Green Eyed Monster

Chapter 8

Gradually people started to drift back to the houses where they would spend the night, or head home to Pittsburgh, as the elder Brenners did, along with the Sarah Kingsley. The B&B made it possible for everyone who wanted to stay for the brunch the next day to be comfortable without imposing too much on the inhabitants of the lane.

Brian and Justin had agreed to let Bree stay up late, but as it was getting close to eleven o’clock, they decided maybe it was time for the children to be put to bed.

Together they walked down the hall to Gus’ and Bree’s bedrooms. First they stopped at Gus’ door. Patrick and Chet were playing some version of a video game where they drove a car through all kinds of disasters like exploding buildings and careening tractor trailers. Just as Brian and Justin got to the door, a huge tree fell in front of the boys’ cars and they were demolished.

“Too bad, kiddos,” Gus said with a big grin. “I’m still the champ.”

“Along with me,” Richie declared.

“Right,” Gus said, “we make a great team.” He high-fived Richie who beamed at the praise.

“Yeah, but Chet and I won the other game,” Patrick reminded Gus.

“That you did,” Gus agreed. “Beat the pants off the rest of us.

Brian looked at Chet’s face. He was smiling wider than Brian had seen him smile all day. He seemed to be genuinely pleased that he and Patrick had done so well, and that he had been accepted into this group of boys.

“On that cheery note,” Brian interrupted, “it’s time to start to wind down. Bed is calling.”

“I can’t hear it,” Gus said with a cheeky grin.

“You, Sonny Boy, are an adult, although barely, while some of your protégés are young enough to really need eight hours in the sack.” Brian gave his son a look that said he should not argue if he knew what was good for him.

“Right,” Gus replied knowing that it was probably a good thing to agree with his father at this point. “Okay, munchkins, everybody out. I need my Z’s too.”

“Aw, it’s still early,” Chet complained.

Brian and Justin frowned. They hoped they weren’t going to have to lay down the law with their young guest.

Patrick jumped in and saved the situation. “I’m getting tired,” he stated. “Can we play some more tomorrow, Gus?”

“I think that might be arranged,” Gus agreed.

Hunter and Nick had been watching the last set of games. Hunter stood up from the pillow on the floor where he had been sitting and grabbed Nick’s hand. He pulled his partner to his feet. “Come on, Richie,” he said. “Nick and I will walk you down the lane to Emmett and Drew’s.”

“I don’t need an escort,” Richie protested.

“I think Candy and JR are in with Bree, so you might want to wait for them. You can deliver all the young’uns to their respective beds,” Brian advised.

“Happy to,” Nick responded.

Brian crossed the hall to Bree’s room. He tapped lightly on the door.

“No boys,” several voices called out.

“Ladies,” Brian said as he opened the door anyway. The girls were lounging around the room, on the bed, on the floor.

“We’re telling stories, Dada,” Bree informed him.

“Not scary ones, I hope.”

“Some,” Bree replied with a mischievous grin.

“If she has nightmares, I’m coming for all of you,” Brian threatened.

“Yeah, right,” JR crowed. “We’re all quaking in our Gucci boots.”

Brian snorted. “There isn’t a Gucci boot among you.”

The girls burst into gales of laughter.

“Night, Bree,” Candy said as she and JR recovered from their laughing fits and got up to leave.

The girls all exchanged hugs. Brian watched the affection between them all even though there was a big age gap. Ashley got hugs too, having now been included in the group. She was sleeping in Bree’s bed while Susanna had decided to go home since she lived nearby and the B&B was pretty full.

As Cindy and Michelle were leaving, Brian pulled Cindy aside. “How are you?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“What happened to Britt?”

Cindy chuckled. “Brett crawled away, like the snake he is, sometime this afternoon. I don’t know exactly when because I don’t really care.”

“Good girl,” Brian said kissing her forehead.

“He still wanted to be friends. Can you believe it?”

“True friends are hard to come by,” Brian counseled. “Maybe you should think about that now that the secrets are out in the open.”

Cindy frowned and thought for a moment. She stood on tiptoes and kissed Brian’s cheek. “Thanks for worrying about me.”

“That seems to be my job lately,” Brian said with a put upon sigh.

“And you do it very well.”

Brian merely shrugged. Then he looked at the girls who were still kissing and hugging and saying goodnight. “Hey, let’s get this show on the road. I want Bree in bed by midnight.”

“Okay, Uncle Brian,” JR said happily as she brushed pass him stopping just long enough to kiss his cheek.

“You lot are such flirts,” he felt compelled to tell them.

“Of course we are,” Candy replied with a grin.

