Lean On Me

Chapter Six




 

Brian lead Justin to his jeep and helped him load the bags into the back.

"You know, I've been told to never accept rides from strangers," Justin said.

Brian raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm going to do something to you? Maybe do to you what that person did?" Brian asked as he gestured to Justin's face.

Justin immediately knew that Brian was referring to the bruises on his face. Did he think that Brian would do that to him? Would hurt him? No, he didn't. For some reason that he couldn't explain, Justin trusted Brian, a man that he barely knew, completely.

"No. No, I don't," Justin answered, causing Brian to give a small smile.

"Get in the jeep , then." Justin did.

Fifteen minutes later, Brian was pulling to a stop in front of Justin's apartment building. "This is where you live?" Brian asked.

Justin could see the disgust in Brian's hazel eyes and got defensive. "Yeah. You have a problem?"

Brian shook his head. "With you? No. With you living in this neighborhood? Yes."

Justin got out of the jeep, making sure to slam the door shut, and started grabbing his bags from the back. "Well, Brian, we can't all have money, now can we? This is the best neighborhood we can afford, right now."

Brian quickly got out of the jeep and lightly grabbed Justin's arm to stop him from walking away. "Justin, I didn't mean anything by it. This just isn't the best place to live."

"You don't think I know that? I do. But it's better than some places."

Brian nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. Let's get these bags inside."

Justin gave a small smile and led the way. A couple of minutes later, Justin was opening the apartment door and leading Brian inside. Even though he tried to keep the place as neat and clean as he could, he was still ashamed for Brian to see it. But Brian didn't say a word about the place. He just helped Justin take the bags into the small kitchen.

As they were putting away the stuff that needed to be refrigerated, and making small talk, Jessica walked into the kitchen.

"Justin! You're home!" Jessica exclaimed as he grabbed her brother around the waist. Jessica understood that her brother had to leave a lot, especially on the weekends, even though she didn't know what he was doing when he was gone. But she didn't like it. She didn't like not having her older brother at home when it was dark.

When Jessica pulled back, Justin spoke. "Jess, what are you doing up?"

Jessica shrugged. "Woke up and wanted somethin' to drink." A short pause. "Who's he?" she asked, finally noticing Brian.

"Brian. He's a... friend. Brian, this is my sister Jessica."

"Nice to meet you," Brian said.

"You, too," Jessica answered.

"Was everything okay while I was gone? The others okay?"

Jessica nodded as she walked to the cabinet to get a glass. "Everything was fine, Jus," she said as she turned on the tap water. After taking a few drinks she said, "Goodnight," and went back to the room she shared with Robyn.

"Others?" Brian asked out of curiosity.

"I have one other sister and two brothers. All younger than me. Robyn, Brandon and Timothy."

"Where are your... parents, Justin?"

"Why?" demanded Justin.

Brian shrugged. "Just wondering."

"Our mother is away... on business. I watch my brothers and sisters when she's gone."

Brian could tell that that was going to be all that Justin would to divulge.

"Okay," Brian said. He figured he could find things out as time went on. He didn't know why, but he cared for Justin. It was something he couldn't explain. He was known for being a heartless bastard and only caring about himself. He was known as the Stud of Liberty Avenue. No boyfriends, no dating. Only fucking. Fuck a guy once and move on had always been his motto. No apologies, no regrets.

But he found himself extremely attracted to Justin. Sure, he wanted to have sex with him. But he wanted more. Inside, he knew that Justin would never be a one-night stand. And, strangely, he was okay with that.

 

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