Endings and Beginnings - Book 2 Chapter 1 “Good morning.” Emmett leaned in kissing Ted. Ted smiled in return. He did enjoy having someone to start his day with. He had missed that over the last few years. “I made you some breakfast.” Emmett chirped as he rushed around the bedroom putting the finishing touches on his outfit de jour. “So anything special gong on today?” Ted asked as he crawled from beneath the comforter. “I am going back over to the GLC during my lunch to see what the kids are working on. Teresa was going to get the new Art Program Director involved until I told her that Justin was the one the dinner was for. I think we are going with handprint art. It is going to be so cute. We are thinking of letting the kids make some t-shirts to sell at the dinner. Melanie’s law firm is donating money to the dinner fund so we should have enough for the extra paints and the shirts.’ “I was going to make a statement on the website about a portion of the profits going to the custody fund but Melanie advised against it.” “Can you believe Brian donated 25,000 to the fund?” Emmett asked incredulously. “It’s not surprising. He has the money.” Ted stated. “And he loves Justin.” Emmett added. “Justin just lost his partner like a month ago. You think he’s ready for Brian again?” Ted asked distaste evident in his tone. “I’ve course not Teddy.” Emmett chided rolling his eyes. “I’m just saying that when he is ready, Brian will be at the top of the list. Though I must tell you that his boss, Max Collins, is gorgeous and from what I could sense interested as well.” “Really? Well maybe Brian will have some competition.” Ted smiled wickedly getting reaching for his robe. He knew his Brian envy was childish and asinine but it was his oldest hobby so he had decided to keep it. “Well I have to run.” Emmett said grabbing his coat. “This was nice wasn’t it?” Ted walked over kissing his friend. Emmett smiled down on him. It felt so comfortable. “Yes. It is very nice to see you each morning.” Emmett squeezed his arm. “I’ve missed it.” “This was what it was like the last time before-“Emmett lifted his hand stopping Ted from continuing. “Those dark days are behind you. They are behind us both.” He stated. “This is a new future for us.” He kissed the man softly and then left. ************************* Justin was sitting at his desk going over the parameters of the grant once more. He yawned wishing he’d managed to get more than a half hour’s sleep. He smiled in spite of his fatigue as he remembered Brian returning to his room and the two of them holding one another until the room glowed with the breaking dawn. Neither of them had spoken. Justin had led the man upstairs and slowly they had undressed one another. It had felt like a dream so Justin had decided to remember it as one. This morning Brian had slipped away before either Molly or his Mother had woken up. He’d walked the man down to his car and kissed him. It was odd that they had both chosen to remain silent but then again they’d always been able to communicate best with their bodies. Apologies had been issued with a touch of a hand, a tender kiss or a tightened embrace. Justin was amazed by how close he felt to the man. Something amazing was growing between them. It was different this time. He felt closer to Brian than he’d ever felt before in his life and yet they hadn’t had sex. Justin knew he still wasn’t ready and it seemed Brian had decided to wait until Justin made the first move. Forcing his mind back on his job, Justin dove back into the language of the document he was holding. Justin had a meeting with Max in a half hour. He’d never read the stipulations of a grant before and found it confusing to say the least. His sleep deprived mind seemed to be telling him that the continuation of funds depended not only on the number of classes offered but also the number of students. They wanted to see a percentage of growth in attendance over the next two years in order to be guaranteed a grant renewal. He hoped his mind was right in these facts before he managed to make a fool of himself in front of his boss. Justin felt so distracted he was having a hard time staying focused. Melanie had called him first thing this morning to ask if he and Stephen could come to dinner on Saturday at their home. Her friend, Carol Myers, was going to be there. He really needed this woman to take his case. He had quickly relayed all the information that Ken had given him during their conversation. Melanie seemed as excited and hopeful as he had been. He wondered if she too would start having second thoughts as the day went by. “Rough night?” Max asked. Justin’s head shot up at the sound of his boss’ voice. He cleared his throat and painted a smile on his face. “Not really. Just didn’t get much sleep.” He confessed. “Looks like maybe no sleep at all.” Max persisted. Justin nodded a smile playing on the corners of his mouth. “I’m fine.” Justin explained dismissing it. Max took the hint and dropped it, but made a mental note to keep a check on the young man. “You’re going over the grant I see.” He took a seat across from Justin. Justin shook his head and smirked. “Most of it is going over me I’m afraid. It’s a bit over my head.” He admitted. “But I’m sure I’ll figure it out.” “Yeah they make them like a foreign language on purpose. They want to make it as difficult as possible so people don’t bother to apply for them.” Max explained reaching for it. Justin surrendered the document and watched as Max perused it. There was something familiar about the way the man sat there so secure and confident. “We’ll get legal to go over it. They can decode it and give us our standards.” Justin nodded. “It