While You Were Sleeping II
Chapter One
Rating: Adults Only
Category: Fanfiction
Pairing: Brian Kinney, Justin Taylor
Genres: Angst, AU, POV, Drama, Romance
Warnings: OOC
Summary: Based on the movie of the same name and just for a bit of fun. This is the sequel. Please read Part I first as the sequel carries on directly after the end of Chapter 6.
Disclaimer: All characters and situations from Queer as Folk are properties of Russell T. Davies, Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, Showtime, and others. To the owners of the movie, I mean no disrespect. The concept is yours and not mine. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is rated by the author and not by any independent body.
________________________________________________________________________________
Justin nervously glanced over the final configuration of the pieces for tonight’s show. He wondered if he should make any changes to the order. No, this was best. He’d decided to lead with the painting of Brian in the park that day. There was significance about it being the first one. It represented the beginning of his new life. Now that everything else was behind them, it would be smooth sailing from now on. He felt someone move behind him. Justin finished his thoughts before acknowledging the person’s existence. He wanted to be sure that now his work was finally about to be seen, that it would create the desired impression. He stared again. No. It should start with the pain and the torment he felt right before he left to come here. The emptiness oozed from the fiber of the painting with the small section he completed when he arrived, the only glimmer filled with his hopes for the future. That was the beginning. He made his final adjustment and took two steps back onto the person that was patiently waiting for him to finish.
“Justin, you have adjusted the order at least a dozen times now,” Lindsay laughed. “But I agree, this way is best,” she smiled.
Justin smiled too, a nervous smile with a heavy undertone of terror thrown in for good measure.
“Hey, your work is good and everyone will see that tonight.” She laughed and gently swatted him on the ass. “What time do you want to leave on Saturday?”
“Lindz, I can barely concentrate on today. What’s happening on Saturday?” Justin was getting more nervous by the minute. He glanced at his watch, an hour to go.
“We are taking Gus to the zoo, remember. He is so excited, Jus. Having Brian in his life has made an amazing difference to him. I wish I could turn back the clock and do everything all over again,” she smiled sadly.
“We can never go back but we can change direction as we move forward,” Justin laughed. He sounded like one of his positive thinking tapes.
“I know but when one thing happens, it sets in motion a chain reaction into every other part of your life.”
Justin noticed a glimmer of pain flash across her face. “She will get used to Brian spending time with Gus,” he patted Lindsay’s hand.
“No, she won’t Justin. I must have always been in fairyland. I knew she hated Brian but I always thought she believed it was in Gus’ best interests for them to not be in contact. Brian led a life that Gus was not able to be a part of, even though he would have accepted anything from his father, I couldn’t let Brian expose him to that sort of instability. How could Brian be a father when he really didn’t even know who he was? But Brian is different now, thanks to you loving him,” she smiled. “I have never seen him so happy.”
“Brian’s very easy to love but you already know that,” Justin laughed.
“So many of the reasons that I love Brian, he’s always kept hidden on the inside, but not anymore,” she laughed. “He’s let them float to the surface for everyone to see since you have been in his life. I think it’s wonderful.”
“Brian has given me so much. He is so open and caring. I don’t think anyone has ever been so considerate of my feelings before,” Justin smiled. Talking about something other than the show was settling Justin’s very frayed nerves about tonight.
“I wish Mel could see that side of Brian. They look at each other and I can see the steam rising from both of them,” Lindsay laughed. “And then I get trapped in the middle,” the smile disappeared from her face.
Justin slipped his arm around her waist. “I’ll stand in the middle with you so you won’t be alone.”
She touched his cheek lightly. “Thanks, Jus. I have to go do a final walk through, I’ll see you later.”
Justin watched her walk away. They had become very close, quickly. He felt for her and he knew it wouldn’t get any better any time soon. Mel and Brian hated each other and until one of them was prepared to give just a little, things would not improve for Lindsay. Maybe he should try talking to Brian again. He wondered if Mel spent some time and saw Brian and Gus together if she would mellow a little.
********
Brian locked up the house and flew down the front stairs. He’d been working at home on a new client’s campaign and simply lost track of time. He would still be early but he wanted to get their first and check that Justin was okay. This was a very important night for Justin and he wanted it to be perfect for him. Brian knew that Justin’s work was sensational and tonight everyone else would know it too. He revved up the ‘vette and roared down the drive.
