Bad as New

Chapter 6

"Michael, it's Emmett."

"Hey, Emm, what's up?"

"Have you talked to Justin lately?"

"No, not since the party. Why?"

"Um, do you think everything's okay between Brian and Justin?"

"You noticed it too, didn't you?" Michael asked relishing the likelihood that Emmett would prove his concerns about Brian tricking to be true.

"There seemed to be some funny business going on," Emmett admitted thinking about seeing Justin with John and Bobby with Brian.

"Exactly. Brian will never change," Michael said proudly remembering what he had seen of Brian and the young hustler.

"Maybe not," Emmett said sadly. He didn't want to believe that Brian and Justin would cheat on each other, especially with John and Bobby.

"I knew that so called marriage would never last," Michael said triumphantly. Justin would leave Brian before much longer. The whole sordid mess was bound to come out. If Emmett had noticed so would everyone else.

"I better go," Emmett said feeling like a big hole had just opened up in his world.

"Who were you talking to?" Drew asked as he came into their apartment.

"Michael."

"Oh, what did he want?"

"I called him."

"Just catching up on old times?" Drew asked with a smile.

"I wanted to ask him about Brian and Justin."

"What about Brian and Justin?"

"I think there's big trouble ahead for them."

Drew frowned. "What kind of trouble?"

"We think they're cheating on each other," Emmett said softly.

"Cheating? Not that nonsense you brought up at the party?"

"You saw them with John and Bobby that day."

"Yeah, so?"

Emmett stared at his boyfriend like he was a blind idiot. "You know."

"You mean…? No, that can't be true. I don't believe it."

"You saw them. Don't try to wish it away."

"But…"

"Our not so little family is going to be ripped apart."

"I can't believe…"

"Believe. Give me a kiss and big old hug. I need you, baby."

Drew pulled Emmett close and kissed him slowly. All the time he was thinking about the imminent break-up of Justin and Brian, and wondering how he could have been so wrong. How could he have missed all the warning signs?

As Michael hung up the phone at his house, Ben came into the living room from the kitchen. "Who were you talking to?" he asked.

"Emmett."

"And how's our dear Emmett these days."

"Worried."

"Worried? About what?"

"Justin and Brian."

"What on earth is he worrying about them for?" Ben asked in bewilderment.

"He thinks Brian's cheating on Justin and they're going to break up over it."

"What would make him think such a thing?" Ben demanded.

"We both saw some things," Michael said significantly.

"What things?"

"Let's just say it involves a hustler."

"A hustler?" Michael nodded solemnly. "Michael, you have to be wrong about this."

"I wish I was." Michael shook his head dramatically.

"You have to be."

"I bet other people have noticed it too. It couldn't just be me and Emm. It was so blatant."

"Maybe I should talk to Brian."

"Do you actually think he would admit anything to you … or to anyone? He's going to screw up his life because he can't keep his dick in his pants."

"But Brian hasn't done that for a long time."

"Maybe he has and we just didn't know before."

"Michael, I…"

"Don't get involved, Ben. The shit is going to hit the fan and I don't want to get coated with it."

"But they're our friends. Brian is…"

"Don't bother finishing that statement. I think Brian is going to be persona non grata very soon."

Michael pulled Ben's head down for a long kiss. Ben wondered what he could do to help this situation. Maybe he should speak to Brian, or maybe he shouldn't.

*****

"Jennifer!"

"Hello," Jennifer said coldly as she turned to face her son's husband. "What are you doing in this part of town?"

"I had some business down the street," Brian replied. "How about you?"

"I just finished showing a property in that building," she said pointing across the street.

"Want to grab some lunch?"

Jennifer studied Brian for a minute. "I don't think so," she said straightening her back. If Brian was fucking around on her son, she wouldn't demean herself by eating with him and pretending nothing was happening.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I have to go," she said rushing away before she called him a bastard or ripped his one remaining ball off or cried like a fucking baby.

"Well, that was special," Brian said shaking his head. He'd have to ask Justin what was eating his mother's ass, and he was sure it wasn't some young buck.

*****

Allen walked into the diner for lunch. He saw Debbie talking to some young kid. He heard the last bit of the conversation.

