This chapter is unbetaed at this time.
Justin’s POV
“That was quite a show the last night,” Ethan remarks walking up behind me.
I snort in amusement swirling my paint brush in a cup of water before drying the moist off of it.
“So… Brian is your best man,” he states bitterly.
“He is one of our best men,” I correct him as I put some finally touches on my assignment for class.
“Of course,” he snickers.
“Ethan, it was my decision,” I tell him flatly.
“If you say so...” he remarks with a shrug.
“Look, I could have picked anyone, and Michael would have gone with it.”
Crossing his arms, Ethan stares me down, “And you picked Brian because…”
“Fine. I picked Brian because it was what Michael wanted,” I confess honestly. “But Brian isn’t that bad,” I mumble softly.
“Isn’t that bad?! He abandoned his son and friends, tried to rape you, not to mention he is in love with Michael and wants to break you guys up.”
“I know,” I sigh. I can’t seem to stay mad at Brian anymore. All my rage for the man has somehow turned into sadness, and I think I’m beginning to understand the man.
“And yet you made him your best man.”
“Honestly, Ethan, I don’t care anymore who is the best man or men, whether the wedding inside or outside, or if the cake is white or chocolate. I want it done and over with, so we can go back to how things were before we had all of this hanging above our heads.”
“Hate to burst your bubble, but things will never be the same,” he states.
I ignore Ethan’s remark and take a step back to study my canvas. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a disaster,” he answers.
“I’m asking about the painting,” I explain rolling my eyes. Why can’t he just let it go?
“That’s what I was referring to.” I frown. “Your painting is too busy and has no focus point. It looks like you fought it, and it won. It’s a disaster.” I stare at my painting again. Ethan is right. I will have to make another one.
“I guess I have homework tonight.” I sigh sadly, “It will get me out of dinner with Brian.” It’s weird, but I find myself disappointed that I won’t be able to see him again before he leaves.
“You are having dinner with Brian?” he inquires in confusion.
“We’re all are going to Liberty Diner for supper. Brian is heading back to New York tomorrow,” I explain cleaning out my brush again.
“I’m sure Gus will be happy to have his room back.”
“Oh, Brian moved into hotel room last night.”
“Really…”
“Yeah, I think he felt uncomfortable staying in his son’s room.”
Ethan nods.
There is a knock at the door. Ethan opens the door, and Hunter strolls in.
“What happen to the key I gave you?” I ask puzzled that Hunter would have knock.
“Lost it,” Hunter shrugs as he makes himself at home.
“You mean you missed place it,” Ethan corrects him. “Nothing is ever lost it is just misplaced.”
“Whatever… Where’s Michael?” Hunter asks me.
“He isn’t at the comic store?”
“Nope. It’s closed. He ain’t upstairs in apartment either.”
I frown. “He must be out then.”
“Probably with Brian,” Ethan snips in.
“You don’t know where he is?” Hunter asks with surprise.
I bite the inner part of my bottom lip before flatly answering, “No, I don’t.”
“Wow, that’s first,” Hunter exclaims still a little stun but, at the same time, amused.
I wonder why he didn’t call. Michael always calls to let me know if he was closing down the store to let me where he is going. But I guess everything Michael used to do doesn’t apply when Brian is in town.
I glance over to a picture of Michael, Gus, and me. “I’m not going to able to keep them, am I…” I say under my breath.
“What?”
I feel a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I offer a fake smile to Ethan.
“Who are you trying to convince?” Hunter inquires.
I’m not sure.
)=(
Brian’s POV
I observe as Gus slides down the slide and then he runs over to the ladder to do it again. He is followed by chucky blonde girl with pig tails and glasses and red hair boy with freckles. All three are giggling uncontrollable on the playground. “He seems like a happy kid,” I offer to break the tension between Michael and me as we sit side by side on a park bench.
Michael smiles and reflexes bit for the first time today. “Gus is,” Michael confirms.
“Gus is a nice butch name,” I add with grin of pride.
“Justin named him,” he tells me.
I raise my eyebrows at Michael in interest.
“He was there the night he was born. I was in too much shock to think of one at the time,” Michael explains and sighs. “I’m sorry,” Michael mumbles for the billionth time. “I should have told you. I was just so excited that you were coming and the wedding… It just slipped my mind I guess. Which I know sounds stupid… because how I could forget… But I wasn’t trying to hide it or anything,” Michael babbles on and on. “I did mean to try to get a hold of you a couple times to let you know about Gus and the girls, but... But I knew you would come back,” he say with a goofy uneven smile underlined with fear.
