He was going to turn this girl on her head.

Just like he always used to. When things were normal.

His phone rang again. David peeked his head out of the bathroom and watched it dance on the kitchen table. He walked past it lazily, hearing the ringtone stop as he downed another shot of whiskey.

As soon as it stopped, it started again.

"Jesus fuck!" He shouted, fumbling over to the table and grabbing his phone. "What?!"

"David."

His ex spoke softly, if not a little coldly. That same gentle voice he’d woken up next to for years.

David rubbed his eyes and let out a sigh.

"What?" he said more softly.

"I didn't see you at Ashley's volleyball game."

David grunted. "Yeah, well… I was busy."

"Were you drinking?"

"I was busy," David said, glancing at the empty bottles of whisky beside his trash can.

"Are you drunk right now?"

David didn't answer.

"I thought you said you were going to work on it."

"Jesus Christ, Martha, you already fucking left me, you can stop acting like my mother."

"I'm just worried about you."

"Uh huh… I'm sure. Worried about that check, right?"

"You know that's not fair."

"Sure, it's not. How's the new dumbass treating you?" David regretted every word that rolled out of his stupid fucking mouth. He regretted the venom and anger. He regretted the punched holes in the wall after it had happened. And the fact that, despite all the promises he had made to himself, he had turned into an exact copy of the monster who had raised him.

Martha didn't reply. She knew better. She would wait until the wellspring of rage in David's stomach drained like pus from a wound. Deflated, David leaned back and pinched his nose.

"I'm uh… I'm sorry that was… I shouldn't have–"

"It's fine."

"No, I–"

"It's fine, David."

The line went silent. David felt that old feeling. That old, painful feeling, and ran from it as fast as possible.

"I uh… tell Ashley I'm sorry. I'll make it up to her."

"You should. She misses you. They won, you know."

David laughed. "Did they?"

"Yes. And she was MVP for the third time in a row."

"Wow, no way!" David felt his breath waver. And those old, stupid fucking tears found his eyes. He cleared his voice and shook them off. "Well, uh… tell her I'll take her out to dinner. We'll go to her favorite spot. Smithies Steakhouse."

"David, she is vegan now."

"What? Since when?!"

"Since she saw a video about slaughterhouses last month."

"Jesus… well, arlight uh... Let her know we'll go wherever she wants."

"Maybe you should."

"Yeah… yeah maybe I'll give her a text… yeah."

"Alright," Martha paused. "You sure you're doing ok?"

"I'm fine," David said. Praying she wouldn't say those fateful words that cut him up every single time he heard them.

"And David… you know… you know it wasn't your–"

"I got to go," David said. "Very busy."

"...Alright," Martha said. "I'll call next week, ok?"

"Yeah. Next week."

"You have any plans for tonight?"

"Yeah."

"I don't think it's good for you to be alone in that house."

"I'll be fine," David said quickly.

Martha paused again.

"Alright. Take care, David."

"Yeah…"

The line went dead. David closed his eyes tightly and tried to push the old pains down. The old memories that played over and over.

Of that funny little face looking up at him. Hands outstretched, waiting for David to pick him up and hold him. To take care of him. To protect him. A face filled with hopes and dreams and love.

A face buried six feet underground.

A face he wanted to forget, but could never let go of.

David began to crumble.

"Happy birthday, bucko…" He said. He went for the whiskey before the tears could catch up.

—

Sage walked through the sliding back doors, cake tray in hand, and promptly bumped into Theo as he turned from the cooler. She stumbled back, barely balancing her tray.

"Nice save," Theo said.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Sage said.

"It's nothing, come here!!" He said, opening his arms wide.

"Hang on, I need to put this down," Sage said. Theo dropped his arms in disappointment, following her as they made their way across the finely manicured concrete patio.

Sage had been meticulous in its design. After Jeremy had received a fat bonus from work, they finally had enough to put the project into action. She pulled up the CAD file and handed it off to their contractor. And now, her dream was fulfilled. A sprawling, garden-style mix of concrete and natural stone connecting several patio sections and a vine-covered pergola equipped with a fireplace and TV. A perfectly manicured yard for a perfectly manicured life.