"So you're sure you've never seen Brian with any of the hustlers you hang around with?" Debbie was asking.

"No," the kid replied.

"Keep your eyes open, and if you see anything let me know."

"Okay, thanks Deb," the kid said taking the bag of food she handed him in exchange for the ten dollars he offered her.

"You're a good kid, Frank. Thanks for doing this for me. Hey. Allen, how are you?"

"Can I get a burger and fries, Deb?"

"Sure thing. In the mood for junk food today?" she laughed.

"Yeah, it just takes over every once in a while."

"That's what keeps us in business."

"Deb, who was that kid you were talking to?"

"He's … he's a hustler but he's trying to turn his life around."

"I heard Brian's name mentioned. What's going on?"

"Don't spread this around, but Michael thinks Brian is tricking again," Debbie said confidentially. "I'm trying to get some verification of that or else prove him wrong."

"Somebody else said the same thing."

"Really?"

"I said it couldn't be true," Allen replied. "But maybe it is."

"Does Ted know anything?"

"He hasn't said."

"Maybe you should ask him."

"Or maybe it's none of our business."

"I guess you have to make that call," she said as she put in his order.

*****

Brian walked towards the bathhouse. He wanted to check on Frank and discuss a couple of things with Terry. As he walked down the street he was joined by Frank who appeared carrying a bag of food.

"Lunch?" Brian asked with a smirk. Frank nodded. "How does it feel to have money to pay for your meals?" Brian asked wanting some feedback as to whether his efforts were really making a difference.

"Not bad," Frank smiled. "Except for when it is your last ten bills."

"Ah, time for your monthly stipend," Brian said tongue in cheek.

"Yeah."

They stopped in front of the bathhouse. Brian took out his wallet and handed Frank a handful of bills. Frank smiled.

"I need to see Terry," Brian said.

"Terry's not in today. He wasn't feeling well."

"Shit!"

"He'll be in tomorrow, I think."

"Okay, behave yourself."

"I won't do anything you wouldn't do," Frank said as he watched Brian walk away. He looked at the money in his hand and stuffed it in his pocket before entering the bathhouse.

Carl Horvath watched the transaction between Brian and his trick from the spot where he had just parked his car. He was on the way to the diner to have lunch with Debbie. It looked like everything Michael had said about Brian was true.

Since Terry wasn't around, Brian went back to Kinnetik. It was lunchtime and the whole agency took the time to eat lunch together in the conference room. It was Brian and Cynthia's way of fostering a family feeling. For about an hour the men and women that made up Kinnetik could relax, catch up on gossip and hash out any concerns. Brian and Cynthia found it a good way to stay abreast of any ideas that the staff may have and the staff felt appreciated. Brian was about to tackle his usual dry turkey sandwich on whole wheat when Gus came running into the office.

"Gus!" Brian looked at the clock. It was the middle of the afternoon and Gus should have been in school. Gus had cut class and run all the way to Kinnetik.

"Dad, please I have to talk to you!" Gus was breathing hard; his heavy backpack was cutting into his chest.

"Okay, come on, into my office." Brian snatched up his sandwich, gave Cynthia a strained look then herded the younger Kinney into his private office.

Brian wrestled the backpack off his son and led the boy to the sofa.

"Hungry?" Brian asked as he offered half of his sandwich to the boy. Gus nodded and took a small bite. Gus gave his dad a scrunched up look as he slowly chewed the dry bland sandwich. Brian shrugged then went to the wet bar for a couple of bottles of water.

They ate in silence for a while then Brian asked the question.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company, in the middle of the afternoon, when you should be in school?" Brian's tone was very parental.

"Dad, I need to ask you something and I need you to give me an honest answer. No bullshit, okay?" Brian was about to admonish the lad for language but the anguish on Gus' face told him that there would be another time for that. Brian nodded. "Is everything okay between you and Justin?" Gus asked with tears welling up in his eyes. Even though he was very young when his mother and Melanie had problems, he remembered his family had broken up for a while.

"What makes you think something's wrong between me and Justin?"

"Just answer me first then I'll tell you." The tears were now slipping down the boy's face.

