Bad as New
Chapter 7
After Brian had successfully calmed Gus,
he brought the boy back to school and smooth talked the principal. Gus swore on
all things holy that he would never cut class again and even volunteered to
write a paper on the inner workings of an ad agency. Brian didn't have to go
back to Kinnetik so he decided to go to
"Brian, you have some nerve."
Carl had grown to respect the man and he couldn't believe that Brian would let
everyone down by breaking his vows.
"Carl, I don't know what you're
talking about." Carl was growing red in the face with anger. "Um,
let's take this into your office." If Carl was going to tear Brian a new
one, he'd rather have it done in private. Carl spun around and stomped to the
office. Brian quietly followed.
"Sit down, Brian." Carl pointed
to a chair. He was in full law enforcement authority mode. Brian had the
feeling he was going to be interrogated. Carl sat on the edge of his desk and
with his bulk, looked down menacingly at Brian.
"Gonna use
the rubber hoses on me, Carl?" Brian tried to joke.
"This is no laughing matter, Kinney. Now
I want some straight answers and no bullshit. You get me?"
"Yeah, I get you." Brian
realized the rumor mill had struck again.
"I want to know why I saw you giving
money to that little hustler. Don't you get enough at home?"
"Carl, my sex life has nothing to do
with you."
"Normally, I'd agree. But lately
there have been too many rumors. Too many people have seen you buying it.
Debbie's gotten herself all in a snit. And I have to go home to that woman. You
know as well as I do that she's like a dog with a bone. If you don't come
clean, she'll hunt you down. So now I'm asking, what the fuck is going on? Are
you and Justin fucking around on each other?"
"Carl, I can't go into detail because
the deals I'm making are not all written in stone yet. Bottom line, Justin and
I are fine. No one's tricking and I'm not paying for it. What you saw, what you
think you saw is me living up to my end of a bargain." Brian rubbed the
bridge of his nose. He was getting a headache, something he hadn't had in a
very long time.
"What bargain?"
"A few weeks ago, Frankie, the blond
hustler, tried to proposition me. You saw him, Carl. He's Hunter, Jason Kemp
and Justin all rolled up in one. I turned him down but I couldn't leave it at
that."
"What did you do, Brian?" Carl
looked exasperated at Brian.
"I dragged his skinny ass into
Terry's and I asked Terry to give him a legit job. I told the kid if he stayed
clean, I'd match whatever Terry paid him. What you saw was me giving him the
stipend. Look, I know it wasn't one of my smartest moves but I can't close my
eyes to it anymore. Carl, you know as well as I do, the city doesn't have the
resources to get these kids off the street and into a program. Shit, there
aren't any programs. Hunter was one of the lucky ones and you know all the shit
he went through. I'm, we're, trying to do something good with my money."
"Who's
we?" Carl was a very perceptive ex-cop.
"Justin, for one. He knows everything and supports my plan. Ted's
involved because he crunches the money. I needed Bobby cause he's my lawyer. John's construction company and Hunter."
"Hunter?! Brian the kid's just starting out, why get him
involved?"
"Because he's an
integral part of the plan.
We need him to run the center."
"Center? What center?"
"Officially it'll be called the Jason
Kemp Clinic and
"Okay, okay, I see where you're going
with this. This is a very big undertaking. And you say Justin knows
everything?"
"Yeah, he gets to hold me when the
nightmares come," Brian whispered. Carl was stunned. He very rarely got to
see the vulnerable side of Brian Kinney.
"All right, I'll see what I can do,
to get the family to back off. But it won't be easy especially when Debbie's
involved."
"I know and I'm sorry you're caught
in the middle but it can't be helped. We haven't got the official go ahead from
the city yet. If they say no, then all our plans come to a halt."
Carl nodded; he could see that Brian was
serious about the clinic and the toll it was already taking. "If I can
help in any way, you'll let me know."
"Yeah, just try to steer Debbie away
and get Michael to shut the fuck up. Bobby should know in a few days if we get
all the permits and licenses, then I don't care if the President himself
knows."
"Brian, Bush and his assholes are
long gone."
"Yeah, but they left a lot of shit in
their wake. I gotta go, Carl. Hunter's moving back to
the Pitts and that's not for public knowledge. He wants time to scope out the
old neighborhoods, get the feel of who's on the
streets before all is revealed. He'll be moving into my building."