There was a car just pulling up to the gate as he pressed the remote to open. He didn’t recognize the car and he didn’t have time to stop. He pulled his car level with the other vehicle and opened his window. “I’m sorry, I have to be somewhere. Did you want something?”
An attractive blonde woman smiled at him nervously. “Um yes, I was looking for Justin Taylor,” she smiled again.
“Justin isn’t here at the moment. If you leave a number, I can get him to call you tomorrow,” Brian offered. “Look, I’m sorry I really do need to go,” he apologized.
“What time will he be here tomorrow?” she asked.
“From two usually, may I tell him who was looking for him?” Brian was trying to be polite.
“Um, I think I would, um,” she stammered.
Brian’s patience was disappearing, he wanted to be early and now he would be late. “I really do need to go, I’m sorry. Come and see Justin tomorrow.” Brian closed the gates and left the woman sitting in the drive, as he sped off.
Jennifer Taylor turned off her engine and slumped down across the wheel, surrendering to the tears she had been fighting to hide. When she received word that the investigators had found her son, she was elated. Searching for Justin had taken up a large chunk of her life. It had been eight years now, nine in two weeks. Now she was here and she had to wait again. She gathered herself together and dialed her cell phone. “Molly, I think I found him. He wasn’t here but a man said he would be here from two tomorrow.”
“Oh Mom, do you really think it’s Justin this time?”
“I hope so, honey. He fits the description,” her voice was filled with hope. There had been so many false alarms over the years. “I’m going to find a hotel and come back tomorrow. I’ll call you later.”
“Sure Mom, try and get some sleep. It has to be Justin this time.”
“Bye honey.” Jennifer closed her cell and started the engine. She backed the car onto the street and went looking for a hotel that wasn’t too far away.
********
Justin was looking around the room and beginning to worry. Where was Brian?
A very rattled looking Brian raced through the entrance, his eyes darting around the room, looking for his lover. He sighed when he saw Justin moving towards him. “I’m so sorry,” he pulled Justin in and kissed him.
“Where were you?” Justin asked.
“When I tried to leave the house, someone caught me and I couldn’t get away from them. How is it going?”
Justin smiled. He leaned forward to whisper in Brian’s ear. “They really like my stuff Brian.”
Brian laughed. “Lindsay said they would and I think you are a genius.”
“The guy over there with the bad toupee,” Justin smiled. “He writes for Art Critic and I think he is going to mention me.”
Brian hugged him close, “That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah, we’ll see,” Justin was almost grinning. “I have to mingle.”
Brian smiled. “Go, work the room and I’ll say hi to Lindz.”
Justin nodded as he left.
Brian looked around for Lindsay and saw that she talking to two very attractive men. He moved towards them but hung back until the conversation slowed.
Lindsay saw him and called him over. “Brian, this is Sidney’s son and his partner.”
A blond man held out his hand to Brian. “Adrian Bloom and this is my partner Grant Davis.”
Brian shook Adrian’s hand first, then Grant’s. “Brian Kinney,” he smiled.
“Brian is my son’s father, he owns Kinnetik. You two have a lot in common,” Lindsay smiled.
Brian could feel Grant checking him out.
Adrian smiled. “I worked for Vanguard for a while and your name used to come up a lot,” he laughed.
Brian raised an eyebrow. “I bet,” he smiled. “You aren’t with them any longer?”
“No, we’ve been traveling for a year and we just came back. I didn’t think it was possible to want to go back to work,” Adrian laughed.
Brian could feel Grant’s eyes moving slowly over him and lingering on his ass. “Grant, what do you do?” he tried to keep it light.
“I teach tennis when I go back to it. I’m not nearly as keen as Adz to go back to work. All those rich woman and whining kiddies drive me demented,” Grant laughed.
“Maybe you need a career change?” Brian smiled.
Grant laughed. “Apart from tennis, the only other thing I do well, Adz won’t let me do for money,” he winked at Brian.
Brian swallowed hard, this guy was shameless. “Oh well you better stick to tennis then,” he turned to Adrian who was rolling his eyes at his partner. “What did you do at Vanguard?”
“I was an account exec. I handled a few large clients.”
