Phoenix

- 2 -

 

            Justin trudged up the stairs to his second floor apartment.  He was exhausted.  Friday’s were always rough on him.  He had classes all morning and then worked a full shift at Amsterdam’s.  Friday nights were always busy at the upscale bar.  Since tips were great on the weekends, Justin never complained about his shifts.  Bartenders were always trying to get hired on at the bar, so if Justin were to complain about his hours, there would be another bartender happy to take his place.

            Unlocking the door, Justin heard the familiar bell on Shadow’s collar.  No matter what time he came home, the kitten was always waiting for him.  He loved coming home to the gray tabby. The cat wouldn’t let him out of his sight for at least an hour before getting back to his “kitten play.”

            “Hey baby,” the kitten yawned in response, “Another busy day I can see.”  Shadow began wrapping himself around Justin’s ankles and the young artist picked the kitten up.  Shadow snuggled into his arms while Justin flopped down on the wood framed futon that served as his couch.  Absently petting the kitten, Justin reflected on what had happened earlier today.

            Somehow Brian Kinney had wandered back into his life.  The ad-exec must be in town on business.  Justin was pretty sure Brian had no idea where he was.  His family back in Pittsburgh never talked to him about Brian.  Justin felt that was for the best.  After being rejected by the older man, any knowledge about the man would only cause Justin pain.  Justin popped in a video from his extensive collection and proceeded to do what he did every Friday night.

 

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            Brian had no idea how he got through his afternoon meetings.  He couldn’t believe he found Justin and by pure coincidence.  Figuring his well meaning friends knew where the blonde was, he chose to never ask.  If something was wrong, they would tell him, so he just went on pretending that Justin’s departure didn’t bother him in the least.

            The truth was his heart broke the day he found out Justin had left town.  He thought long and hard about searching for his blonde boy, but he decided against it.  If Justin left, it meant that the young artist was cutting Brian out of his life.  Brian knew he took the cowards way out and spent many sleepless nights wondering why he didn’t take Justin back.  Since the day Justin walked out on Brian at the Rage party, the older man had missed him. So much so that he still was amazed at the fact that he had resorted to hiring hustlers that looked like Justin.  When push came to shove, Brian couldn’t get past his stubborn pride and take Justin back.

            The next day Brian decided to try and see Justin.  He called the bar and found out that Justin would be working until ten.  Dressing in his customary “Babylon clothes” he waited outside the bar until Justin came out.

            “Hey Sunshine!”

            Justin looked over and found Brian standing against the wall smoking a cigarette.  The older man was dressed in a black wife-beater and black trousers.  He exuded raw sexuality and looked ready to cruise.

            “Brian what are you doing here?”

            “I figured since I’m new in town, you could show me around.”

            Justin looked down at his own attire.  He was dressed in cargo pants and a light weight shirt.  Feeling tired and dirty, Justin was in no condition to go out.  Against his better judgment he decided to take Brian out.

            “Brian this isn’t the kind of place you can cruise at, I’ll take you to Boom.  It’s kind of like Babylon, but on a smaller scale.”

            “Sounds great.”

            “I need to go home and change, do you mind?”

            “Not at all.”

            Justin led Brian to his car, an old Ford Escort.  Justin navigated down Central Avenue towards his apartment.  An awkward silence filled the car, but both men chalked it up to nerves.  Justin pulled into his parking space and led Brian upstairs.

            Brian looked around the apartment complex and grimaced.  Justin sensed his scrutiny.  “It may not look like much on the outside, but it’s a pretty cool place.”

            “Whatever you say, Sunshine.”

            Shadow was waiting for Justin as he unlocked the door.  Justin picked the kitten up and turned to Brian, “This is my roommate, Shadow.”

            Brian reached out to pet the kitten.  Shadow started swatting Brian’s hands with his paws.  “He’s friendly isn’t he?”

