Daphne was pacing back and forward in her office. When the phone rang, she picked it up on the first ring. “Daphne?” “Justin? Where have you been?” “I’m in Baltimore,” “What are you doing over there?” Daphne asked sitting down. “I’m here to help Brian. Lindsey was in an accident.” “Is she okay?” Daphne asked. “She’s dead, Daph.” “Oh my god.” Daphne shrieked. There was a long silence. “How is he doing?” “Not good, I might have fucked things over.” Justin said. “What?” “Daphne, fuck, I gave him a blow job.” “You did what?” Daphne asked. “When?” “Last night, he was crying and saying he didn’t want to feel that way. So we started kissing and next thing you know…well you know.” “Wow, so what’s the problem?” “He doesn’t want me to touch him. He won’t even look me in the face.” Justin said. “It was so fucking horrible. I mean…not the sex…it was, it just wasn’t the right time.” “I’m sorry Justin. When are you coming back?” Daphne asked a little nervous. “Why?” Justin asked. “It’s something wrong?” “It’s your mom. You dad went to her apartment and he…fuck…” “Did he hit her, Daphne?” Justin asked angry. “Yes, he knocked her unconscious. Molly found her.” Daphne said. “She called Stacy. She was a mess.” “I’ll be there in about two more hours. Call Rick and tell him what happen. Tell him I want someone watching mom.” Justin hissed. “Okay.” Daphne told him. “Justin, don’t worry about anything. Your mom is going to be okay. Brian is going to come around. Everything is going to be fine. Justin hung up. Daphne put the phone down and closed her eyes. She prayed everything would be fine. *** Justin came inside Molly and George’s house with Brian, Gus and Daphne, who had picked them up in the airport. When he got inside he found Rick, Stacy, Molly, George, Jessica and Angel there. He smiled at them and went up to see his mother. “Mom,” “Justin. Hey baby, come here.” Justin smiled and didn’t let the bruises bother him. “I must look horrible.” “What happen?” Justin asked sitting on the bed. “Your father got drunk and lost it.” Jennifer said. “I’m going to be okay.” “Mom, you have to press charges.” Justin insisted. “I’m filing for a divorce and I’m going to be staying with Molly and George.” She said. “Don’t you want to stay with me?” Justin asked. Jennifer smiled and shook her head. Justin and Jennifer talked about what happened for a while. Then Brian came in the room. “Hey, Mrs. Taylor.” “Hey Brian.” Jennifer said smiling trying to sit down. “Come here.” Brian went to her and she took his hand. “Debbie tells me that the two of you are together now.” Jennifer said smiling and took Justin’s hand too. Brian and Justin looked at each other and then at their hands together before they looked at Jennifer. “I think you guys are good for each other.” Jennifer said. “You take care oh him baby.” “I will mom.” Justin told her trying to smile. “I’m so happy for the two of you.” Jennifer said. “Hey, guys, mom has to rest.” Molly told them. Brian nodded and pulled his hand away. Justin frowned and followed him out of the room. “I’m going to go out for a while with Rick. I’ll be back in a little while.” “I’m going with you.” Brian told him. “You don’t have to.” “I want to.” Brian argued. Justin smiled and nodded. *** Justin knocked on the door and walked in. Craig looked up a little surprised. “I just came from seeing mom.” Craig frowned. “You are such a fucking bastard.” Justin yelled. “Justin, I work here. Could you please tone it down?” Craig told him, getting up to close the door. “It’s late dad. There is nobody around at this hour.” Justin hissed and looked at the desk where his father had a bottle of vodka. Justin glared at his father and rushed towards him. Justin grabbed him by the neck and pushed him against the door. “You are not so tough when you are not beating a poor defenseless woman, are you?” “It was a mistake. I’m sorry.” Craig told him. “It’s always a mistake, dad.” Justin hissed. “Mom could barely walk. She said you took a fucking chair and crashed it into her back.” “Justin,” “No! I don’t want to hear it Craig.” Justin shouted and let go of his father. “If you come near mom again, I’m going to kill you and bury the body in the backyard.” Craig stood there frozen. Justin pushed him to the side and left the office. Justin reached the car and got inside slamming the door. “What happen? You didn’t kill him, did you?” Rick asked. “No.” “Oh, so I brought the shovels for nothing.” Rick told him starting the car. Justin smirked. “That’s not funny.” Brian told them. Justin and Rick looked at each other with a serious look. “I’m sorry.” Rick told him. “Where do I take you guys now?” “Take us to Molly’s house.” Brian said. “We need to go pick Gus up.” Justin nodded and Rick drove there. *** “What are you doing?” Justin asked as he came down to the kitchen. “I’m looking for apartments.” Brian told him. “Why?” Justin asked. “I told you this was your home too.” “It’s not.” Brian told him. Justin flinched at the words. “Brian, I don’t want you to go.” Justin whispered. “I can’t stay here anymore, Justin.” Brian said. Justin gasped out a dry laugh and went to get himself a drink. He got himself a glass and a bottle of JD. When he finished serving himself a shot Brian took it away. “What are you doing?” “What, are you fucking blind?” Justin asked a little too loud. “Justin, relax.” “I don’t want to fucking relax. I want to know why the fuck you are running away.” Justin told him. “I’m not running away. You don’t know a fucking thing.” Brian hissed. “Oh, right,” Justin told him. “I guess I most have been delirious when I thought I meant something to you.” Brian closed his eyes and drank the shot of JD. “This way is better.” Brian told him. “We can still try things out. I don’t think living together will help.” “That’s bullshit, Brian.” “It’s the truth.” “No. Do you think I would be so fucking angry if that was all? If I knew that you walking out that door wouldn’t change things? You are not moving into an apartment to do things right. You are moving away because you are a fucking coward.” “I’m not.” Brian told him. “I should have move out the first time we kissed. It would have been the right thing to do.” “Right and once you are out of here you will be calling to tell me something came up and a hundred and one excuses of why you cannot come and see me.” “That’s not going to happen.” Brian assured him. “Whatever you say, Brian.” Justin told him fuming. “Don’t do this. Don’t fuck our friendship.” “Oh, but I’m not.” Justin said. “Our friendship is just fucking fine, Brian. It’s our relationship that is so damn screw up and it hasn’t even started. I try to touch you or kiss you and you just move away from me. And maybe it was wrong of me to fucking suck you off when you were so confused. It wasn’t such a big deal. Get over it.” Brian moved forward and pushed Justin against the counter hard. “It was to me!” “Right, use that as an excuse. Blame me, Brian. I don’t fucking care.” Justin told him pushing him away and walking out of the room. Brian picked the bottle of JD and served him himself another shot. He sat down on a stool and kept looking at apartments for rent.