The Quarterback and the Chef

Chapter 3

"So, what do you think would make a nice theme for the party?" Justin asked. He and Emmett were sitting at the kitchen table at Edna's Treasures trying to make some decisions about the upcoming party. All they had so far was the date.

"Nice? We don't want nice!" Emmett stated. "We want something to grab their attention. Something interesting. Something fabulous!"

"Like?" Justin asked.

Emmett made a face. "That's just it. I haven't been able to come up with the definitive party idea."

"You? Mr. Party Planner Extraordinaire, can't come up with something?"

Emmett frowned. "I have come up with a lot of somethings. It's un-fucking-believable, really. I usually have a million great ideas. And I do. But I know Brian would hate just about every one of them, so I'm stymied."

Justin chuckled. "I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth."

"Well, now you have," Emmett admitted dejectedly.

"Look, why don't we call Brian down here and run whatever ideas you have past him."

"He'll just think they're for shit, and he'll make me feel worse than I do now."

"You never know," Justin said gently patting Emmett's hand. "Maybe together we can come up with the perfect party idea."

"Oh fuck, call him down. I guess I can stand his snarkiness," Emmett sighed.

Justin laughed and then called to Brian who was up in his office.

"What are you two cooking up now?" Brian asked as he came into the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee and joined them at the table.

"That's the trouble, Brian. We're not cooking with gas. I'm having trouble deciding what kind of party this should be, you know, the hook," Emmett explained.

"Why don't I just call them and tell them to get their asses out here on the 30th, and that will be that?" Brian asked.

"That's just so … ordinary," Emmett protested.

"But it'll get them all here," Justin stated.

"Are you implying that anything about me is ordinary?" Brian demanded raising an imperious eyebrow.

"Moi? Never," Emmett said in his most ingratiating voice.

"Then let's hear what you've come up with," Brian said.

"Well, in honor of Edna and the Central American contingent of the family, I thought a Spanish theme might be good," Emmett stated.

"Spanish, hm?" Brian said thoughtfully. "Sombreros and cucarachas and piñatas and fucking chimichangas. Are you out of your fucking mind?"

"So you don't like that one. Moving along! How about a gourmet pizza day?"

"Gourmet? Debbie and gourmet in the same breath don't make any sense. And pizza? She's Italian for fuck sake."

"Oh, yeah," Emmett said forlornly. "I thought you wouldn't like those suggestions."

"Well, you were fucking right. Anything else?"

Emmett sighed. "What if we just did 'It's summer in the country, come spend the day'?"

"Now, that's more like it," Brian said with a smirk.

Justin could see the wheels turning in Brian's head. When Emmett opened his mouth to say something else, Justin put his finger to his lips in an indication to wait and be quiet.

"That's it. "We'll do 'It's lovely day in the neighborhood'!"

"We will?" Emmett asked. "Isn't that the Mr. Rogers thingy?"

"Yes it is, but it could also refer to this neighborhood, nice weather, come for the day and then they can meet the newest member of the neighborhood when the moment is right."

"Me!" Emmett squealed.

"I think the penny finally dropped," Brian chuckled.

"I love it, Brian," Justin said nuzzling Brian's neck.

"Of course," Brian gloated. "I'm still the best adman there is."

"That's for sure."

Brian smiled. "The menu's up to you, Honeycutt. I'll leave that in your capable hands. Have whatever you want, but don't get too carried away."

"Yes, sir," Emmett said with a salute. "My hat's off to you. And I'll let you see the menu in a day or two."

"Don't bother. I know it'll be good," Brian said.

Emmett smiled as he headed for the door. "I won't even tell you not to call me Honeycutt."

"That's good, because I intend to keep on doing it … Honeycutt."

With a silly grin on his face, Emmett exited Edna's Treasures.

*****

"Hello?"

"Jennifer, it's Emmett."

"How are you, Emmett?"

"I'd be just fabulous if you tell me that my offer was accepted by the owner. I don't want to rent from anyone. I want to own the building."

"I realize that and we're just about there."

"How 'there' is there?"

"99% there."

"What's the hold up, and Jennifer, please be honest, is it me? I know I can come off as a little over the top."

"Emmett, it's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"I know your business is very successful but you've been handling it from your home. I think the seller has had some second thoughts." Emmett hesitated before replying. "Emmett, are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here. Would it help if Drew became a partner?"

"I'm not sure. I'm so sorry, Emmett. I know how hard you've worked for this and it's not over until it's over. I promise you, Emmett, I'll get the owner to sign." Jennifer tried to be encouraging.

"Sure," Emmett tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice.

"I'll call you in a few days."

"Okay, honey, and you'll be there for my party?"

"Wouldn't miss it, Emmett." As Emmett cut the connection, Jennifer turned toward Justin. She had tears in her eyes.

