The Game
Justin lifted his face toward the shower, allowing the warm water to splashed his forehead, and trickle down the length of his body. He reached for the soap, and began to scrub vigorously, hoping to remove any remnants of the night. The game was over, but somehow he didn’t feel like a winner. He only felt dirty. For the first time Justin welcomed Monday morning. He welcomed a chance to bury himself in his art, anything to forget the game. Justin wrapped a towel around his waist, and exited the shower. He walked over to the mirror, and studied his reflection. He looked the same, yet he felt different. He felt less. He felt compromised.
“There you are.” One of the nameless players was standing in the doorway of the bathroom. He strolled over, and placed his arms around Justin’s waist. “How about one more before everybody wakes up?” he said.
“No.” Justin attempted to pull away from the unwelcome embrace.
The stranger was insistent. “Come one little one. Let’s have a sample of that sweet little ass.”
“He said no.” Brian had awakened, and was now standing in the doorway. “Your friend’s gone, It’s time for you to go too.” he said firmly.
Brian followed the stranger back to the bedroom to retrieve his clothing, then escorted him to the loft door. No names, no kisses, no numbers exchanged, one night only, in accordance to the rules of the game. Brian returned to the bedroom to find Justin already dressed. He wrapped his arms around his baby’s waist, and kissed him. “You were fantastic. That was just a little prelude for this weekend’s “White Party”. I can’t wait to introduce you to the boys of Miami, they’re going to love you.” Brian grinned.
“I have to go Brian. I’m going to be late.” Justin said as he headed toward the door.
Brian caught his hand. “Are you alright baby?”
“I’m fine.” Justin lied. He gave his lover a gratuitous kiss, and hurried off.
Brian pulled the soiled sheets from the bed, and replaced them with fresh ones. It had been a memorable night, Justin’s first foursome. Brian couldn’t get over how incredibly hot his baby looked fucking the nameless player. He appeared a bit awkward at first, but it didn’t take him long to get into the swing of it. Justin had always been a fast learner, and an ravenous lover. Brian recalled the first time they fucked. Completely inexperienced, and scared shitless, still the teen managed to nearly wear the older man out. Much to Brian’s delight, the frighten, baby faced kid he’d picked up on Liberty Avenue had turned out to be quite a splendid lover.
Brian would have liked to have taken credit for teaching Justin everything he knew, but then there was Anthony Massey. One night with Anthony Massey, and Justin returned with something new added to his repertoire. As good as his baby was in bed, Brian found it hard to believe that Justin could swallow him deep, without as much as a gag. That took instruction, instruction that Brian had not yet given him. To this day Justin still refuses to tell exactly what went on in Chicago, but whatever happened was enough to attract the teen back for more on the night of Brian’s surgery. Brian shoved the dirty linens into the laundry bin, and headed for the shower.
Monday morning at the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Art found Justin scurrying to class with few minutes to spare. He was busy weaving through the crowded hallway when he heard dean Rice call his name. “Justin Taylor! Do you have a minute? I need to speak with you.”
“Yes sir.” Justin’s mind began to speculate as to what he could have done to warrant such an unexpected meeting with the dean. His tuition was finally paid, his instructors seemed impressed with his work, and he was holding his four point average. Justin followed the dean to his office.
“Have a seat.” Dean Rice motioned as he circled his desk to his chair. The dean took his seat, then took a long look at Justin.
“Is everything alright sir?” Justin nervously asked.
“I was going to ask you that. I’ve gone over your grades, they’re excellent. Your instructors tell me that your work is steadily improving, and I’m personally impressed by the work you’ve done on that computer of yours.”
“Thank you sir.”
“Have you been enjoying your stay here Justin?”
“Sir?”
“Do you like it here at the institute?”
Justin was unsure where the conversation was heading. “Yes sir, I like it here very much.” he said.
“Good, Mr. Massey will be happy to hear that.”
“Mr. Massey, Anthony Massey? How do you know Tony, I mean Mr. Massey?” Justin stammered.
Dean Rice laughed. “It must be nice to be on a first name bases with such an influential man.” he said. “Mr. Massey contacted us shortly after your application was accepted here. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve called you here today.” Dean Rice opened his desk drawer, and pulled out an envelope. “I have your refund check.” he said.
“What refund check?”
“Your tuition refund. Mr. Massey insisted on paying your tuition for you.” Justin’s eyes widened, as dean Rice continued. “He also made a considerable donation to our new gallery, in your name of course. I promised him that I would look in on you from time to time, just to make sure that things were going smoothly for you.” The two men stood, and strolled toward the door. “If you need anything Justin, please don’t hesitate to come and see me. My door is always open to you.” Dean Rice patted Justin on the shoulder, and closed the office door behind him.
