Brian gets his surprise, but stresses over it. We start to see a bit more into Justin's life.
Brian’s POV: Last night was pretty much a waste of time. I again spent the whole night waiting for Justin to come down. He never did though. Which I was completely pissed about. I did not want to have to go up to the dancing level. But now it seems that I have no other choice. He’s just going to keep avoiding me and anywhere that he thinks I’ll be, and he knows I was down there waiting for him. Damn it! “Brian? Yoo-hoo?” I hear Mikey’s sing song. “Humh?” I reply. I am just so eloquent this morning. “Where were you?” he asks with a smile. “I was just thinking about an account I’m working on.” I completely lie. I haven’t thought of any of the accounts that need to be taken care of. I mean these things have to be done by tomorrow, and I have nothing. Absolutely nothing! He’s all I can think about. I am so fucked. “Oh. Well, do you think you could give me a ride over to the comic store?” he asks, and I nod my head. “Sure,” I say looking at my watch and noticing that I have to get going now if I am going to be on time. “But we have to go now, or I’ll be late,” I say moving out of the booth and slipping my coat on. “’K,” he says while shoveling two huge spoonfuls of eggs and hash browns into his mouth. “Jesus, Mikey! That’s fucking disgusting!” I tell him, with a sour look on my face. “What?” he asks around the mouth full of food, looking up to me with complete innocense’s. He doesn’t even realize the fact that he just shoveled the equivalent of four bites into two, so I just shake my head and motion towards the door. “Let’s go,” I say. He follows me out to the Jeep, and we take off for the comic store. “So, did you get that account figured out?” Mikey asks me. “I’m still tweaking it a little,” I tell him vaguely. I don’t particularly want anyone knowing how fucked over I am, though Mikey bringing it up to me actually is bringing it to the forefront of my mind. We make it to the shop quickly. “So, you coming to Forever Young tonight?” he asks me as he jumps out. Despite my better judgment, knowing I have work that I have to, do I still answer, “Yeah, I’ll meet you at the diner as usual.” “Alright then I’ll see you later,” he says with a smile and closes the Jeep door, and I take off for my own personal hell. You know I usually love my job but, with the way my brain has been defying me lately the office is turning into my own personal hell. I know what’s waiting for me when I get there. Vance is going to be on my ass first thing. When I walk through the door, I am going to have to talk out of my ass to get him to leave me alone for two seconds to even attempt to get an idea for these accounts. I shake my head and turn up the radio so that nothing else can get through my brain right now and just drive. Before I know it, I am at the agency heading for my corner office. I see Cynthia stand up as she sees me coming. I grab the coffee she offers and head straight for my door. She follows close behind and I hear the door click shut and I breath just a little bit easier. I have managed to get into the building and into my office and actually sit down at my desk without Vance cornering me. I put my briefcase down and look up to see Cynthia with a huge grin on her face. I am just not able to figure out why on earth she would have that kind of look when I am sure Vance has already been breathing down her neck about where I am, where the new boards are, and blah, blah, blah. “What’s with the fucking grin? Did someone get laid this morning?” I say teasingly. “Brian, be serious,” she replies. I chuckle at her. Ever since she broke up with what’s-his-face, she has been extremely touchy. “Fine, fine,” I say and motion for her to continue. “It just still amazes me how brilliant you are,” she says shaking her head slightly. Ok now I’m a little confused....I mean sure, I am brilliant… always have been, but as far as I know, I haven’t done anything even remotely brilliant in the last week. I feel my brow furrow as I ask, “What the fuck are you talking about?” “Oh please... modesty just doesn’t become you.” she smiles. “No, seriously, I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about,” I say sitting back. “You know… the new boards.” she says pointing to the other side of my office. I look over, and my mouth literally falls open, and I’m pretty sure my eyes are going to drop out of their sockets. I have no idea what’s going on. There are nine boards displayed on easels, and they are amazing. The art work is astounding. I walk over to them and read over the slogans. I am incredibly impressed, which is not something that happens very often. These are perfect: everything that I would hope for. “I set up a meeting with Vance in about an hour. Just think you can rub it in his face once again that you always come through.” she says proudly. I slowly turn away from the boards and look at her. I know I look dumbfounded. “What’s wrong? Did you still want to tweak them ‘cause I think you really did a perfect job.” “I didn’t do this. I have no idea where these came from,” I blurt out, and she looks a little dumbfounded now. I turn back to look at the boards and marvel at the talent. “If you didn’t do this then who.....” “I have no fucking clue? But you’re right; they are fucking amazing.” My mind is racing trying to figure out who in this office has this amount of talent. Because I am sorry to say that as far as I have seen none of our current employees could’ve possibly come up with something so incredible. As I look over the picture,, I notice the letters JT at the bottom. I turn to Cynthia. “Cynthia do you know any employees with the name or the initials JT?” I ask her. She furrows her brow in concentration. “I’m not sure, why?” “See here?” I say pointing to the initials. She nods her head. “Well this is who’s responsible. So I need you to find all the employee’s with the initials or name JT. Now!” I say moving back to the boards. “I’ll get right on it, Boss.” “And Cyn, stall on that meeting with Vance until we find out who’s done this.” “Sure thing.” I hear the soft click of my office door again, and I am just to stunned to move. Whoever did these boards has an amazing imagination and talent for advertising and I am wondering how that person had been overlooked, and why he hasn’t put his full name down for the credit. I am very confused, but extremely impressed. I can’t believe the artist is being so secretive. He needs to be moving up the ladder here, not hiding behind someone else. I mean, shit! I may be an asshole, but I am not one to take credit for something that I have nothing to do with, and this I have nothing to do with. I do, however, want to work with this person. I hear my door open again and look over to see Cynthia entering. “There is no one with the name JT, but there is one person with the initials J.T. I have ordered him up here. He should be here in about five minutes.” “Where is he coming from?” “The art department.” I nod my head. “Is he new here?” “No, actually, it’s Jacob Tanner.” We both grimace. There is just no way in the world that these brilliant ideas came from that man. He is worse than the fuck up twins put together twice over. “And you’re sure he is the only one with those initials? There are no other possibilities?” I ask in disbelief. I watch her shake her head in the negative. “I checked through the entire data base. He’s it.” I shake my head, feeling a headache coming on. “Well, send him in when he gets here,” I say sitting down at my desk and reaching for the aspirin. I take seven or eight pills and down them with a tiny bit of the JB I have hidden in the same drawer. I lean my head back and close my eyes, but before I know it, the buzzer is going off signaling Jacob is here. I hit the intercom and tell her to send him in. I sit up and become all business in two seconds flat. I see him walk into the office cowering somewhat. I motion for him to have a seat, and he does so. “So Jacob, do you have any idea as to why you are here?” He shakes his head. “No sir,” he answered tentatively. I motion to the boards and watch him very closely