Blasts From the Past

Chapter 5

“Brian, you have a Mr. Brandon Tierney on line one,” Brian’s secretary said over the intercom.

“Oh fuckin’ great,” Brian mumbled back.

“Excuse me?” the professional woman retorted.

“Put him through,” Brian whined, very uncharacteristically. He was doing a lot of things out of character lately and he wasn’t very happy about it.

Brian’s phone buzzed, signaling that the notorious Brandon was waiting on the other end. Brian briefly considered ignoring the damn thing, but he had never run from his fears and he wasn’t going to start now.

“What?” Brian said unceremoniously into the receiver.

“Well, good morning to you too,” Brandon snarked.

“What do you want, Mr. Tierney?” Brian sneered. Tierney, Brian never knew Brandon’s last name. It reminded him of tyranny, how appropriate.

“Just wondering if you’ve had time to reconsider my invitation.”

“What invitation was that?”

“To join me for a drink. Talk about old times.”

“You mean for a quick fuck.”

“Doesn’t have to be so quick.”

At that moment Ted walked into the office holding a stack of papers all requiring Brian’s signature, and the folder on Lethal Motorcycles.

“Look, I told you we have nothing to talk about. There are no ‘old times’. So unless you have some legitimate business to speak to me about, this conversation is over.” With that Brian hung up the phone with a bang.

“What was that all about, Bri?” Teddy asked with concern for his friend and boss.

“None of your fucking business, Schmidt!” Brian roared back then immediately regretted his tone. Ted was always there for him; he deserved so much more than that. “Ted, ignore me,” Brian began then waved his friend and associate toward the sofa.

“Brian, I’m here as your friend right now,” Ted said seriously. “Whatever you need.”

“I know, and I didn’t mean to bark at you,” Brian said with a sigh. Ted arranged the papers that required Brian’s attention neatly on the coffee table. Signing them gave Brian time to compose himself. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” Ted replied in that way of his, eyes wide with anticipation of offering his pearls of wisdom.

“Contrary to popular belief, you have had sex.”

“Allen and I have a very healthy sex life, thank you very much.”

“That’s not what I mean, and EIW! I don’t want to know that you and the drummer boy still get it on. You two are ancient!” Brian teased and shuddered for effect.

Ted just rolled his eyes. He was the oldest of their group besides John but then Ted had always been the oldest throughout their years together. “Brian, why the foray into my supposed sex life?”

“You’ve had tricks.”

“Some that I’m not proud of and a very long time ago. Allen and I...” Brian held up his hand to stop any further explanation. It was very obvious that once Ted Schmidt and Allen Long had found each other, they were exclusive.

“Have your tricks ever come back to haunt you?” Brian asked softly. This wasn’t like at Molly’s reception when Brian was introduced to one of his former tricks, Dr. Raph. Raphael and Hector were a monogamous couple and no threat to Brian. In fact, Raph, Hector, and now Curtis, had become members of Brian’s extended family.

“Some,” Ted said with a quiver in his voice. “I’m still ashamed of what I did. Sometimes I don’t know how Emm ever forgave me.” Brian put a hand of support on the accountant’s arm. “One night I was so tweaked out that I...” Ted couldn’t finish the sentence. How could he tell his best friend that he practically fucked their other best friend to death while he was flying high?

Brian patted his arm. “What do you do when you run into someone you’d rather not see?”

“Most times I don’t know who they are. I was living in a drugged out haze for that time in my life.” Brian nodded. It hurt to have had to force Emmett to abandon Ted at that time. But if Emmett didn’t, Ted would have dragged Emmett down with him.

“You did right, you know. Making Emmett walk away. It was bad enough that I was spiraling downward. I didn’t need to take Emm with me,” Ted said almost reading Brian’s thoughts. “As for former tricks that shall remain nameless since I had no fucking clue who I was fucking, I don’t think any of them are around. The ones that are, are too brain dead to remember me. Why all this talk about former mistakes?”

“Because one of mine is back.”

“Brian, you can’t swing a dead cat in Pittsburgh without hitting one of your former tricks. They all knew the rules. What’s so different about this one?”

“Because he doesn’t want to play by the rules. He wants to have a drink,” Brian said as he rolled his eyes and held up his fingers to make the quote sign. “He wants to talk over old times. We never had any old times and technically he never was a trick.”

“Why?”

“Because I never fucked him.”

“Who is this paragon? And how did he ever elude you?”

“Brandon, and he didn’t elude me. I won the bet and his skinny ass was in my bed.”

“And you didn’t fuck him?” Ted said with awe.

“No. He was all laid out like a Thanksgiving feast and all I could think of was how disgusting he was; how disgusted I was with the situation. I kicked his ass out.”

