Speed Dial

"Tony?"

"Yes princess."

"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"

"I'm too old for boyfriends." Tony chuckled.

"Then why don't you have a partner?"

"Are you worried about me princess?"

"You're always there for me whenever I call for you. What do you do when I'm not around?" Justin asked.

"What I do when you're not with me doesn't concern you." Tony said gently.

"Have you ever been in a relationship?" Justin asked.

"Once, a long, long time ago."

"What happened?"

Tony thought for a moment. "I don't know. I guess I was too busy running, running the streets, traveling, running my business, working on my first million. That takes a lot of commitment. I didn't have time to give to a relationship, so we agreed on an open one. By the time I was ready to settle down, someone had stolen his heart."

"Did you try to get him back? Why didn't you fight for him?"

"There was no reason to fight, it was too late. When someone owns your heart, there is no coming back princess."

"So you never fell in love again?" Justin asked.

"No." Tony lied…………………….

"Tony, are you listening to me?" Bishop Davenport stopped to ask.

"What? Yes of course I'm listening. I'm sorry, please go on." Tony said.

"The Plaza Atlanta is ready to begin accepting reservations." Tony's business lawyer continued with his monthly report. "Suites will range from 600 square feet, to 2000 square feet, with rates starting at $300 a night. Renovations on the Gazebo is completed, and awaiting your final approval. Stewart Rimes is waiting for you downstairs."

"Who's Stewart Rimes?" Tony asked.

Bishop Davenport closed his laptop, and looked at Tony. "He's the designer you hired to oversee the Gazebo's renovation after the prom night riot….Are you alright boss?" he asked.

"I'm fine." Tony assured him.

"You don't look fine." Bishop noted.

Tony closed his eyes, and massaged his forehead. "I'm just a little tired." he said.

"You know there's no hurry, we can always go over these stats tomorrow." Bishop reminded him. "After you're done with Rimes, why don't you come back here to your suite, and take the rest of the day off?"

"I'd rather get this taken care of today. I have something else to do tomorrow." Tony said.

"What?"

"I don't know yet!"

Bishop leaned back in his chair, and studied the strain on Tony's face. "Tony, if you don't mind my asking, when was the last time you heard from Justin?" He cautiously overstepped his boundary.

"I haven't heard from him. Justin, and I aren't seeing each other anymore." Tony informed him.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Bishop said gently.

"Thanks. Now canl we please finish your report?" Tony insisted.

"Sure boss." Bishop reopened his laptop, and began again.

Justin's red Toyota Celica circled The Plaza Hotel one more time. There was no mistaking the limo parked outside. It belonged to the hotel's owner Anthony Massey. That could only mean one thing, Tony was somewhere inside the building. Justin bullied his way into a parking space on the other side of the bustling street, and focused his eyes on The Plaza's huge revolving door. While other CEOs preferred to use the private exit, Tony always used the same entrance as his guests. He said he liked the idea of being highly visible, and approachable, that it was all good for business. But Justin knew better. Behind those dark brown eyes lied a secret loneliness that was often overshadowed by Tony's forever smile. Justin always thought that growing up in foster homes, it was really the connection to other people that Tony craved.

The revolving door continued to spin as Justin recalled their first limo ride together. It hadn't been long after the prom night assault by Chris Hobbs. After meeting Tony in a restaurant earlier that week, the handsome millionaire appeared out of nowhere to present him with a graduation gift of a gold bracelet. Justin was intrigued to learn more about the dashing Prince Charming. Against his better judgment he agreed to go out for pizza with the debonair stranger. During their limo ride the two of them talked about Justin's love for contemporary art, and his then recent acceptance into Pittsburgh's exclusive institute of fine arts. Tony also shared with Justin his passion for art as well. In fact he had quite an extensive collection at his home in Chicago. Before Justin knew what was happening he had been whisked away in Tony's private jet, and was standing draped in Tony's white terry robe, while being compared to the Monet pastel that hung in Tony's study…………….

"Are you pulling out buddy?" Justin's daydream was interrupted by a stopped passing motorist in search of a parking space.

"No, I'm not pulling out!" Justin called back to him.

"Then you'd better put some money in your meter. The meter maid is writing tickets, and she's headed this way." The driver warned, and continued on his way.

The revolving door of The Plaza turned once again. "Tony!" Justin gasped, then reached over to his passenger seat for his backpack. Where the hell was his cell phone? He frantically fumbled through the numerous canvas pockets. Justin finally found the miniature phone, and flipped it open. Brian, Daphne, Mom, he scrolled down his speed dial list until Tony's name appeared.

"You can't park here without feeding the meter!" The meter maid tapped on Justin's window. "Move along, or I'm going to write you a ticket!"

"Give me just one minute please!" Justin begged the scowl faced woman, then proceeded to press the speed dial button next to Tony's name. Justin watched from across the street as Tony reached into his suit jacket pocket, and pulled out his cell phone. He was about to answer it when a hotel guest stopped him to chat.