Justin opened the sealed envelope as he walked toward the art room. “Shit.” he uttered to himself as he counted the zeros. “Tony.” Justin smiled.
“Mr. Massey, I’m sorry for disturbing you sir, but you have a personal call on line one.”
Anthony Massey excused himself from his monthly senior management meeting. “Who is it Jill?” he asked his assistant.
“Justin Taylor.”
The older man smiled. “I’ll take it in my office. Hold all calls, I don’t want to be disturbed.” he said.
“Yes sir.”
Tony sat down behind his mahogany desk, and leaned back in his burgundy leather chair. “Justin. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
“Hi Tony. I’m sorry if I’m interrupting something important.” Justin began.
“Nonsense, my time is your time. What can I do for you princess?”
“I just left dean Rice’s office.”
“He’s not giving you a hard time is he?”
“No, no not at all. He told me what you did, about the tuition, and the gallery.” Justin stammered again.
“It’s my pleasure princess.”
“Tony, I can’t keep your check, and I can’t let you pay my tuition.”
“Sure you can. Why not?”
“It’s not right. I shouldn’t be taking....”
“I don’t want to hear it Justin. I’ll tell you what, you accept the check as an artist who has a benefactor who believes in his work, and I’ll consider your tuition as a charitable contribution to the arts. Just don’t forget me when you’re rich, and famous.” Tony smiled.
“Thank you Tony.”
“So how are you princess? I heard what happened with the trial. They should have locked that bastard up.” Tony growled.
“I guess ruining my life was only worth a few hours of community service.” Justin said. “Chris Hobbs gets to go to college, and play football. I get to draw on a computer, and go to rehab.”
“Not necessarily.” Tony said. “I spoke to a couple of my associates at Northwestern. They decided that Christopher Hobbs was not the type of young man that should be associated with a fine, upstanding university such as theirs. His application, and his football scholarship has been rescinded. We also sent letters to the other major universities, encouraging them to reconsider the moral, ethical, and financial ramifications of accepting a person who has been convicted of a hate crime. Let him rot in community college.”
“Ha ha!” Justin laughed.
“It’s good to hear you laugh princess. I wish I could see that smile. Come and spend the weekend with me.”
“I can’t, I’m still with Brian. We’re going to “The White Party” in Miami this weekend.”
Tony sighed. “Why, so he can pass you around on the beach? When are you going to get rid of that whore?”
“Don’t call him that?” Justin said.
“Why not? That’s what he is.”
“That’s not true. We love each other, we’re in a relationship.”
“Uh huh, we’ve gone over this before Justin. The only thing Brian Kinney loves is getting his dick sucked, preferably by beautiful, young, lovesick boys like yourself. What kind of bullshit relationship are you talking about? Don’t tell me, let me guess. It’s one of those open, threesome, foursome, fuck anything that moves relationships, am I right?”
“Brian and I have our own rules.” Justin said in their defense.
“Justin, are you really satisfied with that kind of arrangement, or are you compromising yourself for that whore? Don’t you know that if Brian loved you, he wouldn’t be so cavalier about sharing you. Why can’t you understand that you deserve more than a backroom whore like Kinney?”
“I have to go Tony.” Justin said.
“Keep my number near princess. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
The Wednesday night dinner crowd had descended on the Liberty Diner. Justin was busy filling his pad with orders when Debbie called him over to the register. “This just came for you.” she said. Justin looked at the large package, sitting on the counter, wrapped in decorative paper. “Open it!” Debbie grinned. Ooooh’s, and ahhhh’s could be heard across the crowded diner as Justin unwrapped the mystery gift to reveal two dozen, long stemmed red roses, erected in a crystal lead vase.
“From Brian?” Debbie asked in disbelief.
“Who else?” Justin smiled. He hastily opened the attached note, and silently read the card. “Still thinking of you princess. Always, Tony.” The teen quickly folded the note, and placed it in his pocket.
“Do you need to go home early Sunshine?” Debbie teased.
The dinner crowd laughed as Justin’s face blushed as red as the roses. “No.” he said.
“That’s it baby, make him wait for it!” A patron called out.
“Make him squirm for it!” Another added, generating even more laughter.
