No Free Lunch

The guys were sitting in front of the fake fireplace. Brian had an enigmatic smile on his face and Justin was looking perplexed.

"What do you mean you're meeting Ethan for lunch tomorrow," Justin complained, "You know I'm busy all day so I can't go. I guess you planned it that way. How long have you known about this - leaving me out of the big lunch?"

"You won't be missing lunch, Baby. You just won't be eating with Ethan and me," Brian tried to explain. "I've told you why we're meeting. Ethan is considering changing agents and he thinks I can help him decide what to do. He has to make up his mind soon and he has a busy schedule and so do I. I knew tomorrow was a bad day for you but it was the only day that worked. You would have been mad if I had refused to talk to him. I do know stuff about advertising and an agent is an advertiser. I might just be able to help Ethan."

"Well I would have liked to be there," Justin maintained, "Maybe I could have helped too."

"I'm sure you would have been a great help," Brian cajoled, "And you know we would both love to have you, but the situation is some kind of emergency time-wise and that's how it happened like it did."

Brian noted the doubtful look on Justin's face and decided to take the offensive. "You wouldn't be a little bit jealous, would you?" he asked the kid.

"Of you and Ethan, Bri," Justin ridiculed the question. "You and Ethan? I'm not crazy, Sweetheart."

"Well, you're always telling me how hot I am," Brian laughed, "And there was a time when you thought the same about Ethan so I don't see why you think that's so funny."

Justin laughed at that logic and any tension seemed to abate. "Cut it out, Bri. You're trying to change the subject, and I'm too smart for that," he said. "Just when did you make this date with Ethan anyhow and why didn't I hear about it sooner?"

"We made the arrangements yesterday and I didn't tell you because I was wondering if you might make a fuss about not being able to go," Brian admitted, "So I wasn't sure if I should inform you at all, but then I realized how mature you would be with the situation and decided to tell you. It's actually a kind of business meeting and I don't tell you about all my business meetings. I just thought you'd be interested because it involved Ethan."

"Which is exactly why I am interested. My guy and one of my best friends having lunch together without me," Justin groused.

"You are jealous," Brian laughed. "You always suspect that I don't even like Ethan and when I try to help him, you're jealous. I am not going to succumb to Ethan's charms and there is a Tom in the picture, you know."

"I am not jealous," Justin insisted. "I just think it's an odd arrangement."

"Maybe so," Brian told him, "But how many times do you and Michael, who is my best friend next to you, have lunch together without me when you're working on Rage? And you guys spend hours together doing that comic strip and do I get jealous? It's the same thing."

"Well you did get jealous once, I remember," Justin reminded him with an arch smile.

"Cut it out, Twink," Brian warned him. "If you find me and Ethan asleep on your bed, you can get as mad as you want, but until then, just chill."

"OK, Honey," Justin seemed to give in, "We will drop the subject and tomorrow evening you can tell me what went on. Everything that went on, that is."

They sat in contented silence for a while before the dropped subject arose again. "You know, Brian, I'll bet you could be Ethan's agent yourself. You'd be a great agent. I'll bet Ethan couldn't do better anywhere."

"And when I had to meet my client for lunch," Brian laughed, "How would you react then? But that might just be a great idea, Kiddo. Then in a few years when you become a great artist and need an agent, I can be your agent too."

"Maybe that wouldn't be such a great idea after all, Brian," Justin pondered, "You're always bossing me around in my personal life. Even though I really do love you, I don't think I want you bossing me around in my professional life too."

"Well, you are going to be a great artist. I don't have any doubt of that," Brian responded with a smile, "But if you decide to change careers you certainly could make it as a comedian, with or without me as your agent."

Justin just cuddled closer to Brian and didn't respond. Another period of silence ensued. But that didn't last forever either.

"Brian, Honey," Justin resumed the discussion after a while, "Are you sure this meeting between you and Ethan is just about his agent."

"As far as I know, that's all it's about," Brian answered, "What the hell is going on in that crazy blond head of yours now?"

"Well," Justin went on, "You know I have a birthday coming up in the near future."

"Justin, Baby," Brian laughed, "There are some things in this world that are not about you. I know that's hard to believe but it's true. Anyhow, the committee planning your big surprise birthday party has more members than just Ethan and me, and we keep all of our meetings a deep dark secret. I never tell you about them so that you don't suspect."

"You're making fun of me, Brian," Justin protested.

"Yes I am, " Brian replied, "And you deserve it. You know I'm just trying to help Ethan, and you want me to help Ethan. I'm sorry you can't be there but things sometimes happen like that. If you want me to cancel the lunch, I will, but I know that is not what you want. So can't we please drop the subject for now."

"You're the boss, Bri. You know that. Your word is my command," Justin told him, "The subject is officially dropped."

Brian wasn't sure about that and he was right to wonder because a little while later, Justin ran his fingers through Brian's hair and asked, "Brian, if I can work my schedule around, would I be welcome at your lunch tomorrow?"

"Of course you would," Brian answered returning the hair tousling gesture, "If you can find out where and when we're meeting>"

"You won't tell me?" Justin asked.

"Not on a bet," Brian told him. "You're not going to find out from me. So there."

Justin pushed closer to Brian, smiled at him and kissed him. He had no expectation of being free to lunch with Brian and Ethan the next day, but he was quite sure he could get that information if he wanted to.

Return to Fireside Chats