Justin heard someone knocking on the door and looked at Lucas. “I’ll go open it,” Lucas said. He came face to face with a guy. “Hi, I’m Ethan,” the guy said. Lucas stared at him. “Do I know you?” “No,” Ethan smiled. “I live next to you. I just thought I would say hi.” “Oh,” Justin said stepping in front of Lucas. “Nice to meet you.” “I would have come sooner but I was on tour,” Ethan told him. Justin nodded. “If you need anything you can ask me,” Ethan smiled. “Do you want to come in?” Justin asked. “Uh, sure,” Ethan told him. They sat in the living room. “Forgive the mess,” Justin said looking at the boxes. “We just got those boxes in last night.” “That’s okay,” Ethan assured him. “Can you order us something to eat?” Justin asked Lucas. The man nodded and left Ethan and Justin. “Are you Ethan Gold?” Justin asked. Ethan looked surprised. “Yeah. You know me?” “I think you played once in New York,” Justin said. “It was a charity concert and you were one of the students that were picked to go.” “Yes,” Ethan told him. “Wow. I can’t believe that you’re my neighbor.” Justin smiled. “You were really good. I liked how you played. You have talent.” “Can you stop that?” Ethan asked. “I’m trying not to blush here.” Justin liked the guy. He could tell they would be good friends. “Maybe one day we can record something.” “You’re not serious, are you?” Ethan asked. “No, I am,” Justin assured him. “Yes!” Ethan told him. “I would love that.” “I know where to find you,” Justin smirked. “I guess you do,” Ethan couldn’t believe what Justin was offering. “I ordered the food,” Lucas said. “Steven and Peter are on their way.” “Thanks,” Justin told him. “I’m going to be outside,” Lucas assured him. “I won’t leave until they get here.” “Wow,” Ethan said. “My friends won’t believe me that I know you.” Justin frowned. “Don’t tell them please. I don’t want anyone to know that I’m here. I like to keep my personal life private.” Ethan nodded. “I understand.” “Thanks,” Justin told him. “So have you been able to record a CD?” “Yes, I did,” Ethan told him excitedly. “Let me go get one.” Justin smiled seeing how eager Ethan looked. Lucas peeked inside. “It’s everything okay?” Justin nodded and got up to reach for the phone. He was going to call Brian while he waited for Ethan to be back. “What do you want?” Brian asked. “What’s with you?” Justin asked. Brian sighed. “I just have a few things to deal with.” “Can I help?” Justin asked. “No,” Brian told him. “Okay, but if you change your mind let me know,” Justin whished that Brian would admit when he needed help but he was proud that Brian wanted to stand on his own and try to work out things by himself. There was a knock on the door and then Ethan peeked inside. “Can I come in?” “Sure,” Justin told him. “I’ll call you later, okay?” “Yeah, later,” Brian agreed and hung up. “Am I interrupting something?” Ethan asked. “Oh no,” Justin told him. “Let me see it.” Ethan handed him the CD. He was happy that Justin had chosen to hang up to talk to him. He liked the blond and he was sure that Justin like him too. *** Joshua was driving to the restaurant when he received a call from Justin. “What are you talking about? What? Okay, hold on a minute can you relax? He did what? Well, well, well, so much for a guy that is not jealous. Okay, sorry about that. I’ll see what I can do. You left them, Jesus Christ Justin! Has love turned you stupid? Yeah, I know it has happened before but now it happens all the time. Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Ted frowned wondering whom Joshua was talking to. “Okay, okay,” Joshua hung up and drove to Justin’s house instead of the restaurant. “We have to make a quick stop, okay?” “Sure,” Ted told him. He looked at the man next to him and still couldn’t believe that he had invited him out. Joshua went to Justin’s house and searched for the songs that his cousin had written but he had no luck. He called Justin again and the blond told him that they might be in the office back at work. “Okay,” Joshua said as he got back in the car. “Change of plans. There’s some other place that we have to stop at. Do you mind?” “Not at all,” Ted told him. He really hoped that Joshua hadn’t regretted taking him out and was now looking for excuses not to. When they got to the place Joshua told Ted to come with him. He wasn’t going to leave him alone in the parking lot. “This is Justin Taylor’s gallery,” Ted muttered. The place had been bought just a few months ago and had been all over the news. “You work here?” “Sometimes,” Joshua said. “Come on in.” The two of them walked to Joshua’s office. “Can you sit here?” Joshua asked as he showed