Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:23:11 -0500
From: Andrew Todd <atodd867@gmail.com>
Subject: Riding Lessons-Lessons Learned-Chapter 6

This is a continuation of my first story, 'Riding Lessons'. As always, if
you have any issues with romantic relationships between young men, please
do not proceed. I appreciate any and all feedback and constructive
criticism.

Riding Lessons II: Lessons Learned

By

Andrew Todd

Chapter 6

Zak was grinning ear to ear as he pulled up to Mattie's house. He turned to
Dylan who was in the passenger seat. "Hey, Dyl, would you mind getting in
the back seat with Spin? I really need to talk to Mattie."

"Sure, no problem," Dylan said as he opened the door and motioned for
Mattie to take his place.

Once everyone was buckled in Zak took off for Spin's house.

Mattie looked over at Zak who still had a Cheshire-cat grin on his
face. "What are you smiling about?" he teased Zak.

"Guess who showed up at my house last night?" Zak asked.

"Who?"

"Danny."

"Danny?" Mattie thought for a moment. "CJ's Danny?"

"Yup."

"How did he find CJ there?"

"He wasn't looking for CJ--didn't even know he was in town, never mind
staying at my house."

Mattie was confused. "Then who was he looking for?"

"My dad."

"Why was he looking for your dad?"

"Actually, he was looking for his dad," Zak said.

"Ok, you lost me."

"He's my brother."

"HE'S YOUR WHAT?!!?"

"Your brother's boyfriend is my brother; well, half-brother."

"You're kidding."

"Nope."

Zak then gave Mattie and Dylan a re-hash of Danny's arrival at his house
the previous evening. When they picked up Spin, Zak had to tell the tale
again.

By the end of the second re-telling, it was starting to sink in for Mattie.

"So we're brothers-in-law?" Mattie declared.

Zak grinned. "Hey, I guess we are."

Now that the initial shock of Danny's arrival had worn off, Zak was
enjoying getting used to the idea of having an older brother. He was on
pins and needles all day waiting to be able to introduce his friends and
his new-found brother.

At lunch he repeated the story for Denise and Carmen, who were quickly
becoming part of the guys' inner circle of friends. Both girls were itching
to meet Danny and CJ, but couldn't make it today due to another club
meeting.

After school, Zak was rushing everyone to his car so they could get to the
ranch. As much as he loved spending time with Max, he was happy that he
didn't have to stop to pick him up today.

***

Dusty left Zak's house early so he could get to the ranch and get his
morning chores done. Zak had worn him out the night before so he was glad
that he only had to worry about physical labor and not school work
today. Physical stuff he could do on auto-pilot, but as tired as he was,
thinking would not be his strong suit today.

Once he finished the stalls and the feedings, he called over to Zak's house
to see if CJ and Danny were up. CJ said that they were still 'occupied' and
asked if he could come and get them in time to meet the others after
school. Dusty agreed. Since things were quiet at the ranch, Dusty decided
to run home for a quick nap.

***

CJ and Danny had been up and down all night and most of the morning getting
'reacquainted'. When CJ finally woke up at the crack of noon the stench of
the bedroom hit him like a freight train.

CJ nudged Danny who slept soundly beside him. "Danny, wake up."

Danny rolled away from CJ and curled up to get away from CJ's prodding.

"Gonna be that way, huh?" CJ laughed as he spooned himself behind
Danny. Danny pushed himself backwards into CJ. CJ grinned to himself as he
edged Danny closer to the side of the bed until there was nowhere left for
him to go and Danny went over the side.

"Oof," Danny groaned as he hit the floor. "What the hell?" Then it hit him
and he wrinkled his nose. "Oh, shit. It smells like a whorehouse in here."

The smell of sex and sweat was pervasive.

CJ jumped out of bed and gave Danny a hand up off the floor. The two kissed
for a moment and then CJ pulled away.

"We really need to air this place out," he declared. "Or Kate's gonna throw
our asses out."

Danny walked over to the windows and threw them open. He then had CJ help
him strip the bed. The sheets were stiff with the remnants of their
lovemaking.

