"None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody - a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns - bent down and helped us pick up our boots."
- Thurgood Marshall
Brian's hazel orbs turned almost black with fury. The little twat appeared to be truly stunned that his charade had been exposed. Brian felt like throttling the kid, but instead he just glared at him. While he waited for an answer, he felt the hotness of his anger burning his cheeks.
Instead of addressing Brian's question, Justin inquired anxiously, "How did you find me?"
"I had some good news to share with you, so I took a trip to your apartment. Funny thing is, the young girl who resides there, I believe her name is Daphne, told me you didn't live there. In fact, she was pretty riled up when she found out you were back in Pittsburgh, and hadn't called her."
"Shit", Justin expelled, rifling his hands through his tousled hair. He'd have to remember to smooth things over with his best friend. However, the more pressing problem at the moment, was that Brian was infuriated with him. Justin was fearful that he was going to lose his job, a job that he loved.
In a guilt ridden voice Justin attempted to make amends. "I'm sorry I lied to you Brian. I'd understand if you didn't want me to work for you anymore."
Brian's eyes swept over the kid's sullen demeanor. He looked remorseful, and unshed tears glistened in his beautiful blue eyes. Taking his apology into account, Brian's anger diffused. He released an exasperated huff, before addressing Justin again.
"I expect all my employees to have enough respect for me to tell me the truth." Then he paused as if he were pondering something. "I'm not going to fire you, even though I probably should."
"It's just a temporary situation. I was going to find an apartment when I got paid," Justin explained in an effort to justify his actions.
"And what were you going to use as security for the rent, your ass?" Brian snarled.
Knowing he couldn't refute the validity of Brian's words, Justin dropped his head down and stared at the ground. He knew he had screwed up big time, and Brian had every right to be pissed at him.
"Look Justin," Brian began in a softer tone, "I asked you if you needed a place to stay."
Justin lifted his head up, and his weary eyes engaged Brian's tired hazel ones. "And I know that you were trying to help me, but you've done enough."
"So you'd rather sleep on a bench, or in that disgusting shelter?" Brian retorted, continuing to press the issue. The mere thought of that shelter made the bile rise in his throat.
"No, of course not, but I didn't want to be a burden to you. I'm not your responsibility."
"Well, it seems that you need someone to knock some sense into that stubborn head of yours. Let's examine the situation, you're in need of some assistance, and I'm in a position to help you."
"I don't want to take any more of your handouts."
Brian stared at Justin for a minute, trying to figure out what he was going to do with him. Then the answer suddenly became obvious to him.
"Okay, I'm not going to offer you any money. However, you're going to stay at my loft, until you can afford your own apartment."
"But..."
"Don't even try to argue with me. If you want to keep your job, you're going to have to suck up your pride, and stay with me for a while," Brian decreed.
Justin remained uncharacteristically quiet. After a few moments of silence, Brian grilled him for an answer. "So, what's it going to be Sunshine?"
"I guess I'll take you up on your offer. But only until I can move into a place of my own."
"A wise decision. Now let's get out of here."
Brian accompanied Justin to the lockers so he could retrieve his backpack. Then they walked side by side to the jeep, without uttering a word between them.
When they entered the loft, Justin stood in absolute awe of the exquisite beauty of the place. Everything was expensive and imported. He admitted to himself that he should have expected this, given the man's fondness for designer clothes.
"You coming in, or are you going to stand there all day?" Brian sarcastically quizzed.
"You have a nice place," Justin appraised as his eyes traveled over the rest of Brian's home. He almost blushed when he honed in on the raised bedroom, which appeared to be the focal point of the loft.
Justin was impressed with the set up, as well as the man. He recalled Brian telling him when they had first met, that he never paid to get laid. And according to all the gossip at the office, Mr. Kinney was the King of Liberty Avenue, and could have anyone he wanted. Sadly, Justin thought, he was just one more person pining for Brian.
"Justin," Brian interrupted his thoughts. "We'll share the bed. The couch is too uncomfortable."
Brian didn't want Justin to have to sleep on the sofa, because he knew the lad hadn't enjoyed the luxury of a real bed in a long time. His heart lurched as he saw the young man's lips curl upward into a grin. A familiar heat began to stir in his loins. The kid was creating a conflict of emotions inside of him. On the one hand, he would love to ravage that youthful supple body. But on the other hand, he didn't want to take advantage of Justin, even though he knew the kid sometimes hustled to get by. He didn't need any complications in his life, and if he fucked the lad, there was sure to be many repercussions.
Brian was glad that tomorrow was a Saturday, since it was already 5:00 in the morning. He knew that both he and Justin needed to get some rest. Brian stripped down to his underwear (because he didn't own pajamas), and slid into bed.
Meanwhile, Justin had gone into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He came out wearing the sweats that Brian had thrown at him.
Brian let out a chuckle when he regarded Justin's appearance. The sweats were too big for him, and it made him look even younger than his eighteen years.
"What?" Justin queried.
"Nothing, just get in the bed. Don't forget to shut off the light," Brian reminded him.
Justin carefully peeled back the covers on his side of the bed, and sidled in. He almost let out a sigh of contentment, as his head hit the pillow. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and Justin snuggled happily under the soft clean sheets.
Exhausted from their eventful evening, they both fell fast asleep. Justin was so tired that he slept most of the morning away. Unlike Brian who woke up surprisingly early, and decided to make some coffee.
When Justin still didn't rise when it was about eleven, Brian positioned himself on the edge of the bed with a mug of coffee in his hand, admiring the sleeping young man. He was lying on his side, his blond hair strewn about. His face could be that of an angel, Brian subjectively observed, with his long pretty lashes, fair porcelain skin, and cute upturned nose. The kid's cherubic features belied the hard life he had experienced lately. Brian became aware of a strange, unfamiliar warmth spreading throughout his body. He realized that studying the blond was fast becoming a habit with him.
Justin felt a pair of eyes gazing upon him. He unglued his eyelids in time to catch Brian standing up. He propped himself up into a sitting position.
"Good Morning Sleeping Beauty," Brian teased.
Justin froze with fear at the mention of those words. A flash of big hands accosting him caused him to start hyperventilating.
"Hey Sleeping Beauty, sorry to interrupt your dream."
"Justin...Jesus, what the fuck's wrong with you?"
Brian approached the bed, but Justin flinched sharply away from his touch.
"Justin," Brian called again, worry infused in his tone.
This time Justin's face seemed to register recognition, and his breathing began to slow. The kid was pale, as if he'd just seen a ghost. It was then that Brian knew something was terribly wrong with the lad, and he was going to make it his business to find out what it was.