HOME RUN Chapter 2 Justin: ~~~~~ “Justin”, said Daphne as she opened the front door. "Welcome home". It had been a tiring journey and arriving back in Pittsburgh, he’d called her. He didn’t know where else to go. He didn’t want to call his Mom yet and he knew he could always rely on Daph. Half stumbling through the door he collapsed in tears into the arms of his best friend. During the flight, he’d tried going over where things had gone wrong with Ethan. Was he to blame? Hadn't he been enough for him? Justin had thought it would be forever. At least that’s what Ethan had promised him. But reluctantly, he realised that the telltale signs had been there for a long time. He had just not wanted to see it. Daphne led him into the lounge room where they stood hugging for some time. She let him cry it out. "I'm, sorry Daph, I didn't mean to fall apart," he said eventually. "That's Okay. I think you're entitled" and they sat side by side on the sofa. “What are you going to do now?” Daphne asked. "Well, I guess the first thing I’ve gotta do is get a job and sort out somewhere to live”. “Well that part is easy enough. You can stay here with me”, she said, putting an arm around his shoulders. “Thanks Daph. I’ll take you up on that for a while, if that’s Okay”. He was exhausted. It was afternoon and he'd not slept at all in the last 36 hours. Picking up his holdall, Justin followed Daphne as she showed him to the spare room. “Do you want anything to eat?” “No, thanks. I just need some sleep”. And he kissed her on the cheek. Sitting on the bed, his tiredness suddenly gone, Justin couldn’t help but think of all the years he'd given to Ethan; following him to Europe, giving up his family and friends - and Brian. Brian: It all seemed so long ago now. He was only a kid back then. But in truth, Brian never treated him that way and at least their relationship had been honest. Brian had never promised him anything, but going over their time together, Justin realised now that Brian had demonstrated his love for him by his actions, not by fancy words and empty, romantic gestures. The last time he'd seen him was at the Rage party: the launch of the one and only edition of the gay crusader, when they broke up. Ethan was offered the chance to play abroad soon after and Justin had gone with him, to a new life; or so he thought. With his mind full of so many jumbled thoughts, it seemed he would never get any sleep, but when at last he did and his body's defence mechanism kicked in, he slept for 14 hours. Around 6.30 the following evening, Justin woke. He was starving. He hadn't eaten since the last plastic meal served up on the airline. He showered and dressed quickly and went out to the kitchen to see if he could fix something for himself and found Daphne preparing a meal. "Finally!" she exclaimed. "Sleeping Beauty awakes. I was just coming to fetch you". Justin looked at her and managed a grin. He sat at the table watching her, and they involved themselves only in small talk. "So, have you had a chance to make any plans yet?" Daphne asked finally, serving up their meal. She sat down opposite him. "You don't have to rush to get a job do you? Why don't you take a few days, have some time to yourself?" "Well, I must go and see Mom and Molly; it's been too long and I did think I might look a few people up", said Justin quietly, his voice trailing off. Daphne sighed. "Do you mean Brian?" but Justin only shrugged. She laid a hand on his arm. "It's been a long time, Justin. I'd heard he'd set up on his own, but I haven't kept in touch with any of those guys now for years. It might not be a good idea to open up old wounds remember". Justin laid down his fork. "I know Daph, but I can't stop thinking about him. I shouldn't have given up on us; on him, so easy, I know that now. Brian was always honest about us. Painfully honest, but at least I knew where I stood. He didn't promise me there wouldn't be other guys, but the way he saw me through the bashing and everything, well, I should have realised then what it was he was actually telling me. That he loved me, in his own way." He rose from the table and went to the window. "I have to try and see him Daph. See if there's still a chance for me, a chance for us". "Do you think it's too late?" he asked, turning towards her. Daphne went over to him and gave him a hug. "I don't know Justin, but I guess you have to try". He went to the bedroom to check the clothes he'd brought back with him. Clean jeans and tee's were about the best he had right now. Hardly clubbing wear, but it would have to do. Woody's: It was 10.30pm. and this was a good enough place to start. He entered the bar and searched the faces, recognising no one there. He ordered a beer and hung around for an hour and then decided to move on. 11.30pm. Babylon. If Brian was going to be anywhere, then here was a good bet. The place hadn't changed much. Still the thumpa thumpa beat and dance floor crammed with half-naked guys. He climbed the steps to the gallery so that he could look down onto the crowd below. He couldn't see anyone he knew: not Michael or Ben, Ted or Emmett, and especially the one person he was looking for. Maybe it was a little too early yet. Fending off several offers to dance, Justin eventually left and toured Liberty Avenue, scouring practically every bar and club along its length. He asked a few people if they knew Brian and if they'd seen him. Those he asked either said they didn’t know him or that they hadn't seen him for quite a while. Justin frowned. It hadn't even crossed his mind that Brian might not be such a frequent visitor here these days. He thought about taking a cab over to the loft and then decided against it. Just turning up out of the blue might not be a good idea, especially if Brian had a trick with him. Around 4.00am. he went back to Daph's. She'd given him a spare key so he wouldn't waken her. He wasn't really tired, jetlag hadn't sorted itself out yet, but he took a nap and then showered. He would have breakfast out. 8.00am. The Liberty Diner: He took a deep breath before entering. It was very likely that some of the old gang would be meeting up here before going on to work. And, sure enough, sitting at the counter was Emmett Honeycutt. As he sat down on an empty stool, Emmett casually glanced over, then suddenly he realised who it was. "My goodness, Justin? Is it you?" "Hi Em. How's it going?" but before he had a chance