as he looks over to the boards. “Well?” I question. But he looks as confused as I was when I first saw them. He looks back to me and says very uncertainly. “They are very nice?” he says more questioningly. “Yes they are absolutely perfect.” I say as I stand up and move over to the boards. “Was there something you wanted me to do sir?” he asks. “I was wondering if you were the one who did this.” “I don’t know what you mean, sir; these boards never passed my desk, if that’s what you’re asking.” “I didn’t think so,” I mutter under my breath, more perplexed now than before. If he had no knowledge of the work, then who else could’ve done this? “Excuse me, did you....” I cut him off. “That’ll be all, Tanner,” I say, not even bothering a second glance. After a couple of minutes, I hear a light tap at my door. “Well?” Cynthia asks. “It wasn’t Tanner.” is all I say. “What do you want me to do Brian? Vance is still waiting to see the boards.” Fuck, this day is just getting worse by the minute. What the fuck to do? FYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYF Justin’s POV: My mind has been totally distracted from the moment I saw Brian’s nameplate. I can’t believe how he has seemingly infiltrated so many areas of my life. I can’t believe that I dance at the club his friends own and janitor for his company (not to mention the fact that I left my ideas on his advertising campaign for him). And he also knows Deb, who is like a second mom to me. He’s everywhere. But really I am nervous about that fact more than anything else. I don’t know how to get away from him. I find myself constantly thinking about him, dreaming about him, and fantasizing about him every time I need to get off. This morning I woke up to my alarm clock screaming at me. When I rolled over to curl myself around the body I had dreamed I made lo.....fucked and fell asleep with, then found an empty bed, I felt so completely alone, more so than ever before. I wanted to wake up to Brian lying in my bed, to his warm body lying next to me, maybe even curled around me. “Mr. Taylor,” I hear and snap out of my thoughts to look over my shoulder to see Professor Garran. He points to my canvas. “That’s excellent work,” he says. I look at the canvas for what feels like the first time, and I see non other than Brian Kinney staring back at me. My mouth falls open and I am just so confused: I didn’t even realize I was painting anything at all, let alone Brian. But it is quite beautiful; he is quite beautiful. I love the way I got his eyes: they seem to sparkle back at me, and it makes butterflies go wild in my stomach.! See? Do you see what this is doing to me? My god, butterflies! Fucking butterflies? What the fuck? I have never had anything like this happen to me before. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I don’t know why I am so surprised, he is completely taking over my mind slowly but surely so I should’ve expected this. But then again, I have never just completely zoned out and done a painting with total accuracy. I mean it’s Brian, every line, every hair, every twinkle. It’s all there; he’s staring right back at me. “I’m impressed. No model, yet it is beautifully done. I think we will be able to get this one into the show this weekend. What do you think?” “Oh, Mr. Garran. I don’t know about that,” I say. “No, seriously, Mr. Taylor; I think there is no doubt it is one of your best pieces. We definitely have to have it in the show. After all, there will be some major critics and gallery owners looking for the next big ‘artiste’.” “Alright, if you think so,” I agree. I figure it’s not as though Brian, or anyone he knows will be there, so I have nothing to worry about. “Good. I’m glad you agree. Now just leave that here, and I will get it all framed and organized since it is last minute,” he says and moves onto the next student. I start to daze off again, but thankfully, I hear professor Garran giving instructions to get cleaned up and put our things away. I have two more classes to get through, and I have absolutely no clue as to how I am going to make it. I can’t keep a straight thought in my head, other than Brian Kinney. Lunch time. I thought I would run down to the diner today for lunch since I had promised Deb I would get back to her for a visit, and I figured that it is the safest time to go in and not run into Mr. Kinney. “Sunshine! Hey baby, how are you doing today?” she says coming over and taking me into a bear hug. I swear the woman is going to break some bones one day. When she releases me, I can breath again. “I’m good. I had a little bit of time between classes, so I thought I would come in for that visit I promised you,” I tell her as she plants me on a stool at the counter. “Well, I am extremely happy to see you. I have missed our talks... so tell me everything that’s been going on in your life for the last while,” she says placing a cup of coffee in front of me. As I put the sugar and cream into my coffee, I open my mouth to reply. Suddenly, I realize that I have so much to hide that I don’t know what is ok to tell her. So I start off slowly. “Well, I got a new job last week.” “Oh that’s great, Sunshine. Better money?” she asks. “Yeah, a lot better actually, which will take a lot of pressure off me for bill paying and things. So I am pretty happy about that.” “So you’re not doing the janitor job anymore?” Debbie never has known about my dancing. I just couldn’t bear to see a look of disappointment in her eyes, so all she knows about is my job at the janitor agency. “Um, no, I still work there. I’ve just got an extra job for the weekends.” “Oh, Justin honey, you are working yourself too hard baby. You need to take a rest before you end up hurting yourself,” she tells me looking sad at the possibility. “Deb, don’t worry. I am almost done with school, and then I can get out into the real work place, and maybe it will get a little better. I mean, at least I will have a couple degrees under my belt and will hopefully only have to have one job. It’s almost over, I can make it. I’ve made it this far, haven’t I?” I say in a soothing voice, trying to get her to stop worrying. “I know you’re old enough to make your own decisions. I just worry that you are pushing yourself too hard. After all, you have two jobs and are working your way through college for two degrees. Of course, I am going to worry that it’s just too much for one person to take on,” she says. I sigh knowing that she won’t stop worrying about me, no matter what I say. “Ok Sunshine, I’ll let this go for now, but I want you to come to my house for dinner Sunday night.” I look at her startled. In all the years I’ve known her, she has never invited me to her house. Why now? Not to mention I have to work at the club Sunday nights. “I can’t...” She shakes her finger in my face. “There are no “I can’ts” when I invite people to my house for dinner. I expect them to come period.” “But Deb, I have to work that night,” I tell her trying to get myself out of this. I mean, it’s a great invitation, and I’m honored, but I’m not big on this whole dinner idea. It makes me feel really uncomfortable, actually. “Don’t worry, Hon. Dinner starts at five, and you can leave when you need to,” she says as if that took care of everything. I guess she wasn’t kidding when she said nobody says no. “Now, what would you like to eat?” I ramble off my order and watch her take it up, then grab a couple of plates to take over to a couple in the corner. They are all scrunched up together making out, and it doesn’t even register to them that their food has arrived. It’s hard not to wish for something like that, but if you just remember that the person you trust will always leave, you tend to get over thinking about romance pretty quickly. “So...I could see that Brian really liked you,” she says softly while wiping down the counter which doesn’t need to be wiped down. I look up at her, confusion written all over my face. “Excuse me?” I say. I can’t believe that she of all people is bringing Brian up with me. “He really seems to like you, is all I’m saying, and I was kind of wondering what you thought about that.” I can’t believe