Justin

Justin felt really uncomfortable as Brian drove away from the restaurant. Of course he knew that Brian would never harm him. In fact, he even had a feeling this was an attempt to save him somehow, Justin just didn’t know what Brian was protecting him from.

“Brian, what happened?”

Brian’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he shook his head, his jaw clenching as he swallowed.

“Okay, we don’t have to talk about it yet. Where do you want to go?”

Brian was quiet for several moments. “Our spot.”

Our spot. How could two little words fill him with such contentment and hope? “Okay, we can try it. It’s a Friday night in June. It might already be taken.”

“Let’s try anyway.”

The brunettte’s hands on the wheel relaxed. Justin tried to release some of the tension in his neck. What had Molly said to Brian to elicit such rage from him?

Brian reached over and grabbed Justin's hand, squeezing with an intensity that worried him, but he kept silent. There was plenty of time to ask questions. They had all night.

The campsite was vacant. The bedding from the previous night was still in the back of the car. After Brian parked, Justin climbed out and went around to the hatch to pull it out. Brian handed the pillows to Justin as he spread out the sleeping bag and sheet, then laid the blanket on the pallet. Justin tossed the pillows down and turned to Brian, waiting.

The whole night had been an overwhelming roller coaster of emotions. Something big was happening, and Justin was intuitive enough to realize this would be a defining moment in their relationship. Whether they moved forward or called it quits. The thought of losing Brian was suffocating. He stared at him, overcome once again how attractive the other man was. Brian could have his choice of just about any man -the flirty flight attendant was proof of that- but he was here with him, dealing with his mess and all that it encompassed. Despite the huge hassle, this gorgeous, intelligent, complex man had chosen to be with him.

Pain welled in Brian’s eyes, and Justin did the only thing he could to show him that he was there for him in the way Brian had been there for him.

He slowly reached for the other man’s cheeks and pulled Brian’s mouth to his.

Brian grabbed his hands and tried to pull away. “Justin.”

The blonde slipped his hand around to the back of Brian’s head and held him in place, his tongue probing the parted lips.

Brian groaned, opening his mouth to him as he wrapped his arms around Justin's back, tugging him close. He released another groan, though Justin could sense he was holding back from him.

Justin reached for the buttons of Brian’s shirt, unfastening blindly as he continued to kiss him. He pulled back and searched the hazel eyes. When he cupped Brian’s cheek and smiled, Brian opened his mouth as if to say something. Then he stopped and kissed him instead, pulling Justin's lower lip between his own and raking his teeth lightly along the tender flesh. Justin released a soft whimper, grabbing handfuls of Brian’s shirt. Brian’s urgency increased as he reached for the zipper on his jeans, jerking the fabric down. Justin resumed his work with Brian’s buttons, smiling when he unfastened the last one. He spread Brian’s shirt open, his hands skimming the other man’s chest, the abdominal muscles tightened under his touch as his hands continued their downward pursuit.

Quickly, Justin unfastened Brian’s belt and the zipper on his dress pants, then pushed them down so they fell to Brian’s feet.

His gaze on Brian’s face, he stepped backward onto the pallet, wearing nothing but his underwear, before he dropped that too. Reaching a hand behind the blonde’s head, Brian pulled Justin's mouth to his, claiming him with more intensity than Justin had expected. Justin wanted this man, and not just his body- although he wanted that too, desperately. He wanted to go to New York and start a life with him.

The whole idea scared the crap out of him. How could he be so certain so quickly? He used to make fun of people who claimed to fall in love on a first date, but here he was, wanting a fairy-tale ending with a man he’d met three days before.

Three days.

But it was Brian. Brian, who made him laugh. Who made him feel cherished. He trusted him more than he’d ever trusted Ethan, and no one was more surprised by any of this than he was.

Justin wanted this man in every sense of the word, and he intended to let his actions prove it to him.

Brian stared into Justin's face as his hand caressed the blonde's cheek and sank into his hair, grabbing strands loosely into his fist. His gaze penetrated Justin's before he gently tilted the other man’s chin. He placed a kiss at the corner of Justin's mouth, brushing a line of them to his jaw line, then moved down to his neck, finding a sensitive spot and making him squirm.

Brian pushed him back and gently laid him down on the pallet, Justin's head on the pillow. Brian’s knee nudged his, spreading them apart so he could kneel between them. Justin watched him as he lowered himself over him. The lust and passion in Brian’s eyes sent a shiver down his spine.

Brian’s face lowered to his neck, his lips brushing the sensitive skin there.

Wild with need, Justin lifted his hips, the movement pressing the other man’s erection into his thigh. Justin took control of the kiss, frantic for release.

“Brian,” he cried out, that one word channeling the force of his raw desire.

Moving his hand under the blonde’s ass, Brian lifted him up, then began to tease his entrance.