Brian’s ears pricked up. “Do you mind me asking?”
Adrian laughed. “Of course not, I did the Snacckycatz, Tomlinson’s Foods, SneezenoMore and E. Gov.”
“That’s national?” Brian said surprised.
Adrian smiled. “I did the work on the portal when they went online.”
“That government contract is huge, it must have bought in a nice chunk of change,” Brian smiled.
“Yes, I signed them myself but when I decided to leave Vanguard, they were still under contract, so I had to leave them behind,” Adrian shook his head and then grinned, “but the contract is up soon.”
“Do you still have your contacts?” Brian asked.
“Why do you think I came home,” he laughed.
“You could start your own agency with a client of that size,” Brian smiled, wondering what Adrian had in mind.
“I know but I have never really been interested in the day to day things. I like the creative process and the freedom I have when I work for someone else. I do the majority of artwork for my clients myself. ”
“Have you given any thought to where you would like to work?” Brian asked casually. He does design too, wow, Brian thought. He’d previously admired the portal layout and the SneezenoMore boards were incredible.
“No, I really haven’t looked yet. We only came back a few days ago” said Adrian as he shrugged his shoulders. He knew Brian was interested in him. Brian would have to be crazy not to be. Adrian already had his clients signed to personal contracts effective the day after their old contracts lapsed so he knew his future was secure. He just needed to decide where he wanted to set down roots. Kinnetik was a new but well respected agency. Even though Vance was furious that Brian had raped the clientele when he left, he had to admit that Brian was the best at what he did. He’d only wished the clients weren’t so clued in to the truth.
Brian didn’t want to appear too keen. He knew that Adrian was considering Kinnetik by the amount of information he offered. Adding those clients at once to his client base would certainly be a coo but not one he was prepared to not make a reasonable profit on. Adrian looked like a clued in kind of guy. When the time was right, he would come after Brian. “Take your time and always consider your options, has always been my motto,” Brian smiled.
Lindsay tried not to show any emotion. Brian Kinney had never taken his time over anything in his life. “What a small world that you are both in the same industry,” she smiled. “Could you excuse us, I need to introduce Brian to someone?” She kissed Adrian and with her arm around Brian waist guided him away from the pair. When they were a reasonable distance away, she stopped. He stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks Lindz.”
“Your welcome, I thought that was our queue to move on. So, interesting about Adrian?”
Brian laughed. “He threw out the hook and I gave it a gentle nibble to keep his interest, the rest, time will tell.”
“When I knew he was coming home, I was sure you would like to know,” she smiled. “Justin is a huge success.”
Brian grinned. “I always knew he would be.”
“Dan Jenkins is talking about featuring him in Art Critic. He loves Justin’s work and he is plenty partial to the rest of him from what I see,” she laughed as she motioned for Brian to look.
Brian followed her gaze and saw Justin standing with a man in a bad toupee with his hand on Justin’s ass. Brian smiled as he saw the man’s hand patting, Justin could handle himself. He was surprised that he didn’t even feel a twinge of any kind. It was nice to feel secure even though it was still a little different. “I will be back,” Brian smiled. “Where are the bathrooms?”
Lindsay pointed to the far corner or the room.
Brian made his way through the crowd. Except for the journalist with the wandering hands, the night was a huge success. It was about time Justin received the recognition he deserved. He suddenly remembered the woman asking about Justin earlier and wished he made more enquiries. He didn’t even get a name. If she was really intent on seeing him she would come back tomorrow. He pulled up his pants, tucking in his shirt at the same time. Brian opened the stall door and felt a hand push him back into the cubicle. The door slammed shut and was locked quickly. He felt someone’s hands pulling at his pants. “Whathefuck, get off,” he shoved the man backwards and saw it was Adrian’s partner, Grant grinning back at him. He lunged at Brian again; crashing his lips down on Brian’s hard.
Brian was taken back, surprised. The sheer force that Grant had lunged at him with had left him a little breathless. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” Brian demanded.
Grant leered at him. “You are so hott. I can’t wait to sink into your tight little ass.”
Even if Brian had felt like tricking, which he didn’t, the last thing he was ever going to do was to bend over for this asshole. He didn’t like him one bit. “I don’t think so,” Brian shook his head. “I’m not interested. Now if you’ll please move yourself away from the door, I want to leave now.”
