Brian had just finished getting dressed when there was a loud banging on the loft door. He silently cursed as he hurried to open the door. He was letting Justin sleep, figuring that he could use the rest.
Sliding open the loft door, he saw Michael, Ben, and Hunter standing there. "What are you three doing here so early?"
"We were on our way to the diner and Michael wanted to stop and see if you were still going t be there," answered Ben.
"I said I would." There was a noise behind Brian and they all four looked.
"Justin!" exclaimed Ben as he shouldered his way past Brian into the loft. Michael followed with a slight frown.
"Come on in," Brian muttered sacastically. "Wait a minute... You know him, Ben?"
"Justin stood up from the couch, frowning. "He's my... older brother," Justin answered for Ben.
"Michael and I were looking for you until late last night. We've all been worried," said Ben as he took a step toward Justin. Justin took a step back.
"Are you alright, Taylor?" asked a concerned Hunter.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, you look like shit," Hunter bluntly replied.
Justin quirked a small smile and shrugged. "It looked worse last night. Just got a rough trick is all."
"Oh, that's all!" exclaimed Michael. "How the hell did you end up here with Brian?"
"Who are you?" asked Justin.
"I'm Ben's partner and Brian's best friend."
"Brian saw me standing outside and gave me a place to sleep."
"So, what, you used him? Well, Brian is't so desperate that he needs a hooker. He can have anyone he wants!" said Michael.
Brian decided that it was time to step in. "Stop it, Michael," he demanded.
"I'm just watching out for you, Brian." Michael said, starting to get a whining tone.
"Well, don't. I'm a big boy. I can watch out for myself."
"Justin, why don't you get ready and come to the diner with us? Then, you can come home with me, Michael, and Hunter," suggested Ben.
"No."
"What? I'm your brother. And, I'm going to everything I can to help you get away from husteling. Just like I did for Hunter."
"You're only my bother by blood. Where the hell have you been for the last twelve years?! Not in my life, that's for damn sure!" Still wearing the clothes that Brian had given him the night before, Justin stuffed his feet into his shoes and grabbed his backpack. Quickly walking to the door, he turned back around.
"Thanks for everything, Brian." With that said, Justin walked out of the door and ran down the stairs.
"I don't believe it," sighed Ben.
"Ben, what did you expect to happen? You haven't seen Justin in years, have no idea what his life has been like. But you try to act like nothing happened and you want him back in your life," said Hunter.
"I have to agree with Hunter," said Brian.
"Justin should be grateful! We're trying to help!" exclaimed Michael. Brian just gave him a knowing look.
"I had to leave him alone. It was one of Jennifer's and Craig's demands. I didn't want to, but I thought that I was doing what was best. He would've ended up in a group home if Jennifer and Craig hadn't have kept him!" said Ben. After a moment, he asked, "What now? I refuse to leave him to the lifestyle that he's living."
Brian nodded. "Don't worry. We'll figure something out. He seemed to be okay around me last night. I"ll talk to him."
Ben just nodded. He'd have to have faith that everything was going to work out. He refused to think anything else. Justin was his little brother and he loved him.