Justin returned to work amidst the admirations of the diner guests, most of whom were former tricks of the infamous Brian Kinney. They patted the teen on his back, and offered congratulations on capturing the heart of the hottest trick in Pittsburgh. Justin smiled politely, but his mind was far from the attention he was attracting at the diner. Tony was still thinking about him. Even worst, he was now thinking about Tony. Justin looked at the huge vase of roses. How was he going to explain them to Brian? He was sure to find out, too many people knew him. Someone was bound to say something. In fact that someone was coming through the door right now. Emmett, Ted, and Michael had just walked in.
Emmett was immediately attracted to the fragrant red blooms. “Oh my god, they’re beautiful. Secret admirer?” he asked Debbie.
“Are you kidding? They’re Justin’s, Brian sent them.” she beamed.
“Brian?” Michael, and Ted said in unison.
Debbie breezed by Justin, and pinched his cheeks. “Way to go Sunshine.” she grinned.
Michael, and Justin locked eyes. “Brian doesn’t do flowers.” Michael said.
“Michael honey, don’t ever say what a man in love won’t do.” Emmett said. He walked over to Justin, and kissed him on the forehead. “You go baby.” Emmett grinned.
Justin retreated to the backroom. He checked his watch. It was almost six. Brian would be by to pick him up any minute now. How the hell was he going to explain the flowers? “Nice roses.” Justin turned around to find Michael standing in the backroom doorway. “I guess we can rule out a trick.” Michael said. “They don’t usually send expensive flowers.”
“I don’t have to explain anything to you Michael.” Justin said.
“No you don’t, but Brian might be interested in finding out who’s sending his “BABY” flowers.”
“He doesn’t need any more stress Michael”
“You mean like a two-timing little twink, who claims to be in love with him?”
“I mean like a meddling, jealous friend, who should mind his own business.”
“Brian is my business, and you’re crazy if you think I’m going to sit back, and let you hurt him.”
“I’d never hurt Brian, but you would, just to get to me. Do I threaten you that much Michael?”
“Here you are sweetheart.” Debbie’s entrance had gone unnoticed. “Emmett’s looking for you.” she said. Michael took a long look at Justin before leaving, prompting the teen to turn away. Debbie waited until her son was gone. “Is everything ok Sunshine?” she asked.
“The roses aren’t from Brian Deb, they’re from Anthony Massey.” Justin confessed.
“I’m sorry honey. Me and my big mouth, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. Everybody thinks they’re from Brian. If I say they’re not, then everybody’s going to think I’m fooling around on him.”
“Well are you?”
“No.”
“Then you don’t have anything to worry about. It’s not your fault that a gorgeous, rich , sugardaddy has the hotts for you.”
“It is my fault. I was with Tony on the night of Brian’s surgery.”
“So you were with a trick.” Debbie said. “You didn’t know Brian was in the hospital. You came to him as soon as you found out. I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“I don’t know if he’s just another trick Deb. I like him, a lot.” Justin admitted for the first time.
“Do you love him?”
“I could.”
Debbie didn’t let on that she knew where Justin had been that night. She had spoken to Anthony Massey outside of Brian’s hospital room, when Justin was inside. He had given her a message to relay to Brian. Massey told her that this was the second, and last time he would return Justin to Brian. The next time Justin came to him, he would keep him. Debbie had hoped that the message would never have to be delivered.
Michael couldn’t wait to expose the little shit for the two-timer he was. After all, he couldn’t stand by and let some twink make a fool out of his best friend. Justin had too much power over Brian, could make him do things that Michael would have thought to be unthinkable for Brian Kinney. Everything had been fine until HE came along. Sure it would hurt, but Brian would get over it. Michael would be there to help him get over it, get over Justin. Brian would thank him in the long run, when things returned to normal. Michael relaxed, and waited for his friend.
Brian arrived to the leers, and whispers of the regular patrons. He paused to admire the obvious display of color on the counter. “Hey FTD man.” Emmett called out.
Brian walked over to the booth, and took a seat with his friends. He looked at Michael, who had a curiously impish grin on his face. “Red roses, somehow I’ve never pictured you as the romantic type.” Ted said.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Brian frowned.
“Hot little blondes have been know to bring out a man’s romantic side. Right Brian? Emmett teased.
Finally Michael spoke. “Since when did you start sending flowers?” he asked.
“Flowers? I...”
Emmett interrupted in Brian’s defense. “Leave him alone Michael. Don’t pay any attention to him Brian. He’s just jealous.”
“Jealous, why would I be jealous?” Michael snapped.
Debbie came over to the booth. “Ready to order boys?” she asked.
“Hi Deb, where’s Justin?” Brian asked.