Grant looked rattled. He was obviously not used to being rejected. “I saw the way you were looking at me before.”
“Buddy, I think you are projecting. It was you that was checking me out. I wasn’t interested then and I am even less interested now,” Brian smiled.
Grant looked shocked.
“Look it’s nothing personal, I’m involved with someone,” Brian decided to be polite. Adrian may come to work at Kinnetik and that would mean he may have to tolerate Grant from time to time.
Grant recovered and reached to grab Brian’s cock but Brian blocked his hand. “Grant I’m trying to be polite. Don’t make me shove your head in this toilet,” Brian shook his head slowly as he spoke.
Grant didn’t say another word and stepped away from the door so Brian could leave. Brian washed and dried his hands thoroughly and went back to where he left Lindsay.
Lindsay noticed Brian was a bit rattled. “What’s wrong?”
“That fucking dickhead Grant just tried to jump me in the john,” Brian growled. “What’s the deal with them, I thought they were together?”
Lindsay gulped. “They are and Adrian thinks they are monogamous.”
“Has he told that to Grant?” Brian laughed. “He is a player if I have ever seen one. I don’t think it was the lure of my perfect ass that called him out of retirement,” Brian chuckled. “Although now I know I still have it,” he continued to snigger.
“Poor Adrian, they have been together for years,” she shook her head, “ever since before I came to work for Sidney.”
“Forget him,” Brian laughed. He looked across the room and saw Grant exit the bathroom, he still looked rattled. Grant made his way over to Adrian and whispered something into his ear. Adrian’s eyes darted over at Brian and Lindsay and then Grant dragged him away.
Lindsay saw what happened. “That didn’t look good Brian.”
Brian shrugged. “Oh well, win some you lose some.” Adrian would have made a good addition to his team but it was probably just as well. With a partner like Grant, he was definitely disadvantaged.
Justin appeared from behind them. “What have you been up to?” he asked.
Brian shrugged. “Nothin much, just waiting for my successful significant other, have you seen him?”
“No, not for a while but since he isn’t around, how about I take you home,” Justin smirked.
Lindsay shook her head. “You two are bad men,” she smiled. The crowd was breaking up, it was getting late. “I had better wrap this up or I will never get home,” she laughed. She kissed both of them. “I’ll see you Saturday, congratulations, Jus.”
“Thanks Lindz,” Justin smiled and pulled Brian in close to him. “Now about me taking you home?”
“That is the second offer I’ve had tonight. Wait till I tell my partner I was the belle of the ball,” Brian winked.
“Second?” Justin said surprised.
Brian laughed. “Yeah, some asshole tried to bend me over in one of the stalls.”
“You?” Justin said in disbelief, as he started to laugh.
“Hey,” Brian objected. “I still think I’m pretty hott.”
Justin kissed him again and pressed their cocks together. “Let’s get out of here.”
“My partner will be pissed,” Brian laughed.
“Fuck him,” Justin growled softly. “Your ass belongs to me tonight.”
Brian laughed. “Well, you better hurry because he’ll be home soon.”
They left the gallery, arm in arm. Justin was bursting with excitement over the way his pieces had been received. He chattered non stop, all the way home. Brian could tell that Justin was high on his achievement and wouldn’t be ready to sleep for quite some time yet. Justin was so nervous all day that he hadn’t eaten a thing so now he was calm and happy, he was starving.
Brian sat up to the kitchen counter watching Justin pull every leftover that was in the refrigerator out. He watched in amazement as Justin heated nearly all of it and dish by dish polished it off as he told Brian about the various comments that people had made throughout the night. Brian couldn’t help but smile, Justin was bursting with pride and accomplishment. He finally paused as he noticed that Brian wasn’t eating too.
“Didn’t you want anything?” he asked.
Brian smiled. “Did you leave anything,” he laughed.
Justin was startled. “Oh Brian, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you hadn’t had anything.”
Brian felt bad for bringing Justin down on his big night. “I was kidding, you know I never eat this late,” he smiled.
Justin put the last dish in the dishwasher and walked to the other side of the counter, where Brian was sitting. He pulled Brian into his arms and pressed their lips together. “Tell me about the guy in the men’s room?”