this. “I feel nothing about it,” I lie right through my teeth. I feel too much about it all. “Now, I can tell by the look in your eyes that that’s not true,” she says, and I look down and then out the front window, wondering when I stepped into the twilight zone. “Debbie, were you not the person that just the other day told Brian to stay away from me, and that you were worried that he would hurt me?” I say calmly. “Yes...yes I was, but then I had this tiny little talk with Brian, and ...” I have to stop her right there. “And, what? Are you seriously wanting me to give him a chance? You of all people should know that I am not giving anyone a chance, let alone a person who I know only wants one thing from me, and it’s something that I will never give again.” She looks a little sheepish, and I don’t mean to lose my temper. “I’m sorry Deb.” “It’s alright. I know what you’ve been through, but I still can’t help the feeling that Brian doesn’t want just a quick fuck with you. When I talked to him, the look in his eyes and the way he talked about you...I’ve never heard him talk or react as he does with you. You are different for him,” she says. I feel my stomach do “flippies,” and I have to get out of here. ‘Ding...ding’ “that’s your order, Sweetie.” She grabs it, places it in front of me, and moves off to give me time to think about all she’s said. I take a few bites of my sandwich, but my appetite just isn’t there anymore. So I stand up as I see Deb move through the door to the back and place a 20 dollar bill down before heading out back to school. When I get back to school, I try not to think about what Deb said. I mean maybe she doesn’t know how men like me and Brian work. That has to be it, right? But then another thought pops into my head about the way she was with me and him in the diner the other night. It sounded as though she knew exactly how we operate. So why would she say these things to me? Why would she think that I am, or would be any different to Brian than any of his other hundreds of tricks? Because I know without a doubt that the moment he is done fucking me, he will just stomp all over my feelings, and it is just not something I want to happen. “Justin?” I hear and look up to see Greg standing next to me, with a smile playing on his lips. “Yea?” I ask. “Class is over,” he says, and I take a look around me and notice that the entire classroom is empty. “Shit,” I mutter under my breath as I get my things together. “What?” he asks. “Oh nothing,” I say and stand up, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “Oh, um, I was wondering if maybe... well if you weren’t too busy, that maybe you’d....” oh Jesus. I know what he wants. I know he’s gay, but I also know that if I fuck him, he will never leave me alone. He’s not one who will just be ok with a quick fuck, he wants the whole shebang. I am, however, surprised that he finally, after four years, worked up enough courage to come and face me with this. “Would you like to go out tonight?” I rub my forehead feeling a slight headache coming on. He’s a nice guy, but I’m not really attracted to him, and besides that, I don’t want a relationship with him. So how do I get out of this one? “I’m sorry, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say and start to move towards the door. When I feel him softly grab my arm. “Why?” I hear as I turn to look at him once more. Oh Jesus. He does the whole puppy-dog-eyes routine extremely well. I place my hand over the one holding my wrist and get it off of me. I’m still not big on the touching thing. “Greg, you’re a great guy, but I am not what you are looking for. I don’t want the same things you do,” I say, trying my best to let him down easy. “How do you know what I want?” he asks shaking his head. “I just know.” Greg shakes his head not understanding. “Look, it really doesn’t matter how I know, because it doesn’t change the fact that you want someone to be your boyfriend, to love you, to be with only you. You want to go out on dates and get flowers and candy.” I see the confirmation in his eyes, with each sentiment. “That’s not what I am looking for. That’s not what you would get out of me.” “What would I get out of you?” he asks looking down to the floor. “A quick fuck in the men’s room.” I say truthfully. He quickly meets my eyes, and I show him the truth of my words. He just nods his head in defeat and walks past me, out the door. I stand there for a minute before I put my head back, look at the ceiling, take a deep breath, refocus, and let it out. Without feeling any regret for the way I handled the situation, I walk out the door and toward my car. That was my last class, and I don’t remember anything from that one or the one before it. I shake my head in disbelief and head home. I am so fucked. FYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYF Brian’s POV: Well, after spending almost all day avoiding Vance and having Cynthia run interference, I have finally come to the conclusion that whoever has done these boards doesn’t want to be found, or hell, maybe little fairies came in last night and made them. All of this just doesn’t make any sense. To just come in and have these boards handed to me on a silver platter. Why would anybody do this for me? I am not even close to being a nice boss, and I am always chewing someone who works here a new asshole. I mean, within a week of anyone working here, he will have been through my office and been given said ass chewing. So why would anyone want to help me. I’ll tell you... no one would, so I am leaning towards the fairy theory. I know, I know. I have now completely lost my mind and should definitely be committed. But that will have to wait because now I have Vance on his way to my office to look at these boards. Then I have to explain that I have no idea who did them. I shake my head and run my hands over my face. This is really going to suck. I hear the light tap on my door and call for Vance to enter, “Kinney, finally!” he says incredulously. “What in the world took you so long. Jesus, Cynthia called first thing this morning and said you were done with the boards, and then I am still kept waiting all day to see them,” he says crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at me. God, how I hate this man. “Yea, sorry about that, but well we needed to… ummm.” I can’t even think of what to say. How do you tell your boss that fairies came into your office and did your job for you? “My God, Kinney. What is wrong with you?” he says as I stumble over what to say. “I just... it’s just that...” there’s my eloquence showing itself again. “Oh, forget it already! The boards?” he questions, and I just point to the other side where they are lined up. I watch as he walks over to appraise them and then follow him as he looks over each one. When he finally turns around, he has a huge smile on his face. “Well, Kinney, you have done it again.” Turning towards the boards again, he speaks. “These are perfect, some of your best work, I think. The clients are going to flip when they see these.” “Yea, that’s kind of what I needed to talk to you about,” I say tentatively. He turns to me with his brow furrowed. “What?” I gesture towards the seat in front of my desk and wait until he takes it, “I am going to have to reschedule the meeting...” Vance interrupts me there. “Why, the boards are done and are magnificent, I don’t see any need for the meeting to be postponed,” he says getting tense. “Yes, they are done, and they are fabulous,” it is paining me to say any of this, “but the problem is that I didn’t…” oh God, talk about a blow to my ego here, “do them,” I finally strangle out. I see the confusion rush over his face and then understanding, and then of course amusement. Fucker. “You didn’t do these?” “No.” I reply evenly. “Then who did? I would love to see who has this much talent,” he says almost tauntingly. “I have no clue,” I reply raising my hands and sitting back into my chair. “What do you mean, you don’t know? How could you not know?” I silently debate whether or not to tell him the fairy story, but I think better of it. “Seems whoever did these doesn’t want the credit. The letters