Both boys pulled on some underwear and carried the bedding and whatever
clothes they had strewn around the room down to the laundry room. They
shoved everything into the washing machine and turned it on.

CJ then turned and grabbed Danny and hoisted him over his shoulder and
carried him up the stairs.

"Whew," CJ said. "Now it's your turn."

Danny swatted CJ's butt as CJ carried him up the stairs. "My turn? You're
not exactly smelling like roses yourself."

CJ laughed as he carried Danny into the bathroom.

CJ sat Danny on the bathroom counter. He leaned in and hungrily kissed the
boy he loved almost ripping Danny's underwear off his body.

CJ stepped back and took in the sight before him. He had spent months
trying to forget Danny, thinking that the man he loved had deserted him,
trying to convince himself that Danny had been a mirage, a dream which had
never existed. Yet, here he was. The blond, almost white hair--medium
length and messy from their nocturnal activities. The crystal blue eyes,
which pierced CJ's heart with every gaze. The lightly tanned skin--perfect,
flawless and beautiful. The compact, but slightly muscular body, devoid of
hair except for the puffy blond bush that surrounded his beautiful cock. As
CJ drank in the sight he had longed for for months, he felt himself falling
more and more in love again.

CJ knew in his heart that he had never stopped loving Danny. He understood
why Danny had left and empathized with what Danny had been through. But
there was still a small part of him that was holding back, a small part of
him that was scared to give his heart completely only to get it stomped on
once again.

The Danny he had known and loved for three years would not have deserted
him. The Danny he thought he knew and loved would have trusted him and
would have let CJ help.

CJ wanted nothing more than to banish all his doubts, but he couldn't. The
doubts he felt were hurting him more than Danny's desertion.

Danny gazed longingly at CJ. He had fantasized about being with CJ the
whole time they had been separated. He had never expected to see CJ
again. He thought that part of his life was over. After the way he had hurt
CJ, he had rationalized that the kindest thing he could do was to let CJ go
on with his life.

Danny had slept restlessly, his mind flying a mile a minute. He was
overwhelmed with guilt over what he had done to CJ. He had never intended
to hurt CJ; he had just felt so lost.

He had come here only to find his father. He had never expected to find a
brother and to find his lost lover. He had been asking himself for hours if
he would have come here had he known that CJ was here.

He couldn't honestly answer that question. He was thrilled that CJ was here
and that the man he loved was willing to forgive him and still loved him,
but he knew that he was too much of a coward to have taken the chance that
things would turn out this way. If he had known that CJ was here, he would
have given up and turned tail, not wanting to take the chance.

Instead, fate had taken the choice away from him and Danny was happy that
he had not had to make that decision. He promised himself that he would
spend the rest of his life making things up to CJ. He would show CJ that he
had not made a mistake forgiving Danny.

CJ turned away and fiddled with the knobs on the shower. He set the
temperature of the water to the almost scalding temperature they both
enjoyed.

Without saying a word, CJ lifted Danny off the counter and set him on the
floor. Danny reached down and yanked CJ's jockeys off in one movement.

Both boys stepped into the shower, cringing at the initial touch of the hot
water.

The boys spent their time washing each other. Re-familiarizing themselves
with their lover's bodies.

CJ turned Danny around and knelt behind him. He spread Danny's stark white
ass cheeks and plunged his tongue into Danny's tasty hole.

Danny moaned with pleasure. He squirmed and writhed as CJ rimmed him.

"Oh, CJ, oooh," Danny moaned.

CJ stood up and pressed his chest against Danny's back. He kissed at
Danny's neck and ears.

CJ pushed at Danny's shoulder, so that the smaller boy leaned forward with
his arms braced on the shower wall.

CJ lined his turgid cock up with Danny's pink pucker and with no warning
penetrated his lover.

Both boys cried out in pain as CJ went balls deep in one thrust with no
lubrication. Both realized that they were doing penance.

CJ pumped at Danny's ass. After a few rough minutes, the initial pain gave
way to pleasure. It was as if they were both working through the hurt they
had felt and as the physical pain washed away, so did the emotional.