seems that the continuation of funding is dependent upon not only the percentage of increase in classes we offer over time but also in the percentage of students who are attending them.” Justin reached for the document and pointed to the paragraph where he’d located the information. Max nodded thoughtfully. “You learn fast Taylor. That wasn’t on your resume.” He teased. “I also know how to bus tables and dance like a fairly lame go-go boy but I didn’t think those skills were applicable to the job.” He smiled back at the man. Max laughed out loud. “You never know.” He teased again. “One day we might just need a go-go dancer who can bus tables.” “Well I’m retired in both fields so we’d have to contract outside the office.” Justin’s voice spoke volumes to the man. Something about the time when Justin had employed those skills was off limits. Max found it curious but respected the boundary. “I’ll remember that.” He smiled. “So you ready to hammer out our first tentative class schedule?” Justin nodded eager to get things rolling. “Thought about what you feel qualified to teach?” Max pressed. “Since the first classes will be for children I think it is safe to combine an appreciation curriculum with a portion of each class time set aside to allow the children the opportunity to explore that area of expression.” Max nodded. He liked Justin’s idea. Actually if truth to told, he liked Justin. He was determined to keep things professional between them but knew it was going to be a constant battle. He felt drawn to the man for some reason. He wasn’t sure if it was merely physical as he had first suspected. The more he was with him the stronger the pull became. “Sounds good.” He nodded his approval. “It’s lunch time. Let’s head out and we can talk about days and times.” Justin sighed. He had hoped to have lunch with Stephen. He didn’t want to disappoint his boss on his first day so he set his plans aside. He reached for his jacket and headed out behind the man. He had known that going back to work would mean making compromises. As they reached the hall, Max turned to him. “I’m going to run down to my office and grab my coat. I also have a couple of calls to make. It won’t take long. I’ll meet you at the daycare.” He gave the blonde a knowing look. Justin nodded gratefully then headed down the stairs to see his son. Maybe those compromises wouldn’t be as unbearable as Justin had feared. ******************** “What can I do to help with this?” Jennifer asked as she watched Deb filling up another customer’s cup. “Sell tickets but other than that I think it is all covered.” Deb offered. “Are you sure?” Jennifer asked. She, like Justin, had been overwhelmed by the support his friends were giving him. It seemed like such an enormous task. She wanted to help out if she could. “Well you can talk to Lindsay if you want. She might know of something but otherwise you could just take a few of these tickets and sell them.” Jennifer took the tickets kissing the other woman on the cheek as she did so. “Thank you for loving him. I don’t know what I would have done without you all these years.” She held the other woman’s gaze. Deb felt tears in her eyes. She knew that she had helped Jennifer but it touched her to hear the other woman admit it. “I’ve loved Sunshine from the very first time his smile lit up this joint. He’ll be ok.” She smiled. “I gotta get back to my tables.” Jennifer nodded and left. Getting into her car she knew exactly who she was going to sell her first ticket to. ***************** “Music.” Lindsay repeated. “Maybe a band or even a pianist.” She explained. “Do you have a list of bands or other musicians that I could use?” Jennifer asked as she changed lanes merging onto State Ave. “I think the receptionist at the main desk at the GLC might. Do you need the number?” She asked. “No I have it.” Jennifer explained. “I programmed it once Justin got the job.” “It would be nice if they would donate their talent. I’m sure at the very least that they would give us a good deal given the reason for the dinner but it never hurts to see if they would just consider it their personal donation.” “I’ll see what I can do.” Jennifer offered. “I have to go. I just wanted to see what I could do. I’ll let you know when I get a group lined up.” Jennifer was now feeling a part of things. It was a good feeling to know that she was helping her son. “Great. Thanks Jennifer.” Lindsay smiled. “No thank you Lindsay. I wish I had some way to show you how much all of this means to our family.” She turned right then waited for the traffic to clear. “I’ll talk to you soon.” Lindsay replied. “Bye.” Jennifer ended the call as she pulled into the parking garage of Taylor, Parker and Cole, Inc. Leaving her car Jennifer made her way to the elevator. Entering the lobby on the main level she nodded to the receptionist. She was well known in the building. Her husband had founded the company with money her parents had loaned him. He had graduated with a degree in radiological studies and set up the compliance service for both industrial, medical and research groups. The company was starting to take off now. . Jennifer knew that from time to time offers were made to buy out the small firm. She hoped that one day the partners would accept one of those offers. According to their divorce papers, if the company sold she and Craig would split his portion of the profit down the middle. She would love the financial security of the sale, not to mention the look on Craig’s face as he wrote the check. She left the elevator on the top floor doing her best to avoid the other partners in her pursuit of her ex-husband. His secretary recognized her and greeted her