JT are on the bottom of each board, which could be a name or the initials for a name; but the only person who works for the agency with those initials didn’t do it. I have already asked. Then I asked throughout the agency, and no one is coming forward to claim them.” “That is ridiculous, why would anyone do such a thing? And for you no less?” he says perplexed, and I just shake my head and sit up leaning towards my desk. “My thoughts exactly.” I say, and he looks at me almost apologetically, but we both know better. “So I just need some time to figure out who did these, and then I can get together with the client,.” I say, not knowing what else to do; it’s not like this has ever happened before. “No,” he says standing up and moving towards the boards. “No?” I don’t understand. “No Brian, the meeting will go through as planned, you will continue to look for the person who’s done this, and then we will give them the right amount of payment and so on.” “Are you kidding me? I am not going to take credit for someone else ideas.” “I’m not even asking you to do that. I am just saying give the pitch. It’s not like we haven’t done these things before. We’ve done it when someone else can’t do the pitch, or if someone else is more qualified to do the pitch,” he says looking at me. I nod my head, it’s true. It does happen. “So just do the pitch: we will figure the rest out later,” he says. “Fine.” “Good. Now let me know how it goes after the meeting tomorrow, and keep me apprized on the search for the mystery man behind these boards.” “Fine.” I say again as I watch him make his way to the door. “My goodness, you are quite eloquent today, aren’t you?” he says just as he leaves my office. I really hate that fucker. What the fuck do I do now? How am I supposed to figure out who did this, if that person doesn’t want to be found? Which I still can’t believe. Why wouldn’t anybody want the credit for these magnificent boards? He could really shoot up through the ranks having these to his credit. So why not take credit for them? Fuck if I know. But what I do know is that this work day is over, and I’m getting the hell out of here. I plan on seeing Justin tonight one way or another. I just have to see him, feel him close to me. So I pack up and head home to get ready for my night out. FYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYF Justin’s POV: When I got home from school, I quickly called up Jasmine to get the notes from class and to see if there were any assignments. She quickly filled me in, and it turned out that I didn’t miss much at all. I also called up Victor for the other class and got the notes and assignments for the other class I drifted away in. All together I came up with needing to do two papers and a sculpture. Not to much, and they aren’t due for another week, so I’m good. But what is not good is the fact that I drifted off in class in the first place. It’s never happened before, and I just can’t let it happen again. I have too much riding on my schooling. I am at the top of my classes, and I want it to stay that way. So I will just have to figure out a way to keep my mind away from any thought involving Brian and me. It would be nice though, wouldn’t it? But I know well enough by now that that sort of thing is just not going to be happening any time soon. And I am sure that the longer I stay away and don’t see him, the more quickly my life will get back to normal. At least this is what I am hoping. I shake off my thoughts and decide to get some work done even if it isn’t due for another week. I have nothing better to do. I boot up my computer and get down to writing the first art history paper. When I finally finish the paper and look out the window, I notice that the sun has set, so I look over to the clock and notice that I am yet again running late. Fuck! I rush through the apartment getting showered and ready for work tonight. Thank god, it’s not in Brian’s building; but it is for three different companies. This is one of my hardest nights, and I usually take a nap before I start. Unfortunately, I knew sleep wouldn’t come tonight, and if it did, it would have been filled with dreams of Brian which I knew I couldn’t handle. But anyway, I jump in my car and head out to the first stop of the night. This place is a little different from anywhere I have ever been before. It is sort of a small hotel of five star status with a restaurant. It is very low key and private. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think it was a rundown warehouse. This place takes almost exactly three hours to finish, then it’s off to the next, which is a mansion up in the hills. I really only do the floors and chandeliers in there, but it is quite a big house, so it takes quite a while to finish up, about three and a half hours. The last job is actually one of the more difficult jobs to do. It is to clean the offices of the company my dad owns, Taylored Assurance, an insurance company. I do have three other janitors who come in to help with this place though, so at least I’m not alone. I know it sounds weird, but I just wouldn’t want to be here alone. It is weird working here though even after five years of cleaning out these offices and being taken through here as a child and teenager. This was supposed to be mine one day. It was never what I wanted, but it was still going to be mine whether I wanted the business or not. I have been the one to clean my father’s office over the years, and I have watched the pictures in his office as his life has changed. First it was a picture of a beautiful young woman with brown hair and hazel blue eyes, then their wedding pictures were added, and after that, there were pictures of a new baby boy. I watched him grow up through more pictures, and I have also watched as another baby joined the family, only this time it was a girl. There is a family portrait of them hanging on the wall, and I must admit I am a bit jealous. But hey, I made my choices, and I am not ever going to regret standing up for myself and being the man that I choose to be. I just hope that my father learned a lesson from our relationship. If these kids turn out to be something other than what he wants, I hope he doesn’t turn his back on them as well. I worry about that. I mean, they are my brother and sister, I have the right to worry about them. I wonder sometimes if they even know I exist. But then again, it really doesn’t matter either way. I don’t belong in that family. So after I finish up at my fathers company, I head home and straight for my bed, not even bothering to take off my clothes or shower; I can do all that in a couple of hours when I get up for class. I am so exhausted, it only takes ten minutes to fall into a deep, deep sleep. FYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYF Brian’s POV: (the rest of his day/night) When I got home, I knew that I had time to spare. Instead of letting my thoughts get carried away again, I sat down and did my bills for the month and balanced out my check book: not a lot of fun. But it did serve its purpose-- to distract me until it was time to get ready to meet the boys at the diner. When I get to the diner, everyone is already there, and I snag a seat behind their booth. “Hey Brian,” I hear from everyone. “Hey. So boys, what’s on the agenda tonight?” I ask even though I know exactly what their answer will be: ‘Well we thought we would stop at Woody’s for a couple of games of pool--’ Mikey is the first to jump in. “Well, we thought we could go to Woody’s for a couple of games of pool.” Ah what did I say? Then ‘well, then of course we were going to head over to Forever Young.’ Only this is from Em. “Well, then of course we were going to head over to Forever Young.” See, this is exactly what we do every night-- Except for when I go off on my own. But then there is a routine for that as well. I feel a little pathetic. “Sounds good. Have you all ordered already?” I ask, and I see them nod their heads and reply yes. “I ordered your usual, Brian,” Mikey says with a smile. I smile back. “Thanks. Now if I could only get some coffee... Deb! Could I get some coffee sometime tonight?” I yell towards the kitchen. I see her slam through the kitchen doors, glaring at me all the way to the coffee pots. She grabs one, and I am beginning to get a little nervous. That is very hot liquid in her hands, and she doesn’t look very happy right now. When she gets to my table, she slams my cup over and pours the coffee. “How is that, your fucking highness?” she says in a sickeningly sweet voice which only makes me more nervous. “Ah, perfect,” I say nervously. “Thanks, Mom,” I add at the end and watch as her face brightens up from the sentiment. She kisses my forehead leaving what I have no doubt is a huge red lip stain, and says. “You’re welcome, Sweetie. Now your food should be ready in just a couple of minutes.” She then turns and moves from table to table to see if all the customers are ok. “Hey Bri! Did you get those accounts all worked out?” Mikey asks me. “Well now, that is a funny story,” I say. “Why’s that?” Ben asks. “It seems some fairies came into my office last night and did all the work for me,” I say while putting the sugar in my coffee. “Fairies did your work for you?” Ted asks with a chuckle. What can I say? I just had to express my theory about the fairies. “It seems so.” “I don’t understand?” Mikey says, and I look over to see them all looking at me with questioning eyes wondering if I lost my mind, no doubt. I’m still not sure if that couldn’t be the case. “When I went in to the office today, there were nine boards sitting up in my office. Someone came into my office last night and did all the work for the campaigns: the art work, catch phrases, everything,” I say as Deb puts my food down in front of me. “And you have no idea who did them?” she asks. “Nope. Well there is the fact that at the bottom of each board there are the letters JT. But that could be either the person’s name or his initials. I don’t know which, and the only person who works at the company with the initials J.T. didn’t do them,” I say. “The letters JT. On the bottom, huh?” Deb says, a little awkwardly. “Yeah,” I say and take a bite of my sandwich. I watch her furrow her brow and shake her head. “Are you alright Deb?” I ask, concerned at the way she is acting. “Oh. Yea, fine,” she says waving me off and moving to place their orders in front of the others. “That is the weirdest thing I have heard in a long time,” Ben says. “You’re telling me!” I say. “Were the boards any good?” Ben asks. “Yeah, they are damn good as a matter of fact. So why the person would want to hide his identity is beyond me,” I say. “Maybe he thought he would get into trouble,” I hear Deb say. I look at her. “No, not in this business. If you have talent and manage to show it off, even at the bottom, you are better off for it. It’s the only way to get ahead,” I say. “Hmm,” she says looking confused. I’m just as confused as she is. “Anything else you boys need?” We all say no, and she moves off to the kitchen. We all eat our food and start to head out after paying our bills and leaving our tips. When we get over to Woody’s, the boys snag a pool table and I head straight for the bar to order our first round of drinks. While heading back towards our table, I notice a very good looking blonde looking at me, and I automatically compare him to Justin. I know, how pathetic? But it just happened. I didn’t even do it on purpose. However this is what came from the assessment. He’s a bit taller, more my age, brown eyes not blue, a little more on the meatier side, not too bad though. His blond hair is very short and looks to be colored to make it a lighter blond, as I can see that his roots are a bit darker. He has a little bit of a tan so his skin doesn’t have that creamy color which I Love on Justin... woo I just said love in a definition of something on Justin. This is so not good. So after giving out drinks for everyone, I slam back my shot of Beam, chug my entire beer down, and head straight for the trick. I whisper for him to come to the bathroom with me, and see him nod and smile: not the one I want, but-- ah damn it, stop thinking Kinney. I grab him by his belt loops and drag him to the bathroom. I push him into the first stall and slam the door shut behind us. I push him against the wall and kiss him hard, my tongue demanding and granted entrance immediately. I run my hands down his chest to his pants and undo them, I feel him do the same for me. When he is finished, I quickly pull away from the kiss and turn him around. I yank his pants down below his ass, and grab a condom from my pocket. I rip it open with my teeth and quickly put it on my hard cock. Then I grab for the small tube of lube and put some on my fingers. Not bothering to warm it up, I push the first finger in and hear him groan. “You like that, huh?” I huskily whisper, as I shove another finger inside him. I feel him tense for a second but don’t slow down my movements. “Yes. More,” he finally says. So of course I pull my fingers from him and run my lubed fingers over my cock quickly and with out waiting any more slam my cock into him. “Ah!” I hear him practically scream. So I stop for a second and let him adjust-- but only for a few seconds-- then I start fucking him hard and fast. I feel him start to push back a little, so I grab his shoulder. As I push into him, I push him onto me, swiveling my hips to hit that one spot just right. He is moaning uncontrollably. “Grab your dick,” I tell him. I can’t do it for him at this pace. I feel him start to shake, and two seconds later I feel him clenching and quivering around my cock. I keep up my pace for a few more strokes before I feel myself fall over the edge, and I bury myself deep inside him riding out my orgasm. I lean against him catching my breath before I stand up and get myself together. “God, that was so good!” he says with a silly smile on his face. “Hmm,” I grunt. “So you want to come back to my place?” he asks with that same silly grin. “Nope, don’t think so,” I say as I button the last button and straighten my shirt. As I am leaving I hear him go on, “Are you sure? We could have a really good...” I don’t hear the rest as the restroom door closes behind me. When I get over to the boys they have already started the game... “You’re next, Bri,” I hear Ted say as he takes his shot and misses, of course. “Why thank you,Theodore,” I say sweetly. “So, was he any good?” Ted asks as I lean over to take my shot, which I make. Of course. “Ah, nothing original if that’s what you’re asking,” I say with a shrug, looking for my next shot. “Well, you have fucked practically everyone in this burg, how can you expect any thing to be original or new?” he does have a point. “Not that you would know this, but when a person is a really good fuck, he always comes up with something ‘new’ even if it is just slightly different from the ‘same old, same old.’ Now when a guy can’t even put a spin on a fuck, then that is just no fun. No mystery. I know exactly what he is going to do, and the whole reason for never fucking a trick twice is so that I won’t have the same old tired routine. So personally, it is a big let down when this happens. However, I am sure you would be so thankful to be getting fucked that you wouldn’t even notice. Not to mention the fact that you probably wouldn’t even realize it was a bad lay because you don’t have enough to compare it to.” I say all this while making three shots and making them all. “Whatever,” Ted huffs. I give him a smirk while setting up my next shot. We play two more games before making our way over to Forever Young. We of course head over to the bar and get some drinks. I look out over the crowd for a minute, not really seeing anything, because my mind is upstairs. “We’re going to go dance. Come on,” Mikey says pulling on my sleeve. “I’m going to finish my drink,” I say holding up my beer. “Well, don’t take too long, ok,” he says and moves off after I nod my head. When I see that they are all off in the distance and not paying any attention to me, I make my way over to the stairs. I head up to the top floor, and over to the bar. I see a hunky brunet is dancing on stage and order another Beam as I wait to see who’s next. I sat there for another