The Rules We Break 4 - Awakening

Jeremy saw Sage leave the living room, and David sat alone on the couch. Breathing heavily with his pants undone. He stared at David longer than he meant to, and David seemed to stare right back.

With black, piercing eyes.

Jeremy slowly stepped away from the window and fumbled down the stairs, rushing to the front door as Sage opened it.

She kicked her heels off, and he embraced her.

They held tightly and kissed wildly. Both desperate to revive something they lost long ago.

"How was it?" Sage asked breathlessly.

"It was fucking amazing," Jeremy said. His hands fell to her waist as he pulled her close.

“Really?” Sage asked.

Jeremy answered by picking her up and throwing her onto the table. Sage laughed. It was like they were back in college. When life was wild, when he could breathe each morning and see hope in each day.

Sage looked at him now like she used to back then.

Jeremy pulled her panties off and threw them across the room. He pressed himself against her as they kissed. And, slowly, began to push himself inside her.

Sage moaned and dug her nails into his back.

"Fuck me," Sage said. Jeremy slammed into her. The table rocked. He closed his eyes and pictured her on top of David.

Being stretched wide by his massive cock.

Jeremy slid her dress up and clenched her thighs. Sage placed her hands on the side of his face and pressed her forehead against his.

"Fuck me, please," she said again softly.

Jeremy rammed into her until she shivered. They kissed as his tempo slowed.

He pulled her off the table, threw her onto the couch, and pulled her round ass towards him.

He looked over at David’s house as he took her from behind.

David’s living room windows were still open, and he was still there.

Watching.

There was no way he could see them. The lights in the living room were off.

And yet he stared.

Jeremy felt Sage reach back and run her hand down his abs. He looked down at her, eyes following the perfect dip of her spine. The jiggle of her ass cheeks. The sway of her breasts. He pushed forward and slapped her ass hard, imagining it was David doing it.

"You wanted him to fuck you, didn't you?"

Sage froze, looking back at him with a timid smile.

"It's ok, you can say it," Jeremy said, still pumping into her. He wanted her to let it out. He wanted her to wake up. To see the life they could have, to see the life they let go.

Sage bit her lip timidly. Jeremy leaned down to her ear.

"You can say it."

"Fuck, this is so hot…" Sage said, pushing her ass into him. "Yes… I did."

Jeremy stared into her vibrant green eyes.

"I wanted him to fuck my brains out," Sage said.

Jeremy lost himself. He slammed into her with all the power he had.

Sage’s moans bounced off the walls as he came deep inside her, filling her womb.

They would only take a break for a few minutes before fucking again.

And again.

Until they grew exhausted, until they held one another in each other’s arms, and fell asleep.

–

Jeremy walked off the stage covered in sweat. The crowd roaring as his friend Micky picked him up and hoisted him in the air.

“We fucking killed it, man!” He shouted.

An MC came onstage, popping a mic off its stand.

“The Skull Crushers, everyone! Give them a hand.”

The roar of the crowd continued. Micky and Jeremy pushed their way to the bar. Through the fawning hands, through the screaming women. They found their other bandmates, Raven and Lee, sitting and waiting.

“The man of the hour,” Raven said to Jeremy, offering him a shot. He took it with a nod and downed it with one swig.

“Man, if we can keep this kind of energy up, we’ll definitely kill it in California,” Lee said. Glancing out at the group. “We might even land ourselves a record deal.”

“Wouldn’t that be the dream,” Jeremy said.

“It ain’t a dream,” Micky replied. “We can do it. This is it. Saundry from Relish Records already reached out, they’ll have a scout out that way. We just have to nail it.”

“They said that last year, and the year before that,” Jeremy said.

“Yeah, but we weren’t nearly as practiced as we are now. Besides, with school out of the way, we’ll actually have some time to really focus on this thing,” Raven said.

Jeremy looked down at his empty glass and put it on the bar counter.

“Guys... this is my last run.”

The group all turned to Jeremy in unison. Eyes wide in disbelief. Micky was the first to speak.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” He said.

Jeremy couldn’t bring himself to look at them.

“Sage and I. We decided... well, we decided that after college we wanted to settle down.”

The wilsence was long, deep, and cutting.

“You’re fucking joking, right?” Raven said.

Jeremy shook his head.

“Jeremy,” Micky interjected. “This is it, man, we are right at the edge of something great. We can’t quit now.”

“I’m sorry, guys, this is what I want.”

“Is it?” Raven pressed.

Jeremy said nothing.

“Jeremy,” Raven said again. He finally met her gaze. “Is it actually? Or is it what Sage wants?”

Jeremy remembered the looks on their faces so vividly. The disappointment, the betrayal, the disbelief. But they wouldn’t change his mind that night. They would go on to tour, they would find another lead singer, and they would land a record deal. They would never make it big, but they would make enough. They would make a life out of that dream. They would be something.

