Chapter 12

“Wh…What are you talking about, Brian?” Justin asked when he regained enough composure to think about what Brian had just said.

“I’m thinking about buying the Ryder Agency,” Brian repeated.

“But … why? You just started back there.”

“I know and I hadn’t even thought of such a thing until Cynthia suggested it today,” Brian explained.

“What made her suggest I that?” Justin was curious about how all this had come about, especially at this particular moment.

“Ryder was thinking of retiring, but the business has gone downhill the last while. She doesn’t think anyone would want to buy it the shape it’s in at the moment.”

“Then why would you?”

“Because somewhere deep inside I’ve always wanted to own my own business.”

“Brian…”

“I know, I know. I just started back. Until you came along I was a virtual recluse. And here I am saying that I want to take over the whole fucking company.”

“And I know you could do it,” Justin said, “but…”

“You think it’s too soon.”

“Yeah, I do. I don’t want you overdoing it and making yourself sick.”

“Or making myself fail, isn’t that what you mean?” Brian asked with a glum look on his face.

“I don’t think fail is part of your vocabulary,” Justin replied kissing Brian’s shoulder. “I want you to be happy.”

“My vocabulary has changed a lot since you came along. I think I can do this.”

“Couldn’t it wait?”

“I can wait for a while, but if I get back in the groove with my advertising skills…”

“Which you have already done,” Justin supplied.

“Thank you very much,” Brian replied pleased with Justin’s assessment of his advertising prowess. “But that means the company’s revenues are going to improve, and then the price to buy Ryder out goes up.”

“So you’re telling me that your success as an ad exec is working against your chances of buying the company,” Justin stated.

“You’re one smart blond.”

“Don’t you mean brilliant blond?”

“Of course, BB,” Brian chuckled.

“Smart man,” Justin laughed.

“Don’t you mean brilliant man?”

“Of course, PP.”

“Justin, I really want this,” Brian said sincerely.

“What about our house?” Justin had to ask. “If we buy it, can you still swing the buy out at Ryder?”

“I think so, but I need to talk to my accountant. I don’t want to totally deplete my reserves.”

“And you shouldn’t. I know you said you got a lot of money after the accident, but that’s meant to see you through whatever the future brings,” Justin said wisely.

“The future brought me you, and now I have a chance to make a great life for us. That’s what I want to do.”

Justin looked thoughtful, staring off into space. “Then go for it,” he said softly.

“What did you say?” Brian asked.

“I said that you should go for it.”

“You mean it?”

“No, of course I don’t mean it. I always lie to you or tease you or lead you on or…”

“Shut up,” Brian ordered grabbing Justin and pulling him into his arms.

“Nasty man, ordering me around,” Justin giggled.

“Very nasty. Want me to show you how nasty.”

“Very much,” Justin breathed.

Brian captured Justin’s lips with his own. He pressed his tongue against them asking for entrance. He felt Justin open his mouth and welcome him in. His tongue darted around tasting and licking and savoring the warm orifice. Fuck, he loved this man.

When the kiss built to almost unbearable passion, Brian finally released his lover’s mouth. Justin gasped and clutched at Brian’s arms for support. He felt like he was on fire, like his insides had just turned to mush.

“Where the fuck did that come from?” Justin demanded. “And why haven’t you done that before?”

Brian stared into the eager blue eyes darkened with passion. “I just keep getting in deeper with you,” Brian whispered.

“Huh?”

“I think I can’t possibly want you more or need you more or … love you more, and then you say or do something that makes me want you and need you and love you beyond anything I ever thought possible. That kiss was my way of saying all those things to you.”

“Message received … loud and clear,” Justin replied, his smile lighting all the dim recesses of the loft bedroom, bathing the place in his optimism and understanding. “You can talk to me like that any old time you like.”

“I love you,” Brian said, for once leaving out the hesitation that usually preceded the word love.

And then he proceeded to make love to his always and forever boyfriend.

 

*****
 

The next day as Brian sat in his office, he kept running through the possibilities of buying out Ryder. He sighed as he thought about all he had on his plate at the moment. Jennifer was putting in an offer on the house. She had listed both their lofts. His accountant was checking over his finances and preparing the bottom line for Brian. He had brought in two new accounts and had just spent the better part of the morning contacting clients that he had worked with before who had drifted away from Ryder. There had been considerable interest in coming back when they found out that Brian would now be available full time to work on their accounts.

Brian knew he had a lot on his plate, but he felt invigorated. He could do all this as long as he had Justin by his side. He was sure he could.

“Brian, you wanted to see me?” a voice said from the doorway.

“Jasper, come in,” Brian said with a smile.

“What can I do for you this fine day?”

“Have a seat for starters.”