“When did you get here?” She asked.

Theo tore his eyes away from the game playing on the TV.

“Hmm? Oh, like three minutes ago. Also, I didn’t know you were inviting Jessica and Tom,” Theo said, glancing over at the alt couple sitting together in a garden nook.

The two looked like they belonged together. Skinny, tattooed, and dressed in all leather and black. They lived closer to the city limits and were still very much in the music scene.

"Yeah, well, you don't need to worry,” Sage said. “They are back together, so there shouldn't be drama this time around."

"Wait, when did they get back together?" Theo asked. Still following a step too closely. Sage stopped at the circular table overlooking the pond and placed the tray down.

"Sometime last month?"

"But didn't she say she hated him?"

Sage laughed and shrugged. "I don't know. Jessica said they had figured things out."

They watched as Jessica pressed her head against Tom's. He, in turn, placed a hand over her heart.

"Ah, they're doing the soul-bonding thing again,” Sage said.

"Guess we'll see how long they last this time," Theo said.

"Yes, we will…" Sage agreed. Theo took a swig of his beer and nodded at the grill.

"Who's the new guy?" He asked, watching David flip several burgers.

"That would be David," Sage said.

"Where'd you meet him? Kinda old, no?"

"He's our neighbor," Sage said, walking back over to the sliding doors.

"Neighbor? Since when are you inviting neighbors?"

Sage glanced back at Theo.

"You're a neighbor," She said. Entering the house.

"No, I'm a friend who happens to be a neighbor, that's different." Theo looked out the window at David. "What part of the neighborhood is he from?"

"He uh, lives next door." Sage tried not to sound flustered. There was no reason to make a big deal out of this. But Theo knew her too well.

"Right next door?" He asked inquisitively.

"Yup," Sage picked up a large salad bowl and made her way back out to the patio. Theo glanced at David as he followed Sage back outside.

"But why?" He said.

"He lives alone, ok? Just thought it'd be nice to invite him," Sage said. Her heart raced as she saw David approach with a plate of burgers. She ignored the intense stare Theo gave him. He never did well when he met her other male friends.

"Burgers are wrapped up," David said, glancing at Theo and giving him a nod. "Hey there, champ."

Theo glanced at Sage with that all too familiar look of disbelief. Sage held back a smile.

"Thanks so much for doing that, David. You can put them next to the plates."

"You got it."

"That's usually Jeremy's thing," Theo said. Watching as David put down the plate.

"Guess he should have been here then," David shot back.

"Right," Theo took another swig of his beer, staring coldly. David wiped off his hand and offered it to him.

"I'm David, by the way."

Theo glanced down at his hand and slowly took it.

"Theo."

Sage watched as the two men stared one another down. She rolled her eyes.

"Jeremy would have done it, but he's picking up Ryan and Amy from the airport," Sage said. "Did you get the hot dogs yet, David?"

"No," David said, letting Theo's hand go slowly. He never broke eye contact. "I'll get on those next."

"Thank you," Sage said.

"No problem," David said, giving Theo a nod before turning back to the grill.

"Thanks for the help, old timer," Theo said before turning to Sage. David looked back with a glare.

"Don't mention it, champ." He walked back to the grill and began throwing the hot dogs down.

"God, that guy is a fucking asshole," Theo said. Sage pushed him playfully as she walked past.

"Will you stop? At least he’s actually helping. Come on, we need to get the appetizers."

"Why the hell are you bringing out this much food?!" Theo said.

The front door opened as they entered the kitchen. Jeremy, Amy, and Ryan spilled in amongst a collection of suitcases. As soon as Amy saw Sage, she dropped her things and approached with arms outstretched.

"Oh my god!! The queen!" She shouted, running over to Sage.

"Hey, babe!" Sage said, giving her a squeeze. She had to lean over, and Amy had to stand on her tiptoes. Amy was a small and mighty woman, her personality matching her red hair perfectly.

