Still the One

 

 

Chapter 10



 

Justin, freshly showered, and modestly wrapped in his soft powder blue bathrobe was toweling off his hair.  Hearing his partner puttering around, Justin stepped closer to the bedroom stairs.  Brian also showered and as naked as the day he was born was moving furniture.

 

“What are you doing?” Justin asked.


“Preparing,” Brian stated curtly.
 

“For what?” Justin asked with some trepidation.  Justin never knew what Brian had up his, um, sleeve.  The sound of the buzzer conveniently prevented Brian from replying.
 

Brian went to the intercom, listened to the doorman then instructed him to send up the visitor.  Justin stood frozen to the spot for a moment then rushed to retrieve Brian’s robe.  He was just about to scold his spouse as he handed Brian his robe when Brian pulled back the loft door to allow in their guests.
 

“Ladies, I believe you should have sufficient room to work here,” Brian drawled as he showed two tall and very fit women to the spot he had cleared moments before.  The ladies ignored Brian’s lack of clothing as they began to set up two tables.
 

“What’s going on?” Justin leaned in to whisper while still trying to get Brian to wrap up in his robe.  Brian took the robe then threw it on the back of a chair.  Justin rolled his eyes then looked upward for guidance.
 

“Massage,” was all that Brian said.
 

“What?”  Justin gave him an incredulous look.
 

“Massage.  I hired a masseuse, two of them to be exact.  I thought we could use a little treat since we spent the last 48 hours burning up the sheets,” Brian whispered back, giving his lover a provocative leer while pinching his butt.
 

The boys had spent the past two days having the best make up sex ever and then making love since they missed each other so much and then fucking because fucking was just what Brian and Justin did best together.  In between rounds the boys called the cottage to let their family know all was well and would John and Bobby mind taking care of Bree for a few days.  Bree was delighted to hear that her parents were back to normal and instructed them to take as long as they needed.  In fact the cottage residents as a whole were very happy that the boys had come to a mutual understanding.  Plans were hatched, Emmett consulted, and the wheels began turning, setting into motion their wedding day preparations.
 

The boys stood out of the way as the ladies removed their coats then began to set out candles and aromatic oils to set the atmosphere.  Justin, not usually intimidated by anyone, was feeling a little vulnerable by the events and high emotions of the past few days. He stood slightly behind Brian.  Brian couldn’t blame Justin, the ladies were almost as tall as Brian and had as many muscles as Ben. 
 

“Maybe I should have invited Mel.  I bet these ladies could…” 
 

Justin stopped Brian by placing two fingers on Brian’s lips.  Justin could well imagine what Brian was going to say.  Fortunately the masseuses were ready and invited the boys to lay down on the tables. 

 

Brian smiled brightly as he hopped up onto the nearest table.  Justin hesitated for a second then went to the second table.  The masseuse took Justin’s robe and smiled kindly as Justin valiantly tried to keep his composure as he arranged himself on the table.
 

Soothing music in the background, relaxing scents wafting through the loft, the boys allowed themselves to be pampered by the pair of highly skilled masseuses.  The groans of passion that had been reverberating throughout the loft for the last two days were temporarily replaced by contented moans of appreciation.
 

An hour and a half later a very languid Justin felt himself guided to the lounge chair.  Curled up in his plush robe, Justin drifted in and out sleep.  In the background his could hear Brian being the perfect host offering the masseuses refreshments while he talked business.  Justin had the presence of mind to crack open an eye to check if his incorrigible partner was still naked.  Fortunately Brian was conducting his business in his robe.  The familiar sounds of the coffeemaker and tea kettle lulled Justin back to sleep.  Unbeknownst to Justin, when the ladies left they were well tipped, had appointments booked for chair massages for the employees at Kinnetik and a prospective ad contract.
 

“Hey, Sunshine, rise and shine,” Brian said as he gently shook his partner awake.  Justin scrubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
 

“How long was I out?” Justin asked as he stretched.
 

“A couple of hours,” Brian said.
 

“I’m sorry, Bri, I didn’t mean to zone out on you.”
 

“No worries, I checked my emails and read over a few contracts.  Besides you needed the sleep.  I figured you’d be hungry when you woke up so I ordered some Thai.  It’ll be here soon.”  The growling of Justin’s stomach proved Brian’s point.  “Why don’t you get the picnic blanket,” Brian suggested.  Justin smiled brilliantly as he went to set up floor space in the alcove.  Their dinner was delivered and the boys ate their favorite Thai dishes at a leisurely pace while stealing kisses from each other.
 

“I have another surprise,” Brian murmured as he nibbled Justin’s earlobe.
 

“More?  You’ll spoil me rotten.”
 