“Thanks,” Jasper replied. “I hope this isn’t something serious. Is your desk all right or does it need some more adjusting?”

“The desk is great. I want to talk to you about something else,” Brian started not exactly sure how to broach this subject with the man.

“Now that really sounds serious.”

“It’s good serious, I hope,” Brian explained quickly. “I … I’m moving into a new house. I was wondering if you might be interested in doing some renovations for me. I’m hoping to get in the house in a week or two, but I need the bathroom redone and I may want to lower the counters in the kitchen just a bit. I wondered if you might be interested in the job.”

“That sounds like pretty major stuff. Are you sure you don’t want professionals?”

“Your work is better than half the ‘professionals’ I’ve dealt with in the past. I had to have the loft renovated after my accident. I thought I would go crazy while I waited for them to start and then watched their incompetence as they tried to fix things. I know you would do better work than they ever did, and with a lot less aggravation.”

Jasper’s face split in a broad smile. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, Brian, but I have a job here. I could only work on weekends.”

“I realize that. The only essential thing is the bathroom. I was hoping you might have a few days holiday coming to you that you could use. I’d make it worth your while.”

Jasper looked thoughtful. “I know a little about plumbing, but I might not be able to do everything you need,” he warned.

“If you think we need a plumber, I’ll hire one. But I want you in charge of the main work.”

“If you’re sure,” Jasper said uncertainly. “I could sure use the extra money.”

“I promise you can work around your shifts here too.”

“Okay, then it’s a deal.”

“I’ll let you know when we get the house and when you would be able to start. I hope to know in the next few days.”

“Thanks for thinking of me, Brian,” Jasper said, standing to leave.

Brian extended his hand and they shook on the tentative deal. “Oh, this is for you for the desk job.” Brian handed him an envelope.

“You don’t owe me nothing for that,” Jasper protested.

“Have a look.”

“Four movie passes,” Jasper chuckled.

“For you and the missus,” Brian smiled.

“Well, you didn’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I did. Besides, if you go see some movies, we’ll have something to talk about while you’re working on the bathroom.”

Jasper grinned. “Always a step ahead, aren’t you?”

“These days I need to be two steps ahead,” Brian observed.

“Let me know what’s happening with the house. I’d like to see what you want done before I commit totally to doing it.”

“Of course, and thank you, Jasper. This will take a real load off my mind.”

Jasper nodded and exited the office.

Brian smiled to himself. He knew that was the right thing to do … for all of them.

 

*****
 

Eight days later Brian drove his car into the driveway of his and Justin’s new house. It was late afternoon. Brian had finished a day of work at the Ryder Agency, picking Justin up from the loft before heading to the house to take possession. Jennifer met them there.

Jennifer had already sold Brian’s loft. The legendary status of the place still held some sway amongst gay Pittsburgh, and there had actually been a bidding war among three men who were more than eager to take over Brian’s loft and maybe his old title of Stud of Liberty Avenue. Justin’s loft was still on the market, but there was a conditional offer on it, and Jennifer was hopeful that it would be sold shortly.

The owners of the house had accepted Brian and Justin’s second offer. They had got the place for slightly less than Jennifer had estimated. On top of that the family had been willing to move out within the week. The now empty house stood waiting for its new owners to enter.

“Fuck!” Brian said as he hoisted himself out of the car and into his wheelchair. “I forgot about needing a ramp to get inside.”

“Maybe Dougie’s around,” Justin kidded him.

Right on cue Dougie came running around the hedge at the edge of the driveway. He slid to a halt in front of the two men. “Hey, Mr. Brian, Mr. Justin! I just knew you guys had bought this place. That’s great!”

“Hey, Dougie,” Justin replied. “Do you think we could borrow your board again so Brian can get in the house?”

“Sure,” Dougie called and disappeared around the hedge.

“Maybe you should help him,” Brian suggested. “That’s a pretty big hunk of lumber.”

“Anything for you, darling,” Justin said with a wink before giving Brian a kiss and following Dougie around the hedge.

Jennifer opened the house for them and Justin and Dougie set up the ramp at the side door like they had done before. They all followed Brian inside.

“It … it looks different without any furniture,” Brian said as he wheeled himself through the house.

“Lots of room,” Justin observed.

“More than I thought. Who’s going to clean all of this?” Brian wanted to know.

“Who cleaned your loft?”

“A service.”

“Then let’s get a service here,” Justin said emphatically.

“I take it that you don’t do windows,” Brian laughed.

“I could help you do windows,” Dougie offered.

“How did you get in here?” Brian asked tongue in cheek.

“I followed you,” Dougie declared not at all buffaloed by Brian’s snarky remarks.

“I should have known.”

“I can help a lot, Mr. Brian. I want you to stay.”