And so would he, with Sage. She arrived before he could speak.

“Hey, guys!” She said brightly, sneaking up behind Jeremy and wrapping her arms around his neck. The sweet scent of her perfume invaded his nostrils. “That was a great show!”

The group murmured in response, turning away and leaving them to their decision.

“Thanks, babe,” Jeremy said.

“Want to get out of here?” She asked with a wink. Jeremy glanced around the room, and all eyes fell upon them. The perfect couple. The lead singer and bombshell girlfriend. Pictureque. They escaped out the back of the venue. Tucking themselves away in the back alley. Kissing passionately.

Sage turned from him and pressed herself against the brick wall, lifting her short skirt.

“Fuck me.” She said.

“Please, fuck me.”

Jeremy entered her. With short breaths and fleeting thoughts.

He came in as the sound of guitars echoed through the wall.

—

Three weeks passed, and they were some of the best Jeremy had felt in a long time. He was lighter, and Sage seemed just as happy as he was.

The daily grind of work was tolerable once more. And for the first time in years, he could hear music in his head again. Beats, lyrics, strums, rhythms. He could hear it just like he used to.

The sounds grew so loud he was compelled to act. Jeremy went into their three-bay garage and pulled out the guitar case resting behind the Christmas boxes, the only one he had saved from his collection.

An acoustic Martin. One of a kind. The first real guitar he’d ever purchased. He hadn’t looked at it in years. He moved his hands across the strings, feeling their grunge. Jeremy closed the case, drove to the nearest music store, and bought a new pair of strings.

He was tuning it in the living room when Sage walked through the front door. She looked gorgeous as always, wearing a series of whites and creams that made her olive skin pop.

"Hey, babe!" Jeremy said, tuning a string as he plucked it.

"Hey!" Sage replied, putting her things down in the foyer, "You're home early."

"Yeah, well, meetings ran quick today. The product teams are running smoothly, so I dipped out."

"That's nice to hear."

"How about you?" He asked. Hitting another string and tuning it quickly. He then gently strummed through a few chords, letting the guitar breathe.

"Eh, work is work. Still busy with the spring campaign. I picked up some dinner from Maggie's."

"That's great darlin'," Jeremy said, strumming through a gentle rhythm. Sage finally looked at him as she walked to the kitchen counter and dropped the bag of food.

"Oh my god! You brought out the guitar! I thought that was music on the speakers!"

Jeremy laughed. "I did! I've been feeling in the mood."

"Have you now?" Sage said, walking up behind him and reaching over the couch. She leaned down and kissed the side of his neck. "My little musician’s getting the bug again?"

"Something like that." Jeremy struck a chord. The vibration felt good on his fingers.

Sage wrapped her arms around his neck and listened to him strum for a while.

He followed the music; he didn’t force it.

This was Jeremy's favorite way to play. It was how he had created nearly all of his songs. With which strum came a volley of memories. Of long road trips with the band he loved, of the endless stages they played on, of the long nights after sets.

"Sounds nice," Sage said.

"Yeah," Jeremy stopped at the sound of her voice. He let out a long sigh. "Feels good to play again."

"You should keep playing!" Sage said, her hands finding his back and rubbing it gently.

"You think?" Jeremy said, eagerness skipping off his voice.

"Of course! It's good to have a hobby."

"Right, yeah. A hobby."

"Come on, let's eat," Sage said, patting him gently.

Jeremy placed the guitar down and walked over to the kitchen table. He stared at the food for a moment, then looked at Sage.

“Something wrong?” She asked.

“Huh, no, nothing major, I just... You want to do something a little more fancy tonight?” He asked.

Sage perked up. “You know I love a little impromptu date. Where were you thinking?”

“How about Le Trisha?”

“Oh, sounds lovely! Let me go freshen up, and we’ll go, alright?”

“Sounds good,” Jeremy said.

The adventure felt good. It was the best their suburban sprawl could offer.

They ate in relative silence. Remarking on the flavors and their work.

"Oh, that reminds me," Sage said. "Amy and Ryan said they will be flying in next Wednesday. So I figure we should have a little barbecue party since the game will be on."

Jeremy glanced up from his meal. "Yeah, that could be fun. Who else did you have in mind?"

"We could probably invite Theo, and I could see if Tom and Jessica could make it?"

“I thought they had broken up again?”

“Yeah, well, they’re back on again.”

"Oh. Well then, yeah, that could work." Jeremy leaned back and let out a sigh. Sage raised an eyebrow.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"Huh, oh nothing."

"I know that look, you're dying in there."

"No, I'm not."

"Is it about… you know…"

Jeremy shook his head. "What? No! No…"

"How are you feeling about it?" Sage asked.

"Not bad." He stared as an idea began to form. "Your next visit with David’s coming up, right?"

Sage perked up. "Hmmm? Oh, is it?"

Jeremy chuckled. "Like you didn't know."

