Phoenix
- 5 -
Brian arrived to pick Justin up exactly at
one. He found the blonde artist
waiting out front. The mere fact
that Justin was waiting for him spoke
volumes. Justin got into the
car, but said nothing.
“Where are we going?”
“Take a left and head down Central.”
Justin directed him to a twenty-four hour Denney’s on
“This is an unofficial ‘gay’
restaurant.”
Looking around the restaurant, Brian nodded his agreement, “I
can tell.”
The two men sat in a booth and just stared at each
other.
“So Bri, what was that little display
at the bar about?”
Brian was nervous about the conversation they were about to
have. “Why did you leave
town?”
“I needed a change of
scenery. I didn’t want to
live in
“Why not?”
“Jesus, Brian, do I have to spell it
out? When I came to you and asked
you to take me back, I had my heart and soul
exposed. You told me what I could
do with that. I didn’t want
to be around you after that.”
“So you ran away.”
“I didn’t run away, you asshole. I
moved. I moved on, did what I
needed to do in order to continue my
life. What else was I supposed
to do?”
“You could have stayed.”
“For what?”
“I wanted you back. I
just didn’t want to give in right away.”
“So, I was supposed to play the game
again. You wanted me to chase
you again. Why should I do
that?”
“Because you were always ‘onto’
me. You were always the
one person who could read between the lines.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t get the upgraded ‘Brian
Kinney’ decoder ring. Even
if I had, I have no desire to have a relationship that is based on
games. I’m tired of playing
games with you, Brian. That’s
why I left. I need something
more, something real, and I know I am not going to get that with
you.”
“Justin …”
“Don’t
Bri.
I’ve always known the score.
I’ve always known exactly what you want from
me. Please, I’m not
stupid.” Justin took a deep
breath and took a deep chance. “Look, how long are you in town
for?”
“Until the end of the
week.”
“Ok. We’ll have
this week. I can be your ‘out
of town’ fling. I am off
this week from school and I don’t work again until Friday
night. We can spend the week
together. Exorcise old demons
and put the past to rest. How
does that sound?”
Brian knew that he couldn’t expect Justin to profess undying
love for him, but at least the artist was willing to see him again while
he was in town. He had his last
meeting with America West on Friday.
They would give him their decision
then. “That sounds
perfect. Should I check out of
my hotel?”
Justin thought over what he could do with Brian the rest of the week,
“Yeah, let’s go get you checked out.”
***
After leaving the restaurant, the two men drove to Brian’s
hotel. They went to his room
and packed up his things. While
Justin waited in the car, Brian checked out with the night
clerk. They made the drive back
into downtown in silence. Brian
took a chance and reached over for Justin’s
hand. Thankfully, the young artist
didn’t reject his touch and entwined their fingers.
The ride to Justin’s apartment was made in
silence. Justin directed Brian
to park his rental car on the street.
The two men carried Brian’s bags through the
courtyard. They found themselves
greeted by a pissed off kitten.
Shadow was annoyed at having been left alone for so
long. He wrapped himself around
Justin’s legs demanding to be picked
up. Justin put down Brian’s
bag that he had been carrying and picked up the
kitten. Shadow immediately began
purring.
“Your cat is a drama princess, Sunshine.”
“I know, but I love him anyway.”
Brian chuckled and scratched the kitten’s
ears. It was three in the morning
and neither man was tired. Brian
pulled a cigarette out and Justin stopped him.
“No smoking in the house, Bri, out
on the patio.”
“Are you serious?”
“Do you notice how this place doesn’t smell like a stale
ashtray? It’s because all
smoking is done out on the porch.
Out!”
Brian immediately complied and headed out for the
porch. He was followed by Justin
and the two shared a cigarette.
Shadow settled down by the hibachi and just relaxed.
“So Sunshine, you have me in your lair, what are you going to
do with me?
“Brian, just for the week, however, I do have some
plans.”
“Should I be nervous?”
“I don’t think so, trust
me.”
“I do, sunshine, I do.”
***
The two men went to bed.
Both were too tired to do any thing other than make out in the
bed. They fell asleep in each
others arms. Love entwined their
hearts together, although neither one was willing to admit
it.
Brian awoke to the sunlight streaming through the window
again. Before he realized what
he was doing, he shifted and felt his leg being attacked by Justin’s
roommate. Sighing heavily, he
pulled his leg away from the overenthusiastic kitten.
Brian scooped Shadow in his arms and went looking for
Justin. He found his lover in
the dining room on the phone.
“Yeah, tomorrow. Ok, we’ll pick
up the tickets at the depot.”
Brian wondered what Justin was up
to.
“Sunshine?”
Justin turned around, “Morning,
Bri.
Just making plans.”
“What are you doing?”
“It’s a surprise. Brian, go get
showered.”
Brian decided to comply. He
went into the shower alone and quickly
emerged. He walked into the living
room and found suitcases piled up near the door.
“Sunshine, what’s going on?”
“We’re going on a road
trip. I’ve packed for both
of us.” Justin handed Brian
a cup of coffee. “We’ll
be back Thursday night.
Plenty of time for you to make your meeting on
Friday.”
“You’re scaring me.”
Justin planted a kiss on Brian’s lips, “Trust
me.”
***
Once Brian was dressed and packed, Justin packed Shadow into his
carrier.
“You have a leopard print carrier for your
cat?”
“It was a gift from Emmett.”
Brian was not expecting this. “From
Emmett? I didn’t
know you were in contact with him.”
Justin noticed as Brian’s jaw tensed, but he was not going to
back down. “I’ve been
in contact with everyone.”
“I never knew.”
Justin took a deep breath. “I guess you never
asked.”
Brian could only nod in agreement.
***
Justin pulled into Michelle’s
driveway. She had agreed to
“kitty sit” for a few days.
“Come on, Bri, It’s time to meet
Aunt Michelle.”
Justin led his lover up the walkway and opened the front
door. Bijou greeted Justin warmly,
but shied away when she heard Shadow hiss from inside his
carrier.
“Justin, is that you?”
“Yeah,
Michelle.”
An elegant blonde woman emerged from the back of the
house. Brian didn’t need
anyone to tell him this was Jennifer Taylor’s sister.
“Michelle, this is Brian.”
Michelle extended her hand in greeting, “It’s nice to meet
you, Brian.”
For the first time, Brian felt welcomed by a member of Justin’s
family. “It’s nice
to meet you, too.”
Michelle began cooing into the carrier,
“Shadow-bo are you going to stay with your
Aunt Michelle?”
She was answered by a soft meow.
Micelle took the carrier from Justin, “He’ll be
fine. You two go, have
fun.”
Justin grabbed Brian’s hand, let’s
go!”
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