with a warm smile. “Is he in?” Jennifer asked painting a friendly smile on her face. “He sure is. Let me buzz him” “No.” Jennifer playfully winked. “Let me surprise him.” They nodded together the secretary having no idea what sort of bad blood existed between her boss and his ex-wife. Jennifer opened the door and announced her entrance. “Craig, long time no see.” Craig rose to his feet a shocked expression on his face. “Jennifer. What can I do for you?” “You can prove you are still a human being and buy a couple of tickets to a benefit dinner that is coming up.” Craig rolled his eyes in exasperation. Jennifer was always supporting some lost cause. He had bought more tickets to lousy dinners than he wished to remember. It seemed the easiest way to get rid of her so he conceded. “How much?” He asked getting out his wallet. “Ten each.” She chimed. “How many do you want?” She asked refusing to give away what the dinner was for until she actually had his cash in her hand. “Well how about two for me and then two for each of the partners. I guess I will need 14 tickets.” He handed her a hundred and two twenties. “Great.” She said taking his money and handing over the tickets. He glanced at them not really taking the time to read them. “So what is the lost cause this time?” He asked. She whirled around making a speedy exit from his office. “Your son.” She said solemnly turning around once more to give him a piercing look before disappearing through the door. He cursed himself and Jennifer throwing the tickets into the trash can. Even if he were to go there was no fucking way he was going to give those tickets to his partners to use. Everyone knew about Justin since he had flaunted himself at the prom and gotten a bat to the head for his trouble. Craig had tried to downplay his sexuality in the mean time. There was no way he would be giving away tickets to a dinner at the Gay and Lesbian Center to support his homosexual son’s custody fund. Glancing down at he discarded tickets, Craig realized that the dinner explained why he hadn’t heard from Justin. He was thinking now that his answer must have been no. Craig sat back down at his desk. Opening the bottom drawer he pulled out a picture of his son and stared at it for a long moment. He loved the boy, but disapproved of the man. How was he ever going to convince Justin that he was wrong? Thinking about the tickets in the trash can he wondered how many other tickets had been sold. He hoped beyond hope that Jennifer wouldn’t embarrass them further but asking anymore of their friends to support this cause. ********************************* “I think that sounds like a plan.” Max beamed at Justin across the table as their food arrived. “You sure it wouldn’t be too taxing for you?” He offered. “No. I’m up for it. Besides it will ensure that we have classes available for both the daycare students as well as the after school program.” Justin took a sip of his water. Max sat considering the man sitting across from him for a long moment. Justin glanced up once he realized that he was being scrutinized. “Something wrong?” He asked wondering if he had food on his face. “How did he hide you so well?” Justin furrowed his brow. He resented the intrusion. Max continued undeterred. “I mean you’re beautiful, obviously bright and from what I’ve seen of your work amazingly talented. How did he keep such a secret? And why?” Max was truly baffled. “It was part of the contract. The talent management agency demanded he play it straight.” Justin’s voice was small almost lost in the sea of noise surrounding them in the restaurant. “I guess it will all come out now huh?” Max surmised. Justin really hadn’t considered that part of the media coverage. It would come out and so would Ethan, posthumously. “Yeah.” Justin stated still considering the man’s words. “They’ll go into your past I’m sure, find out how you got together.” Max continued. “How did you meet?” He asked. “At a recital.” He answered. Justin felt the room growing warmer and had begun feeling a bit ill. “Do you mind if we don’t talk about this anymore?” He asked. Max merely shook his head. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” He stated softly. He reached out and laid his hand on top of Justin’s for a moment. “I was just a fan of Ethan Gold’s and was curious. I didn’t realize it would upset you.” His voice trailed off as he gave the smaller man an apologetic smile. “I know. It probably shouldn’t but it does.” Justin admitted. “It’s still too soon. I should have kept my mouth shut.” Max chided himself. “Please forgive me, Justin. I was out of line.” Justin shook his head but accepted the apology. “I was just really shocked to discover that he was gay.” Justin spent the rest of lunch worrying about a whole new aspect of the upcoming custody case. It would all be drug out. How he and Ethan came together, his leaving Brian, all of it. Justin made a quick excuse and headed for the men’s room. He flipped open his phone and quickly called Brian. “I think maybe I was right last night.” Justin stated bracing himself for Brian’s anger. “About what? I don’t remember you’re saying anything.” Brian teased. “About you needing to steer clear.” He stated firmly. “I thought we were past this.” It was obvious that the older man was growing impatient with whatever game Justin was playing. “It’s going to get really rough Brian. I don’t want you in it. If you’re with me then you’ll be targeted too. Just steer-clear.” Justin warned. “Fuck you.” Brian disconnected the phone. Justin stood for a moment staring at the dead phone. “Justin?” Max’s voice surprised him. He’d come after the younger man concerned that his questions had upset him