CJ held Danny's waist tight, his fingers digging into Danny's tender
flesh. CJ's hips pistoned his large cock in and out of Danny's tender hole.

Danny moaned and panted as CJ made love to him. He had longed for CJ's
touch for so long. He knew that there was a part of CJ that was punishing
him for leaving and he was going to take that punishment.

CJ loosened his death grip on Danny's waist and reached one hand around to
take hold of Danny's cock. CJ stroked the hard organ in pace with his own
thrusts into Danny's ass.

Danny bit his lip to keep from screaming. All the emotions he had dealt
with in the last nine months were surging forward. He felt like CJ was
trying to fuck every bad vibe and feeling out of his body. As his orgasm
approached Danny knew that this powerful climax was going to be a rebirth
for him and CJ.

"Cee Jaayy!!" Danny cried as CJ thrust into him and stroked his hard
dick. "Oh, God!!"

CJ felt Danny's cock start to throb and watched over Danny's shoulder as he
started to shoot.

As Danny's orgasm started his asshole started to clench on CJ's cock
driving CJ over the edge.

CJ thrust into Danny even harder as the waves of pleasure washed over him.

When it was over, CJ sank onto the shower floor, pulling Danny with
him. Danny leaned back into CJ as CJ hugged his lover.

The hot water continued to rain down on them. Danny turned to face CJ. Both
boys had tears in their eyes, mixed with the hot water that cascaded down
on them.

Neither said a word as they embraced and kissed on the shower floor.

Both silently hoped that they had broken down the barriers of doubt that
surrounded them.

***

Dusty decided that Herc and Loki could stay home today. He liked taking the
dogs to the ranch every now and then, but Loki needed to learn to fend for
himself as well. He and Zak had built him a dog house and he had a large
back yard to explore so he would be fine on his own.

Dusty picked up CJ and Danny and they headed out to the ranch.

Zak pulled into the ranch driveway right behind Dusty.

As everyone piled out of the cars, Zak ran over to Dusty and the two
kissed. They were the only couple that had to spend the day apart, so the
others gave them a moment to make up for lost time.

Zak then ran over to Danny and dragged him over to meet his friends.

"Guys," Zak said. "This is my brother, Danny. Danny, the redhead is Spin,
my best friend. The dude in the Harry Potter glasses is Dylan, our newest
buddy. And the tall dark and handsome guy is?"

"Mattie," Danny finished. "I'd know you anywhere."

"You know me?" Mattie was surprised.

Danny grinned. "Oh, yes. I've lived with your brother for three years. I
know you have another brother and a sister, but I couldn't tell you their
names, cuz CJ only mentioned them once or twice the whole time, but you?all
he ever talked about when he spoke about home was 'Mattie, Mattie,
Mattie'." Danny walked over to Mattie and gave him a big hug. "So it's very
nice to meet my boyfriend's other favorite person."

Mattie hugged Danny back. He had been apprehensive about meeting Danny. He
wanted to like him for both CJ's and Zak's sakes, but he was also angry
that Danny had deserted CJ. He knew there were reasons--Zak had explained
everything to him--but he was still concerned about Danny being back in
CJ's life. After meeting Danny, his reservations were starting to melt
away. He could see how happy both Zak and CJ were to have Danny in their
lives and he seemed like a genuinely nice guy, so he was going to give him
the benefit of the doubt. But, God help him if he hurt his brother or his
friend.

"So what's on the agenda?" Zak asked.

Dusty answered, "Well, Spin and I have lessons this afternoon."

"We do?" Spin asked.

Dusty grinned at him. "Yup, you have the twins coming at four."

Spin rolled his eyes and groaned, "Oh, man. I forgot about those monsters."

Dusty, Zak and Mattie laughed.

"Spin, its karma," Mattie declared. "Those two are just like you, so
somewhere your old instructors are laughing cuz they are getting some
back."

Spin gave his boyfriend the single digit salute which made everyone laugh.

"Well, Danny and I want some brother time with Zak and Mattie," CJ
declared. "I haven't gotten to spend any one-on-one time with Mattie since
I got home."

"And I want to spend some time getting to know my new little brother,"
Danny added.  Zak beamed. He was hoping to get to spend some time alone
with Danny.