"This is the last time I'm warning you!" The meter maid yelled at Justin.

"Shit!" Justin turned off his cell phone, and began searching through his pockets for a quarter. By the time he found one, and stumbled out of his car, Tony's limo had already sped away.

"I should give you a ticket anyway. There's a 30 minute time limit this time of the day you know. The meter maid continued to fuss.

Justin placed a quarter in the meter before pulling out his cell phone once again. He was about to redial Tony's number when the phone began to ring in his hand. Could it be Tony telephoning him back? "Hello." Justin's voice answered barely above a whisper.

"Hi baby, it's me." Brian's voice came on the line.

"Hi Brian, what do you want?" Justin asked dryly.

"I was wondering if you had any plans for tonight. I thought maybe I could come over to see your new place." Brian suggested.

"I don't know Brian. I have a lot of studying to do." Justin quickly made up a flimsy excuse.

"It's been almost five months. I miss you." Brian said.

"I miss you too." Justin confessed.

"Then why won't you see me? How can I show you that I've changed if you won't let me near you?" Brian asked. "Please baby. I promise I'll be a perfect gentleman. I could help you study."

"I have to go." Justin said, and turned off his phone.

Brian listened to the silence on the other end of the telephone for the last time. To hell with Michael, and Lindsey's advice to be patient. It was now clear to him that Justin had no intentions of reconciliation. It had always been foretold to Brian that his dick would eventually be the death of him. Brian dismissed the doom & gloom predictions by pointing out his religious use of condoms. It never dawned on him that the "death" everyone was referring to was the death of his spirit. It had taken Brandon to open Brian's eyes to how ridiculously empty his life had become without Justin. Michael was right. There was nothing sadder than an over the hill club boy who had lost the love of his life.

"Brian, Mr. Rimes is here to see you." Cynthia announced over the speakerphone.

Brian rounded his desk to greet one of several designers who had submitted their resumes to Ted. Each had hopes of landing the coveted contract to remodel Kinnetics newly acquired Babylon Dance Club. Stewart Rimes extended his hand. "I'm so excited to meet you Mr. Kinney. I'm a huge fan of yours." he said.

"Oh really, and why is that?" Brian returned the handshake.

"I've been following Kinnetics rise to the top." The eager young man said. "I've always admired men of vision like yourself, and Anthony Massey."

"Anthony Massey?"

"Yes sir. I've just completed the renovation of his Gazebo restaurant." Stewart said proudly. "I'd like to show you some of my improvements if I may."

"How is Tony?" Brian asked.

"He's fine. I spoke to him this morning." Stewart opened his briefcase, and began to spread out photographs of his work across Brian's desk. "This is the new Gazebo. You'll notice the new sky lighting that I installed. It overlooks the new marble fountain that Mr. Massey had flown in from Italy. These new tables are made of……."

"Where?" Brian interrupted him.

"Sir?" Stewart looked up at Brian.

"You said you spoke to Mr. Massey this morning. Where is he?" Brian asked.

"I just left him in his office at the Plaza. He's given me permission to use him as a reference if you would like to call him." Stewart said.

Stewart Rimes continued to make his pitch as Brian's mind drifted back to the fateful night in Atlanta……………."Tony, I'm in love with Justin. You know it would break his heart if he ever found out about this." Brian said.

"Would it?" Tony begged to differ. "Would it break his heart, or would it be exactly what he's wanted all along, to have us both. I know you love Justin. I love him too. If it wasn't for Justin you, and I would have never found each other. He's the catalyst that brought us together, and he's the bond that holds us together. I can't see my life without either one of you. I love you Brian…."

"Mr. Kinney."

"Yes? I'm sorry, what did you say?" Brian came back to reality.

"I asked if you would like to speak to Mr. Massey? I have him right here on my speed dial." Stewart pulled out his cell phone.

"No, that won't be necessary." Brian said. "You have the job."

The elated young man practically danced out of the office leaving Brian alone, staring at the telephone on his desk. Michael was wrong. There was something sadder than an over the hill club boy who had lost the love of his life. Brian made a mental addendum. The one thing even sadder than an over the hill club boy who had lost the love of his life is an over the hill club boy who had lost BOTH of the loves of his life. Yes Brian could finally admit it to himself now, now that the danger was over. It had been frightening enough to accept the hold that Justin had on his heart, to realize that Tony had inched his way inside as well was beyond any comfort zone that Brian could have ever imagined.

"Brian, you have a private call on line two." Cynthia announced over the speakerphone.

"Hello."

"Hi Brian. I should be done studying around eight o'clock if you'd still like to stop by." Justin's voice came over the line.

"I'd like that baby." Brian said.

*************************************

NEXT WEEK: Cha Cha Cha Changes

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