Justin moved under him, encouraging Brian to take him completely. Brian’s palm covered Justin's hand next to his own, and the brunette laced their fingers together before pushing into him, moving with agonizing slowness.

The ache for release was overwhelming as he pulled out and repeated his slow thrust. “Brian.”

He moved his hips more quickly, leaning down to kiss him as he gasped in pleasure and relief.

The pressure built until he shattered. Brian covered Justin's mouth with his, muffling the blonde's sounds. He was close behind, thrusting several more times before he pushed deep inside him and groaned into Justin's mouth. Justin's arms wrapped around Brian’s upper back, holding him close, his wordless way of telling him that he never wanted this moment to end.

Brian shifted a bit, but he stayed on top of the blonde. As he kissed him, slow and deep, Justin realized that he’d never felt so connected to anyone in his life.

“Don’t leave me tomorrow,” he whispered.

“I would never willingly leave you, Justin.”

Justin studied his face. “What does that mean?”

“You might change your mind about me.”

“Why would I do that?”

Brian’s smile was full of sadness.

“Does this have to do with your conversation with Molly at the restaurant?”

Brian rolled to his side, bringing Justin with him. He grabbed the blanket next to him and flipped it over to cover them both to their weists.”What do you know about it?” he finally asked.

“Nothing. Really. Only that Molly was involved.”

Wariness filled Brian’s eyes. “She loves you, Justin. She did what she thought she had to do to keep you safe.”

Justin pushed up on his elbow. “What did she do?”

Brian continued to play with some of Justin's blonde strands. “It doesn’t matter. She’ll tell you tomorrow, I’m sure.” He searched Justin's eyes. “I thought about talking to you about this first, but I’ve decided to let her. I know her version and you know most of mine. All I ask is that you think of what we have -what I’m so desperate to keep- before you make up your mind.”

What the hell was he talking about?

“But if you decide you believe me and you believe that I care about you, I still want to go through with the ceremony tomorrow. Let’s give your mother her last hurrah.”

“You really want to go through with the wedding?”

“Yeah, you can still get your fancy party. Then we can figure out this -you and me- later.”

It was still a crazy idea, but for some reason it didn’t seem so crazy anymore. At this point, he would nearly do anything for Brian. “Okay.”

Brian took Justin's hand in his. “I’ll be at the gardens in time to do my part tomorrow afternoon. If you decide to go through with it, I want to talk to you before the wedding, before you go down the aisle.”

“But-”

“Please.”

Justin went silent. He knew that this was a word Brian barely used.

“Alright.”

A smile spread across Brian’s face and Justin couldn't help but smile too.

He lay his head on the other man’s chest, desperately hoping he was Brian’s now.

Brian

Justin and Brian spent the night under the stars, making love until the sun rose. They went for breakfast before Brian drove them back to Justin's parent's house. Brian turned to face Justin once they were parked in the driveway. “I feel like I should walk you to the door,” he teased, taking the blonde's hand in his.

Justin chuckled. “Trust me, you don’t want to do that right now.” He leaned over and kissed Brian, his lips lingering on the other man’s. “It’s time I start standing up for myself.”

“Does that mean you don’t want to go through with the wedding?”

Justin paused, studying Brian’s face. “No, as strange as it sounds, now that I’m used to it, I kind of want to do it. What about you?”

Brian didn’t answer him for several seconds. “I want what you want, Justin. You want to have the wedding, we’ll do it. If you change your mind and decide to say screw it all and hop on a plane to get away from here, we can do that too.” He hesitated. “And...if you decide you don’t want to see me again, you only have to text me and tell me to go to hell.”

Justin forced a smile and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m afraid I can’t do the last one, I don’t have your number.” How could that even be? How could he have experienced so much with Justin and still not have his cell phone number? Maybe because they had spent nearly every minute together.

“Give me your phone.”

Justin entered the passcode before he gave his phone to him.

Brian entered his number and gave the phone back to the blonde. “See you at our wedding.”

Justin reached for the door handle, but Brian grabbed his arm and pulled him back, kissing him as though he was never going to see him again. “Brian, you’re scaring me.”

The brunette closed his eyes for a moment.

“Brian, tell me what Molly’s going to tell me, please.”

Brian shook his head. “I want you to decide for yourself.”

Justin

Justin got out and walked to the house, checking his phone before he walked through the door- there were multiple missed calls from his mother, as well as calls, texts, and messages from Daphne and Molly. And there was one text from Ethan.

Call me, Justin, please.

He pressed delete. He never wanted to hear from that asshole again.

The front door opened before his hand could reach the knob.

“Where have you been?” His mother's voice was icy. “Seriously, Justin, do you want to make a habit out of disappearing without telling anyone where you’re going? I’ve been worried sick about you.”