"What about Dylan?" Mattie asked.

"Zak, would it be ok if I took Apollo out?" Dylan asked shyly. "I'd like to
work with him in the ring and then maybe take him out on the trails."

Zak nodded. "Actually that would be great. I need to get Onyx out today;
he's going to think I've deserted him," Zak said. "Apollo was great for you
yesterday, and I know he likes the work. Did you ask your parents about
getting a horse?"

Dylan grinned. "Yup. Like I said they are just thrilled to get me out of
the house. My dad said that he has no problem with me getting a new horse,
as long as I stay committed this time. I told him that I had such a great
time out here, that it had brought back all the old feelings I had about
riding."

"Great," Zak said. "You should come with us this weekend. We're going to
our friend Nick's ranch. They are the rescue that we were talking about
yesterday. They have lots of horses available for adoption--that's where we
got Apollo, Revanche and Whisper. There were some other great ones there
and I know from talking to Nick that they have some new ones as well."

"Sounds good," Dylan responded. "I'll ask my parents tonight when I get
home."

What Dylan didn't know is that Zak had already spoken to Nick about getting
a horse for Dylan. Zak and Nick had become quite good friends and they
spoke on the phone or by e-mail or text daily. Nick was lonely since his
boyfriend Noah lived quite a distance away and during the school year it
was hard for them to get together. When Zak told Nick about Dylan and
looking for a new horse for him, Nick told him he had several candidates
that Dylan would probably like. Zak's plan was to come back from the rescue
with at least two horses, one for Dylan and one for Max.

Once everyone had their plans set, they all went their separate ways.

Zak grabbed Danny and pulled him into the main barn. Danny was laughing to
himself about how excited Zak was. He had spoken to CJ about Zak that
morning. CJ had come to love Zak in just the few days he had known him. He
knew that CJ thought the world of Mattie and the fact that Zak was his
friend definitely gave him 'brownie points', but Danny could tell listening
to CJ talk about Zak that he was a great kid who was just coming out of his
self-constructed shell.

Danny was amazed that he and Zak had spent their whole lives apart and yet
they were so alike. Not the physical stuff--he could understand that,
though it was eerie to feel like he was looking in a mirror every time he
looked at Zak. But the fact that they were both so shy, both loved horses
and riding, both were gay and had fallen in love with tall, dark and strong
men. Danny felt like things were finally falling back into place for
him. He had CJ back, he had a family, he had friends and he had a brother
that he had never admitted to himself that he had always wanted. Finally
things were going good.

Zak stopped suddenly, shaking Danny out of his reflection. Danny found
himself staring up at the biggest, blackest horse he had ever seen.

Zak was leaning against the stall door and the big horse was resting his
head on Zak's shoulder while Zak stroked his cheek.

Zak was smiling brightly at his brother. "Awesome, isn't he?" he said.

"Wow!!" Danny replied. "I've never seen a Friesian up close before. He's
beautiful."

"This is Onyx," Zak stated. "Onyx, this is my brother, Danny."

Danny stepped forward slowly and offered his hand to the big horse. Onyx
sniffed at Danny's hand and then bowed his head so that Danny could scratch
his neck and ears.

"I knew it," Zak said.

"Knew what?" Danny asked.

"Well, Angel seemed to know that we were brothers; even though we didn't
even know each other yet, she 'recognized' me. I was betting that Onyx
would be the same way. He's usually very standoffish with new people. In
fact, it's just recently that he's let Dusty and Mattie ride him and only
when I'm around--and forget about Spin, Onyx won't go anywhere near
him. But, Spin pretty much makes most of the horses nervous. But, I bet
that he would let you ride him, just like Angel let me hop up on her."

Danny could see how Zak had fallen in love with this horse. He was majestic
and proud. The fact that Zak was the smallest of all the boys and yet he
was the one who commanded the biggest horse, further impressed Danny. Danny
promised himself that he was going to do everything he could to help his
brother achieve all his goals in life.

Danny was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. He turned away as tears came
to his eyes. Zak became concerned and walked around to look Danny in the
eye.

