Thanks, Sugaboo! I would love to read one of your golden oldies. But for now, I've posted chapter 7. Read on:
“Look, it happened that year before when I was up on Brokeback..a year before I even met you,” Jack said quickly, urgently, when he felt Ennis’ body tense at the mention of another man’s name. Jack patted Ennis’ firm buttocks. Ennis relaxed a bit, even though he knew when he was being placated. Jack kissed Ennis quickly; it was an unexpected move. Ennis was reminded of those days on the mountain when Jack was so ready and happy to offer a sweet kiss. He only had to pass Jack to go take a leak and find that a good-bye kiss was forthcoming. When he returned from taking a pee, Jack was there with a welcome smooch. Ennis never objected then, and he craved the attention now. Ennis puckered up and Jack delivered a tiny smack. “Now let me continue,’ Jack whispered. “We can kiss all you want later.” Ennis settled next to Jack and pulled up on an elbow. He motioned for Jack to go on.
“You wasn’t the first,” Jack said, thoughtfully. “You remember when I told you about the year before we was up on Brokeback togehter? Well, I never did tell you that I wasn't alone that summer." Ennis nodded for Jack to continue. "Cleet arrived on the mountain first and already had everything ready by the time I got there.” Ennis was all ears. “I was aware that Aguirre hired a herder, and I didn’t know what to expect, nor did I care.” Jack placed a hand on Ennis’ shoulder and rubbed. “Here it comes,” Ennis thought. He knew it shouldn’t matter, but the thought of Jack with someone else stung. “We hit it off from the beginning, and started working like a team.” “Sounds familiar,” Ennis spat, bitterly. Jack withdrew his hand. He couldn’t understand Ennis’ sudden hostility. When Ennis noticed his lover's hurt, he softened. Jack didn’t deserve his attitude! He only wanted to come clean, and Ennis knew he should feel grateful that Jack wanted to level with him. “I’m sorry, Jack,” Ennis soothed. “Is there more?” Ennis began to fidget, and when Jack noticed his discomfort, he began to doubt his decision to tell all. “There is more,” Jack stated after a few moments of silence. “We made love. We did, but it was nothing like I had with you..still have!” Ennis accepted Jack’s confession - he had to! Jack spoke as though the affair was in the past, and what is done is done. “What happened to good ole Cleet?” Ennis asked. “I don’t know, Friend,” Jack stated. “He had family problems and decided not to return for a second year on the mountain, which is why Aguiree hired you, I’m sure.” Jack’s hand returned to Ennis’ shoulder. “To tell you the truth, I’m glad Cleet didn’t return. I would never have met you,” Jack admitted, shyly. He knew that he may have spilled too much to his lover, and he refused to meet Ennis’ eyes. If he had, he would have noticed the moisture there. Ennis was only a second from bawling like a baby. He wanted to be close, and felt possesive, territorial. Ennis pulled Jack close and held on.
After the moaning had died down and both men were spent and sore, Jack walked to the bathroom and Ennis took a moment to digest what Jack had confessed. “So I wasn’t the first,” Ennis spoke out loud, softly. “I should have known. He was too sure of what he was doing…too skilled.” Ennis turned over onto his back and buried his head in the down filled pillow. He couldn’t help but wonder if Cleet was a thing of the past, or if Jack lied about that. What if Cleet McBride was living down in Texas and the 2 of them met up on a regular basis? If so, Ennis knew he would take a trip down to Childress and blow both their brains out! “I’m such a knucklehead,” Ennis thought as he forced the silly thoughts away. He had to trust Jack. Why would Jack tell him about Cleet if he was still involved with him? Jack didn’t have a death wish, did he? Jack burst from the bathroom in a cloud of steam. “You can take a shower if you want, Cowboy, and after that we can get some shut eye. We can go up to camp tomorrow, right?” Ennis nodded and walked toward the small bathroom. “But before we go, I have something else to tell you…that is, if you want to hear…?