            “He’s a kitten, Brian. Anything that moves is fair game.  Try making the bed when this little guy is hiding under it.  No foot is safe.  I’m going to jump in the shower.  Make yourself at home, there’s beer in the fridge.”

            “Do we have time?”

            “Yeah, Boom has after hours. It doesn’t get going until after midnight.”

            Justin left Brian in the living room while he headed for the shower.  Brian took the opportunity to look around the apartment.  It was definitely a lot nicer than it looked on the outside.  Justin had set up a wood framed futon as a couch and a rattan papasan chair.  He had a nice entertainment center with a TV and stereo.  Shadow gave up his pursuit of Justin when the bathroom door closed.  The young kitten started winding around Brian’s ankles and purred until Brian picked him up.  Brian noticed that Justin had a nice porch with a patio set and hibachi grill.  He made his way into the kitchen and got a beer out of the fridge.  The kitchen was very retro and Justin had continued the design in his décor.  He had a full sized “Rat Pack” poster on the east wall.

            Brian sat on the couch and turned on the TV.  While he was flipping through the channels, Shadow had made his way to the back of the couch, hovering over Brian’s shoulder.  Brian found a fringed belt on the floor and began to tease the kitten.

            Brian and Shadow were so engrossed in playing with the belt, they didn’t even notice Justin walk into the living room.  Justin stood silently and watched the man he loved play with his kitten.  Brian had obviously found Shadow’s favorite toy and his insistent kitten had conned the older man into playing with him.

            Clearing his throat, “Are you ready to go?”

            “Sure am Sunshine, show me your town!”

 

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            Justin pulled his car into the parking lot of the club.  The entrance to Boom was off the alley and there were no signs.  If one didn’t know better, you would never guess there was a nightclub there.  Justin led Brian to the entrance.  The two men went inside.  The bouncer knew Justin and let them in immediately.  The front half of the club was a bar designed in monochromatic chrome.  In the back was the dance floor.  Music pulsed from the speakers.  The dance floor was designed a lot like Babylon.  Cocktail tables hung from the ceiling and there were a couple of different levels with “stripper” poles.  Justin and Brian headed to the bar and each ordered double Beams.

            Downing the drinks quickly, Brian felt the need to dance with his favorite partner.  “Let’s dance Sunshine.”

            The two men began their familiar dance.  Justin was so tired, he couldn’t really get into it.  A muscled brunette began to cruise Brian and Justin saw the older man eyeing the trick.  Deciding to leave Brian to his wicked ways, Justin left the dance floor and headed out to the patio.

            Brian noticed the man cruising him and couldn’t help but take a look.  Before he knew what was happening, Justin was gone.  The red-head took Justin’s place and started to seduce Brian with his eyes.  Brian, having no interest in the man left the dance floor in search of Justin.

            He made his way out to the patio and found his blonde smoking a cigarette.  “What are you doing out here?”

            “Sorry Bri, I don’t usually go out on nights after I work. I’m usually too tired.  Go on, have fun, let me know when you’re ready to go.”

            “Why didn’t you say something?”

            “You were looking for a good time, so I figured I would show you the Phoenix scene.  Go on, have fun. I won’t leave you stranded, unless you find another way back to your hotel.”

            “Well I just wanted to hang out with you tonight.  So if you’re not up for a club, let’s go hang out at your place and watch a movie or something.”

            Feeling very confused, Justin decided not to ask any questions.  He led Brian back to his car and began the drive home.  The two men made their way up the stairs.  Justin turned on the TV to the digital music channel.  The two men sat beside each other in an awkward silence.

            “So Brian, why are you in Phoenix?”

            “Vance sent me here after the America West Airlines account.”

            “Wow, that’s huge. Are they looking for new representation?”

            “No, but they opened up a new division and are looking for some ideas.”

            “Hmm, well I’m sure you will dazzle them.”

            Brian turned and looked at Justin.  The blonde looked more beautiful than ever.  Justin turned and looked at him, blue eyes boring into hazel ones.  Against their better judgment, their lips met in a searing kiss.

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