Brian smiled. “He cruised me for a while when Lindsay introduced me to him and his partner Adrian. He’s the gallery owner’s son.”
“The guy that hit on you is Sidney Bloom’s son?” Justin said in horror. He had met Adrian this afternoon and found him pleasant and not predatory at all.
“No, his partner, Grant hit on me. Lindz says Adrian thinks they are monogamous.”
“Oh,” Justin replied. “So what happened then?”
Brian laughed. “You just want all the gory details so you can get off before my partner comes home.”
Justin laughed. “Then hurry and tell me.”
“Do you want the whole story or just the dirty bits?”
“The whole story with all the dirty bits,” Justin smiled.
“Okay, Adrian used to work for the first guy I was ever in business with. When we parted, most of the clients opted to go with me. Vance was just a suit with no obvious talent for advertising. Adrian said he used to refer to me often,” Brian laughed. “Anyway they must have had some sort of falling out because he left too. The clients he handled were still under contract until now, so he went overseas for the last year and traveled with his sleazoid partner Grant. Now the clients are up for grabs and he thinks he can take them back. He’s looking for an agency to be based at and Lindsay introduced us.”
“Do you think he will come to yours?”
“I did until Grant decided to follow me into the can,” Brian laughed.
Justin waited for the rest.
“Anyway, I was walking out of the stall and someone pushed me back in and jumped me,” Brian shrugged.
“What?”
“Don’t worry, he only got half a kiss and tried to get my pants off,” Brian added. “Oh yeah and he tried to feel my cock,” Brian smiled.
Justin’s arms were folded across his chest now. “Oh well as long as he didn’t get too far.”
“Apart from being a sleaze and the small fact that my dick won’t work with anyone other than you,” Brian winked at Justin. “His fatal error was telling me he was gonna bend me over the head and fuck me,” Brian smiled.
Justin tried to look angry and hold in the belly laugh that was gurgling around inside him. “He was ambitious wasn’t he?” Justin unfolded his arms and wrapped them around Brian.
“I thought so,” Brian smiled.
“How long do we have until your partner gets home?” Justin asked.
“Not long, how quick can you be?” Brian asked as he nuzzled into Justin’s neck before biting him on the ear.
“Hmmm,” Justin smiled. “You keep track on the time and if it’s taking too long tell me and I’ll go harder to hurry it along.” Justin lifted his chin so Brian could change sides.
“Mmmm, sounds like a plan,” Brian murmured.
********
By the time they finished making love, the alarm was going off for them to go to work. Both men stood, Justin straighter than Brian, in the shower trying to wake up.
“Do we have to go in today,” Brian moaned as he allowed the water to run over him. He needed a better system. He couldn’t deal with his sore ass and no sleep simultaneously, it was too much. “You were the toast of Pittsburgh last night and you will be famous soon.”
“I’m not famous yet. You may not need to go to work, but I do,” Justin laughed. “I have a boss who is counting on me to turn up. If I don’t, he rings some other poor schmuck who just worked another shift to come back.”
Brian moaned again but nodded this time. He had done that before and Justin was right, it wasn’t fair. “Okay, okay, I’ll be ready soon.” Brian stepped gingerly from the shower.
They dressed quickly and left in a hurry.
Thank god I didn’t bother to put the car away when we got home, Brian thought. As they were driving through the gates, Brian remembered the woman from last night. “Remember that woman is coming back today.”
“What woman?” Justin asked.
“The one that made me late for the opening,” Brian tried to explain.
“Who was it?”
“She didn’t say but I told her you would be back about two. I wasn’t sure if there was anything else you wanted to do after work.”
Justin smiled. “Okay, I do want to go past the gallery and see how the sales ended up. Will you be on time or do you have a late meeting?”
“What about I meet you at the gallery at one?” Brian suggested. “It will give you some time there and me another hour. We will still be home by two for your mystery woman. Tonight we need to get some sleep,” Brian moaned, every bit of him hurt.
Justin rubbed his knee. “If you are so sore, why are you driving?”
Brian glanced at Justin with his best disgusted look. “Because, you are not leaving my car in the car park for the station all day. By the time you finish, it will be gone. I like this car, Jus and I want to keep it.”
Justin laughed. He was right. Brian’s classic car in that car park would have made somebody’s day.
Brian stopped the car. “Get out; I’ll see you at one.”
