Sex, Lies, and Violin Music

~ Chapter 7 ~

Dressed impeccably in Armani, Brian commanded the attention of every soul (therefore excluding Ethan) in the diner. He was smiling and looking as smug as ever. Until he saw The Fiddler.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Brian interrogated of his blonde lover. Brian was a very good actor, too good, and he seemed genuinely pissed off. The tall brunette crossed the diner to the booth where the gang was seated in literally 3 steps. Ethan put his arm around Justin's shoulders and took his hand in his own. Whatever color had been left in Justin's cheeks was now thoroughly drained.

"Justin," Brian growled through gritted teeth, "Why does THAT have its arm around YOU?" Justin had to suppress a laugh at Brian referring to Ethan as THAT. It was a nice, appropriate, added touch.

"Excuse me, Brian, but you will not talk about me like that!" THAT was fuming. Didn't Brian know who he was? How dare he speak about Ethan Gold in that manner!

"Hey, Fiddler, don't you have a roof to fall off of?" Turning back to his lover Brian spoke, "You haven't answered my question, Sunshine. Why. The. Fuck. Is. Its. Arm. Around. You?" Brian was surprisingly calm, slowly annunciating each word.

"Oh, Brian, we didn't want you to find out this way but if this is where it has to happen then so be it. Ethan and I are getting back together. I love him!" Justin rapidly rushed out these words and was almost certain he was going to ralph. Brian noticed Justin looked sick and understood perfectly. He felt sick simply being in such a close vicinity to Ian. OK. Time to speed things along.

"Um, WHAT?" Brian's cool demeanor finally melted. He was now erupting. "I don't think so, Sonny Boy!"

Ethan piped up, "You can't tell him what to do! We're in love and you can't stop us from being together!" He sounded like a petulant five-year. He even stomped his foot. Whining was the only way Ethan knew how to deal when things didn't go as he wanted them to. Interesting how he and Mikey were a lot alike in that respect.

"Oh yeah? I have a meeting with Larry Fein in half an hour. He mentioned you. Said your mediocre talent isn't pulling in enough money. They're thinking of releasing you. I'm sure with a little encouragement from the person IN CHARGE of K&R's advertising campaign they would turn those thoughts into actions!"

"You wouldn't!?!" The petulant five-year old was aghast! Brian wouldn't do that, would he? Ethan suddenly felt as sick as Justin.

"Oh wouldn't I?" the scheming ad-exec asked. "You will not get the better of me again!"

Ethan was, for once, speechless. To be with Justin, he'd have to sacrifice his entire career! He had worked his whole life to get to where he was now- loser of the Heifitz competition, signed with some second rate label, and living in a crappy-ass apartment with a smelly cat. Huh. Maybe he hadn't come as far as he thought. Well, obviously that's just because he's been holding back. He hadn't been playing well since Justin left him. The world needs the music of Ethan Gold and he, ever the philanthropist, would deliver it to them, with Justin by his side!

"I made the mistake of choosing my career over love once before. I will not make that mistake again. Come on Justin, we're leaving." Ethan grabbed Justin's arm and pulled him towards the door.

Um, WHAT? This was DEFINITELY not part of the plan. Justin was being dragged out of the diner. He was so shocked with the turn of events that he didn't even struggle with the musician. Brian froze. This was not supposed to happen. That bucket of slime was supposed to choose his career over Justin. Since when had he decided love was more important than his stupid career? This was not happening.

The rest of the gang was equally surprised, though Mikey had a smile on his face. They all wondered what Brian would do next, sure that he wouldn't let Ethan walk away with Justin.

Return to Sex, Lies, and Violin Music