Ted the sofa that was in his office. “I’ll try to be quick.” Ted nodded and sat down. “Don’t worry about it,” he told him. “We’re going to go out and eat I just need to solve this,” Joshua told him. Ted nodded. “Is this your office?” “Yeah,” Joshua said. “It’s really big,” Ted pointed out. “And nice.” Joshua walked out of the office and went over to Justin’s. He looked around for the papers but couldn’t find them. Then he went to the studio and found the notes on top of Justin’s desk. He grabbed them and saw that some of them were covered with paint. “Always,” he muttered to himself and went back to his office. “Hey,” Ted said when Joshua came back. “You found what you were looking for,” he stated. “Yeah,” Joshua said and grabbed the phone. He dialed a number and waited. “Hey, how fast can you get here to the gallery? Okay, I’ll wait for you. I need you to deliver something to Justin. Yeah, okay.” Ted was excited to know that he knew someone that knew Justin Taylor. Then it clicked. Joshua’s second name was Taylor too, and that made him Justin’s manager. Everyone knew that bit of information. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought about it before. “Just a little bit more,” Joshua said. “I’m really sorry, Ted.” “I already told you,” Ted smiled. “It’s no big deal.” Joshua nodded and picked the phone again. “Hi, I would like to order some champagne for suite 208. The code is 576 Pebbles,” Joshua waited. “Yes, some fruit too.” Ted watched Joshua doing his work and he smiled. He couldn’t keep his eyes away from the man. “Now, can you transfer me to the hotel’s manager, Kevin Thompson if he is available,” Joshua waited and winked at Ted when he saw that the man was staring at him. Ted looked away and knew he was blushing. “Hi, this is Joshua Taylor,” Joshua knew that he wasn’t talking to Kevin. “I’m calling to know who the hell sent the flowers to room 208. No, Mr. Taylor didn’t ask for them. I don’t care if someone jotted it down. If there isn’t a code being used then it’s not true. Got it? Good. No that’s all,” Joshua hang up. “Hey,” Thomas said looking from Ted to Joshua. “It’s everything okay?” Thomas asked. Joshua sighed and nodded. “Who is with Justin and Brian?” “Francis and Peter,” Thomas nodded. “I still don’t know what the hell they are doing at the hotel.” “Justin wasn’t to give Brian a nice surprise,” Joshua told him. “Whatever,” Thomas said looking at Ted. Joshua grabbed the songs and gave them to Thomas. “This is my friend Ted,” he said. “Ted this is Thomas.” “Hey,” Thomas said. Ted just nodded. Thomas looked at the songs. “Nice.” “Thomas,” Joshua protested. “What?” Thomas asked. “I’m just looking.” Joshua looked at the time and frowned. There was no way they could make it to the restaurant. He picked the phone again and sat down to make a few calls. “These are really good,” Thomas said. “Kinney is one lucky guy. These songs are sooo about him.” “You know it,” Joshua agreed. Ted frowned wondering if Brian Kinney, his friend, was the same guy that they were talking about. It would surely explain Brian’s odd behavior. “I’ll leave you guys alone,” Thomas said. Joshua hung up and got up. He went and sat next to Ted. “We’re not going to be able to go to the restaurant.” Ted nodded sad as hell but he wasn’t going to show it. He had been humiliated enough times for him to know how to hide his pain. “It’s okay,” he said. “Maybe some other time we’ll go,” he knew there wouldn’t be another time. He got up ready to leave. He didn’t care if he had to walk. Joshua pulled him back. “The food is on its way,” he then gave Ted a chaste kiss on the lips. “You’re adorable, do you know that?” Ted couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He didn’t think that anyone found him adorable. He thought that Joshua just wanted a quick fuck and that was that. “Thanks, you’re really hot.” Joshua smiled and got really close to Ted. He started by licking the man’s neck. Ted stayed unmoving. “Do you want to do this here?” “Oh yeah,” Joshua grabbed Ted’s cock. He rubbed it a few times and then opened the man’s pants. Ted was panting by now. “This is just the appetizer,” Joshua smirked and dived for the man’s cock. Ted closed his eyes and threw his head back. He knew he had died and gone to heaven. *** “How are things going with you guys?” Daphne asked. Tony smiled. Brian rolled his eyes. “Can we talk about something else?” “We’re great,” Justin told him. “I’m happy,” Daphne passed a plate of mashed potatoes to Justin. “Don’t eat them all.” Brian smirked. “Hey,” Justin protested. “I’ll just take the part that Brian won’t eat.” “Jesus,” Daphne shook her head. “You’ll