to answer, a loud voice bellowed throughout the establishment: "SUNSHINE!" Justin cringed. He didn’t have to turn around to know who that was and, before he could move, arms wrapped around him in a bear hug. Debbie Novotny was the heart and soul of the Liberty Diner and the Mother of Brian’s best friend, Michael. She’d also practically raised him as her own when things got rough at Brian’s house, which was often. "Hi Deb", he coughed, hardly able to breathe. Debbie released her grip. "Let me look at you. My goodness, you’re all grown up now. So Sweetie, what brings you back here? And where's that cute boyfriend of yours?" she asked, looking around, hardly stopping for breath. Justin said nothing and suddenly felt very shaky being reminded of him. Realising at once that something was wrong, Debbie put an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, you two had a fight, is that it?" "More than that Deb. I .. I've left him. We're through". “Oh Sweetie, I’m so sorry”, said Debbie, moving around to the other side of the counter. She picked up the coffee pot and poured him a cup. “Still, it’s good to have you back. What do you plan on doing now?” she asked. “I’m not sure. I’ll go and see Mom and Molly and then I’ll have to see about getting a job”. Justin took a sip of his coffee whilst Debbie and Em exchanged glances. Without saying anything they knew they had the same thought: ‘When was he going to ask about Brian?’ He asked Debbie how she was doing and Debbie said she was doing just fine, thank you. He asked Emmett about work and was he seeing anyone. He asked about Ted and about Michael and his boyfriend, Ben, and just about every damn person other than the one he was really interested in. Emmett made a hasty excuse to leave for work, saying he hoped to see Justin again soon. Debbie’s look said it all. ‘Thanks for saddling me with this, Em!’ Justin took another sip of coffee as Debbie wiped down the counter. The bell sounded as the door opened and he immediately looked up to see who was coming in. He was obviously disappointed when it wasn’t who he was hoping for. He put down his cup. “Debbie, does …. Brian still come in here?” he asked, trying not to sound too eager. Debbie took a deep breath and went around the other side of the counter to sit next to him. “Justin, Brian’s in New York”. “Oh. Do you know when he’s coming back?” She put an arm around his shoulders. “Sweetie, he’s not coming back”. Brian: ~~~~~~ It had been a rough few months. Setting up in a new city had been far harder than Brian had imagined. He’d been here a few times before, but mostly for pleasure. Here, he knew no one and had to make brand new contacts. It had been a lean time to begin with, but now, gradually, new clients were coming along. 11.00pm. Friday night and he was still working. Everyone else had gone home with plans made for the weekend. Brian closed down the laptop and stretched his back. Jeez, he felt tired. He decided to call it a night. He gathered the papers together and locked them in the cabinet. Switching off the light in his office and locking the door behind him, he then walked down the stairs to the ground floor, checking the doors and windows as he went. He set the alarm and let himself out. It was a warm night and despite his tiredness, he wasn’t really looking forward to going home. Home was a two-bedroom apartment in the village. It was okay, it had a nice view from the windows and had come unfurnished, which meant he was able to select his own furniture and equipment, but it still had an empty feel about it. Getting in his car, Brian took out his cell and dialled a familiar number. Finishing his conversation, he put the cell back in his pocket and made his way home. Pulling up outside the apartment, his caller stepped out of the shadows and, together, they made their way upstairs. ‘He’ll do’, thought Brian. “Do you wanna drink?” Brian asked, closing the door behind them. The other man shook his head. “No thanks”, he said, “but let’s get the money part over with first shall we? It’ll save any embarrassment later on”. Brian took out his wallet and peeled off the notes. “That right?” he asked, handing it over. The other man nodded. “On the button. Now, where’s the bedroom?” Brian led the way. He turned on the soft lights and closed the curtains, whilst the other man began to undress. Lying on the bed, he watched Brian as he took off his clothes and couldn’t help wondering why this man had to buy his services. Sure, he was a lot older, 10 maybe 12 years, but he was still hot, and had a great body. It couldn’t be that hard for him to find a guy. Brian reached into the nightstand drawer and took out the packet of condoms and lube. “Turn over” he instructed. Tearing open the packet, he put on the condom and squeezed out a little lube, which he applied to himself and around the man’s hole. He entered him, slowly at first, then increasing the power of his thrusts, barely pulling out before pushing in further and deeper: faster and faster. Near the edge, with the blood rushing in his ears, he was unaware of anything else other than the person beneath him. The man climaxed, his cum soaking the sheets and Brian felt him clench around his cock, bringing on his own orgasm. Finally, with one last push, he collapsed on top of him and lay breathing heavily for a few moments. He rolled off and reached out and took out a cigarette from the pack on the nightstand and lit it. “Is it okay if I take a shower?” the man asked. “Sure”, said Brian. “There’s a clean towel on the rail you can use”. Brian lay smoking the cigarette. He could hear the water running. Time was he’d be in the shower with him, but not now. The young man came back into the bedroom and began to dress. “Can I ask you something?” he said. “Sure, why not” answered Brian, barely able to keep out the sound of boredom from his voice. “Who’s Justin?” Brian went cold. He looked at him. “Wh …. What?” he asked. “When we were fucking and you were about to cum, you called his name.” “No, you must have misheard me. I …. I don’t know any Justin,” said Brian. He suddenly felt sick and his head was pounding. He had to get this guy out of here quickly and he rose from the bed and grabbed his robe from the chair. They got to the front door when the man turned around. “Can we hook up again?” he asked. “I don’t think so”, said Brian and he closed the door behind the young blond. To be continued.