Justin's Mark

Part 2

 

Debbie wasn’t the only one who had noticed a change in Brian. “Justin’s mark” had spilled over into other aspects of  Pittsburgh’s favorite bad-boy’s life. Brian barely complained when his tailor accidentally hemmed the cuff of his new jacket too short. He dusted the top of  the refrigerator himself when the cleaning lady forgot that spot, and he only bitched a little when the cow at the daycare center insisted on calling Mel at work before giving him Gus. Even Cynthia noticed the change when she mistakenly overbooked Brian’s Monday morning agenda. Instead of ranting, the award winning boss from hell simply said “No problem.” By two o’clock Brian had secured two new accounts, rejected an idea from Bob, and briefed himself on the topics of this month’s senior management meeting.

 

It was now almost three. Cynthia was updating him on Tuesday’s appointments when Michael called. “Hey where’ve you been? We haven’t seen you all weekend.” Michael said.

 

“You saw me Saturday.” Brian corrected him. He motioned to Cynthia to refill his coffee cup.

 

“Just long enough for you to do a quick trick in the backroom. Michael said.

 

Brian lit his cigarette. “But I was there.” he reiterated.

 

“Are we meeting at “Woody’s” after work?” Michael asked.

 

“I don’t know. It’s been a bitch of a morning. I still have to go over tomorrow’s presentation, and I’ve got a meeting with Ryder.” Brian took a long drag of his cigarette. “I’m beat. I can’t wait to get home, hit the shower, and go to bed.”

 

“Since when are you too beat for “Woody’s”?”

 

“Since right now. I think I’m coming down with something.” Cynthia returned with his coffee.

 

“You don’t have to lie Brian. Why don’t you just say that you’re busy fucking your twinkie and don’t have time for anyone else.”

 

Brian rubbed his hand across his forehead. “What are you talking about Michael?”

 

“I’m talking about you. Every since you picked up Justin, he’s been occupying all of our time.”

 

“Our time?”

 

“That’s right, our time. I thought we were suppose to be best friends.”

 

“We are.”

 

“Well you sure don’t act like it. I’ll talk to you later.” Michael hung up the phone.

 

Brian took a deep breath, and leaned back in his chair. He loosened his tie, and massaged the back of his neck. “Are you ok boss?” Cynthia asked.

 

“I’m fine.” he sighed. “What else have you got for me.”

 

“I’m leaving early.” Michael barked at his assistant. He exited the Big Q, and headed to the diner to pick up Debbie. To hell with Brian. Did he think he was going to wait around until he could make time away from Justin? Damn Justin. Why wouldn’t he just go away? The teen had barged into their lives, announced his intentions, and relentlessly pursued Brian, something Michael never had the guts to do. Until recently Michael had held out hope that the Brian/Justin thing was just a passing fling, that Brian would tire of his little twink, and their lives would return to normal, but Justin won’t go away. How would Brian ever see him as more than just a friend as long as Justin was around?

 

Damn Justin. Not only had he taken Brian, his own mother had been enchanted by the blonde fairy. She took him into her home, gave him Michael’s old room, and treated him as if he were her own. The kid was like fungus, growing on everyone he met. Emmett can’t keep his hands off him, and Ted stares at him as if he was a piece if meat. Mel and Lindsay fawn over him, even Gus knew that Justin was Brian’s baby. “Probably because they’re the same age.” Michael snorted as he got out of the car.

 

“Hi Michael. You’re early. We’re just finishing up.” Justin said. “Deb’s in the back. Would you mind if we stopped to pick up some wine to go with dinner? Deb says she fixed her famous ricotta cheese, and spinach stuffed shells for me.” Justin smiled, and licked his lips in anticipation.

 

That was the last straw. “Why don’t you just go home?” Michael blurted out.

 

“What?”

 

“You’ve got your own place now. Go home. Go home to your fucking suburb, and your fucking country clubs, and your goddamn garden parties.”

 

“What’s your problem?”

 

“You’re my problem. You’re everyone’s problem. Why must everything revolve around you? Do you have to take up everybody’s time?”

 

“You mean Brian’s time.” Justin said. “That’s really what you mean isn’t it Michael? You can’t stand the fact that Brian and I are in a relationship, that he chose me instead of you.”

 

“Brian doesn’t give a shit about you.” Michael growled. “You think he’s only fucking you? Well he’s not. Just like Saturday night, you probably thought he was at home thinking about you. He wasn’t, he was at “Babylon”, making his rounds in the backroom.”

 

“Liar, Brian was with me.”

 

“You were sloppy seconds little boy, maybe sloppy thirds, or fourths if I know Brian. If you don’t believe me, ask Emmett and Ted. They saw him.”

 

The news stunned Justin into silence. He stared at Michael who actually appeared to be gloating. Justin flung his apron across the counter, and took off walking down Liberty Avenue.

 

Brian shifted in his seat during his monthly senior management meeting. The room was too hot, or was it too cold. He felt warm, but his skin felt cold and clammy. What the hell was wrong with Michael? He still spent time with Mikey, didn’t he? Michael has to understand that he needs to spend time with Justin too. “Need?” Brian repeated to himself. When did he come to need Justin? “God it’s hot in here.” Brian went to the washroom, and looked in the mirror. He looked pale, and he was beginning to feel nauseated. Maybe it was the flu. “If that’s true, then Justin’s going to have it too.” Brian thought. He smiled as he pictured the two of them nursing each other back to health. Michael’s going to have a fit if he doesn’t show up at “Woody’s” tonight. Maybe he could go, just for a little while. Brian splashed his face with cold water and returned to his meeting.