get so fat.” “I will not,” Justin told her. “Are they always like this?” Brian asked. Tony smiled and nodded. “So, what are we doing here?” Justin asked. “What is the big news?” “I’m pregnant,” Daphne said. Justin opened his eyes wide. “Oh my god!” “Yeah,” Tony smiled from ear to ear. “It’s great isn’t it?” “I’m so happy, Daphne,” Justin got up from his chair and went to hug her. “Congratulations,” Brian said extending his hand to Tony. “Thanks,” Tony said shaking it. “I’m going to be an uncle,” Justin shrieked. “You guys are,” Daphne said and looked at Brian. Brian smiled at her and nodded. “This is amazing,” Justin said as he sat back down. They ate as they talked about Daphne’s pregnancy. After that they had dessert in the second living room that was adjacent to the patio. The cool breeze was a nice touch to them without having to get out. “Hey,” Tony said as he walked to the stereo. He hit play and looked at Daphne. “Do you want to dance?” Daphne nodded and got up. Justin smiled as he looked at them. “They look nice,” he whispered to Brian. “Not as good as us,” Brian muttered back. Justin smiled and watched as Tony and Daphne danced in front of them. Then he turned to look at Brian. “What?” Brian asked. “You want to dance?” “No,” Justin shook his head. “I was thinking.” “What about?” Brian asked. “Do you think we’ll ever have kids?” Justin asked. Brian took a deep breath. “I already have a kid.” “I know that, Brian,” Justin told him as he pulled back a bit. “I meant you and me.” Brian shrugged. “I don’t think so.” “Why not?” Justin asked. “Because I don’t want that,” Brian told him. “It’s too complicated.” “No, it’s not,” Justin told him. Brian didn’t know what else to say. He didn’t want to tell the blond the real reason, which was that he was afraid of being a bad father. He didn’t even want to try. “Well, I want to have kids someday,” Justin told him. Brian stayed quiet. Justin frowned and then got up to go to the bathroom. He knew that it was going to take a lot of convincing to make Brian say yes. But he knew where Brian’s weak points were and he would try his best to have a family with the brunet. *** Ethan sighed and took off the shirt that he was wearing. He grabbed a sweater and put it on. He nodded and then grabbed his suit jacket. He tried it on but didn’t like it. So he took it off and put another shirt on with a tie. He nodded and grabbed the suit jacket. He left the room and headed to meet Justin. They were going to discuss the new CD that Ethan was going to be a part of. “Hey,” Lucas yelled. “Come on, hurry up.” Ethan ran up to him and got in the car. Justin was already inside. “I’m sorry, that I made you wait,” Ethan told him. “No, I just got here,” Justin told him. Ethan smiled. “We’re going to the restaurant to celebrate,” Justin said. “They liked what we threw together. We have a green light.” “Fuck,” Ethan couldn’t believe it. Justin smiled seeing how happy Ethan looked. “Thank you so much, Justin.” “No problem,” Justin assured him. “We’re going to meet with my cousin. He’s my manager too. He has your contract.” Ethan couldn’t be happier. “Am I okay?” he asked meaning his clothes. “Look at me,” Justin said. He was wearing a black sweater and faded jeans. “But you’re Justin Taylor,” Ethan pointed out. “No one cares what you wear.” Justin laughed. “Don’t worry about it. We’re artists. This is our artistic statement.” Ethan laughed at that. They arrived at the hotel and got out. Justin and Ethan walked fast into the restaurant. “There he is,” Justin said and they went and sat with Joshua. “Brian is coming,” Joshua told them. “Where is he?” Justin asked. “Late as always,” Joshua said. “It’s nice to meet you, Ethan.” Ethan smiled and nodded. He looked at the place and knew it was expensive. He couldn’t wait to live in their world. He was lucky enough that his uncle let him stay with him. One day he would have as much money as his uncle and Justin, he could feel it. “Are you okay?” Joshua asked Justin. “No more rare episodes or phone calls?” “So far,” Justin said. “We’ll see,” Joshua asked. “Boys,” Brian said when he arrived. “Am I late?” he smirked when he sat down. “Fashionable late,” Joshua laughed. Brian got really close to Justin’s cousin. “You got laid.” “Fuck off, Brian,” Joshua told him. Justin laughed and so did Ethan. Ethan watched Brian and his cock got hard. The man was sex on legs. He looked to die for in all aspects. “You look tense, Brian,” Justin told him. “It’s nothing big,” Brian assured him. “Really?” Joshua asked. “You’re like family Brian.” Brian looked at Ethan. “Who’s this?” “Ethan,” Justin said. “We’re signing a contract. He’s an