Confidence

It had been a long three days for Justin and Brian. Brian had been in New York landing an important account. Justin had been exhibiting some of his work at the Institute. It was their first separation since they had gotten back together. They had wondered how it would work out, but things went pretty well. Justin was pleased that Brian had called him ten times in the three days and might have called even more often if Justin hadn't been busy with the show. Brian was pleased that Justin seemed so happy to hear from him each time he called.

Their programs had both been successful. Brian had won the account and he was fairly sure that the business would have gone somewhere else if he hadn't handled the negotiations himself. Brian had not wanted to go to New York but Justin had insisted, and Justin had been right to insist. Brian was proud of the kid's good sense, better than his own he was thinking.

Justin's exhibition came off even better than he had hoped though he was sorry that Brian had not been there with him. The Post-Gazette art critic had visited and had some encouraging words even though the newspaper did not review student shows. The critic had told Justin that he had been alerted to the show by a friend and was glad he had come. Justin wondered if Brian had been involved in that scenario somehow. He decided he would not try to find out, but that was not a definite decision, he also decided.

Brian had arranged a private party at the exhibition for that evening so that he could see the show as it had been presented to the public. Then the exhibit would be transferred to Brian's office where it would be shown for another two weeks. Justin was a little nervous about that but he was very pleased that Brian had such confidence in his ability.

"I would like Brian even if I didn't love him," Justin was thinking. Brian was harboring similar thoughts about Justin as his plane took off for the short hop to Pittsburgh. They were both eager for the reunion.

Justin was puzzled about one thing though as he drove toward Pittsburgh International to meet Brian's plane. He had received an e-mail from Ethan. Ethan wrote that he had contacted Brian while Brian was in New York and that they had seen each other. According to Ethan, they discussed a situation that Brian had said he would have to ask Justin about. Brian had told Ethan that he trusted Justin's judgment on that situation more than his own.

"You've got a great guy," Ethan had written, "And he has great confidence in you. He said he depends on you a lot. You're a lucky kid." Justin knew he was a lucky kid. He knew the other stuff that Ethan had written too, but he was still glad to hear it from Ethan. But Ethan had not told him what the situation was. Brian had also told him about seeing Ethan and that he would have a question for him when he got home.

All the confidence Brian had in him made Justin just a little nervous. "I hope I don't foul it up," he thought, as he parked at the airport.

Justin did not mention that particular concern driving back to town from the airport. Since he was twenty now, he was less impetuous than he was at nineteen - not that he didn't want to know. Brian told him about landing the contract. "You're amazing, Sunshine," he said, "You were right. I had to be there. I didn't want to go. I am really learning to have a lot of confidence in you."

"Then why are you gripping your seatbelt so hard that your hands are turning white?" Justin asked him. "It's not your driving, Honey," Brian replied, "It's just this damn Parkway West." "I don't think I believe you," Justin countered. Justin was smiling. Brian just smiled back at him.

Brian had to stop at the office and then back to the loft to change clothes. "I wish we had more time," Brian grinned at Justin. "Later," Justin told him. "Later," Brian echoed. They did have to keep moving in order to get to their private party at the Institute but they made it on time.

Cynthia was a great hostess and the party was a success. She had drawn Justin aside to thank him for his help. "You are the best thing that ever happened to Brian," she told him, "He is the top advertising man I have ever known but he is so disgustingly stubborn. We are so lucky now to have you to get him to do the right thing."

"It's not me," Justin told her. "Yes it is," Cynthia insisted, "I have a lot of confidence in you." Justin just shrugged. Everybody seemed to have a lot of confidence in him. He wasn't sure how much confidence he had in himself. He wondered again about the question Brian had brought back from New York.

All the gang was there and they were impressed. There were other people there whom Brian had invited. Justin didn't know them all but they were also impressed. Justin was feeling pretty good about the whole affair when Emmett came up and put his arm around him.

"This must be your biggest night since you were King of Babylon," Emmett told him. Then Brian came along and removed Emmett's arm from Justin's shoulders. "Don't you know that you're not allowed to touch the artwork?" he told Emmett, and before Emmett could react, Brian continued, "This twink is the most beautiful and the most valuable object in the room." Justin felt like fainting but he didn't want to miss a moment of this.

When the festivities were over and they were back at the loft, Justin lit the fireplace and sat down. Brian joined him there. "I guess this is the best night of your life?" Brian asked. "Yep, it is," Justin responded, "Wanna know why?" "Tell me," Brian said. "Because you're back," Justin smiled. Brian felt so good that he wondered if this might not be the best night of his own life.

"Remember, Baby, I told you on the phone that I had a question for you?" Brian asked Justin. "Oh, I had forgotten but I remember now that you've reminded me," Justin replied. "I don't think I believe you," Brian smiled. Justin smiled back.

"You know there's a gay bar in New York that caters to guys with a Pittsburgh connection. Ethan doesn't go there often but he told me that he met somebody there who knows us," Brian told him, "He wanted to talk to me so Ethan and I met him there. It was Blake."

"Blake Wyzecki," Justin responded, "Ted's Blake." "Yeah," Brian said, "It seems that he did manage to get himself off drugs. In fact he's working as a drug counselor now. He had the guy he's working for with him, and he swears Blake is completely clean. Blake said the only reason he left Pittsburgh was because he didn't want to disappoint Ted."

"That's great, Brian," Justin said, "I kind of liked Blake. Remember he got the bond for Vic. Do you want to know if I think we should tell Ted?"

"It's a little more complicated than that, Baby," Brian continued, "They want Blake to come back here and work in Pittsburgh. They're opening up here. Blake won't be in charge but he does know the territory. Blake won't come if it will bother Ted to have him back in Pittsburgh."

"I wonder if Blake would be interested in getting back with Ted," Justin thought out loud. "He would," Brian replied, "I asked him and he said he would." "I guess Ted needs to be told," Justin said, "What would you do, Brian?"

"I guess I'd just tell Blake to call Ted and ask him, but I don't know how to handle this kind of shit. I need you to tell me what to do most of the time, and I thought I'd give Ted and Blake a better chance by having you decide what we should do, if anything."

"That's not a bad idea of yours at all, Brian, but it might not be enough. This is not just about Ted. Mikey and Emmett have to know too. They have to give Blake a chance. I think Mikey will be OK, but Emmett will be a harder sell. He did not like Blake, but if he knows it would make Ted happy…. There are some things we need to do, and we ought to do them because Ted is our friend, and Blake too, I guess."

"I'll be with you if you want me, Sunshine," Brian volunteered, "But you'll have to do the work. You'll be the boss this time around. I'd klutz up the whole thing but I know you can do it."

"We can do it, Brian. I'll need you. I don't think I could do anything without you," Justin told him.

"You are unbelievable, Baby," Brian pulled Justin closer to himself, "And I've got you. I must be the luckiest guy in the world."

"Sorry, Brian, but that position is already filled," Justin told Brian as he kissed him, "And I have no intention of giving it up, but you can be second luckiest if you want to."

"Would it do any good to argue with you?" Brian asked. "Does it ever?" Justin asked him back.

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