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 Babylon and give the books the once over. He didn't really have to do that since Ted was on top of the business end at Babylon too, but Brian had some nervous energy to work off before going to the loft. Hunter was planning to move down and he wanted to check out the place and see if he had anything in storage to give to the boy. Brian parked the Vette in the alley and went into the club. He was greeted by a very angry Carl Horvath.

"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 Drop-in Center. A place where street kids can come in, get advice, maybe a meal and a line on a real job. Carl, who cares what it's called? It's a place where these kids can talk to someone who has been there. Someone who knows what it's like on the street, to be hungry and dirty and be fucked by every perv that's out there." Brian was getting tired of explaining himself again and again.

"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 Babylon. Carl chewed me a new one."

"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 New York and wants me to look after his apartment."

"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 Liberty. He was pretty sure he knew the place Brian meant. He turned down the street that he thought the bathhouse was on. Up ahead he saw a blond boy that looked a lot like how Brian had described Frank.

"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 Pittsburgh and not at the Farm? Why hadn't he let him and Michael know that he was here? There seemed to be only one answer, an answer that Ben didn't want to believe. Hunter was starting to trick again. He had heard the last bit of their conversation about Brian as Ben had crept closer. This had to be Brian's evil influence. Not only was Brian tricking but he was sucking those around him into it too.

Michael had been right all along.

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