three dances and still no Justin, so I decided to ask when he came on....I give a slight wave to the bartender and let him fill my glass with another shot of Beam. “Do you know when Justin comes on?” I ask evenly. “Justin only dances every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. And I think like every other Thursday.” “Really?” “Yeah, sorry man. But in about an hour, I get off...” he says trailing off. “Maybe some other time.” I say, grabbing my glass and heading back downstairs. I didn’t want to be rude, it’s sort of a rule. See, if the bartender likes you, you get better service and faster service, and your drink will also have better quality. When I get back downstairs, I stand against the bar, and of course my mind starts going a million miles a minute with questions. Why does he only work three days a week? Does he have another job? If so what does he do. I mean he already strips so is he a call boy? Oh that made my stomach turn. I put my drink down and start heading over to the boys to say my good nights. I’m suddenly not in the mood to be out. “Well, goodnight boys!” I say loudly over the music and give Mikey a kiss on his forehead. “You’ve got to be kidding me: we just got here,” Mikey yells over the music. You know, I am getting a little tired of having to explain myself to him time and time again. So I just shake my head and say. “So what, I’m taking off,” I say and turn to leave. I make it all the way out the door before Mikey catches up to me and starts up again. “What?” I ask, irritated. “Where are you going?” he asks. Why do I have to tell him that? Simple, I don’t. “Crazy,” I say with a smirk. I watch as he huffs and looks down the alley. He is getting very agitated. “Stop fucking around, and tell me where you’re going,” he demands. My goodness, this is getting a little out of control. He has never been so demanding or clingy before. “Mikey, are you listening to yourself?” I ask incredulously. “Of course. And?” he says like there is nothing wrong with this scene. “You sound like a jealous housewife.” “I am not...” he says surprised. “Oh yes, you most certainly fucking are. Now what the fuck is going on with you?” I demand. “Nothing. I am just trying to look out for you. I am your best friend after all,” he says trying to smooth over the situation. “No, you have never been this possessive or demanding in the past. So why start now?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I am the same as always.” “No ‘cause if you were this way all the time we wouldn’t be friends any more,” I say truthfully, with just a hint of emotion. He looks as if he’s been punched in the gut, and I hate that I have made him feel that way, but I am not his boyfriend, and I don’t want him going around treating me like I am. “How can you say that?” he says just above a whisper. I take a deep breath to cool my temper before I continue. “Look, Mikey. You and I, we’re best friends, have been for half our lives. The way you are treating me right now is not the way to treat a best friend; it is the way to treat a boyfriend.” He bites his bottom lip and looks down at the floor. I move towards him and lift up his chin with a finger so he’s looking into my eyes. “I love you, Mikey. Always have, always will. Just not in that way. I love you as my brother, as my best friend. That will never change. No one can take that away from you. Okay?” I say softly, and watch as a tear slips down his cheek. I wipe it away with my thumb. Finally, he nods his understanding, and I take him into a hug. He is holding onto me so tightly. I feel him quiver a little bit, and I know he is crying, but I just hold him. That’s all I can do for him. After a couple of minutes, I hear him sniffle and feel him rub his face against my shoulder. I mentally cringe thinking about his snot on my $1,200 Hugo Boss leather jacket but let it go as he pulls away and smiles up at me. I return the smile. “You okay?” I ask. He nods his head, and I can still see some unshed tears, but he is holding them back. “Yeah, I’m fine.” “Okay then. I’m going to get going,” he looks as though he is going to protest again, but he catches himself, and I continue, “but I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” “Okay, drive careful,” he says letting me go and going back into the club. As I watch him go, I think I have finally gotten through to him. This has been my fault, his infatuation, that is. I have suggested ideas and scenarios to him so that when we were old, I wouldn’t be alone. But I have learned watching him and Ben together that no matter how scared I am, it just isn’t right. They belong together: you can see it in their eyes. I myself could never love Mikey that way. But what can I say, I am a slow learner when it comes to relationship shit, and now that I have learned my lesson, I had to make everything better, make it the way it was and is supposed to be, and I think I have finally done that. When I get home, I go and take a shower and put on some old sweats that are about two sizes to big for me so they just barely hang on my hips. I walk over to the drink cart and pour myself a little glass of Beam. I grab my cigarettes, light one up, and stand at my window looking out over the city. I wonder where Justin is? Is he safe? Does he need help? Why won’t he let me get close to him? Even in the slightest way? What did Deb mean “he has had enough people walk out on him”? All these questions are swirling around in my head, and I let them. I don’t even fight them. It’s just me here, no one else can hear my thoughts, and there is no danger of losing my status as King Stud when I am in my own living room. I let my mind go free as I make my way over to my bed. There are so many thoughts that go through there. Things that I should never think about, but for some reason since I met Justin, something in me has changed, and it feels almost as if when it’s about him, the thoughts are okay. He seems to make it okay for me to want a relationship, to want to live with someone, to want to spend my life making him happy. I’ve never experienced that before, and if I try to think about these things with anybody else, it feels extremely wrong. So maybe that’s how you know that someone is the one? As I lay down and curl around my other pillow, I think I don’t know. I just don’t know. Next day. “Brian, Mr. Calaganes and his people have just arrive. I’ve already put them in the conference room,” she says. “Good. Well I guess it’s show time then,” I say trying to encourage myself but not getting very far. I hate the fact that I am pitching someone else’s ideas, and I don’t even know who to give credit when the group asks. FYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYF Justin’s POV: Over the next couple of days I was extremely busy. Which is usually the case, but since we have a show this weekend it has made my life just a bit more hectic. As it is, the show starts tonight which is a Friday which means that I have to go through my classes, run home, get ready for the opening,run back to school, stay at the show as long as possible, then run to the club to do my dances. And that is only one day. Tomorrow and Sunday it will be much easier. One thing that Deb said the other day I am realizing to be more true than I let on: I am running myself ragged. But I know it’s not that much longer, and I can get through it. Those thoughts are all that keep me going sometimes. So after I finished up my classes this afternoon, I went down to the ‘gallery’ where they are holding the show and made sure everything for my area was set for tonight. I only had to make a couple of changes on the placement of two pieces, but other than that everything was perfect or at least close to it. So I headed home. I didn’t have all that much time left over to get ready, so I just started straight away. I had been doing that a lot lately. When I got home each day, I worked on my homework which has put me way ahead. So I’m happy about that. But I haven’t been getting as much sleep or eating as well as I should be. I work until I am exhausted, forgetting to eat, but being too scared to sleep, because when I do, I