“So sue me.”
 

“What’s the surprise?”
 

“Patience, Sunshine,” Brian teased as he grabbed Justin's wrist to check the time.  Mentally he counted down, three, two, one.
 

“Helloo-ohh!” came from the vicinity of the door which was conveniently left open.  Emmett strolled into the kitchen.  Justin jumped up to greet their friend.
 

“Emmett!” Justin shouted as he went to give Emmett a hug.
 

“Hiya, Honey.  Look at you, you’re positively glowing!” Emmett stated as he held Justin at arm’s length to take a good look at the younger man.  “Just beautiful,” Emmett said with tears in his eyes.  He drew in Justin for another hug.
 

“Honeycutt, hands above the waist,” Brian growled as he came towards them.
 

“Oh psshaw,” Emmett retorted as he hugged Justin closer.
 

“Is our dessert crushed somewhere in there?” Brian asked as he waggled his finger at them.
 

“Over there, Mr. Grumpy.”  Emmett pointed to the kitchen counter.  “You know with all the sex that’s been going on in here you’d think he wouldn’t be so snippy,” Emmett said to Justin. 
 

Justin just giggled.  Everything felt normal again as if the tension of the past several months had finally eased.  The tightness in Justin’s muscles had finally let up and it wasn’t due to his excellent massage.  Something in their lives had shifted.  Justin caught Brian’s eyes, and he nodded.  Justin knew Brian felt it too.  They were finally on the right path.
 

Brian fumbled with the box that Emmett brought.  “Oh let me do it,” Emmett groused as he took the box that held a variety of treats out of Brian’s hands.  Emmett then rummaged through their cabinets to find the right platter to present their dessert.  Within minutes delectable sweet and savory pastries and cakes were plated.
 

“It’s so pretty,” Justin gasped.
 

“Not bad,” Brian snorted.
 

Emmett just shook his head as he bid them a good evening.  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” he said as slid the loft door closed.  His grin widened as he heard their good natured laughter.
 

“Sometimes all it takes is a fairy,” Emmett quoted as he rode the elevator down to his apartment.
 

*****
 

March-April 2025


“Is Pierre on board?” Gus asked as he strode into Shane’s office.  Pierre had returned home, their conversations were taking place via the phone and the internet so not to risk the attention of Max Jacobs.
 

“Yes, me lad.  After careful consideration, Pierre shall tactfully decline Max’s kind offer.”  Shane made quotes in the air.  “I’d love to be a fly on that wall.”
 

“Me too.  What did Dad say about hiring some of Max’s people?”
 

“He’s looking into it but he must be very careful.  He might offer a position at Kinnetik North.  So far Max is avoiding Canada.”
 

“Maybe Max doesn’t like snow,” Gus snarked.  “What about Isles merging with Pierre’s agency?”
 

“Your father is seriously considering that one but again we must be subtle.  We don’t want to rouse suspicion,” Shane said. 

 

Gus nodded as he looked around Shane’s modest office. 
 

“What is it, lad?  You’re looking a bit off.”
 

“My tenure here is almost up, at least for this go around.  I’m going to miss you and your staff.  You’ve all been so kind to me and I’ve learn so much from you.”
 

“And we’ll miss you, but I’m thinking that young man of yours is counting down the days until you walk off the plane.  And I suspect that you’re missing him a little more than you’ll miss us.”
 

Gus smiled.  “Yeah, Ray is some incentive to go home.  But he loves it here as much as I do.  He’s giving my Dad’s offer some serious thought, so who knows you might have to put up with both of us again sometime in the near future.”
 

“That’ll be a pleasure,” Shane assured Gus.  “Enough of this chatter, time to get to work.”
 

“Aye, aye, Cap’n,” Gus saluted with a smile as he left Shane’s office.
 

*****
 

Brian stalked past the receptionist who wisely did not put up a fuss.  He then presented himself with an arched brow to the Silver Fox.
 

“Please tell me all is well in the Kinney-Taylor household,” Alex exclaimed with an exaggerated sigh.  Brian smiled as he sat in a chair in front of Alex’s desk.  “Oh thank the gods!  I don’t think I can take another Brian Kinney meltdown.”  Brian genuinely laughed.  “Seriously, Brian, have you and Justin come to an agreement?”
 

“Yes, we have, and it’s more than I hoped for.  Expect an invitation to our wedding.”
 

“Congratulations, I’ll be honored to attend.  And I promise not to charge you extra.”
 

“Very generous of you.”  Brian handed Alex an envelope.
 

“What’s this?  I haven’t had a chance to tally up all those midnight phone calls yet.”
 

“Open it.”
 