"Stop," Sage blushed and looked away.

"It is coming up, though, right?"

Sage stabbed the steak on her plate. "Next week would be the week."

Jeremy drummed his fingers on the table.

"Maybe you should invite him, too."

Sage looked up in shock.

"Jeremy," she hissed.

"What?! He is our neighbor after all."

Sage leaned in.

"HE is also the neighbor I just started messing around with!" She whispered.

"I know, that's the point!"

"Jesus," Sage said, flustered. Jeremy loved to see it.

He loved the energy, he loved the danger. It turned him on more than he ever thought possible.

"I'm not saying you have to mess with him."

"Oh my god, Jeremy! We’re not kids anymore," Sage was nearly shouting.

"I'm NOT saying that," Jeremy said quickly.

"Then what is the fucking point? I don't want to be his friend."

"Neither do I."

"Jesus, is this the teasing thing again?" Sage asked.

"Yup."

Jeremy could have left it at that. He could have let it lie.

But he couldn't contain the fire growing inside him anymore.

"And... if things go well, you could always sneak away with him," he said.

Sage's cheeks reddened as her lips parted.

"Jeremy…" She whispered.

"I'm just saying," Jeremy returned to his meal. "IF it happens, it could be hot."

A smile formed on his face as Sage watched him eat in silence.

–

Fucking David at their barbecue. Jeremy was getting as wild as he used to be. It reminded her of those countless nights on tour. The mixture of anxiety and arousal that she could never forget. Always watching him onstage, always wondering if he would leave her behind.

Just like he did.

But he hadn’t. Jeremy had stayed, and now, his old side was reappearing. A wild side that never seemed to fully disappear. Sage hated to admit that she was grateful for it. He was always the one willing to push things, to grow, to step outside his comfort zone. And he would take her with him. Every step of the way. Despite her fears, despite her doubt, she would follow.

Only now, instead of stages, they had their neighbor.

Sage went through the formal invitations. She was glad to hear Jessica and Tom could make it.

And Theo was a given. As always, he responded as soon as she texted him.

Sage: Hey! Want to come to a barbecue on the 13th?

Theo: But the game is on!

Sage: Theo…

Theo: Sage…

Sage: We are literally having the BBQ for the game.

Theo: Oh, well I was going to come regardless

Sage: Uh-huh, sure.

Theo typed for a while, then stopped, and started again.

Theo: I would literally never miss anything with you guys

Sage shook her head and laughed.

Sage: Weirdo.

Theo: haha. What time?

Sage: People will start showing up around 3:30pm.

Theo: See you then :)

Theo, dependable as always. He'd been a high school friend growing up. He'd managed to get into the same state school as she. They had both pursued fashion and marketing. They both had brief stints as small-town models. They both had dreamed of making it big someday.

Theo had been there when her ex left.

But unlike her, she always thought he'd actually make it. And she couldn't believe it when he turned down the job of a lifetime in New York. It was a major acting role in a big TV show. He passed it up without a second thought.

“Why did you do that?!” Sage asked him.

"It's just not what I want," He had said.

“And you want to stay here instead?”

Theo looked at her for a long time. Then smiled.

“There are a lot of good things here,” He said.

"Like what?”

Theo didn’t answer.

“Theo, the best thing this place has to offer is the suburbs. And that's where people go to die."

"So grim," Theo said.

"It's true."

"Well, you're going to be out there."

Sage paused.

"I know." She remembered how empty she felt at those words. She remembered the feeling of defeat. Of all the times she had tried and failed. That there was nothing left for her to give, that she was nothing more than a pretty face. And soon, even that would fade.

She wanted to tell him he was so much more, that he could achieve so much more than she. But the words caught in her throat.

"If someone with as much life as you is moving out there, then that means it has to be worth something,” Theo said.

Sage smiled and shook her head.

"Shut up."

He was the greatest friend she could have asked for. But she never fully forgave him for trading a dream to become a salesman. He said he liked it, and he was doing well. So Sage respected it.

It also meant he would stay around.

Sage hated how grateful she was for that.

Next came David.

Sage: Interested in a BBQ on Wednesday?

David: just us?

Sage: No, with the neighbors. For the game?

David typed for a while.

David: sure, when?

Sage: People will start arriving at 3:30pm.

David: I’ll be there. Maybe we can have an extra conversation afterwards

Sage shook her head.

Sage: Haha, maybe.

She waited a moment, then gave in to a small temptation.

Sage: Still waiting for you to beg.

She could hear her heartbeat in her ears as David quickly typed back.

David: We’ll see who ends up begging.

Sage let out a deep breath and tossed her phone onto the ottoman, slumping into the couch.

It was going to be a very interesting week.

--

Hope you guys have enjoyed the story so far! If you like my work, consider supporting me on Patreon to get early access to stories and chapters. Happy reading!

patreon.com/mrjakobs