dream of nothing but Brian Kinney. I am driving myself insane. But I figure I’ll get over it. It’s just going to make this weekend a bit harder to get through. Last night when I worked at Brian’s office again, I was just so distracted that I could barely work. I had to keep myself in check to avoid going through his things, but in the end I couldn’t help leaving him a note asking him what he thought of my work. I know, stupid huh? I mean I will probably never get to read his response since I won’t be working there again until Monday. I just couldn’t stop myself. Oh and not to mention that I left him a couple of notes on what I thought of the boards he was working on. God, I am such a twat. I mean how presumptuous of me. Oh well, it’s done. I can’t take it back. But it has been plaguing my mind all day. After I have finished getting ready, I head out and decide to stop and get something to eat. Since it is still early, I decide to go to the diner. I doubt that anybody will be there. I sit down in the booth in the back. I need a little comfort, and the place is pretty empty anyway. “Hey, Sunshine. How’s it going?” “Oh it’s going okay, a bit busy though,” I say. “I bet,” she’s says looking at me a bit weird. “Yeah, um I am just going to have a cheeseburger, fries, and coke,” I say. “Sure, I’ll be right back,” she says and moves to put in my order, but she comes straight back and sits across from me. She doesn’t saying anything, just stares at me. I squirm under her gaze until I can’t take it anymore. “What?” I ask simply. “I was just thinking about this weird situation Brian has found himself in lately.” I roll my eyes and think God, are we going to get into another conversation about him. “Deb...” but she doesn’t let me cut off the conversation this time. “You see, he came in here one morning saying that fairies,” she chuckles, “had done his job.” Oh boy, why is she asking me about this? Oops, and she’s giving me the look, she knows! How she knows, I have no idea, but she knows. I look down at the table not able to look her in the eye anymore. “However, the fairies seem to have left behind one little clue.” I feel her lift my chin with her finger, and I look at her once more. “The letters JT have been placed on the bottom of each board. Isn’t that just the strangest thing you have ever heard?” “Well, it’s not the strangest, but it is certainly strange,” I say with a shrug. “Uh huh. Right, so you wouldn’t by any chance know this certain fairy?” she asks seriously. I start to shake my head no, but the look she is giving me tells me not to even try to evade the question. Or to lie to her. “I do,” I say simply. “How did you get around to doing it.” she asks. “We just started cleaning for Vanguard. I was cleaning his office, which might I add, was an absolute disaster.” “Really?” she says surprised. “Yeah, really. But anyway, he had all these boards and ideas strewn all over the place, and my mind just started going, and I just couldn’t help myself,” I say with another shrug. “So you couldn’t help helping Brian?” “Oh no, no I didn’t know I was helping him until I was leaving and looked at the nameplate on my way out. See I didn’t even know it was his office,” I say strongly. “Oh,” she says with a little less enthusiasm. “But this morning he said that the fairy came back and left him some more ideas on the accounts he is working on now, and also asked if he liked the work that was left for him,” she says picking up some of her lost enthusiasm. “What can I say? I couldn’t help myself when I saw the boards he was working on, I just had to leave my ideas for him. As for asking him how he liked the boards...well I would’ve wanted to know regardless of who it was. It’s not like I will get an answer anyway, I don’t work there again until Monday,” I say trying not to show how disappointed I am at that fact. ‘Ding...ding’ “Oh that’s your order: I’ll be right back,” she says dashing over and grabbing my order and my soda, then setting them in front of me. “Well I can tell you what he thought of your ideas,” she says making me almost choke on my cheeseburger. “What do you mean?” I choke out as I take a drink of my soda. “Well, when he mentioned the boards and the ideas, he said that they were magnificent and that he couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want the credit for them.” I can’t believe it! He thought my ideas were great. “He said that the person who did them could really move up in the ranks.” I sit there my mouth slightly open, pondering what she just said. “I can’t believe it,” I say in awe. I didn’t know if the boards and ideas were any good, but having someone say they were good enough, and that person actually knowing what he is talking about, and for it to be Brian...it just makes it mean all that much more. “He really meant it, too. He doesn’t just throw compliments out for just anything, or anyone.” I nod my head knowing that it’s the truth. “So when are you going to tell him it’s you?” Damn it, I swear the woman is trying to kill me here. She keeps on saying these outrageous things just as I am trying to eat, and I’m coughing up my cheeseburger yet again. “I’m never going to tell him,” I say practically flipping my lid. Then I see the look in her eyes and add, “And neither are you!” “And why the fuck not?” she asks loudly. “Because...” I say but the reason behind not telling him I don’t feel comfortable telling her. “Because is not an answer. Got anything better?” she says. I have no doubt she knows now exactly why I don’t want to tell him but there are other reasons as well. “Yeah, if the agency found out that I went through his office and his ideas then went ahead and used his resources to show off my talents at a totally inappropriate time, I’ll get fired, and I can’t afford to take that chance,” I tell her which is completely true. If the agency found out, I would be fired on the spot. The fact that I don’t want Brian to know the connection we have there as well is just that I don’t want to have more to do with him in any way. Just knowing that we have this connection is already too much. “Well I didn’t think of that,” she says looking down at her hands. “That’s alright,” I say. There is no reason to make her feel bad. “But you know Brian would never say anything to the agency...” fuck! “No Deb. Please… I don’t want him to know...” oops that’s too much emotion. “I can’t take the risk,” I say at the end to hide my feelings. “Justin, he could help you, and you could get a head start on your career.” Oh yeah, that’s what I need. “No Deb. Look, I don’t want his help, and I don’t need it either. I don’t want him thinking that I am using him to get ahead in the advertising industry. I can do it on my own. It’s the only way I want to do it,” I say seriously. “I’m serious, Deb. Now promise me you won’t say anything to him.” “Oh Sunshine, I don’t...” “No Deb, promise me,” I say, and I watch her ponder it for a minute. “Look, he doesn’t need to know,” I say with a shrug, because I don’t see why he does. “Alright, I won’t say anything...” “Ah, thank you ...” “But if it seems as though he does need to know or if you are interfering in his business so much that it is causing him problems, then I will tell him. Got me, Sunshine?” Well that is probably the best I will get out of her, and anyway I don’t see how me helping him could harm his business in any way, so I think my secret is safe. “Got you,” I say. “Okay then, you go ahead and finish eating, and I am going to go do my job,” she says patting me on the shoulder and giving me a kiss on the forehead. “Oh, and don’t you dare forget about dinner at my house on Sunday.” I immediately cringe. Fuck, I don’t know where I am going to get the time to do everything on Sunday. But for her keeping my secret, I will fly to the moon and back for her. Plus she has never asked me for anything before, and she has given me so much. How could I say no? “Don’t worry, I’ll be there,” I say with a smile. “Good, I’m glad.” she says with a sincere smile as she moves off. I quickly finish up my dinner and pay the bill leaving a very nice tip of course. I also get quick directions to her house before