Meant To Be

Chapter 11

Two weeks had gone by since the night Justin told Michael he just wanted to be friends and Justin was beginning to think that everything would be okay. Just as Brian predicted, Michael had moved on by the end of the week and was able to get over their failed attempt at a relationship. Justin found himself spending a lot of time with the guys at Michael’s insistence and their friendship was developing nicely. The only thing that put a damper on his new life was the sneaking around he and Brian were still doing. It was like they were leading double lives. The guys would all meet at Woody’s or Babylon and hang out playing pool or dancing, then either Brian or Justin would make an excuse to leave, the other always following shortly after. Once the two met at the loft, they spent their time lost in each other’s embrace, enjoying their time together. Justin still felt incredibly guilty for going behind Michael’s back, but he wasn’t ready to let on to the others what was happening between him and Brian just yet.

After a particularly long shift at the diner, all Justin wanted to do was go home and get ready for his night out with Brian. They had agreed to drive to the next town for dinner and Justin couldn’t help but smile just thinking about their first real date. As he was coming out of the back, he noticed Michael and Emmett sitting in their usual booth. Justin was making his way over to say hello when he overheard their conversation.

“Em, I’m telling you, something is going on with Brian. He never calls me anymore. He doesn’t come out with us as much as he used to and even when he does, he always leaves early. I’m starting to get worried about him.” Michael said with concern. He noticed the changes weeks ago, but no one seemed to care.

“Michael sweetie, I think it’s about time you faced the fact that Brian is seeing someone. All the signs are there, you just need to open your eyes and see them. What do you think he’s been doing with all his free time these days?” Emmett asked, unable to believe how naïve his friend could be when it came to Brian. Even Teddy refused to believe that their resident bad boy could actually have a boyfriend. The two of them just couldn’t face the fact that Brian was finally growing up.

“I don’t know, working perhaps. If he was seeing someone, don’t you think he would tell me? I’m his best friend!” Michael whined in his usual manner.

“Honey, Brian doesn’t need to tell you everything and I am sure this IS one of those times that he is playing things close to the cuff.”

Their conversation was interrupted when Justin appeared at the table.

“Hey guys, what’s going on?” Justin asked, uncomfortable by what he had overheard. He didn’t like the way Michael seemed upset by the thought of Brian seeing someone, especially since he was the someone in question.

“Hey Justin, why don’t you join us. If our waiter comes by Em, order me my usual. I have to run to the little boy’s room.” Michael said, before heading towards the back.

“Hey Justin, have a seat. You are just the person I wanted to see.” Emmett said, thankful that he would actually have a moment alone with the blond. He’d been wanting to get a chance to talk to him alone for weeks now, but he could never seem to get rid of Michael long enough.

“What’s up?” Justin asked, curious as to why Emmett wanted to see him. Even though they had known each other for awhile, Emmett had never taken the time to seek Justin out for conversation.

“Why don’t you tell me?” Emmett replied, determined to get the answers he was looking for.

“Emmett, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Justin was confused, but he had a bad feeling about where the conversation was going.

“I’m talking about you and Brian.” Emmett revealed, noticing the look of horror that crossed the boy’s face. ‘Bingo’ he thought to himself. Up until then, it was just a hunch, but now Emmett knew the truth. Justin was the reason for Brian’s recent change in behavior.

“Look Emmett, I don’t…” Justin tried to reply, but was stopped by the other man before he could finish.

“Come on sweetie, don’t try to bullshit me. I’ve known for awhile now that there was something between the two of you. I’ve seen the way you look at each other when you think no one else is looking, and I’ve noticed that when one of you leaves for the night, the other one is quick to follow. Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. I just want the details!” Emmett exclaimed, wanting to know all about the building romance between the stud of Liberty and the blond twink. It was bound to be better then Oprah!

“Oh Emmett, please don’t say anything to Michael. I feel bad enough as it is. Brian and I didn’t mean for it to happen. We tried to stay away from each other. We really did, but what we feel is just too strong to ignore. I love him, Emmett. I can’t imagine my life without him.” Justin admitted, feeling a sense of relief at getting some of his emotions out in the open.

“I’m sure you do Justin, but what about Brian? Are you sure he feels the same way?” Emmett asked, knowing Brian’s theory on love. He really liked Justin and didn’t want to see him hurt when Brian tired of the boy.