Justin appeared from the backroom before Debbie could answer. He walked over to the booth. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” Brian said. He put his arm around the teen’s waist, and pulled him over for a kiss.
“We were just talking to Brian about the flowers.” Michael said eagerly.
Brian looked at the devilish grin on Michael’s face, then back to Justin. He could see the color draining from his baby’s cheeks, as Michael continued to pierce him with his eyes. Emmett and Ted waited for Brian’s response, as Debbie prepared to come to Sunshine’s rescue should Brian begin to blow a gasket. “Since when did you start sending red roses Brian.” Michael pressed.
“Since I found out that red was Justin’s favorite color.” Brian said. He looked at Justin. “Do you like the roses baby?”
“Yeah, I love them.” Justin said cautiously.
“Good.” Brian said. He pulled Justin closer, and kissed him again.
Emmett and Ted continued to grin, as Michael’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Let’s have those orders boys.” Debbie gladly offered.
Brian kept up the facade as he waited for Justin’s shift to end. He endured the cat-calls, and whispers of the patrons, as well as the wisecracks from Emmett, and Ted. Michael continued to act suspicious, and Debbie was obviously walking on eggshells. Although Brian remained outwardly in control, inside he was fuming. He knew very well who had sent the expensive arrangement. Fucking Anthony Massey, who else could it be?
Justin took his seat on the passenger side, as Brian loaded the flowers into the back of the jeep. He looked at Justin as he unconsciously slammed his door, and prepared to drive away. The lovers rode to the loft in silence, with Brian’s eyes fixed on the street ahead of him, and Justin starring out of the passenger window. The driver door endured another slam when they arrived at Brian’s parking space. Brian walked around to the back of the jeep, removed his rival’s gift, and slam-dunked it into a nearby dumpster. Justin jumped at the unexpected sound. “Come on.” Brian barked as he headed for the building entrance.
The uneasy silence continued as they rode up the elevator. Brian starred straight ahead, as Justin desperately searched for something to say. Nothing was coming to mind. Brian opened the loft door, removed his jacket, and flung it over onto the sofa. The tie quickly followed. “Coming in?” he asked Justin, who had stopped at the loft entrance. Brian headed to the bar, and began to pour himself a drink.
“You’re not suppose to be drinking Brian.” Justin said as he slipped inside the door.
Brian hurled the bottle across the room with a vengeance. Justin’s eyes followed the soaring vessel, as it shattered against the wall, just missing the window. “I DON’T WANT YOU WITH HIM!” Brian roared.
“Why not Brian? You’re the one who wanted an open relationship.”
“We have our own rules, remember? No kissing on the mouth, no numbers exchanged, no over night stays, and no repeat performances, or did you forget?” Brian reminded him. “You decide right now. Do you want to be with me, or with him?”
Justin walked over to Brian, and wrapped his arms around his lover’s waist. “You know I want to be with you. I’ve never wanted to be with anyone else.” he said. “Now you have to make a decision Brian. Do you want to be with me, or with everybody else?”
Brian pulled away. “We’ve already gone over this Justin.”
“I know we did, but I can’t live with the rules Brian. I don’t like the game, and I don’t want to go to “The White Party” this weekend. I thought maybe we could stay home, just you, and me.” Justin dared suggest.
“Who’ve you been listening to?”
“I’ve been listening to you. You’re the one who told me not to compromise myself for anyone. That includes you.” Justin said.
“You’re beginning to sound like a little bitch.” Brian chuckled.
“Why, because I don’t want to fuck every guy, in every backroom and bath house in Pittsburgh? That doesn’t make me a bitch Brian, that makes me human. If anyone’s a bitch you are. You’re the one who’s in perpetual heat for any guy, anytime, anyplace, and you want me to be the same way. I can’t Brian, it’s not me.”
“Who I do is my business.” Brian snapped. “If you don‘t want to join in, you don’t have to participate, and if you can’t handle it, you don’t have to stick around.”
“I never said that I didn’t want to stick around Brian.” Justin was close to tears.
Brian walked over, and embraced him. “You idealize love too much baby.” he said. “What I do with other guys has nothing to do with us. If you don’t want to go to Miami with me you don’t have to, but I’m not changing my plans because you’re feeling insecure. We’re not women Justin. This fairytale love story that your mommy told you about doesn’t exist. The sooner you learn that, the better off you’ll be. Now, let’s go to bed baby.”
Brian watched as Justin headed off to the bedroom. In his mind he made a mental note: Call Anthony Massey, first thing tomorrow.