“Your escorts are waiting down the hall,” Brian informed them. “They’ll walk you all home.”

“Ooooh, escorts,” the girls all laughed as they headed down the hall, looking flirtatiously back at Brian who could do nothing more than shake his head at them. Justin watched them from the doorway of Gus’ room where he had been waiting for Brian.

“Okay, Squirt, and Miss Ashley, get ready for bed.”

“Do we hafta?” Bree asked with a major league pout.

“Yes, you do. It’s way past your bedtime.”

“I’m not tired,” Bree declared.

“How about you, Ashley?” Brian asked. “Are you tired?

Ashley was caught in mid yawn. She merely nodded.

“Will you come and read us a story?” Bree asked. “If you will I’ll get ready for bed.”

Brian frowned. He didn’t like bargaining with his daughter. “Aren’t you getting a little old for stories?”

“You could read us The Velveteen Rabbit. You said nobody’s ever too old for that.”

“True,” Brian said. “I’ll be back in ten minutes. Make sure you brush your teeth.”

“Yes, Dada.”

“Yes, Mr. Brian.”

 

*****
 

“You better go read them that story,” Justin said looking at his watch. They had gone back to the sun porch and resumed their positions on the chaise.

“Want to come with me?”

“I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thanks so much,” Brian said sarcastically, getting up from the chaise where he and Justin had been ensconced while they gave the girls time to get ready for bed. John and Bobby had gone to help Chet find everything he needed for the night.

Justin took a sip of his bourbon as he watched Brian walk away. He had been thinking all evening. He had a faraway look in his eye when John and Bobby returned.

“Did you get Chet settled in?” Justin asked when he realized they had returned. They had poured themselves drinks and had sat down on a chaise opposite Justin.

“Yeah, Chet’s about the same size as Patrick, not quite as tall, so he’s got a pair of Patrick’s jammies on.”

“I hope you didn’t call them jammies,” Justin said. “Patrick would be so embarrassed.”

“We chose our words very carefully,” Bobby said with a laugh. “We try not to embarrass our son, unless it seems like a good idea.”

“That’s very good of you,” Justin laughed. “Patrick is growing up.”

“Speaking of growing up, where’s Brian?” John asked.

Justin chuckled. “He’s reading a bedtime story to our not quite totally grown up daughter and her best friend Ashley.”

“Ah, story time,” Bobby said. “I remember it well. Those days are long gone in our side of the house.”

“I’m kind of hoping Chet might turn out to be Patrick’s best friend. Patrick’s never really had someone like Bree has Ashley,” John observed.

“Patrick has lots of friends,” Justin replied.

“Yeah, but no one special. I’d like to see him have a friend that he could rely on.”

“And you think that might be Chet?” Justin asked.

Bobby decided to say what he thought. “I’m not so sure about Chet. He and his family have some issues.”

“Yeah, Anne,” John said with a frown.

At that moment Brian returned from Bree’s bedroom. “It took two pages of Velveteen Rabbit and they were out like a light,” he said proudly.

“Then I vote for bed for us too,” John said getting up from his chaise. “We have a brunch to get ready for in the morning.”

“At least I won’t have to grill,” Brian griped.

“But you will be making your world famous scrambled eggs and bacon,” Bobby informed him.

Brian groaned in mock misery as they all headed for their bedrooms.

 

*****
 

“Okay, what’s going on?” Brian asked when his latest kiss on Justin’s neck elicited little response. He rolled away from his spouse and lay in their bed looking up at the ceiling. This was not what he wanted to see … or feel.

“Nothing,” Justin replied rather curtly.

“If it’s nothing, then why aren’t you interested in sex? You’re never not interested in sex.”

“Sometimes I am.”

“Name one time.”

“Um…” Justin mumbled. He couldn’t think of a time.

“Tell me,” Brian ordered.

Justin hesitated and then decided he might as well say it. He hated this feeling of uneasiness that had gripped him for most of the day. “Do you ever get tempted when they flirt with you?” he asked.

“Huh?”

“You know, Brett, the girls … Anne.”

“Brett didn’t flirt with me, the girls were just playing around, and Anne…” Brian shivered in distaste.

“Don’t be flip. I’m serious,” Justin said.

“I’m flip because this is ridiculous. I’m gay, in case you haven’t noticed, so that pretty much eliminates the female part of this equation. And Brett was hitting on Gus, not me.”

“Gus who looks exactly like you,” Justin said petulantly.

“Justin … I’m old.”

“No you’re not. You’re young and beautiful. You always will be. Me, on the other hand…” Justin let the sentence hang in the air.

“You’re more beautiful than that night I first saw you under the streetlight.”

