Running Wild

world…
So the words that came out of nowhere startled the hell out of him, a toosharp reminder of the world beyond.
“Seamus, I didn’t know you bought a horse!”
The booming voice startled the horse too, and next thing Seamus knew he was flat on his back on the dusty ground, the black beauty prancing backwards, sounding a warning of alarm, even rearing a little. Winded, Seamus gazed upwards, and the head of his visitor came into his view. He spared a brief glare at Pete before he scrambled to his feet to shake himself out from the fall.
God, exactly who he didn’t want to see. He turned around to focus on Black, speaking in what he hoped was a calming voice as he took a step towards the alarmed creature. “Hey, boy. It’s all right. Hush, now. It’s no one important. At all .”
The horse snorted derision at that, and its look of betrayal unnerved Seamus. Neither Ri nor Black liked unexpected visitors, the horse expressing its opinion by tossing its head and rolling its eyes. At least it had good reason to be alarmed by someone’s unexpected shouting.
“This is just Pete,” Seamus said soothingly. “He’s a goof. Let’s get you some water.”
Instead of hanging back, Pete strode towards it, practically yelling as he announced, “God, he’s big.” Then he turned to Seamus with a grin. “Stop insulting me. I’m an important goof.”
“Shut up,” Seamus hissed, but it was too late. The horse rose on its hind legs above Pete who, for such a large man, moved rapidly out of its way.
“Jesus,” Pete swore as he ran onto the back porch. Black then made this kind of screaming sound, as if enraged by Pete, wheeled around and thundered off, kicking up dust in its wake. Seamus stood frozen, rather alarmed by its extreme reaction. He couldn’t match up this behavior with that of the horse who had given him a leisurely ride moments ago.
A glance over his shoulder showed Pete looking shocked and taken aback. “That wasn’t quite the greeting I expected. I’d say your horse doesn’t like me.”
“Nope.”
“I’m no horse expert, but I don’t think you’ve trained him very well, Shame.”
Seamus eyed him, annoyed.
“Are you going after him?”
“No.” Seamus closed his eyes, unable to contain his disappointment. He’d wanted this to be the beginning of a stronger relationship with Black. “Fuck.”
“What?” demanded Pete, his good nature beginning to evaporate.
Seamus didn’t care. He was pissed that Pete had ruined his day. “You didn’t think to call me first?”
“I thought I’d surprise you.” Pete offered a crooked grin, the kind that used to get to Seamus. When Seamus didn’t react to it, the grin faded. “I thought it would be better to meet in person after not talking for months.”
“Years.” They’d parted friendly-like, but they hadn’t stayed friends once the sex had ended because Pete wouldn’t take no for an answer until Seamus severed ties. “ Years , Pete, so it’s kinda strange to see you here out of the blue. Did you have to wait till I’m on vacation and two hours away from Winnipeg to decide to visit me unannounced?”
“I’ve been busy and you’ve been a little inaccessible.” Pete crossed his arms, a stubborn expression settling in.
Seamus shook his head, not wanting to retread old ground about their relationship and lack thereof. “Never mind.”
“Don’t you have to go after the horse?” Pete seemed very concerned about this.
“No, I said.” Seamus supposed it was odd to have the horse set off like that, but he didn’t feel like explaining it was wild, that Zachariah used to call it his grandson, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to recount how the horse had saved his life. He’d already done that once with Pete and that had led to a big, if drunken, fight.
Pete sighed, looking uncomfortable. He wasn’t a bad guy. He just managed to always tromp all over Seamus’s exposed nerves or something. He couldn’t leave some things alone.
“Let’s go inside, get a drink. Are you hungry?” Seamus would make some effort to be polite, feed the man because Pete liked to eat and food put him in good humor, and then Seamus would hustle Pete out of here.
“Sure I’m hungry,” Pete responded with a friendly leer, but Seamus ignored the unsubtle innuendo and marched into the house. He and Pete had had a lot of post-breakup sex, which was fine, but he’d drawn the line on it quite some time ago and he didn’t want to return to it. It had taken too