I nod in understanding. “How come he calls Justin, ‘Daddy Justy’?”
“Oh, we didn’t teach him to call Justin ‘Daddy,’” Michael swears but I don’t mind if Gus feels that way. “He began doing that on his own which I guess makes sense. After the accident, Justin was with Gus 24/7. He practically raised him.”
“Accident?” I pry trying to get to the bottom of the misery around Blondie.
Michael closes eyes. “Oh, it was horrible, Brian. I almost lost him,” he sniffs. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.” He shakes his head. “I should have gone with him,” he chokes lightly.
I groan silently at announces of the delay. “You should have gone where?” I press cautiously.
“Dinner…” he says softly. Michael looks over at me and studies me. “The ring that scratched up your face was Daphne’s class ring. Justin never takes it off. Daphne was Justin’s best friend since third grade. She even helped baby-sat Gus in the beginning...” He lets out a long sigh. “I had to work. Money was tight, and I really couldn’t afford to take any time off. Justin even had asked mom for a job at the diner to help out, but still we were barely getting by.” I clench my teeth knowing with Michael’s income was barely enough to afford him little alone raising an infant. “But I promised Justin that I would go with him to prom.”
“Prom?” I couldn’t resist smirking at the thought of Michael being drag to another prom. It would have been a sight see Michael at prom with bunch of teeny boppers.
“I know…” Michael gives me knowing glance. “But he wore me down about it. He was so excited about it.” He shakes his head. “I was running late, and the traffic was bad. In fact, the closer I got to his school the worst it got. But as soon as I heard that siren, I knew. I felt in my gut. And when I saw Daphne’s car… it was… God… I didn’t even recognize it at first smashed in like a tin can.” Tears drip down his cheeks. Michael looks over at me with eyes pleading for comfort. I stare at Michael for a moment before reach out pulling him into me. Michael takes a deep breath and continues, “I froze and could move until I heard him. He was screaming at Daphne, for Daphne. He was hysterical. Paramedics wanted to get Justin out of car, but he would let them. Not until they got Daphne out. Daphne… God, Daphne look like a rag doll and had died instantly they said from the rod that pierced her chest. Justin was pinned in by the dashboard and stirring wheel. And they had to carefully saw him out of there do to the gasoline.
He was bleeding pretty bad from his head and fell into coma before they could get him out. I tried to see him, but I wasn’t family. The hospitals aren’t exactly gay friendly, you know. And when the nurse outted Justin to his parents by saying I was his boyfriend, didn’t help. The Taylors threaten to press charges if I didn’t leave the hospital. Mom went ballistic about it which also didn’t help. Justin was in a coma for eight days. God, they were the longest days of my life…” Michael wipes his tears away. “I rushed to hospital after being phoned that he was awake and asking for me. No, demanding me.” A smile breaks his face. “In fact, he was being so stubborn about it he was making a scene. His parents were so pissed,” he chuckles lightly and faded into a whiny sigh. “Justin’s legs were broken in several places, and he has nerve damage in his right hand. But the worst thing for him is that Justin has no memory of that night.” He shakes his head lightly. “He beats himself up sometimes about it, but having to take care of Gus help him a lot. I think Gus took care of him as much as he took care of Gus.”
I nod and look back to the playground to find Gus tumbling over to us.
“Mikey, Mikey…” Gus shouts.
Michael smiles and quickly removes his tears that had slipped down.
“Push me, Mikey, Please…” Gus begs.
“I’ll do it,” I offer getting up giving Michael some more time to pull himself together.
)=(
Michael’s POV
“So where the hell is he?” Jimmy demands in frustration still looking around the comic store for who I can only assume for Brian.
“Justin is at his studio finishing a painting.”
Jimmy huffs and rolls his eyes at my answer. “Brian,” he states flatly. “Where is he?”
“Oh, Brian… He is with Gus,” I reply.
“Really?” he remarks more amused than surprise.
“Yeah, I think Brian was going to take him shopping.”
“God, he must want you bad,” he smirks.
“What?” I question.
“Brian. He is soo in love with you,” he explains like it the most obvious thing in the world.
“WHAT!?” I gasp in shock, but quickly fade into a chuckle. “Funny, Jimmy.”
“Yo, I’m not lying. Brian came back for you. Everyone can see it. I mean, why do you think your mother was having a fit last night? God, Mikey, are you really that blind?”