Justin wrapped his mother in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I’m fine. Brian and I just needed to get away. I was getting cold feet, and Brian knew I needed some time alone with him to sort everything out.” He shut the door behind him, then hastened his mother into the living room, where Gram sat munching from a box of fiber cereal. “I don’t see what all the fuss is about,” she said. “So Justin wanted to have one last night as a single man.” She grabbed another handful. “You can’t blame him for wanting wild, single sex.”

The face of Justin's mother turned beet-red. “Mother!”

“Gram,” Justin laughed. “Please stop.” But Gram’s speech was far from over.

“I heard something on the news about how all you kids are into BS stuff because of that Fifty Shades Book. I read it, you know.” She lifted her eyebrows at Justin, grabbing another handful of cereal. “Are you and Brian into whips and colored rooms?”

Justin began to laugh, despite his horror, alone because of his mother's shocked expression. “It’s BDSM, not BS, Gram.”

“Whatever,” she shrugged and began to flick her wrist like a whip, mimicking the motion and cereal went flying across the room, a piece of it hitting Justin's mother in the face.

“Oww!” she screamed, covering her face. “My eye.” She staggered past a chair as tears streamed down her cheek. “I need to wash it out.” But as she stumbled across the floor, her foot slid on a piece of loose cereal on the wood slats, and she knocked her shoulder into the kitchen doorjamb. Releasing a loud cry, she started to fall. Justin hurried over to her to keep her on her feet, but she cried out again.

“Mom?” Molly came into the kitchen, running over to her. “Are you okay?”

She definitely wasn’t. Her shoulder was sticking out at a weird angle. “Dad!” Justin shouted, then looked up at Molly. “Where’s Dad?”

“Your father is at the supermarket,” Justin's mother said through gritted teeth.

“Molly,” Justin said, leading his mother to a chair. “Call Dad. We have to take her to the hospital. I’d do it, but Brian has my car.”

Molly looked livid. “You gave him your car?”

“He has to get to the church somehow.”

Molly scowled at the reminder, then glanced at her mother and turned a shade of pale gray.

Justin glared at his sister. “Call Dad!”

Molly stood next to the front door, peering through the side window. “I don’t have to. His car just pulled up.”

Moments later, the front door opened and Justin's father stood in the doorway, his gaze landing on the group. “What happened?”

“Mom dislocated her shoulder. She needs to go to the hospital.”

Craig took one look at his wife’s shoulder and his face turned ashen.

Justin rolled his eyes at his family. “You can’t pass out, Dad!”

His father took a deep breath. “I’m okay.”

Taking in his pale complexion, Justin wasn’t so sure. “We have to get her to the hospital, now!”

“I don’t have time for that,” his mother complained. “There’s still so much to do.”

Justin blinked, then made his decision. “Okay, then. Dad and Molly, get her to the car. Mom, what needs to be done for the wedding?”

As his father and sister lifted the unwilling invalid out of her chair and led her to the door, Justin walked beside them.

“We need to make sure the cake gets delivered and that the orchestra sets up on the west side and not the east. The staff at the gardens can handle both of those things. Just make sure everything goes according to plan.”

“I can do that.”

“You need to be at the church two and a half hours early. It’s in the itinerary, but I know you didn’t even read it.”

For once, Justin wished he had.

They lead his Mom out the door and down the sidewalk. “Be sure to eat, honey. You’ll probably be too excited and nervous to eat, but otherwise you’ll get lightheaded standing up there so long for the ceremony.”

“Okay, Mom. Get well soon, okay?”

Molly helped her mother get settled in the passenger’s seat while her Dad sprinted around the car to climb into the driver’s seat. She and Justin watched the car drive away, both in shock.

“Did what I think just happened really happen?” Molly asked.

“Which part?”

“The whole convoluted mess.”

“Yep.” Justin grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the house. “Come on, we have work to do.”

Molly gasped. “We?”

“You don’t think I can do everything by myself, do you?”

“So you’re really going to marry this guy?”

They arrived inside the house and saw Gram, who looked absolutely heartbroken. She gripped Justin's hand. “I’m so sorry, honey. I wanted this day to be perfect for you, but I’ve ruined everything.”

Justin squatted next to her. “You didn’t ruin anything, Gram. It is going to be perfect, I promise. Mom will be better just in time to go to the wedding.”

She sighed sadly.

Justin leaned toward Molly and whispered, “And you’re in charge of making sure Gram wears clothes to my wedding.”

“Eww!”

“And it has to be that pink suit Mom picked out for her. I need a shower.”

“Justin!” Molly called after him. She looked sad. “We need to talk. You know that.”

Justin closed his eyes. “Molly, I...I can’t do this right now. Daphne helps me to get ready for the wedding, it would mean a lot to me if you would join us and tell us then. I don’t think I’m ready to learn the truth just now.”

His sister nodded, her voice more gentle than usual. “Okay, Jus. I understand.”