“I haven’t known Brian for long, but I have heard about his reputation. All I can say is that he’s different when we are together. He’s not the bad boy that everyone thinks he is. He’s so sweet and caring. When we are together, it’s as if no one else exists. Please don’t say anything to Michael. We will tell him soon, I promise, but for now all we want to do is enjoy each other.” Justin begged, hoping he could count on Emmett to keep quiet until the time was right to go public with their relationship.

“I won’t say a word, but I suggest you and Brian come clean soon, before it’s too late. I’m sure Michael isn’t going to be happy when he finds out the real reason you just wanted to be friends, but he will get over it in time if you are just honest with him about the relationship. He already feels betrayed that his best friend is keeping something from him. Secrets have a way of hurting those we love. You need to tell him about the two of you. He may be hurt at first, but in the end he will thank you for being honest with him. Besides, then you and Brian will be able to move on from there.” Emmett suggested, wondering how Michael will react to the news that his best friend and true love has found love with someone else.

“Thanks Emmett. Not only for keeping our secret, but for the advice. I promise we will tell him soon. Just give us time to find the right way to tell him.” Justin assured him knowing that he was right. The conversation stopped when they saw Michael approaching.

“Hey Justin, what are you doing tonight? Do you want to come to Babylon with us?” Michael asked, happy that he and Justin were still friends. If he was honest with himself, he would have to agree that a relationship between them wouldn’t have worked out in the end. At least, they were able to salvage their friendship.

“Sorry, I promised my mother I would help her clean out the attic after work. If fact, I have to get going. I’ll talk to you guys later.” Justin said, stealing a glance at Emmett before heading out of the diner. He had two hours till he had to meet Brian for dinner and he was so excited that he couldn’t wait to get home and get ready. He knew he was acting like a girl on prom night, but after everything he’s heard about Brian Kinney, he knew that a date for dinner was just as monumental.

Four hours later, Brian and Justin were in the jeep, heading back to the loft. Justin definitely had a wonderful time at dinner and he was pretty sure by the smile on Brian’s face that he did, too. The drive back was made in comfortable silence, with Brian and Justin holding hands, looking forward to being together in the loft. Justin decided to wait until the end of the night to tell Brian about what Emmett had found out and he was nervous about what the man’s reaction was going to be. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind when he saw the loft come into view.

Brian opened the door to the loft and stepped aside for Justin to enter first. He had a surprise for the boy and wanted him to see it the minute he walked in. He was not surprised by the reaction he received.

“Oh my God, Brian, where did all the roses come from?” Justin asked, looking around the room in shock.

“Where do most roses come from? There are five dozen of them, one dozen for every week we’ve known each other.” Brian replied, feeling a little uneasy about buying roses for someone. Other then the occasional bouquet he brought when visiting his mother, he’s never even thought of giving anyone roses, but he wanted to do something special for Justin to show that he cared. Seeing the tears that gathered in Justin’s eyes, he knew he hit the mark.

“Oh Brian, they are perfect! Just like you!” Justin exclaimed, as he threw himself at Brian and kissed him with all the love that he felt. Hearing Brian moan at the attack caused Justin’s cock to harden and Justin deepened the kiss while dragging Brian towards the bedroom. He was lost in the fire that just one kiss could ignite and needed to feel Brian’s body next to his without the clothing barrier between them. When they reached the bedroom, clothes just started to disappear, and they were naked on the bed in seconds, breathless with need. Justin pulled back from their embrace and looked into Brian’s eyes, wanting to say something to let the older man know how much he meant to him.

“Brian, I love you so much at this moment. I feel as if my life was empty before you came along and I thank God everyday for meeting you. You have made me happier then I ever thought possible. I want you to know that no matter what happens down the road, I will never regret one minute that we’ve had together. You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know how I felt.” Justin explained with tears in his eyes. He knew how hard it was for Brian to express his emotions and he didn’t want Brian to think that he was obligated to respond. He just needed to tell the man what he was feeling.

“Justin, you know I’m not good at this sort of thing, but I want you to know that I have never in my life felt what I feel when I’m with you. I wake up every morning just happy to know that you are in my life. You have taught me that love is real if it’s with the right person. I thank you for being that person.” Brian replied, surprised to find his own eyes wet with tears. They came together in a soft kiss, their urgency to fuck just moments ago replaced by the need to take things slow. They wanted to spend time just being together and exploring each other, overwhelmed by the feelings they each had shared. They were so lost in thought that they were both startled when they heard a gasp come from the foot of the bed.

“What the fuck is this?” Michael exclaimed with anger and pain.

They looked up to see Michael frozen in horror and knew that their special moment was gone.


End of part 11
7/14/03

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