giving her a peck on the cheek and taking off for the ‘gallery’. When I finally get down to the school and into the forum it is about five minutes before the doors open. I move over to my little section and try and keep away from all the snobby, “wanna be” people I know will be here. I hate these things. I mean the people for the art galleries and schools are never around until the second day after the reviews have hit the newspapers. So why I have to be here is beyond me. But whatever, I’ll do what has to be done to keep my school image alive and to keep my reputation with the teachers and faculty as a fine upstanding student. They know nothing about me except that I do my work and that I am a very nice, considerate young man. Blahdy, blahdy, blah. I have learned over the years who is important to talk to at these things and who can be totally ignored, and I act accordingly. Right as I was getting ready to walk out the door to head over to Forever Young, I see a slender young man with shoulder length darkish blond hair standing in front of my portrait of Brian. I can’t help but think...if that boy is gay, he will be jacking off to that face for months, if not years. I know that, that is the exact effect he has had on me. I softly sigh at my thoughts before heading for the club. FYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYFYF Brian’s POV: God, this has been a for shit week. I have no contact with Justin for what, six days now, and I am going out of my mind wanting to see him. Especially after the way we left things the last time I saw him. He was so pissed at me. I knew I should’ve kept my mouth shut about the whole dancing thing, but I just couldn’t do it. I just didn’t anticipate the way he would take questioning. I’ll just have to try to remember to choose my wording a little more carefully. So now I have left my godforsaken office, early for a change, to make sure that I get to the club before Justin goes on stage and, hopefully, before he gets up to the dancing level. I stopped by the diner once again to eat dinner. Deb was acting extremely strangely towards me. I mean she kept giving me these weird looks, not bad just weird. As though she wanted to say something but wouldn’t or couldn’t, which made me wonder if it was about Justin. “You alright, Deb?” I ask. “Yeah, fine. Why do you ask?” she asks trying for casual but not quite making it. “Maybe because you aren’t nagging me or badgering me… instead you seem kind of timid, as though you want to say something, but you can’t quite do it... So what’s up?” I ask again. “Oh, it’s nothing, nothing at all. I was just going to make sure you were coming to Sunday dinner?” she asks. But that’s not it. She hasn’t asked me to come in years; it’s just expected of me, and I never miss her Sunday dinners unless I am out of town. “So that’s it? You just want to know if I will be there for Sunday dinner?” I ask. “Yep,” she says with a little, almost forced, smile. “Alright, if that’s how you want to play this...then yes, I’ll be there for Sunday dinner.” “Good.” “So this has nothing to do with Justin?” she looks at me nervously, and I know I got it. I got her. “Well, he will be at the dinner,” she says. “I just wanted to make sure you knew before you showed up… so you wouldn’t feel ambushed by the fact that he was there,” she rushes out. Ah now I get it. “Why would I care if he’s there or not?” I ask with no emotion. But inside I am jumping at the chance to have him close to me outside of the club. “You know what?” she asks. And I just lift a brow waiting for her to continue. “You are the reason I think you care if he’s there or not.” “And why’s that?” I ask even though I know the answer. I swear, your emotions take over one time, and it gets thrown into your face time and time again. “You know exactly why that is. Or do I have to refresh your memory.” I take a drink of my coffee and shake my head conceding the facts. “Good. Now eat.” she says, and heads off to her other customers, thank goodness. While I eat, I ponder what she said and have to admit to myself yet again that Justin does have me all turned around. I finish eating and decide to ask a question of my own. “Does he know that I’m going to be there?” I ask. “No he doesn’t. I didn’t think to tell him.” “Good. Don’t.” I say and drop some bills down, then take my leave. I head over to Forever Young, and wait at the employee entrance. I know I’m early enough, so I’ll just wait. When I finally see him getting out of his car, I feel my stomach do somersaults. God he looks good. He’s wearing a dark blue sweater that cuts into a v in the neckline with black tailored pants that fit him perfectly. His hair is tousled beautifully, and I can practically feel the saliva wanting to drip from the sides of my mouth. I see him grab a bag out of the back seat before he starts making his way over to me, or more accurately towards the door since he hasn’t noticed me until now. He looks up into my eyes and stops dead in his tracks. Suddenly I don’t know what to say. I guess he doesn’t either since he starts walking again straight for the door. But I just happen to be standing in front of the door. “Can I help you? Are you lost?” he asks sarcastically. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” I say. “And what pray tell would you possibly need that has you standing at the employee entrance of a club? Waiting for the trick of the night?” he says with that waspish tone. God, I hate that tone. “No, I was not waiting for a trick,” I tell him,so hopefully he knows I don’t consider him a trick. “I have been waiting for you,” I say. “Is that so?” he says “It is.” “Well then, to what do I owe this tragedy?” he says. “I was just wondering why you’re avoiding me?” I say straight out. “Mr. Kinney...” “Are we back to that again?” I ask tired of hearing him call me that. “Well, since you are still bothering me, I am going to have to say yes, we are.” I just huff a laugh. “Now what makes you think that I am avoiding you?” he asks with a bored tone. “Well let’s see, you haven’t come down to the bar at all since we had our dance. I never see you at the diner...” “Mr. Kinney, you can’t be serious,” he says a little aggravated, but I just shrug. “You know despite what you might think, people have lives that don’t revolve around you, mine being one of them. I have a ton on my plate right now, so I don’t have time to sit here and play these games with you. What I do has nothing to do with you, so get over yourself,” he says trying to walk past me. “Then I can expect you to come down for a dance or two after you finish up tonight?” I say. “Sorry, but this has been quite a week, and I’m not in the mood to do anymore dancing than I have to do,” he says. “Is there anything else, Mr. Kinney? Would you like to grill me on my every day schedule?” I really consider that offer for a minute. “Oh for fuck’s sake, Brian! I am not telling you my schedule, so why don’t you fuck off!” he says pushing me aside and opening the door. “You called me Brian,” I say with a smirk firmly in place by the time he turns to glare at me. “Errrr!” he growls as he storms into the club slamming the door closed. Well I think that went well. He did after all call me by my first name, and I did get under his skin a little bit this time. God he looks incredibly sexy when he’s angry. “Mmm!” I can’t wait to watch that anger turn to passion. Shit I would just settle for a kiss for right now. I want to taste him so badly, it hurts. I want to feel his body next to mine. Wow, Kinney. That’s enough. “Shit,” I mutter under my breath. It’s already too late. I get a raging hard on the minute I see him, so I don’t know why I am trying to stop it. I grab my cock through my jeans and give it a squeeze, trying to arrange myself into a more comfortable position, but at this point, it is a worthless effort. So I go through the employee entrance as well, only I head straight for the back room on the bottom floor. God I need some relief and fast. I wish more than anything that it would be Justin’s mouth about to go around my dick. Instead, I’m going to have to settle for a faceless trick and my imagination.