“And why would you care whether we stay or not?” Brian asked.

“I like you, and you can play catch with me.”

“I can, can I?” Brian gave Justin an elbow to the ribs, when he snickered at Dougie’s plans for Brian.

“You catch real good,” Dougie informed them all.

“I am undeserving of such praise,” Brian stated with a grin.

“No, really, Mr. Brian, you’re good.”

“Thanks, Dougie,” Brian said with a chuckle.

“There’s someone at the front door,” Jennifer said as they all heard the chimes of the doorbell.

“That must be Jasper,” Brian said quickly heading for the door. “Come into our humble abode,” he said as he saw Jasper standing on the front porch.

“Howdy, Brian. Nice looking place,” Jasper said with a grin.

“Come in and have a look around.”

”Thanks,” Jasper said as he made his way inside.

Brian introduced him to Justin and his mother. Then he felt a tap on his arm. Dougie was standing beside Brian waiting to be introduced too.

“Jasper, this is our neighbor, Dougie.”

“Howdy, Dougie,” Jasper said with a big smile.

“You sure are tall,” Dougie observed as he shook Jasper’s proffered hand.

“And you sure have a lot of freckles.”

“Yeah,” Dougie giggled.

Jasper grinned at the boy and winked at Brian.

“Oops,” Dougie said. “I hear my mom calling me. When are you going to move in, Mr. Brian?”

“Soon, Dougie. Jasper’s going to fix the bathroom so it’s easier for me to use.”

“Can you do it quick, Mr. Jasper?”

“I’ll do my best, son,” Jasper told him.

“That’s good. I gotta go or my mom will be mad. I’ll help you move in when you’re ready, Mr. Brian, Mr. Justin,” the boy promised them.

“Thank you, Dougie,” Justin replied with a big smile for the little boy.

“Yeah, thanks,” Brian repeated.

Dougie ran out the door before his mother had to come get him.

“That’s quite the neighbor you got there, Brian,” Jasper laughed.

“Yeah, want to take him home with you?” Brian asked.

“I think I’ll leave him for you.”

“I was afraid you’d say that,” Brian chuckled. “Let me show you what needs to be done.”

Brian led Jasper into the bedroom to look at the bathroom set up. Justin and his mother stayed in the living room.

“Is Brian going to be able to stand that little boy being around?” Jennifer asked.

“I think he actually likes Dougie. The kid doesn’t seem to notice that Brian’s in a wheelchair. That always earns high points in Brian’s books.”

Jennifer smiled. She had a lot to learn about this man who was now firmly ensconced in her son’s life. And the more she learned the more she found she liked and respected Brian Kinney. She still hoped her son knew what he was getting into. Buying a house together was a major step in their relationship.

“I should get going,” Jennifer said. “Here’s the keys. The house is now officially yours.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Justin said kissing her cheek. He accepted the keys and escorted his mother out to her car.

When Justin came back inside, Jasper and Brian were in the kitchen discussing the height of the counters.

“How’s it going?” Justin asked.

“I think I can do what Brian wants. I’ll start day after tomorrow,” Jasper said.

“Great,” Brian said with a smile, “and I know the job will be done right.”

“Thanks for offering me this job. It will help us a lot right now. I better get going,” Jasper said. “The missus will be looking for me.”

They said their good nights and Jasper left the house. Brian and Justin looked at each other.

“I wish we had a bed here so I could fuck you in our new house,” Justin whispered leaning down to Brian and punctuating his words with a soft sensual kiss.

“Dougie’d probably come over to get some pointers,” Brian chuckled.

“You are so bad,” Justin laughed. “It was sweet of him to offer to help us move in.”

“Sweet? He meant it. He’ll be here trying to carry boxes for us.”

“He is quite the kid,” Justin said shaking his head.

“Could we stop talking about Dougie and get back to that part about fucking in our new home?”

“We could always do it in your chair,” Justin suggested with a wink.

“I seem to remember some outstanding moments together in this chair.”

“Care for an instant replay?”

“I care for a very long and steamy replay.”

“Your wish is my command,” Justin said pulling his T-shirt over his head.

“Make sure the doors are locked and we’re not near a window,” Brian warned. “I don’t feel like looking up while you’re fucking me and seeing Dougie staring back at me.”

Justin giggled. “What makes you think you’ll have the strength to open your eyes when I’m finished with you?”

Brian groaned. “Check the fucking doors before I explode.”

Justin quickly did as directed. He couldn’t wait to make love to his partner in their new house, no in their new home. They would make it into a true home for both of them.

When everything was secure, Justin and Brian proceeded to make love as they took this new step together. Their lives were entering a new phase and leading them in paths neither had expected. But together they knew they could tackle anything.

 

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