“Brian didn’t come back for me…” Well, he did, but not because…
“No, he just missed Pittsburg so much that he just happened to show up a week before the wedding at your door step.”
“I asked him to come down.”
“Well yeah, right after he called out of the blue.”
I shallow hard. Jimmy has a point, but still… There’s no way… “Brian doesn’t do love, so he can’t be in love with me.”
“Brian practically told me he was in love with you and is here to stop the wedding yesterday.”
“He didn’t.”
“He did.”
“He didn’t.”
“He did!” Jimmy snaps rolling his eyes again. “Geez, Mikey, will you believe me for once. You can go ask him yourself.”
“He didn’t.”
“So… Are you going to leave Justin for Brian?”
“Jimmy!”
“Hey, I was just asking. Inquiring minds want to know.”
“I think it’s time for you to go home.”
“Fine, I’ll go. You’ve got a lot to think about,” I help push Jimmy out the door. “But don’t forget to ask him tonight. It’s perfect since Justin won’t be there.”
“What?”
“Oh, yeah, Justin asked me to tell you that he won’t make it to supper tonight. He’s got to finish up an assignment for class or something. Hey, if you break up with Justin, don’t you think he would go out with me?”
“Goodbye, Jimmy,” I said quickly shutting the door. I sigh and shake my head as I lock the door. “He didn’t,” I mumble.
“He did!” shouts Jimmy from outside.
)=(
Brian’s POV
“Well, well isn’t this priceless sight!” Emmett squeals spying Gus and me entering the Liberty Diner. I stare him down in annoyance.
“Aunty Em, Aunty Em!” Gus shouts running up to the queen. Where does that boy get all his energy? “Looky at all vat I gots,” he holds up sack.
“Wow, it’s just like Christmas,” Emmett looking down into sack.
“No better! I got more in da car.”
“It looks like someone is making up for lost time,” Emmett remarks.
“Did you value your life Emmett?” I snip.
“Testy, someone could use a nap.”
“I’m not tired!” Gus whines with a pout.
“Oh sweety, I was talking about you,” Emmett explains, but Gus looks weary.
I smirk at Emmett. “Come on, Sonny Boy, let’s go save seats for Michael and Justin.”
“I’m not tired, Bri-an.”
“Don’t worry it’s not nap time. In fact, I think it’s ice cream time,” I say winking at Gus.
“Ice cream…” Gus’ frown turns upside. “Ice cream time!” Gus exclaims with excitement.
“Ice cream before supper?” Emmett questions. “Gus, honey, don’t you think you should wait until after supper for dessert?”
“No,” Gus shakes his head. “I want ice cream now,” he says frowning again at Emmett.
“God, Emmett, you’re batting thousand there,” I taunt.
“Yeah, well, it’s your funeral. Michael and Justin are going to kill you,” Emmett warns me.
“No, dey won’t!” Gus snaps glaring at Emmett.
“You’re right, Sonny Boy. They won’t,” I smirk wider at Emmett. “Now, what kind ice cream do you want?”
“Chocolate with sprinkles…” he answers without any doubt.
Emmett shakes his head. “Well, I see you bought yourself a bodyguard, but I hope you can pay the price for it,” he says before saying his goodbyes.
Michael shows up a little later, and I know instantly something is wrong as he seats down. He looks at me oddly but is unable to make eye contact with me.
“Bri-an let me have ice cream,” Gus beams like you couldn’t tell he was wearing it. I seriously think there’s a hole in his mouth.
“No, thank you,” Michael mumbles.
I arch an eyebrow.
“Where’s Daddy Justy?” Gus asks looking at the door.
“Yes, where is Blondie, Mikey?”
Michael doesn’t answer.
“Earth-to-Michael…” I wave my hand in front of him.
He jumps a bit back into his seat. “What… Oh, uh, I’m not hungry.”
“Where’s your other half?”
Michael stares at me for a moment. “Oh, Justin... He’s at his studio working a painting for class.”
“Had another fight, did we?” I tease.
Michael frowns, “No, it’s nothing like that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I, eh… Look, I’m not feeling well…” Michael stumbles.
Gus lets out a loud and long yawn, and Michael quickly gets up. “I think it’s time I took Gus home.”
“I don’t want to go home,” Gus pouts.
“You’re tired,” Michael states.
“No, I’m not,” he yawns despite himself.
“What about Babylon?” I ask.
“I don’t think I’m up for it tonight. Sorry.” He quickly makes his exit with Gus in tow.
“I wonder what the hell that was all about,” I ponder as I watch the door close.