 

Justin recalled the previous Saturday night as he scurried down Liberty Avenue. He counted up the hours he and Brian had spent together. Brian had helped him move, then set up some things for his mom. He left Jennifer’s townhouse around eight, and called back around midnight. Michael was definitely lying, but why would Emmett, and Ted lie as well?

 

Anthony Massey was on his way to the diner when he spotted that unmistakable walk. He ordered his driver to stop, and open the limo door. “Justin!” he called. Tony watched as the teen turned around. He still had the bluest eyes the man had ever seen, and the mid-day sun made his golden hair sparkle like so many precious jewels. Visions of Justin wrapped neatly in his oversized robe revisited the older man’s mind, as he scanned the outline of the boy’s jeans. The only thing missing was Justin’s radiant smile.

 

“Hello Tony.” Justin said somberly.

 

“Hello princess. What a coincidence, I was on my way to see you.” Tony said.

 

“Really? Why?”

 

“I ran into Brian Saturday night, and I asked him about you.”

 

“Where did you see Brian?”

 

“Where else, coming out of “Babylon’s” backroom.” Tony smiled.

 

Justin didn’t reply. Michael was telling the truth. He had been just one of Brian’s many tricks of the night. Nothing had changed between the two of them, and at this point, Justin feared that nothing ever would. The boy looked away, trying unsuccessfully to hide the tears that were welling in his eyes.

 

“What’s the matter princess?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

“Don’t tell me, nothing. I can see it in your eyes. Get in.” Tony insisted. Justin hesitated. The last time he got into Tony’s limo he ended up in Chicago. The older man must have been reading his mind. “I promise I won’t take you across state lines.” Tony smiled. “My driver will take you wherever you need to go. 

 

Justin got into the limo, and turned to looked out of the window. “Where do you want to go?” Tony asked.

 

That’s a good question. Where did he want to go? Justin couldn’t go home. Jennifer had cautioned her son numerous times that Brian was too old, too experienced for someone like him. She told Justin that the only thing Brian wanted from him was sex, then warned her baby of impending heartbreak. Justin had ignored his mother, so sure of his feelings for Brian, so sure of their feelings for each other. Brian’s and Justin’s was an unspoken love that expressed itself during private times when they talked to each other in whispers, and spent hours quietly cuddling after making love. How could Justin have been so wrong. How could he have been so foolish to believe that the love of a kid could hold a man like Brian?

 

No, Justin couldn’t go home, and he couldn’t go to Daphne. She was as bad as his mother sometimes. Justin knew that he wouldn’t be able to hide his feelings from either of them. They both knew him too well. His mother would feel his pain, and hurt for him. Even worst, she would pity him for giving his heart to a player like Brian. Daphne would cry with him, then become angry, and say I told you so. Justin couldn’t take another I told you so.

 

Justin couldn’t go to Brian. Brian would probably tell him to grow up, then remind him that he never wanted a relationship in the first place. It was all Justin’s idea, his and those teen dramas that he watches on television. Stupid kid. What would make him think that Brian would choose him over all of the hundreds, maybe thousands of gorgeous, experienced men he had been with. No, he couldn’t go to Brian’s.

 

“Justin, Where do you want to go?” Tony repeated.

 

“Anywhere.” Justin said.

 

Anthony Massey reached over, and gently turned the boy’s face toward him. “What has he done to you princess?”

 

Justin turned away. Unable to hold back the tears any longer, they began to trail down his cheeks. “I’m sorry.” he whispered.

 

“You’re far from sorry.” Tony said. “You still have no idea how precious you truly are.”

 

The teen tried to smile, but he couldn’t. The tears wouldn’t stop coming. “Justin, I’ve got an idea.” Tony said. “I’ll take you home. You can change, pack an overnighter, and we’ll go somewhere.”

 

“I can’t go home.”

 

“Even better. We’ll go pick out a few things for you, and then we’ll go.”

 

“Where?”

 

“Anywhere you’d like princess. My plane is at your disposal. Let the whore of “Babylon” cry over you tonight.”

 

“Why are you doing this?” Justin asked. “I was so mean to you last time.”

 

“That was my fault. You were frightened.”

 

“I wasn’t frightened!” Justin said defiantly.

 

“Of course you weren’t.” Tony smiled. “Let’s just say that you left an indelible mark on me.”

 

Brian looked at his watch. It was almost five o‘clock, and he still felt like shit. How was he going to meet Michael at “Woody’s”? He was now aching across his shoulders, and his left arm felt as if it was going numb. All he wanted to do was go home, and call Justin. Justin would make him feel better. He would come over, and fix him herbal tea with honey, and cuddle with him, and rub his belly. What was it about Justin’s arms that could turn the worst day, into a perfect night? Brian smiled........

 

Cynthia stuck her head inside the door. “I’m leaving for the day boss, I’ll see you tomorrow.” she said. “Brian?” She walked over to his desk. “Brian? OH MY GOD SOMEBODY CALL 911!”

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