Justin leaned over and kissed him goodbye. “Do you think your boyfriend will notice that you aren’t walking straight today?” Justin smiled.
Brian just shook his head. It was too early in the morning for this. “See you at the Gallery at one,” he moaned.
Justin was still laughing as Brian drove away. He didn’t get any sleep either but he felt great.
********
After his shift, Justin walked the two blocks to the Gallery with a spring still in his step. He should have been exhausted by now but he was fine. Yesterday was the start of all his dreams beginning to come true? Two, long hard years of pounding the pavement to get anyone to take him seriously, had finally paid off. When he entered the Gallery, he was congratulated by everyone. It was good to be noticed.
Lindsay came flying out of her office. “Justin, all your pieces sold and we have orders for three more,” she squealed.
They hugged and jumped up and down and hugged again.
“That’s wonderful Lindz. I can’t believe it,” Justin was in shock. Knowing that people liked his stuff was one thing but hearing that they were prepared to spend their money on it was something else.
“I also heard that Dan is going ahead with his article about the show and he’s making you the lead. He called you a bright, shiny, rising star. He was still raving this morning,” she smiled.
Justin was elated.
“Justin,” Adrian called out as he came out of his father’s office. He walked towards them smiling. “I believe congratulations are in order.”
“Thanks Adrian, I still can’t believe it,” Justin smiled.
“Believe it. You, my friend are on the fast track,” he laughed.
Justin noticed Brian come in the main doors. “Adrian, you’ve met my partner, Brian.”
Brian approached smiling. He barely managed a hello when Adrian stepped forward and punched him in the nose. Brian hit the floor, out cold.
It happened so fast. Justin and Lindsay didn’t know what was happening.
“Adrian,” Lindsay cried out. “What are you doing? Brian?” she dropped down and lifted Brian’s head onto her lap. “Somebody, get some water,” she called out.
People came running from everywhere. Lindsay was screaming Brian’s name at the top of her voice, trying to bring him around.
Justin turned to Adrian. “What did you do that for?” he gasped.
Adrian’s eyes were flashing with anger. “I can't believe he is your partner. He’s lucky he didn’t get up or I would have hit him again,” Adrian said defiantly.
Justin stepped between Brian, who was still out cold and Adrian, in case the angry man decided not to wait for Brian to get up. “What is your problem?” he demanded.
Sidney came running out of his office. “What the hell is going on here?”
Lindsay was crying. “Adrian hit him. You could have killed him,” she yelled at Adrian.
Brian started to moan as he stirred.
“You had better have a damn good reason for this Adz,” his father demanded.
“This is a private matter between me and the slimeball,” Adrian growled.
“Then you should have kept it private and not attacked him in the Gallery where the business is involved. What is going on?” Sidney yelled at his son.
Brian lifted his head but was still seeing double. His hand flew up to hold his nose, which was of course broken. “What?” he mumbled.
“Answer me.” Sidney roared.
“He tried to attack Grant in the men’s room last night,” Adrian blurted out.
Justin shook his head. What was the point? He bent down and helped Brian to his feet. “Come on Brian, let’s get out of here.”
Brian did as he was told. He was still foggy about what had happened. They walked to the exit and left.
“People like him should be locked up,” Adrian spat.
Sidney looked at Lindsay who was still crying then he turned to his son. “Wait in my office.”
Adrian stormed up the stairs into his father’s office and slammed the door.
Sidney helped Lindsay to her feet. “Are you okay, Lindz?”
“No, I am not okay,” she cried out. “Adrian just hit the father of my son, for no reason other than Grant is a sleaze. He tried to attack Brian last night and then he tells Adrian that it was Brian. I’m sorry Sidney. I have to give you my notice. I can’t stay here.”
Sidney went pale. “Lindz, you have been with me for thirteen years.”
“Sidney, Brian’s nose is broken and when he gets his bearings he will probably sue Adrian, you and the Gallery. I can’t work her anymore.” She turned and ran up the stairs to her office.
Sidney sighed. “Get back to work everyone, shows over.” He walked up the stairs and opened the door to his office. He looked at his son who was pacing. “Are you mad?” he said softly.
“He’s lucky I didn’t hit him again.” Adrian was still defiant. “Grant was lucky to get away from him. I heard he had a bad reputation. He’s an animal.”