Justin had come into Pittsburgh to spend the day with her and to issue his and Brian's personal invitation to the party of the century. Brian decided to come in to pester the executives at Kinnetik and spend some time with Gus who was again interning at Kinnetik for the summer.

"Mom?"

"Oh, sweetie, he sounded so disappointed and hurt. That place is perfect for him and I've seen the renovation plans John drew up. I feel so awful."

"Mom, do they really think that just because Emmett worked from home he can't make it in his own storefront? He must have saved a lot of money working from home, no overhead."

"I know that, sweetheart, but the owner of the building doesn't see it way."

"I think this sucks and I'm going to do something about it."

"Justin, don't get involved."

"Mom, Emmett's a good friend and I won't stand by and watch him lose this opportunity," Justin pronounced as he stormed out of his mother's office.

*****

Justin was at the diner for lunch when Brian and Gus came in to join him. Lacy was there to service some of her favorite customers.

"Brian, we have to do something," Justin said to his partner in hushed tones. Justin was sitting opposite the Kinney men as they ate lunch.

"Justin, I think we should stay out of it," Brian commented as he bit into his dry turkey sandwich.

"Pop, I think Justin is right," Gus said, as he stole the pickle off of his father's plate. He took a big bite then continued. "Auntie Emm has been one of your closest friends for as long as I can remember. Out of all of our cwazy wittle family, he's the most loyal. He's a good person, Pop, he deserves this chance. If you can do anything to make it happen, you should." Gus finished off Brian's pickle then reached over to steal Justin's.

Brian remained quiet for a moment then giggled as Gus lost his quest for Justin's pickle. Gus sported the Kinney scowl at Justin's smug look. Brian waved at Lacy to bring more pickles.

"See," Gus began, as he picked up a pickle from the plate that Lacy brought, "you know how to fix things, Pop." Gus grinned at his dad with a pickle smile.

"That's gross," Justin said but he imitated Gus with his own pickle. Gus and Justin nearly choked with laughter at the look of disgust on Brian's face.

"Two babies," Brian muttered as he picked up a pickle.

*****

"Mr. Harris, I'm Brian Kinney, thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

Brian had learned from Jennifer who held the lease on the building Emmett was interested in buying. Brian decided to see the man to personally plead Emmett's case. He wasn't sure if it would help but it was the very least he could do.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Kinney. I've been in business in Pittsburgh for most of my career but this is the first time our paths have crossed."

"Call me Brian, and even though you own the building on Liberty Avenue, we run in different circles." Seth Harris offered Brian a chair as they continued their chat.

"I inherited that building from an uncle of mine. He was rather a unique character. The bakery was in business for a long time until the baker retired and moved to Key West. She was tired of our harsh winters. What's your interest in the building?"

"A friend and business associate has made an offer for the building. I think it's a fair offer considering the building hasn't been occupied for a while and he'll have to make extensive renovations. I was curious why you're hesitating. One would think you'd want to be rid of the building."

"My uncle held a strange fascination for the baker, unrequited love, I guess you'd call it. When she retired and then moved, he was prepared to follow her. He passed away before he could get the chance. She came back to speak at his funeral. It seems that she did love him, but was unable to return his affections. She's a lesbian and thought it would be cruel to lead my uncle on. He, on the other hand, didn't care about her sexual preferences and thought it strange that she never had a partner."

"Mr. Harris, how do you know all this and what does this have to do with allowing Emmett to buy the building?"

"My uncle kept an extensive personal journal. It's taken me years to read through all of it. He hung onto that building because he loved Amelia and she did care about him in her own way. He wanted the building to go to someone who would honor their relationship, such as it was. I don't know much about Mr. Honeycutt other than he apparently has a famous partner."

"Maybe I can help..."

*****

"Drew!" Emmett squealed loudly as he ran into the bathroom where Drew was currently taking a shower. Emmett jumped into the shower fully clothed, he was so excited.

"Babe! Babe, what the fuck are you doing?" Emmett had Drew in a tight hug, his clothes were becoming soaked.

"Oh Drewsie, honey, I got it!"

"Got what?"

"The building! Jennifer just called. She said the owner accepted my offer and she is going to fax over the papers now. I own the building! Emmett's Place is going to be a reality." Emmett pressed himself against Drew's body. They were both growing very excited, in more ways than one.

"Babe, I know we don't do this often but I want you to make love to me," Drew said in a whisper as he turned off the water then helped Emmett to peel off his soaked clothes. The lovers grabbed for towels then kissed, fondled and teased their way to bed.

"Score one for the tight end," Drew murmured as he snuggled into Emmett, who for a nelly bottom queen, excelled at being a top when the occasion presented itself. Drew had been thoroughly loved by Emmett.

"Touchdown," Emmett responded as he hugged his man then drifted off to sleep.