“I am?” Justin asked with a small smile. He loved it when Brian was kind of romantic. It didn’t happen often. “I’m getting old too.”

“You’ll always be younger than me,” Brian said with a sigh, “as much as I hate to admit it.”

“So, you weren’t tempted?”

“It’s flattering to think women … and men still find me attractive, but you’re the only one I want, Justin,” Brian said, his voice raw with emotion. “Don’t ever doubt that.”

Justin leaned over Brian and kissed him thoroughly. “I want you,” he whispered.

Brian looked into Justin’s eyes understanding what his mate was asking for. “And you shall have me … forever and always.” Brian kissed Justin’s lips and then rolled over onto his stomach. He’d show Justin how much he was treasured and loved. He would make it a night to remember, a night to banish all doubts about who Brian Kinney loved and was in love, in lust, in … everything, with.

 

*****
 

It was early the next morning when Justin awoke. He could hear that the cottage was still asleep, even Emmett hadn’t come in yet. Justin stretched, wiggling his toes under the smooth sheets. He turned his head to gaze at Brian who was also still asleep. It was rare when Justin woke up before Brian; Justin was definitely NOT a morning person. Brian’s internal alarm clock usually had him up before the others. But Brian had worked very hard the day before, grilling and then of course, there were their late night activities. Justin smiled.

The sun was peeking through the curtains. Brian’s hair was bathed in a golden light, highlighting all the shades of brown and auburn that made up Brian’s lush hair. Gently, Justin leaned down to kiss Brian’s shoulder. He gave the shoulder a tender lick, tasting the salty skin. They had both gotten a vigorous workout before finally collapsing from blissful exhaustion. Justin couldn’t help thinking how remarkable Brian’s stamina was. Just like the Energizer Bunny, Brian’s dick kept going and going and going. Justin smiled again to himself, even when Brian was the bottom, he never stopped being the top.

“What’s put that smug look on your face, Sunshine?” Brian barely cracked open an eye. Justin shrugged. He didn’t realize that he was wearing a smug expression on his face. “About to do the ‘I topped Brian Kinney’ dance?”

Brian chuckled as Justin gasped. Justin didn’t think Brian knew about that little guilty pleasure.

“It’s okay, Sunshine. Just remember, you’re the only man who ever gets to do that particular dance,” Brian purred as he rolled on top of Justin. Before Justin could say anything, Brian plundered his mouth with a kiss.

“I love you,” Justin said softly when Brian let him up for air. Justin shivered for a moment, temporarily overwhelmed by the strength of Brian’s love. Brian hugged Justin tighter.

“Okay?” Brian whispered into Justin’s ear. He gently kissed the side of Justin’s neck.

“Yes,” Justin assured his mate. “I’m fine, just love you so much.” Justin didn’t have the words to truly express his feelings but somehow he didn’t think it mattered. Brian always seemed to know what Justin was thinking.

“We should get up soon, our fairy godmother will be barging in any time now. He’ll be cracking the whip and expecting me to crack the eggs to start brunch. Just when did breakfast turn into brunch?”

“When we all started getting older and realized that we don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn on our day off,” Justin explained. “Especially after one of our parties.”

“About fucking time,” Brian agreed. He nibbled on Justin’s lips before rolling over to lie back on the bed. “Since we’re both awake…” Brian turned his head toward Justin and smirked. Justin gave him a wide smile just before he pounced.

 

*****
 

It was a couple of hours later when Brian and Justin emerged from their room, freshly showered and well, a-hem, rested. Brian laughed to himself as Justin walked to the kitchen with a noticeably jaunty step. Brian pretended not to see the self-satisfied smirk on Justin’s face as he opened the refrigerator and began taking out the breakfast fixings.

“Hi, hi, hi!” Emmett announced as he let himself and his men into the cottage. He was soon followed by Debbie, Carl, Michael and Ben. Everyone grabbed dishes, glasses and everything else they all would need for their feast, bringing it all into the sun porch where brunch would be served.

“Hello!” Seamus called out as he entered through the sun porch doors with Albert. Used to dealing with a variety of people, Seamus and Albert insisted on helping to serve brunch to the rest of the family.

As Brian had bacon and breakfast sausages sizzling on the griddle, the gate buzzer signaled the arrival of more guests.

“Who is it?” Bobby asked since he was closer to the intercom.

“It’s Susanna, oh, and I think the Larkins are behind me,” she replied as she saw a car pull up behind hers.

“Come on in,” Bobby said as he pressed the gate release. “We should have plenty of places to park.” The lane wasn’t as full as it was the day before.

“Just make sure those Fartkins don’t park on my grass,” Brian grumbled as he took out his huge scrambling bowl and several cartons of eggs. Bobby chuckled then quickly went outside just to make sure.