She turned around and disappeared into the living room.

While he was in the shower, washing his hair and reliving the shower he’d taken with Brian, Justin was able to relax a bit.

They rode in silence all the way to the gardens, even Gram staying remarkably quiet. When they pulled into the back parking lot, Molly helped Gram out as Justin gathered his things. As soon as he had everything, he started toward the dressing room, one of the rooms in the walk-out basement under the chapel, grateful to discover he was the first to arrive. After his morning, he needed a few moments to himself.

The room was furnished with a sofa and several wingback chairs that faced a wall of windows overlooking the flowering gardens. A full length mirror stood in one corner, and Justin knew the door across the room led to a bathroom. He sat in one of the wingback chairs and stared out a window, trying to let the peaceful setting settle his unrest.

“Justin?”

He turned around to see Gram standing in the doorway. She looked older than usual in the Pepto-Bismol suit.

“Can I come in?”

Justin hopped out of his seat and crossed the room. “Gram. Of course. I’m glad you’re here.” He helped the older woman into the chair next to his and they sat together, taking in the view.

“It’s a beautiful day for your wedding,” Gram finally said.

“Isn’t it?” Justin sighed. The sun shone bright in the sky, and the temperature was comfortable in the shade, which would be perfect for the outdoor reception later. He almost wished it were for real.

Gram released a sigh. “I’m sorry I ruined everything for you, once again. Your mother...”

Justin hugged his grandmother’s arm and leaned his head on her shoulder. “Good heavens, Gram, like I already said, you didn’t ruin it. Think of the hilarious stories we’ll tell.”

Gram chuckled. “I just hope she will be able to come.”

“She’ll get here in time. I know it.”

Gram fingered her pearls, then smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from her skirt. “There’s something I hoped your mother would tell you herself one day, but she never did…” She swung her gaze to the gardens. “You wonder why you never saw your Aunt Jessica again… I know your mother told you some ridiculous story about a fight.” Her mouth lifted into a weak smile.

Justin took his grandmother’s hand in his own, sensing what she had to tell him would be bigger than he ever anticipated.

“It wasn’t true. Jessica was always interested in your father, but he only had eyes for your mother. I hoped Jessica would get over her infatuation, and I honestly thought it had died down. But one day when you were eleven, your mother came home and found your father and Jessica together.”

“Together?” Justin asked in confusion, then horrified understanding set in. “Oh, no.”

Gram nodded. “They were in your mother's bed.” She took a deep breath and released it. “Your mother was devastated. She saw it as the ultimate betrayal. Her sister and her husband in her own bed. You and Molly came and stayed with your grandpa and me for a week, remember?”

“Yeah...”

“Your mother didn’t take it well, as you can imagine. She and your father vowed to stay together, and your father was truly sorry. He did his best to make it up to her. He still does.” She was silent for a moment. “Jessica had tried to snag your father since your mother first brought him home. I’m sure she just happened to catch him at a weak moment.” Her voice turned stern. “I’m in no way condoning what your father did, but I do believe he regretted it.”

“Yeah, because he was caught,” Justin said in disgust.

“Maybe. But he truly loves your mother.

“Poor Mom.” He could sympathize with his mother after Ethan’s betrayal. Now he wished he’d come clean weeks ago. His mother would have understood why he couldn’t marry Ethan.

“I’m telling you this,” Gram said, “because that’s the reason your mother wanted the perfect wedding for you. She wants you to have a perfect marriage, unlike her own. And please don’t hold this against your father. I’m sure he’ll always regret what he’s done.” Gram climbed to her feet, releasing a groan. “I didn’t get a chance to do my au natural yoga yesterday, and today I’m all stiff.”

Justin's mouth lifted in a small grin despite his emotional stew.

“Justin,” Gram turned and paused. “The boy you’re marrying today is better than the one you were supposed to marry.”

Justin stood, sure he’d heard his grandmother wrong.

“What??”

She gave him an ornery grin. “I know that man isn’t Ethan Gold. I talked to that idiot several months ago on the phone. The man you’re marrying today isn’t him.”

Justin started to protest, but what was the point? “How long have you known?” he asked in shock.

“Since I met him at the airport.”

“And you didn’t say anything?”

Gram shrugged, then hobbled to the door. “I wanted to see how it played out.” She paused at the doorway. “I could tell he was a good man, and I figured you’d come clean eventually.”

“We’re not really getting married, Gram. It’s all a big misunderstanding. I was afraid to tell mom I broke up with Ethan. She’d spent so much money-”

“You don’t have to explain. But I hope you don’t give that boy up after this wedding.” She winked. “He does have a very nice patootie. Besides, he really loves you.”

Justin started to assure her that he had no plans to let Brian go, then stopped himself. He needed to save the assurances for after Molly dropped her bombshell.

He only hoped his heart wasn’t blown to pieces when she was done.