“Good for you, Bri.”

“Yeah, well, a lot of good that grand gesture did me. Now after close to twenty years, the fucker is back in town and still offering his skinny toupeed ass to me.”

“He wears an ass toupee?”

“No...what?” Brian growled then took a good look at Ted who was trying to contain his laughter. The two friends bellowed out laughs until they both had tears in their eyes.

“Bri, does Justin know that Brandon is in town?”

“Yes, I told him. I’m not that stupid, Schmidt.”

“Thank the gods for that. What does he think?”

“He thinks I should just ignore him.”

“Uh huh,” Ted said with skepticism. “And what does he really think?”

“He probably thinks that I think I should just fuck his nasty ass then send him packing.”

“But you’re not going to.”

“No. Since we made our commitment, I’ve never had any desire for anyone else but Justin.”

“You have no idea how proud I am of you,” Ted said with a smirk. He then wrapped his arms around his friend.

“What the fuck are you talking about? And cut that out!” Brian groused as he attempted to bat away Teddy’s octopus arms.

Ted just chuckled. “Brian, you’ve always lived by the philosophy that actions speak louder than words. Some of your actions are grander than most and many of them so subtle that only a very few know of their existence. Time and time again you live up to your promises.”

“Schmidt, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure, Bri, whatever you say.” Ted ignored the attempt at humility. “Brian, you’ve asked for my opinion about this Brandon fellow and this is it. Let him go fuck himself. Now that we know he’s here in Pittsburgh, we can do a little research on him. So if and when he does try something, you’ll be as prepared as possible. On the other hand, maybe he’ll take the hint that you’re not interested and eventually get the fuck out of Dodge. In the meantime, just be yourself, Bri. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“I had no idea you could be this devious, Schmidt.”

“Learned from the master, Brian.” Ted got up to take the signed papers back to his office, leaving the Lethal file for Brian.

“And what do you mean I should just be myself?”

“You’re Brian fucking Kinney. Nobody fucks with you unless you want them to!” Ted smiled an evil smile then left the room.

Brian arched a brow then took the folder back to his desk to work on it.

 

*****
 

“So this is your last week of camp?” Winona asked. Somehow by the end of the summer, Winona found that she really liked Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor and her cousin Patrick and their friend, Ashley. She didn’t set out to like them; she really wanted to hate them, especially Bree. But Bree never backed down, never showed fear. And if Winona was really honest with herself, she’d have to admit that she herself was a little intimidated by Bree. Winona had never met anyone so tiny yet so tall. Not to mention how smart Bree was. Bree could run circles around half the people there including the camp counselors.

“Yup,” Bree answered as she was drawing a picture. The camp had a limited amount of crayons, so every week Bree and her Daddy would go to the store to buy the big box of crayons and every week conveniently leave the box so that other kids could share. By the end of the summer, the camp had a supply of crayons of every hue imaginable.

“Why?”

“Cause my brother is going away to college and we’re going with him to see it.”

“You have a brother old enough for college?” Winona asked with awe.

“Yeah, Gus drives and everything. He made a movie with my Daddy.”

“A movie? Wow! Is it on cable?”

“Not that kind of movie,” Bree said in an exasperated tone.

“What other kinds of movies are there?” Winona didn’t know much about movies other than what she had seen on cable.

“They made an art video. My brother did a lot of the filming,” Bree explained nonchalantly.

“Wow,” Winona repeated.

Bree put down her crayon and with a practiced eye, reminiscent of her Daddy, took a critical look at her drawing. When she added a bit more blue to the sky, Bree was satisfied. Bree carefully signed her name like her Daddy taught her and dated the picture. Then she slid the picture over to Winona.

“For you,” Bree said.

“For me? Why?”

“Cause you’re my friend,” was all that Bree said. Their counselor called an end to the art portion of the day and reminded the kids it was time for lunch.

 

*****
 

“Hi Lindsay, I’m so glad you came. I just finished another project!” Jamie said with enthusiasm as she opened her studio door to find the stately blond standing there. “Please come in.” Jamie stepped back to allow Lindsay to enter.

“Very nice,” Lindsay said as she walked around the studio.

It was a small space but well lit with natural light. Lindsay was almost envious of the young artist. Jamie beamed with delight as she gave Lindsay the 50-cent tour. Lindsay selected several large pieces of Jamie’s work and arranged for pick up. She was about to leave when Jamie blocked her way.

“Are you sure you have to leave so soon? Let me take you to lunch,” Jamie offered hopefully.