artist.” Brian nodded. “Are we going to eat or what?” he gave Ethan one last look. All he could get from the man was the fact that he was gay and checking him out. Justin nodded and they called the waiter. During dinner they talked about the contract and all the things that Ethan and Justin were going to do. When they were done Justin offered to pay but Joshua said he would take it and Brian ended up paying for all. Ethan felt bad that he couldn’t pay for it but one day he was sure he could. “Let’s go back to the house,” Justin said. “I want to drink and celebrate.” They got up and went back to the house. Brian, Justin and Ethan rode in one car while Joshua went in his own car. Ethan sat in the front and heard Justin and Brian talk about business. He relaxed a little bit. For a minute he had thought that Brian and Justin were together. “So what’s bothering you?” Justin asked. “It’s fucking Vance,” Brian hissed. “He’s on my case.” “Why don’t you just quit?” Justin asked. “I can’t,” Brian told him. “Not now anyway.” “What’s going on?” Justin asked. Brian looked at Justin and sighed. “I’m fighting to get Gus’s custody back.” “Fuck,” Justin said. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Brian shrugged. “Do you need help paying for anything?” Justin asked. “No,” Brian hissed. “Don’t even start.” “It was just a question,” Justin told him. “We’re here,” Lucas said when they arrived. Everyone got out of the car. Joshua was already inside getting a drink. “What do you want Ethan?” Justin asked. “A beer would be fine,” Ethan told him. Justin nodded and went to get it. He came back and gave it to the fiddler. Brian and Joshua were by the bar downing shots of J.B. “I’m going to go soon,” Joshua said. “Going to see your new friend?” Brian smirked and winked. “You don’t know that,” Joshua said. “Oh wait, is it that you’re in love yourself and know how to tell when someone else is?” Brian who by then was in the kitchen threw an apple at Joshua. Ethan and Justin were laughing. Joshua picked the apple up and brushed it off. “You throw like a girl,” Joshua smirked and bit the apple. Brian served himself half a glass of J.B. and then took off his suit jacket and tie. He walked over to the blond and sat down next to Justin. “You’re not going to say anything?” Joshua asked. “Well, I can’t be perfect,” Brian said. “In everything,” he smirked and kissed Justin’s neck. Ethan’s smile died right then. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Oh great,” Joshua put his glass down. “Come on, Ethan. Let’s leave the love birds alone.” Justin smiled and straddled Brian’s lap. Ethan got up quickly and followed Joshua. He never looked back. Once they were outside, he breathed again. “I didn’t know they were together.” “Oh yeah,” Joshua said. “Quite a while now. Where should I drop you?” “I live next door,” Ethan told him. Joshua nodded slowly. “Okay then.” Ethan smiled and left to his house. Joshua looked at the guy and felt a bad vibe. *** “I’m so happy, Ted,” Emmett said. “He’s so great,” Ted shook his head. “He wants to see me again.” “Good,” Emmett clapped his hands. “We have to celebrate.” Ted smiled and accepted the beer that Emmett bought him. He watched as Brian walked their way with Michael tagging along. Ted barely could contain himself. “Hey,” Michael kissed Emmett and Ted. “Do you want to dance?” Emmett asked Ted. “No, I’m okay,” Ted assured him. “I’ll dance with you,” Michael said. Emmett and Michael left. Ted smiled widely at Brian. “What?” Brian asked and then ignored him. He asked the bartender for a drink. “You know what?” Ted asked. “I don’t care, really,” Brian told him. “I know Joshua Taylor,” Ted blurted out. Brian coughed and he wasn’t even drinking. He swallowed hard and looked at Ted. “So?” “I know that you and Justin are going out,” Ted said. Brian thought about it for a few moments. “So you’re Joshua’s new pet.” Ted frowned. “Look,” Brian sighed. “Don’t tell anyone anything.” Ted was still thinking about what Brian had called him. He didn’t want to think that Joshua was just using him and that all this time he had been living an illusion. “Are you listening to me?” Brian asked mad. “Yeah,” Ted assured him. “I can’t believe that Joshua is obsessed with you,” Brian said pinching the bridge of his nose. “What?” Ted asked taken aback. “He’s like a little kid with a new toy,” Brian shook his head. “Can’t stop talking about how extraordinary his guy is.” Ted smiled from ear to ear. “You’re not kidding?” Brian looked at Ted and snorted. “You’re pathetic. Both of you are.” Ted watched as Brian left and he smiled from ear to ear. He couldn’t wait to see Joshua again.