“Mommy!” Ashley called out as Susanna walked into the sun porch. Susanna gave her daughter a hug and a kiss.

“Hi, Mrs. Susanna,” Bree said. Susanna had a hug for Bree as well. The girls were still in their pajamas but it didn’t matter. No one was in a rush to do anything. Susanna was greeted by many of the family that she had seen the previous day, was offered coffee and shown the buffet table.

“Mitch, Anne, please come in,” John greeted the Larkins warmly as they followed Bobby into the porch. “Please help yourself, we’re very informal here,” John further explained.

“Thank you,” Mitch replied as he shook John’s hand. Anne smiled as she also shook hands. She was sober and appeared to be more relaxed. She was wearing a pastel sun dress and flats.

“John, is Molly here? I’d like to return the sandals she graciously loaned me yesterday,” Anne asked as she lifted up the small bag in her hand.

“They’re still across the lane. Taylor woke up with the sniffles so they’re keeping him in for a while. But I’d be happy to bring you over after you’ve eaten,” John suggested. He took the small bag containing the sandals out of Anne’s hand to put it out of the way until later. Anne thanked him then joined her husband.

“Orders up!” came a loud bellow from the kitchen. Debbie cackled as Emmett rolled his eyes.

“Coming your majesty,” Emmett called out as he went through the hall followed by John and Bobby. Within moments they came back into the porch carrying platters of eggs, bacon, breakfast sausages and small steaks. Justin followed with a large pitcher of juice.

“Good morning, all!” Brian announced as he made his grand entrance holding a large carafe of his famous coffee. He topped off mugs as he made the rounds greeting his family and friends.

“Seamus, me lad,” Brian began in his awful brogue eliciting groans from those within earshot. “Would you be leaving us any time soon? I’ve gotten used to seein’ yer face on the lane.”

“Aye, we’re booked for a Tuesday flight,” Seamus confirmed. “We’ve had a glorious time here. I didn’t know how much I needed the rest,” Seamus stated seriously. “Thank you, Brian, and thanks to your whole family,” Seamus said to the family in the porch. Albert nodded in agreement as he took Brian’s hand.

“It was our pleasure,” Brian replied, sans brogue. “You’ve taken care of many of us when we’ve stayed at your B&B; it was our turn to take care of you.” Brian smiled then went back into the kitchen to refill his carafe and to compose himself. It hit him how lucky he was in his choice of friends; he realized just how far he had come in his life.

“You okay?” Justin whispered as he wrapped his arms around Brian’s middle from behind while Brian was refilling the carafe. Justin got a grunt of assent. He kissed Brian’s back then walked back into the porch.

“Mr. Kinney?” a feminine voice called to him.

“It’s Brian, and can I get you anything?” Brian asked Anne, realizing he just may have put his big foot into it.

“Thank you, no. I just wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday. You’ve been so gracious and so kind.”

“Think nothing of it, we’re all human, so I’ve been told. We’re allowed to make mistakes. Hopefully, we learn from them,” Brian said, more to himself than to Anne but she seemed to understand. She nodded then went out to the porch. Brian stared into the empty space. A small voice brought him out of his reverie.

“Dada, can me and Ashley and Patrick and Chet go to the stream later?” Brian turned, leaned on the counter to study his daughter and contemplate her request.

“And Chet,” more of a statement than a question.

“Yes, Dada,” Bree stated, confidently returning her father’s steely gaze.

“Get permission from the parents and see if Gus will go with you. He’s leaving tonight to go back up to Penn, so I think he’d like to spend the afternoon with you.”

“Thank you, Dada!” Bree said as she threw herself into his arms. Brian kissed her, patted her little bum then sent her on her way.

Brian shook his head; he was beginning to feel like he was in an episode of the X-Files.

“Brian!” Brian sighed to himself as big bad Ben stomped through the doorway. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ben growled out.

“Getting more coffee,” Brian snarked as he held up the carafe.

“Never mind about the coffee. Why did you offer to build a cabin for Michael?”

“Cabin?” Brian said, somewhat confused.

“Yes, a cabin. He has some idea that you’re going to build him a log cabin.”

“I offered to build you guys a cottage,” Brian mumbled, wondering how a cottage turned into a log cabin. “Do you have a problem with that?” Brian asked Ben. Brian wasn’t sure if Ben was happy or angry about the idea, and he wasn’t in the mood for another altercation with the big man.

“No I don’t,” Ben gushed as he grabbed Brian, nearly lifting him up off the floor while planting a big kiss on his lips just as Michael and Justin came into the kitchen.


-tbc-

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