"It's so good to see you again," Amy said. She glanced over at Theo. "And I didn't know YOU were coming!"

"I live here now!" Theo said, hugging Amy tightly.

"What?! Since when?"

"Since last year!"

"Stop! I thought you were going to New York?" Amy said.

"Yeah, well, it wasn't quite what I wanted. How's the think tank going?" He asked.

The two continued to chatter as Sage stepped away and greeted Jeremy.

"Hey sweetheart," He said, kissing her cheek. "Sorry we're late."

"Oh, it's nothing," Sage said, looking over at Ryan as he dropped his suitcase and stood straight.

"Hey there, stranger," he said.

"Hey Ryan," Sage said, giving him a side hug. She had to reach up to do so. He was a mountain of a man, complete with a full beard and burly chest. The rural life suited him well.

"Are we the last ones?" Jeremy asked curiously. Sage nodded, knowing the double meaning behind the question.

"David decided to help cook," she said. Jeremy's eyes widened in shock.

"What? No, I could have handled it."

"I know, but he insisted. Wanted the food to be ready when you arrived," Sage said. Jeremy grumbled as he looked out the window at the grill.

"He better not have burnt the Wyagu burgers…"

"They looked just fine," Sage said, turning to Ryan. "Did you guys want to put your stuff upstairs and meet us at the dinner table? We're eating outside today."

Ryan grunted and looked over at Amy.

"Hey! We eating now or later?" he asked her. Amy glanced at him.

"Oh god no, we're eating now," She said.

Ryan looked back at Sage. "We're eating now."

Sage laughed and guided the group outside.

Dinner went surprisingly well. Ryan and Amy were the usual center of attention. Well, Amy was, at least. Ryan remained his usual stoic self. And Theo was Theo. A handsome face with quick jokes and far too attentive to Sage. Jeremy seemed right at home, too. He, Tom, and Jessica had started their own personal conversation about music in the city. And David, well, he was doing his best to fit in. He sat quietly across from Sage, eyeing her every so often as they ate.

"The burgers came out great by the way," Ryan said, giving David a nod.

"Thanks," David said.

"Remind me again, how do you know Sage?" Ryan asked. David looked over at her, barely hiding his knowing smirk.

"Oh well, I'm just the–"

"He's our neighbor," Sage said, staring intently. David’s smirk widened to a smile.

"Yeah, what she said."

"Oh, like next door?" Amy chimed in.

"That would be correct," David said.

"Oh my god, so you're the peep show house!" Amy shouted. David looked over with wide eyes.

"Oh my god, Amy!" Sage said.

"Haha, we always joked about how your backyards connect. Gives you a full view of the back, right?" Amy asked.

David cleared his throat as everyone, except for Jeremy and Sage, laughed.

"That's right," he said.

"So, have you ever caught them naked?!" Amy teased.

"Amy!" Ryan shouted.

The group laughed. David's eyes never left Sage. He chuckled softly before grabbing another burger.

Thankfully, Jeremy was able to change the topic quickly. And before long, things were back on track. Sage eventually excused herself, grabbing a few plates and carefully stacking them on one hand.

"Here," David said. "Let me help." He grabbed a few more as Sage dismissed him.

"I got it," She said.

"Like hell you do, look, you're fumbling around," David said calmly, taking several plates from Sage's reluctant hands.

"That's what you get for not using disposable ones," Ryan said.

"Absolutely not," Sage said, walking to the house. Theo promptly began to stand, but Sage waved him off.

"Please, I don't need an entourage following me," She said. Jeremy looked too.

"You sure?" He asked. She knew what the question was actually for.

"Yes, enjoy the dinner," Sage said shortly. Catching Jeremy's eyes. He gave an affirming nod as she turned and stepped into the house.

David followed behind, stepping into the kitchen with Sage.

"You guys have a nice place here," He said.

"Uh-huh," Sage replied. Dropping the plates into the sink. David stepped close beside her and dropped his batch also.