"Danny, what's wrong?" Zak asked as he watched his brother cry.

"I'm sorry; it's just a little overwhelming," Danny sniffled. "One day I'm
an orphan, all alone and feeling like my life is over, now I have CJ back,
I have a family, your mom has opened her home to me and I have an amazing
little brother."

Zak smiled at Danny as he too started to tear up. He grabbed Danny in a
huge hug and the two stood there embracing each other as they each dealt
with the flood of emotions they were feeling.

Zak stepped back. "My mom told you last night, I've always wanted a big
brother. It wasn't something I ever thought would happen, of course. So
right now I feel incredibly lucky. When CJ came, he told me he would be my
big brother and to me he still is and now I have both of you," Zak said.

"You don't feel any anger towards me?" Danny asked.

Zak flinched. "No, why would I?"

"Well, I'm an intruder. I deserted CJ, who you guys obviously love, plus
he's Mattie's brother and I know you guys are close." Danny started to
continue but Zak interrupted him.

"Wait a second," Zak exclaimed. "You are not an intruder. If I'm angry with
anyone it's your mother. She lied to you and she kept you from my dad, our
dad. But, Dusty helped me to see that if she had told my dad, then he and
my mom would have probably never met and I wouldn't be here. So, I'll deal
with my feelings about her. But that doesn't affect the way I feel about
you. You are my brother, now and always. Yes, you hurt CJ, but you were
hurting yourself. Your mom died and then she dumped the biggest secret she
could on you. If CJ's forgiven you, then neither Mattie nor I have a reason
to not forgive you. Look, I started this year with no friends, hiding from
the world, trying to get through a day at school without getting beaten
up. Now, I have friends, a boyfriend, a brother, a family and I have
something I love doing and people I love sharing it with. Everything is so
great right now."

Danny looked at Zak and smiled. "Are you sure you're only sixteen?" he
asked.

Zak laughed, "Now you sound like my mom. She's always saying I'm an 'old
soul'."

"That you are, little brother, that you are," Danny said as he wrapped his
arm around Zak's shoulder. He gently leaned in and kissed Zak on the
cheek. Zak looked up at his brother glowingly. "Now, I have one question,"
Danny said.

Zak laughed, "Where's Angel?"

Danny laughed as he nodded his head.

"Let's go," Zak said as he grabbed Danny's arm and dragged him away.

Danny could hear Angel's whinny as he got closer to her stall. Sensing the
presence of her boy, the mare was kicking at the stall door. Danny and Zak
both ran up to the stall.

"Hey, baby girl," Danny cooed to his horse. "I'm here. You're ok," he
whispered to her as he stroked her cheek. Danny opened the stall door and
walked in, Angel wrapped her head and neck around his shoulders and he
hugged her tight. "I missed you, Angel."

"I think she missed you, too," Zak said as he watched Danny and his mare.

Angel hearing Zak's voice walked over to him and dipped her head down so
that Zak could pet her.

Danny watched in amazement. "CJ wasn't kidding," he said. "She really loves
you."

Zak grinned and nodded. "But, I think it's cuz she's known all along that I
was your brother. She knew we all belonged together." Zak winked at
Danny. "So, ready to ride?" he asked.

"Oh, man, am I ever," Danny answered as he smiled wide.

"Let's go, then," Zak said as he opened the stall door wide. Danny stepped
out followed by Angel who walked between the two boys. Zak showed Danny
where the grooming tools and crossties were. While Danny started grooming
Angel, taking his time to show her plenty of love and affection, Zak went
and grabbed a saddle and a bridle for him.

Then Zak ran back and got his grooming tools and tack. He went to change
and get Onyx. Danny grinned when he saw his little brother come back all
decked out in his riding gear leading his big black horse. Danny hadn't
brought his with him so he would make do with his street clothes. He was
just happy to get to ride for the first time in months.

Zak put Onyx in the crossties next to Angel. The two horses immediately
began sniffing at each other.

Zak and Danny stepped back and watched the two horses. "I think its love,"
Zak laughed.

Danny laughed, "Just so long as it's platonic. Last thing we need is a baby
right now."

