Phoenix

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            “I’ve given it some thought and I decided you should take me back.  Although I’ve made a few mistakes, I think you would be making an even bigger one not to give me a second chance.”

            Looking across the desk at the younger man, Brian made a decision.  “Sorry, I stand by my original decision, you are gone.”

            Justin’s face fell, he was so sure after the kiss earlier that Brian would give him a second chance.  Seeing the folly in his request, Justin simply nodded and stood up from his chair.  “I guess, I’ll be going.”

            “Don’t forget to pack up your desk.”

            Nodding quickly, Justin left the office.  Brian leaned back in his chair and sighed.  Knowing Justin would continue his pursuit, he went back to working at his computer.

 

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One Year Later

 

            Justin was working the lunch shift at Amsterdam’s.  He loved working at the upscale bar in downtown Phoenix.  It had a very classy atmosphere and attracted not only gay customers, but straight ones as well.  Justin’s favorite nights were Mondays.  They had “Martini’s and Manicures.”  It was such a fun night.  The bar set up manicure and pedicure stations as well as tarot card readers and henna tattoo artists.  It was a popular night, and was always good for tips.  Justin was a very popular bartender.  He got hit on all the time.  Although he never accepted any of the offers, the attention was flattering.

            Justin moved to Phoenix shortly after being fired from Vanguard.  The rejection he felt from Brian made it impossible for him to stay in Pittsburgh.  When he made his plea to Brian, he had been so raw and so vulnerable to Brian, that seeing the older man on a regular basis would just be too hard.  He also worried that Brian would throw it back in his face by tricking or other manipulations of which the older man was so famous.

            Jennifer Taylor’s younger sister, Michelle, lived in Phoenix and Justin had always been close to her.  When he told his mom he needed to leave town, she suggested going to live with Michelle.  By doing this he would get out of Pittsburgh, but not be alone.  He enrolled at the Al Collins Graphic Design School and got a job bartending at Amsterdam’s.  By working at the bar, Justin was able to make friends.  He loved to go out dancing. Boom was his favorite hangout.  It reminded him a little bit of Babylon but on a smaller scale.

            He lived with Michelle for a couple of months, but quickly realized he needed a place of his own.  He was able to get a scholarship for school and his bartending job gave him enough of an income to rent an apartment.  He chose a place downtown called the Phoenix.  It was an older complex that reflected the old charm of Phoenix’s early days.  Thirty units surrounded a courtyard and a pool.  Justin’s apartment was on the northeast corner with lots of windows to bring in the natural light.  The style of the apartment was very retro and Justin had fun decorating the place.  He quickly adopted a kitten, so he wouldn’t be alone that he named Shadow.  Although he missed Pittsburgh, he was pretty happy.

            The lunch crowd was dying down, and Justin noticed that someone was occupying a seat at the bar near the door.  He was shocked to see that the man was Brian Kinney.

 

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            Brian had been in meetings with his potential client all morning.  He decided to take his lunch break at a downtown gay bar.  Fucking Vance had gotten a line on America West Airlines.  The airline was developing a new vacation department and wanted to do a cutting edge marketing campaign.  So Brian was sent to Phoenix in August, one of the hottest months of the year, to pitch.  He didn’t see how Vanguard would have a chance.  America West had always done their advertising with a west coast firm, but Vance decided he wanted to try.  So here was Brian, sweating his ass off, trying to land an un-landable account.

            The last year had been hell.  Vance loved taking advantage of his partner.  Since Gardner held the controlling interest in the firm, Brian was still his lackey.  He was sent all over the country trying to land ridiculous accounts.  The traveling didn’t bother him, he hated being in Pittsburgh.  His hometown had lost all interest for him when Justin moved away.  To say he was shocked to learn that Justin moved away would have been an understatement.  He had expected Justin to handle his rejection like he had when they first met.  Brian rejected Justin and the teen became relentless in his pursuit.  Brian had expected no less after this rejection.  He wanted Justin back, but he wasn’t prepared to give in right away.

            When he learned Justin had moved away, Brian’s heart was broken.  Justin had given up again, just like he did when he left Brian for Ethan.  Justin was supposed to understand Brian.  He was supposed to read between the lines and learn what Brian was really saying.  The older man slowly began to realize that Justin had never really understood him after the bashing.  He simply accepted everything Brian did at face value and reacted accordingly.  Hence, Brian’s rejection of him at Vanguard caused Justin to leave town.

            So now, Brian was stuck in Phoenix.  He sat at the end of the bar and began going over some notes from his meetings earlier.  He barely noticed when a drink was placed in front of him.  It was a double Beam.  He looked up and his eyes locked with a pair of beautiful blue eyes.

            “That’s on the house.”

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