"Gus," Brian drew the boy into his arms. "Gus, I swear, on the top of your head, Justin and I are fine. Never better. You want to speak with him?" Gus nodded as he sobbed. Brian took out his cell phone, hit one on the speed dial and set the phone on speaker. Justin answered on one ring.

"Hey," Justin said on the other end.

"Hey. Justin, I have a very upset young man here who thinks something's wrong with our relationship."

"Who, Bri?" Brian nudged Gus and he spoke up.

"Hi Justin, it's me, Gus," Gus said meekly.

"Gus, what's wrong, buddy?"

"I heard Uncle Mikey and momma talking. Uncle Mikey said he saw dad tricking and paying a hustler. I don't understand all of it but they think you're cheating on each other and with Uncle John and Bobby. I had to come here. Please, I don't know who to ask. Dad?" The tears were flowing freely now. Brian and Justin started talking all at once as Brian hugged his son. Finally, Justin's voice cut through.

"Brian, I think you need to tell Gus what's going on. I know you wanted to keep things quiet but he has the right to know."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. You know I'll support whatever you decide. Gus?"

"Yes," Gus barely squeaked out.

"Your dad is a wonderful man and I love him more than anything in the world. Remember that. Now, you listen carefully to him and you call me anytime you want. Okay, buddy?"

"Okay."

"Bri, I'm hanging up. I love you."

"Love you too, Sunshine. Later."

"Later." Brian cut the connection and handed Gus some tissues. "Gus, this is a long and difficult story but you're a smart kid, so listen up. And you're sworn to secrecy until Justin or I tell you it's okay to share. And for further proof..." Brian went to his desk and hit the button for the intercom. "Schmidt! Get your ass in here." Scrambling footsteps were heard outside Brian's office. Brian winked at Gus who almost broke into giggles as Ted came running to do his master's bidding.

"What can I do for you, Bri?" Ted was breathing heavily. He had sprinted in from the other end of the office.

"Theodore, Gus here, has heard some nasty rumors from some of the family. I think it's time we shared our scheme with him and he has already taken the oath of silence."

"Um, sure, Bri. What scheme?" Brian snarled at Ted. "Oooh! That scheme. And who's spreading rumors?" Brian growled. "Ah. Well, we knew sooner or later this would happen. Okay, how can I help?"

Between Brian and Ted, the whole concept for the clinic, theater and bowling alley was explained to Gus. Brian didn't go into detail of his reasons how this all came about but Gus got the picture of the social importance of the venture.

"We studied about Stockwell in our poly-sci class. I didn't know you had anything to do with it. The teacher said it was the Committee of Concerned Citizens."

Ted pointed at Brian. "Gus, meet the committee. It was all your dad. He took all his money, made the TV ad and bought air time." Gus gaped at his dad in wonderment and awe. Brian blushed.

"Look, the point is," Brian quickly tried to change the subject, "that we're trying to do something good for this part of our city. And I didn't really want anyone to know my involvement. Hence your oath. Ted knows, for obvious reasons since he's the one who's going to make sure I don't lose my shirt. Justin knows because I can't keep any secrets from him. John and Bobby know because John's construction company will head up the renovations. Bobby's my lawyer so we all needed him. Hunter is going to run the damn thing and Bill from the Farm is coming down here to help. So that means Claire and Steve know and we can't forget Nick cause he and Hunter are, well you know. Fuck! The whole damned family will know sooner or later." Brian nervously paced; this was getting out of hand.

"Dad! No queen outs, okay? I get it and I think it's a great idea. You really think you can get it all done by the time Rage is released?"

"We're hoping. Justin got a call from Brett. Most of the filming is done. It's the editing that's going to take the most time; at least six to nine months. John says that if the basic structures of the buildings are sound, the renovations will go quicker. So we should have it timed right." Brian took a few sips of water before continuing. "Gus, I'm sorry you had to hear about this through the gay grapevine but just try to hang on and don't listen. Sometimes Uncle Mikey says things before he puts his brain in gear. And you know Mel and me don't always get along. If it gets real bad then ask your mommy to call me. I'll explain things to her and she can be your ally against the masses."

"Okay, pop. I can hang tough. We Kinney men have to stick together." Gus got up to give his dad a hug. Ted quietly backed out of the office to give the Kinney men some privacy. Rage saved the day, again.

Return to Bad As New