Sidney could never see what his son saw in that bum, Grant. He walked over to his file cabinet and pulled out a thick yellow file. He handed it to his son. “I should have done this a long time ago,” he said softly.
“What’s this?”
“Read it,” his father ordered.
Adrian sat down and started to read. There were at least fifty pages with photographs. Tears began to run down Adrian’s cheeks as he turned the pages.
Sidney let him read the entire thing. It was long overdue.
********
Justin drove Brian to the hospital and of course his nose was broken. They wiggled it and straightened it up as best they could but there was nothing they could do until the swelling went down. Lindsay arrived as they were leaving. She told Justin she had given Sidney her resignation. Brian stared at her. “Why did you do that?”
“Because Adrian hit you.”
“If Justin told me that someone had tried to rape him, I would go after him too and I would do a lot worse than punch him in the nose. Grant is a sleaze but Adrian doesn’t know it. He was defending his partner, that’s it,” Brian shrugged.
“But your nose,” she insisted.
“It has been broken before. I’ll get it fixed, it’s no big deal. Let’s go home, Jus, I want to melt on my own floor.” The ice was indeed starting to melt and he was dripping. Brian was too tired for this shit today. He felt sorry for Adrian. He couldn’t imagine how he would feel if Justin was anything like Grant. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I just want to go home,” Brian sighed.
Justin kissed Lindsay and sent her home. They drove home in silence.
********
Adrian looked up from his reading as he turned the last page. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You loved him Adz. I didn’t want you to be hurt. He’s been doing it ever since the two of you got together,” his father shrugged.
“Then why tell me know?”
“I dunno Adz, maybe because you just hit a prominent member of the community in my Gallery today or maybe because he happens to be the partner of the artist that I catapulted to fame last night. I can’t imagine Justin will want to be represented by us now. Or it could be that my Gallery manager just resigned or my personal favorite, when Brian, who I might at this point mention is the vainest man I have ever known, looks at his face tomorrow, I will be getting a phone call from his attorney. Ahhh, then there is the small fact that he runs probably the most successful advertising agency in this state and you want to work in that profession, I don’t think your actions today were a good career strategy.”
Adrian sighed. “I have my own clients Dad.”
“Will people think that the money they generate will cover the lawsuits, I wonder Adz,” Sidney shook his head. “Fuck son, what a bloody mess.”
Adrian hung his head. How could Grant have done this to him? He had never asked for his fidelity. Grant was always boasting about how faithful he was. “What do I do now?”
“You go home and you throw that bum out. Tell him to find another meal ticket.”
“Do you just think he was with me for the money? Adrian looked even more devastated.
“Son, you do the math,” Sidney said sadly.
“What will I do about Brian? He didn’t do what Grant said, did he?”
“Going on Grant’s past, I would say it was probably the other way around.”
“But Brian's a player too.”
“When he was single, he probably was but I talked to Justin yesterday. He and Brian are a couple in the true sense. Brian has settled down happily into monogamy and they have set up house together. He is even active in his son’s life. Lindsay wouldn’t let him spend so much time with her son if he was still fucking and sucking. Brian Kinney is a happily married man. I think Grant was so incensed when Brian refused him that he concocted this story in case anyone heard him try and convince Brian to go along with him. I’ll try and talk to him before this gets any further out of hand. I mean it Adz, go home and throw him out. Do you want me to do it?”
“No, I’ll do it. I’m sorry Dad.”
Sidney hugged his son. “Let’s move on, okay?”
“Okay,” Adrian nodded.
********
Brian and Justin were getting out of the car when Brian saw the car from last night pull up to the gates. “That’s the woman.” He opened the gates with his remote and they waited for her to drive up. His nose was throbbing; hell his whole head was killing him. Brian tried to remember what pain killers they had. He needed to just go to sleep.
Jennifer Taylor’s eyes filled with tears when she was close enough to see Justin. She jammed on her brakes and flew out of the car. “Justin,” she called out as she ran towards him.
Justin looked up when he heard his name. He stared at the woman running towards him. Fuck.
She grabbed him and held him. She was crying so hard that Brian couldn’t understand a word she was saying.
Brian looked at Justin for an explanation but all he heard Justin say was “Mom?”