"Is that wise? The biggest gossip
queen lives there."
"Yeah, well, can you see him moving
in with you or Mikey? And trying to creep out at
night? I don't think so. It'll be fine. That kid has a way of making himself
invisible. There is something you can do, though."
"Name it."
"Like I said, Hunter will be going to
some of his old haunts. Can you put a quiet word out that he's not a hustler? I
don't want some hotshot cop putting the screws to him."
"Putting the screws to him? You've
been watching some very old movies lately, haven't you?"
"Yeah, you try pacing with a baby
who's teething in the middle of the night. There's nothing good on cable. I got
into the habit of watching the AMC channel." Carl and Brian laughed then
shook hands. Carl drew Brian into a hug.
"You be careful. I know you want this
to keep quiet but you know the shit will eventually hit the fan."
"I know. Thanks for helping and
coming to me first. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome Brian. You're my
friend as well as my employer and I'd do anything to keep you and Debbie from
getting hurt."
Brian nodded; he knew all that Carl said
was true. The shit would hit the fan. Brian hoped he'd be able to duck fast
enough.
Brian drove to the loft,
parked out front and sauntered inside. There was no reason for him to hide; he
owned the damn building and still had his apartment there. It wasn't unusual
for him to go and check out the loft. He went up to his loft and had a good
look around. Shades of the days and nights he spent sucking and fucking Justin
brought a smile to his lips and a twitch to his cock.
"Hmm, maybe the futon cushions,"
he thought out loud. Hunter was planning to move in over the weekend but he had
next to nothing by way of furniture. Brian thought he might have some things to
give him. His ringing cell broke his reverie.
"Kinney."
"Hey Bri,
where are you?"
"What's it to you, Schmidt?"
Brian snapped at his old friend.
"Whoa! Hey, I'm not your enemy."
"Sorry, Ted. I just came from
"Why?"
"He saw me giving Frankie his stipend
and jumped to the wrong conclusions."
"Shit, I'm sorry, Bri.
Look, let me try to set up an account for the kid then we can transfer the
money directly to it. That way no one will see that
happen again."
"You can do that?"
"Piece of cake,
Brian."
"Make it legal, Ted. We can't take
any chances that someone thinks the kid's on the payroll for the wrong
reasons."
"Hey, legal is my middle name."
"Uh huh. Why did you call me?"
"Oh, yeah. I just got a call from Emmett. He's leaving tonight
for a canapé convention in
"A fucking what
kind of convention?"
"A canapé..."
"Never mind that! Where's Drew?"
"The Ironmen
are on the road with their first away game, so..."
"That means the gossip queen and his
boy friend won't be home for a few days."
"Correct."
"What about Allen?"
"Rehearsals. The symphony is getting ready for a series of concert
tours."
"So, he's gone for most of the
day."
"And night."
"That means we can get Hunter in with
little fuss."
"Yup."
"You're a genius, Schmidt."
"Thanks, boss. And listen, I have
plenty of stuff down in the storage area. Hunter can go shopping. Brian, has
Bobby called you yet?"
"No, you?"
"Not yet."
"Shit. I really want this to happen.
I think it'll be a good thing for the whole neighborhood."
"It will, Bri,
and I know it'll happen and soon."
"I hope so, Ted. I can't take much
more of this skulking around. I don't want this to hurt Gus or Justin. You know
I don't give a shit about what they say about me..."
"Brian, you don't owe me any
explanations. I'm behind you 100%."
"You behind me? In your dreams, Schmidt. Now
go earn me some money."
"Yes, boss, Brian, Bri. Right away." Ted cut the
connection as he heard Brian let out a laugh. A laughing Brian was a happy
Brian and Ted vowed to keep his friend and employer very happy.
*****
Hunter made his way in the back door of
the loft building. He was carrying a suitcase with his clothes and a box with a
few of the necessities of life. He took the back stairs and quickly unlocked
the door to his apartment. He carried his stuff inside and set them down
turning to close and lock the door quickly.
Hunter turned and looked around the big
open space. Well, it wasn't really all that big, but it was enough. It was a
start, a start on the rest of his life. He could live there without any
problem. He noticed something piled in the corner. When he went over to see
what it was he noticed a note pinned to the futon cushion that he recognized
from Brian's loft.
