Listen to Your Heart

Part 11

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It wasn’t until they were almost across Missouri that Justin began to act like himself again. It was not really in Justin’s nature to brood, that was usually Brian’s department, so Brian was not surprised when the young man slowly became more animated and talkative.

That’s not to say he was completely back to his old self, there were obviously some issues still going on, but Brian figured they could deal with that when the got home. Place him back in the loving arms of his mother, Deb and Daphne and the kid would once again be the old Sunshine they all knew and loved and forget about all this nonsense about being useless and a burden.

Or at least that was Brian’s hope because if Brian had to help Justin through another crisis, well that would just prove the point he made back in Oklahoma. The fact that Brian was always rescuing him and who knows where that train of thought would lead. Nowhere Brian wanted to go he was pretty sure.

They rode in a companionable silence for awhile longer until Brian saw a sign for the next town. He tapped Justin’s arm to get his attention; <stop soon?> He signed quickly, trying to keep his attention on the road.

“It’s pretty early,” Justin replied, though Brian thought he detected a hint of longing in his voice.

<It looks like a fairly big city ahead.> Justin took the wheel so Brian could sign, <maybe we can find a decent hotel and have a nice meal. We’ve been making good time, we can stop.>

“OK, that sounds good,” he smiled as he relinquished the wheel back to Brian.

Thankfully they were able to find a hotel that Brian deemed somewhat worthy and it even had a large Jacuzzi tub in the room which was one of Justin’s favorite secret pleasures. They broke in the bed and the tub before going to an Italian restaurant that the desk clerk had recommended.

The meal was decent and they kept the conversation light so both men were feeling relaxed and happy as they left the restaurant. <Hey, do you want to go get a drink?> Brian asked, <I doubt we’ll find a gay bar here in the south, but maybe we can find a place to shoot some pool.>

Justin hesitated still not feeling comfortable around lots of people, but it had been a long time since they had gone out and he knew Brian missed it. “Sure,” he finally replied.

Brian drove for awhile, finally spotting a bar on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t a total dive Brian noted as they walked in, not as nice as Woody’s though. The place was busy but not crowded, but Brian placed a discreet, but comforting hand on Justin’s waist as they made their way through the smoky room to an open pool table. No one really paid much attention to them.

<Want a beer?> Brian signed, which made a few people take notice of the couple.

<Yes, please,> Justin signed back not wanting to speak again, because of the crowd and the fact that a few people were already gawking at them.

<Forget them,> Brian signed as he turned to the bar, <why don’t you rack ‘em up Sunshine.>

Justin smiled and moved to set up the table. Brian brought back their drinks and the two men played undisturbed for awhile. About an hour later three young men who had been sitting at a nearby table got up and approached them, “hey Mister,” the tallest one addressed Brian, “care to make the game more interesting and play for a small wager?”

Brian sighed not really wanting to deal this, “no thanks.”

<What did he say?> Justin signed.

<They’re just trying to win some money Sunshine. I told them we’re not interested.> Justin nodded and went back to lining up his shot.

“Is he deaf or somethin?” The obvious leader of the trio spoke to Brian again.

Brian blew out a breath trying to keep is patience with these kids. Christ they looked even younger than Justin. What in the hell were they doing in a bar anyway? Of course he conveniently forgot that he was taking Justin to bars when he was probably younger then these goons. <“Yes, he is deaf,”> Brian spoke and signed for Justin’s benefit, <“what the fuck was your first clue?”>

“Hey man, you don’t gotta get an attitude. I was just curious is all.”

<Fucking moron,> Brian signed for Justin’s benefit alone then turned to the other men, “well now you know. Could you please move along now and let us finish our game?”

“Fine, whatever,” the boy mumbled as they moved back to their table, “asshole,” he said quietly for his friend’s benefit. As he sat down in his seat again he caught sight of Justin moving by Brian to reach for his beer. He also saw the discreet way Justin’s hand brushed over Brian’s cock, lingering there for a moment. “Well fuck me,” he said to himself as he stared then turned to his friends, “well, well boys,” he said quietly with an evil glint in his eye, “looks like we got us a couple of fairies in our bar.”

A few minutes later the three men got up and left.

Not long after Brian and a slightly tipsy Justin made their own way out into the night air; “I had fun tonight,” Justin wrapped his arms around Brian’s neck.

Brian gently kissed him on the cheek while removing his arms; <careful Sunshine, we’re not on Liberty Avenue.>

“I know but no one’s out here to see us,” Justin replied as he let Brian open his door for him and help him into the passenger seat.

Brian quickly got into the car and reached over gently pulling Justin’s head toward him, kissing him deeply, <we just need to be more careful in some places,> Brian smirked as he signed. He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot anxious to get back to the hotel. A tipsy Justin was always a very good thing where sex was concerned.

Justin closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the seat as Brian pointed the car down the wooded stretch of road that would take them back to the main part of town. His eyes opened wide when a set of headlights almost blinded them from behind. Suddenly he was thrown forward against his seatbelt as their car was rammed; “Brian!”

“Shit!” Brian yelled as he turned to look out the back window to try and see what was going on. His own eyes widened as they were rammed again and he lost control of the Lexus, “hang on Sunshine, they’re trying to run us off the road.”

All Justin could do was sit helpless in his silent world as he watched Brian lose control of the car. Suddenly they came to a violent stop in the ditch on the side of the road.

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