~*~ The meeting was over, a new three-year contract signed and sealed between Marko Advertising and Payne Information Systems, Inc. Brian and Tommy were having a liquid lunch in the bar of the Sheraton, celebrating the negotiations that would benefit both their companies. After the advertising campaign Brian had established the previous year, Tommy’s net worth had doubled and Brian was more than happy with the bonus it put in his pocket. He’d been in New York for two years now and things were beginning to look up. He was moving up the corporate ladder and if this didn’t make his boss stand up and take notice, he was ready to find someone who would. “So Brian,” Tommy said, taking a swig of his beer, “you gonna come out to Liaison with me tonight?” Brian rolled his eyes. “I’ll have better things to do by tonight.” He eyed the waiter carrying drinks to a nearby table. “Oh, C’mon! You’d love it!” “What, a bunch of twinks?” “Not a bunch. Just one. I’m telling you Brian, blond hair, blue eyes, the greatest fucking mouth…” “I thought it was his unbelievable ass.” “It was, until last night.” Brian raised an eyebrow and motioned for another drink. “Uh, you were at Babylon last night… with me?” Tommy grinned. “And then I went to Liaison and got the best blow job of my fucking life.” “From a kid.” “I’m telling you, Brian. By the time he was through with me, I didn’t know if I was coming or going.” Brian stood up, downing his drink. “Yeah, well. I’m going.” “What’s your problem with this?” “I’m not into blonds.” Tommy smiled. “That’s not what I’ve heard,” he teased. “Emmett says there was this guy a couple of years ago…” Brian’s jaw clenched. “I don’t discuss him.” Tommy ignored him. “Emmett said things seemed pretty serious.” “It was only fucking, and you can tell Emmett to mind his own business.” “Hmmm…he must have been some fuck. ” Brian threw a twenty down onto the table. “We’re leaving.” “Where to?” “Upstairs so I can get you to shut the fuck up.” ~*~ Tommy reached over, picking up his wrinkled dress slacks from off the hotel room floor, sliding into them before sitting back down on the bed. “Come with me.” Brian took a pull off the cigarette he was smoking and looked at Tommy. “You think because we fucked I’ll change my mind?” Tommy smiled. “No. I think you’ll go because you’re my friend and I’m asking you to.” “Fucking bullshit.” “Is that a yes?” He leaned his head back against the headboard and sighed. “You have an hour and then I’m going to Babylon with or without you.” Tommy grinned, slapped Brian on his leg and put on his shirt. “What time?” “I don’t know. 9:00? I’m going to see Gus for a while and I’ll probably get roped into dinner with the munchers, so…” “Alright. Make it 9:30 just in case. I’ll pick you up here?” Brian nodded, watched him leave and finished his cigarette. He had a feeling he’d need something a little stronger before the day was over. ~*~ “Brian!” Lindsay reached out, pulling him into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you came.” “You had doubts?” She pulled back, still holding onto his arms. “No, of course not, it’s just…” “Jesus Christ, Linds, at least be honest.” Melanie stood at the bottom of the stairs, scowling the way she always did when Brian was around. “You’re late! Lunch was two god-damn hours ago!” “It was business.” “Yeah, I’m sure,” she huffed. “Okay, you two, do we really have to start this now?” Brian took his jacket off, tossing it over the banister, keeping his eyes on Melanie. “Where’s my son?” “Our son is upstairs taking a nap.” “Come on, Brian,” Lindsay said, tugging his arm. “Let’s eat and then you and Gus can spend some time together.” ~*~ “So when do you go back?” Brian moved the fettuccine around on his plate, wishing he had something stronger than the Merlot they’d served him. “I leave in the morning.” Lindsay’s expression fell. “But I thought you were going to be here for a few days.” “I was. I flew in on Thursday.” Noticing the frown on Mel’s lips, he added, “for business.” “Yeah, ” she snorted, “the kind of business you conduct in the backroom of Babylon.” Brian frowned. “The kind of business that’s going to pay for my son’s education!” “We didn’t ask for your god-damn money!” Lindsay slammed her fork down, the sound echoing through the room. “Would you too shut the fuck up for just a few minutes?!” Melanie scooted her chair back, throwing her napkin onto the table and crossed her arms in front of her. “No! I don’t know why we have to do all this tiptoeing around just to protect his feelings! You know as well as I do that Brian would never come to Pittsburgh for Gus! He can’t be bothered to take a weekend out of his precious life just to spend it with his son!” “Mel…” “You know what? Make excuses, Linds. You always do.” She stormed out, leaving Brian and Lindsay in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Finally taking a deep breath, she pushed away from the table. “I’d better go check on Gus.” Brian sighed and reached for Lindsay’s hand. “You know I can’t just…” She shook her head and stopped him. “I know, Brian. I know.” The disappointment in her eyes was enough to make him wonder if Melanie may be right. Why was it that he only spent time with Gus when he’d made plans to be in the Pitts already? Shouldn’t his son be enough to warrant a visit? The answer was simple. Yes, he was. But Brian preferred to do the occasional surprise drop-ins, rather than cause disappointment from plans gone awry. Although he knew it was inevitable, he never intended to disappoint his son. ~*~ Brian was waiting in the bar, already on his third Beam when Tommy showed up. “You look like you started the party without me! You ready to go?” “I don’t care where we go, just get me the fuck out of here.” “I take it things didn’t go well with your son?” Brian grabbed his jacket, throwing a couple of bills onto the bar. “Doesn’t matter.” “Alright,” Tommy answered hesitantly. He’d learned early on that Brian was a man of few words. Especially when those words would prove he was as susceptible to emotions as everyone else. ~*~ “Relax! We’re here to have a good time!” Brian slumped back in his chair, watching the men around him. It was amazing how many people were willing to put out good money on something you could get at any one of the clubs on Liberty Avenue for free. He was trying to let the energy of the place lighten his mood and the joint he’d finished in the car hadn’t hurt either. The stage was dark, the first performer had already been announced and the anticipation was almost unnerving. He had to admit, his curiosity was peaking. The lights went down, the music began and a dark-haired cowboy appeared in front of them. He spun, he danced, he showed his cock. Brian was hardly impressed. The guy was mediocre at best and he was ready to go to Babylon. He tapped Tommy on the shoulder, trying to get his attention when a large, burly man stepped up next to their table. “Good evening, Mr. Kinney.” Brian looked up. “Would you come with me, sir?” He looked at Tommy. “What the fuck?” Burly man repeated himself. “I have orders for you to come with me.” “And if I don’t?” Tommy nudged him. “Go on, Brian. I paid a little extra for something… blond,” he grinned. “Enjoy yourself.” He stood up, taking one more glance toward the stage and the ‘entertainment’ they’d been watching. “I hope your taste is better than this fuckwad.” Tommy winked. “Trust me.” Brian rolled his eyes, but followed anyway. If Tommy wanted to spend his well-earned money on ass, who was he to argue?