The note said: Hunter, feel free to use
this. It has been thoroughly cleaned, so no fears in that direction. You can
have it until you get a bed. I'd like it back; it has some sentimental value.
Ted will be home tonight and he has some things in his storage locker that you
might be able to use. Give him a call. Allen's going out of town. B
Hunter smiled to himself. At least he
would have a place to sleep tonight. He pulled the cushion out and opened it.
Inside was a pillow and a set of sheets. Hunter
smiled. Brian Kinney was sure something. "Sentimental value," he
whispered to himself as he set up his bed.
It didn't take long for Hunter to stow his
meager possessions. He'd bring his computer down from the farm later. He hung
the few clothes he had brought with him and put the food that Claire had sent
into the fridge.
He looked at his watch and decided to call
Ted at Kinnetik. When he was connected, he got right
to the point. "Hi, Ted, Brian left a note saying you might have some
things I could use for my apartment."
"I sure do. When Allen and I moved in
together we had duplicates of a lot of furniture and small appliances. Most of
it's still in our storage unit. You're welcome to whatever you want."
"That would be great, Ted."
"Oh, and good news, Emmett and Drew
are both out of town. Allen will be practicing late tonight, so we could bring
whatever interests you up to your place tonight."
"That's wonderful. What time?"
"I'll be home before seven," Ted
said. "Why don't you come down around eight? Allen will have gone to
rehearsal by then and we can raid the storage unit."
"I'll see you then," Hunter
said. "And thanks."
Looking around and deciding that there
wasn't much else he could do until he found out what Ted had to offer, Hunter
decided to go scope out the bathhouse. He went out the back way and started
walking towards
"Hey, Frank," Hunter called
taking a chance that he had the right kid.
The kid turned and looked at the guy who
had called to him. "How do you know my name?" Frank asked as Hunter
caught up to him.
"Lucky guess. I'm a friend of Brian Kinney," Hunter added by
way of explanation.
"What? Did he send you to spy on
me?"
"No," Hunter laughed. "Nothing like that. Do you know anything about what Brian's
planning to do with the bathhouse?"
"A little. Terry's been griping about all the changes coming.
Why?"
"I'm going to be in charge of a
clinic there if everything works out."
"A clinic? Are you a doctor?"
"No," Hunter said shyly thinking
of how Michael had wanted him to be just that. "I'm interested in working
with kids like you."
"And what would you know about kids
like me?" Frank asked warily.
"I was you a few years ago,"
Hunter replied.
"What? What the fuck are you talking
about?"
"I was a hustler until some good
people gave me a chance for something better."
"Good people like Brian?"
"Yeah, him … and
others. I understand he's
helping you too."
"He got me a job and he matches what
Terry pays me."
"That's great. It's nice to have
money in your pocket," Hunter said.
"Yeah."
"But what do you want to do down the
road?"
"Survive."
"Once you get past the survival
problem, and I think you already have, what do you want to do with your
life?"
"How the fuck should I know?"
"That's what this clinic is going to
be for," Hunter explained. "We're going to try to get you kids help
if you need it, a chance at a decent job and hope for the future."
"Are you for fucking real?"
Frank asked his mouth hanging open in disbelief.
"You can pinch me if you don't think
I am. Ow,
not that hard."
Frank laughed. "You may be real, but
are you for real?"
"I hope to prove that to you and any
others who want some help."
Frank studied Hunter trying to decide if
this guy was shitting him or not. "So what do you think of Brian
Kinney?" he asked.
"I think he's the best," Hunter
said honestly.
"Yeah, and he sure is good looking.
He smells wonderful."
"Yeah, I know," Hunter said.
"I'll see you tomorrow or the next day. I gotta
go."
"Sure," Frank said as he watched
Hunter walk away. He'd have to see if this guy showed up again. They were going
to make a fucking clinic in the bathhouse. He could hardly wait to see this. He
wondered what some of the other hustlers and the patrons of the bathhouse would
think about that. He quickly made his way to the bathhouse door. He had the
evening shift and the tips were always great at that time of day.
Ben watched Frank walk into the bathhouse.
He had seen Hunter as he caught up with Frank and had been about to call out to
his adopted son. Ben knew the kid Hunter approached was a hustler. He had been
propositioned by him a few weeks earlier. But what the fuck was Hunter doing
with him? What was Hunter doing in
Michael had been right all along.
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