"You know, today is the day. One month exactly." He said.

Sage glanced at him, then back to the plates. The sounds of laughter echoed from outside.

"Don't get any ideas," She said shortly. David chuckled.

"You don't think it'd be a little fun?" He asked, hand slipping onto her ass.

The touch was electric. Sage quickly glanced to see if they were visible from the sliding doors. Fortunately, the cabinets blocked the view. She looked into those dark eyes as he squeezed.

"You are aware that no means no, correct?"

"Are you telling me no?" David asked. His hand slid between her cheeks, pushing upwards and grazing her pussy. He leaned forward, close enough for Sage to smell the mixture of mouthwash and alcohol on his breath.

"Just say no, and I'll stop." He said.

Sage wanted to. She meant to. But that touch, his aggression. His belligerent nature.

It cracked open from long ago. His fingers pushed upward. The sensation made Sage moan. After a moment, David chuckled.

"Thought not." He reached for Sage's summer dress and lifted it, his fingers pushing her underwear slowly to the side.

"Oh fuck," Sage whispered, glancing around again and peering through the windows.

"Relax, they're all outside." David's thick fingers swirled perfectly around her clit.

"No penetration," She said, bracing herself against the counter. David gripped her waist with his free hand.

"You sure about that?" David asked.

“David…”

Sage moaned again as his fingers teased her entrance. As his hand slid up to her breast and squeezed.

“You still think about it, don’t you?” David said. Sage gasped as he pushed two fingers in ever so slightly. Just barely entering her.

“I remember that you didn’t beg,” she said.

“How about you beg right now?” David asked.

Before she could answer, he pressed his lips against hers. They kissed, and he squeezed as his fingers danced. His tongue touched hers.

Sage grew lost. Moaning as the heat between her legs grew. David pushed his body into hers, squeezing her as his fingers began to slowly enter her.

He pushed Sage’s leg open, and she thrust into him.

Then, the back patio door slid open.

"Hey, Sage!" Theo said. David and Sage immediately parted. She pushed her dress down and smiled nervously as Theo stared. Uncertain how much he had seen.

"Hey, Theo. What's uh. What's up?" She said.

Theo glanced at David, then back to Sage.

"Everything good?" He asked.

“Oh yes, everything is totally fine,” David said with a chuckle. Slapping his hand on Theo's shoulder.

The same hand that was wet with her sex.

Theo stared at Sage as David’s fingers slid against his shirt.

“You sure?” Theo asked.

"Oh yes, totally fine," Sage said. "What's up?"

Theo's eyes didn't leave David as he spoke. "We were wondering if you wanted to play cornhole." He said.

"Sounds like fun! You should go,” David said.

Sage stared at him coldly.

"Thanks, David." She looked back at Theo. "I'll be right out in a minute, ok?"

"Uh, yeah… alright. We'll wait for you,” Theo said.

"Sounds good."

Theo left, leaving David in his place. He leaned against the counter with a smug look.

"You'd better head out there; they might get worried," David said.

"I think it's time for you to leave," Sage snapped back.

"I was thinking the same thing." He pushed off the granite and walked towards Sage slowly, stopping in front of her. "Gotta get ready for tonight."

"Oh yeah, and what's happening tonight?"

"You're sucking my dick."

"Am I?"

"You know you are."

"These parties tend to go late, I might not make it over."

"I'm sure you'll find a way," David said. He looked out the window. Sage followed his eyes to Jeremy, who was already throwing bags into holes. "Don't want to disappoint him, do you?"

"Won't mean much if he can't watch," Sage said.

David looked at her with a wicked smile. "I'm sure he'll find a way too."

Before Sage could say another word, David gripped her ass tightly and pulled her in for a kiss.

She resisted, only slightly. Then David pulled away and headed for the front door.

“And what if I don’t make it over?” She asked. David stopped.

“Well, then I guess you’re going to have to wait till next month,” he said.

Sage scoffed. "Is that supposed to scare me?"

David opened the front door and glanced back at her.

"Guess we'll find out."

--

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