Zak's wheels started turning thinking of the beautiful baby that these two
horses would make. But, he knew that Danny was right, there was too much on
everyone's plate to be thinking about that.

The brothers finished getting the horses groomed and saddled. They mounted
up and headed off down the trail.

***

Mattie and CJ had gotten Whisper and Ash saddled and were in the
ring. Mattie was showing CJ what Ash could do.

CJ was impressed with all that his brother had done with the big Andalusian
in the short time he had been riding him.

After several spins around the arena, Mattie stopped where CJ and Whisper
were waiting. Mattie hopped down and offered the reins to CJ. "Your turn,"
Mattie offered.

CJ grinned. "Are you sure, Mattie?" he asked. "You've put in a lot of work
with him and you guys look great."

Mattie smiled and nodded. "Yes. I want to see what you can do. You've
always been better at the Spanish riding than I am, so I want to see what
he can do with you and we can both learn something."

CJ started to object and Mattie stopped him. "CJ, you are better at Ash's
style than I am, you always have been. You always focused on the Spanish
stuff, while I hopped between every discipline. Riding Ash has made me
better, but I still want you to teach me more," Mattie said. "Now get on,"
he ordered.

CJ laughed as he handed Whisper's reins to Mattie and threw Ash's reins
over the horse's head. He jumped up on the big grey horse. CJ started Ash
off at a walk around the ring to get used to the horse and his cadence.

Mattie hopped up on Whisper, so that he could get a 'bird's eye' view of CJ
and Ash.

CJ spent the next forty minutes working Ash around the arena. He had the
big grey trotting and cantering in circles moving across every inch of the
arena.

Mattie watched in awe. If anything, CJ's riding had improved in the years
since they had last ridden together.

After a while, Whisper started getting restless watching all the action, so
Mattie moved him out into the arena and worked him out.

Finally, CJ pulled up next to Mattie. "Let's hit the trail," CJ said as he
started to dismount.

"What are you doing?" Mattie asked.

CJ sat back on Ash. "I figured you'd want to ride Ash."

"No, I'm good," Mattie answered. "Don't you want to see what he's like on
the trail?"

"Sure; I just figured he was your horse."

"Yes, he's my horse, but I'm telling my big brother to try him out," Mattie
stated. "I'm not giving him to you."

CJ laughed, "Ok, little brother. Let's go."

They exited the arena and took off down the trail.

*** CJ and Mattie both laughed when they encountered Danny and Zak on the
trail.

The two new brothers had decided to switch horses at some point in their
ride and Danny was mounted on Onyx, while Zak rode Angel.

The four stopped together.

"So, it looks like we all think the same way," CJ remarked.

"What do you mean?" Zak asked.

"Mattie insisted that I ride Ash," CJ answered. "And I'm guessing you did
the same thing to Danny."

Zak nodded. "Well, he had never ridden a Friesian before and he is a more
experienced rider than I am, so I might as well learn from him, right?"

Mattie nodded and grinned. "Exactly what I said."

Danny shook his head. "You guys shouldn't sell yourselves short. Zak, Onyx
is a helluva horse and Angel isn't exactly an 'easy' ride and you've been
doing great with both. When Dusty told me what a good rider you were after
only a few months, I figured there was some 'boyfriend embellishment' going
on there, but he was right. You are really good."

Zak grinned, relishing the praise from his brother.

CJ turned to Mattie. "And you, squirt," he admonished. "You have just as
much experience riding as I do and you are just as good a rider. I'm
definitely going to put you to work teaching lessons once the dust settles
around here."

"Really?" Mattie asked hopefully.

"Hell, yes," CJ replied. "You have the skills and the training and you have
so much patience, you'll make a great instructor. With Dusty starting the
rescue, we'll need some more instructors. I think you and Spin and Danny
will make a great team of teachers."

Danny looked up in surprise. "You want me to teach?" he asked.

CJ looked at Danny. "Of course I do. You're a great instructor. They
already have someone teaching advanced English, but you have so much to
offer. I think it will be great."

Danny grinned. Knowing that CJ was including him in his long-term plans for
the ranch made him feel like he was finally home.