“No, thank you. I have another appointment.” They were standing very close. Lindsay couldn’t help staring as Jamie’s pretty mouth formed a perfect pout, sexy enough to kiss and nibble on. It took all of Lindsay’s resolve to resist doing just that. Lindsay whispered her goodbyes then left for her next appointment.

 

*****
 

“Kinney.” Brian was at Kinnetik finishing up the preliminary mock ups for Lethal bikes.

“It’s Leda.”

“Have you decided to brave the wilds of rural Pennsylvania?”

“Yeah. What should I pack?”

“Your toothbrush and a smile,” Brian said. Leda snorted. “Jeans, shorts, strap-ons. Thongs are optional.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Shall I pick you up from your hotel?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“I love a woman of mystery. Meet me out front in about an hour. Does that give you enough time?”

“Plenty. I’m used to traveling light.”

“See you then,” Brian said as he hung up the phone. He then hit number one on the speed dial.

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself, Sunshine,” Brian drawled.

“What’s up?” Justin teased.

“Me and in a few hours we can be up together.”

“Mmm. I like the sound of that.”

“Thought you might.”

“Is there a reason for this call other than to warn me?”

“Yeah. I’m bringing Leda.”

“You trust her in our home?”

“I trust us. And it is our home. She’s a guest. I expect her to behave accordingly. Besides, it’s been twenty years.”

“Not by the way you look.”

“Justin, you still look nineteen.”

“Maybe, but you’re still fucking hot.”

“That goes without saying.”

“Asshole.”

“Yeah, but I’m your asshole. Only yours.”

“I know, Bri. I love you, you know.”

“I know.” The lovers softly sighed, wishing they were together at the moment.

“You want me to start dinner?”

“Could ya?”

“Sure. I’ll find out what the other side is doing tonight.”

“I can grill tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

“Sounds fucking domestic to me.”

“That bother you?”

“Not in the least. Later, Sunshine.”

“Later.”

While Justin went to consult with the other members of Edna’s Treasures regarding the night’s menu, he discussed with John and Bobby, Leda’s reputation. Suitably warned, the occupant’s of Edna’s Treasures prepared for her arrival.

As Brian was getting ready to leave Kinnetik, boards under his arm and briefcase in hand, Ted scurried into his office with a folder.

“I’m in a hurry, Schmidt,” Brian growled.

“Let me walk with you,” Ted answered as he took the boards from Brian then handed him the folder. Brian arched a brow.

“Some initial results of the research we discussed earlier this week,” Teddy responded to the brow. Ted trailed along as Brian left the building and walked to the Corvette.

“Not very impressive, is it?” Brian said about the lackluster career the attempted usurper to the title of Stud of Liberty had thus far established. Brandon worked for an IT company that could never quite compete with the big boys. He was sent to Pittsburgh to participate in a feasibility study to see if a branch in Pittsburgh would be profitable. Brandon was specifically chosen to accompany the team since he knew the area.

“Not really. I did a little networking with their CFO. Apparently, Mr. Tierney had joined the company a little over ten years ago. He was very personable, very attractive and seemed to talk the talk. His star was rising and they were under the impression that whatever he touched turned to gold.”

“Fool’s gold?” Brian asked.

“Yes. He was living beyond his means and indulging in several forms of unhealthy pain management.”

“I recall indulging myself.”

“But you knew when to quit. Unlike some of us.”

“Ted...”

“Brian, fourteen years clean, sober and proud of it. Mr. Tierney did clean up but paid the price.”

“Lost his girlish figure?”

“So to speak.”

“Hence the toupee and if I'm not mistaken, an abdominal binder.”

“Something like that.”

“So is he really sniffing around me so that he can relive past glories or is he looking for a client?”

“A little of both, I imagine.”

Brian unlocked his car, put the boards in the back. Resting his briefcase on the seat, he opened his case to put the folder inside.

“Good work, Theodore. I’m impressed.”

“I aim to please. Have a good weekend.” Ted smirked. He knew of Brian’s plans to have Leda stay up at the cottage.

“Oh yeah. Just peachy,” Brian snarked then drove off with a roar of his engine.

 

*****
 

“Change your mind?” Brian asked as he pulled up in front of the Plaza. Leda was there on a very large “Lethal” looking bike.

“No. But I decided not to overstay my welcome. I’ll head back to the city Saturday night.”

“You’re welcome to stay the entire weekend,” Brian assured her.

“Thank you. Let’s play it by ear.”

“Suit yourself. We’re about ninety minutes outside of the city. It’s pretty straightforward driving until the last turn off.”

“Not a problem. I can keep up,” Leda smiled.

“I just bet you can,” Brian remarked. He waited until Leda put on her helmet and powered up her bike. With a mighty roar from both vehicles, the bike followed the Corvette out of the city.
 

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