more than he had let on. “Max, I have to run a quick errand. Can I just meet you back at the office?” Justin asked ignoring the man’s sympathetic gaze. “Sure. I’d be happy to drive you.” He offered. “No, I’ll just grab a cab. It’s okay.” Justin argued. “I might be a few minutes late.” He confessed. Max was quick to reassure him then watched as the blonde disappeared. ************************************ Brian was in the middle of reviewing some mock ups when Cynthia buzzed in. “Yeah.” Brian replied absently. He was trying to see what was wrong with the image he had been staring at for the last half hour. “Someone’s here to see you.” “Ok. Send them in.” Brian was still thinking about the board in his hand. He wondered briefly if Vance was back to give him one more e piece of asinine advice. The door opened and Justin walked in. Brian schooled his expression to hide any trace of emotion. He attempted to look as disinterested as possible. “Hey.” Justin said. “Busy?” “I’m at work.” Brian sarcastically said returning his gaze to the layout. He didn’t trust himself to remain disinterested if he continued to look at Justin. “Well I wanted to talk for a second if you can spare the time.” He moved to the other side of Brian’s desk. Brain glanced up. “What do we have to talk about? I think you’ve said it all. Twice.” He once again pinned Justin with a blank expression. “We suck at verbal communication.” Justin sighed growing frustrated at Brian’s reaction. He now realized that Brian had misunderstood his intentions for asking him to give he and Stephen some space. “So why try?” Brian quipped. Ignoring Brian’s jab, Justin reached across the man’s desk taking the mock up out of his hand. He stared at it for a moment before placing it back down on Brian’s desk. “The perspective is off. The line is angled in too much. It needs to be shadowed out.” He smiled. Brian considered his comments and realized Justin was right. That was what was wrong. He couldn’t help it. He smiled at the blonde. “You miss understood my reason.” Justin said simply. “No I get your reasons.” Brian argued. “I don’t want to make your life a zoo like after the bashing. Even though the custody case will be closed to the press and just before a judge, Ethan was a bit of a celebrity. There will be reporters and photographers. It is going to be messy.” Justin’s voice betrayed his growing sense of apprehension about what lay ahead of him. “I know you want to protect me. I get that Justin. I’m just saying I don’t want you to. I don’t need you to.” Brian replied. “Maybe I need to anyway.” Justin continued nervously fingering the papers stacked in the corner of Brian’s desk. “Justin what are you afraid of?” Brian asked. “Ruining your life.” He looked up. “You’ve worked hard for all of this.” He gestured around Brian’s office indicating awards, expensive furnishings, and prestigious corner location. “I would never hurt you.” He paused, his voice going to a whisper. “again.” Brian moved around the desk and took the other man into his arms. He felt as if bands had been removed from his heart. They were doing this so much better than they had the last time. It felt so much more open and honest than anything he had ever been a part of. He wasn’t sure if they were more mature this time or just knew what it was that they had and didn’t want to throw it away foolishly as they had before. He didn’t really care why it was better. He was just grateful that it was. “Justin do you really think that this.” He removed his arms long enough to mimic Justin’s earlier gesture. “is as important as you? Because it isn’t. You, Stephen and Gus are the most important people in my life. I don’t give a shit what people say. I never have.” He leaned in kissing the top of Justin’s head as he held him. “You might not care but what about your boss?” Justin whispered feeling the need to be the voice of reason. If anything, over the last three years, he had learned that romance was romance but life was life. “Fuck Vance. I dare him to say a word.” Brian pulled back looking into Justin’s eyes. Justin smiled. He sighed and relaxed into the other man when he realized that Brian truly didn’t care about the press. He still was concerned about hurting him though. “Brian—“ He heard it in Justin’s voice. “The only thing that you could do to hurt me would be to push me away.” Brian spoke into Justin’s hair. He loved the way it smelled and willed his hands to remain around Justin’s back instead of roaming lower. Justin pulled back his eyes locked onto Brian’s. He leaned up and kissed him gently on his lips. Brian managed to hold back his longing to deepen it. He accepted what Justin could give at the moment. He knew in time they would have more. “Thanks.” Justin said. Brian nodded. “We’re getting better at this.” Justin joked. “We had nowhere to go but up.” They both laughed. “How about some lunch?” Brian asked. “I have to get back. Besides I went out with my boss.” Justin pulled away. He considered the mock up once more. “You want me to fix that for you? It won’t take but a few minutes.” Brian smiled. “No now that I know what is wrong I’ll send it back to the Art Department.” Justin nodded. “Out with your boss?” Brian continued. Justin nodded. “How was it?” “Okay.” Justin stated. Brian knew that it really hadn’t been okay. He wanted to press the blonde. “I’ll be fine.” Justin raised his eyebrow warning the man not to hover. “Ok.” Brian released him and watched as he made his way to the door. Once there Justin turned and flashed him a sunshine smile. “Later.” Brian felt his breath catch at the sight of it. He’d never fully comprehended how desperately he had missed hearing that word. “Later.”