Alex opened the large manila envelope to examine the contents.  He carefully unfolded the papers then set them on his desk.
 

“What am I looking at?  Are these blueprints?” Alex asked, looking up at Brian.
 

“Yes, they are.  It’s a cottage.  It’s just a basic layout; John can customize them to your specifications.”
 

“My specifications?  Brian, what are you saying?”
 

“I’m saying that if you and your partner want a summer home or getaway home, or home away from home, you have a place on Edna’s Treasures Lane.  We have plenty of room on the lane, or if you prefer more privacy, we have a very large meadow that will support a cottage.”
 

“But…”
 

“Just think about it and when you come to the wedding we’ll give you a tour.  Speak to John, he’ll talk your ear off about cottages.”
 

“I will, think about it I mean.  Brian this is so generous of you.”
 

“Not at all.  Of course it means you’d be subjected to visitors popping in and out of the lane at all hours.  And we have our own beasts of hell that patrol the lane.  They’re the true rulers of the lane.”  At Alex’s curious look Brian took out his phone and pulled up a picture of Beau, Lady Lucie and Little Beau.
 

“Good Gods, are they as big as they look?”
 

“Bigger and just as fierce, but it’s all an act.  Beau’s putty in Bree’s hands.”
 

“I’m sure he is.  Brian, are you sure about this?”
 

“Very sure, in fact my family insisted.  Now if you’re done hiking up my bill, I’ll be on my way.”
 

“Hmm?  Oh yeah, sure. Bye,” Alex murmured unable to take his eyes off the blueprints.  Brian chuckled as he left the good doctor’s inner sanctum.
 

“I would hold his calls for a while if I were you,” Brian suggested to the reception as he strode out.
 

*****
 

Debbie was finishing her morning coffee when Carl came into the small dining area in their cottage.
 

"Morning, sweetheart," he said as he poured himself a mug of coffee.  "What's up for you today?"
 

"I need to go to the school for a meeting with Peter," Debbie replied as Carl sat down.
 

"Are you making any progress with him?"
 

"It's hard to say," Debbie said.  "The principal keeps warning me that everyone had failed in trying to get through to this kid."
 

"Meaning that she thought you would likely fail too."
 

Debbie nodded.  "I think I was the last pitiful resort for Peter," she said with a snort.
 

"I think you've developed a real soft spot for this kid," Carl observed.
 

Debbie shrugged.  "There's something about him..."  She didn't finish the sentence.
 

Carl finished it for her.  "...that reminds you of your lost boys."
 

"Yeah, maybe that's it.  But ... I see something more in him than he ever gets credit for.  He's not stupid even though he's doing lousy in school."
 

"And you think you can help him?"
 

"He needs somebody to believe in him."
 

"I just don't want you to be disappointed if it all doesn't work out."  Carl reached across the table and gently rubbed the back of Debbie's hand.
 

"I know," Debbie sighed.
 

"Try... try not to get too involved."
 

"But he needs someone to be involved."
 

"You'll do what you think is best.  Just be careful."
 

"Okay," Debbie said as she mulled over all the things she might be able to do for Peter.
 

*****
 

Carl dropped his wife off at the school and headed to the community center for a game of pool.
 

Debbie walked into the school office wondering which Peter would be at their meeting today - the surly, silent one or the one who had shown an interest in thatched cottages.
 

"Mrs. Horvath," the secretary called, "Mrs. Bain would like to see you before you meet with the student."
 

"Oh?  Is something wrong?" Debbie asked.
 

"I don't know.  Mrs. Bain just told me to send you in to see her as soon as you arrived."
 

"Can I go in?"
 

"Let me make sure," the secretary replied as she picked up the phone and spoke a few words.  "Go right in."  She indicated the door to the principal's office.
 

"Debbie, good to see you again," Mrs. Bain said waving towards the chair on the other side of her desk.
 

Debbie slipped her coat off and sat down.  "What's going on?" she asked.
 

"I wanted to inform you that I had a visit from Peter's father a couple of days ago."
 

"He doesn't want me working with his son anymore, does he?" Debbie said feeling a big weight bearing down on her shoulders.  She had really wanted to help this boy.
 

"No, that's not it," Mrs. Bain replied.  Debbie looked surprised.  "He's being transferred for his job."
 

"But..."
 

"I know.  It is kind of sudden, but there's a history of Peter and his father moving many, many times."
 

"But Peter never said anything about it," Debbie said.
 

"I doubt he knew about the transfer the last time you saw him."
 

"I thought I might be making a little progress with Peter, but now..."  Debbie felt sad that things were going in this direction.
 

"I called you in here to give you the option of halting your meetings with Peter.  I know how easy it is to get attached to someone you're trying to help, so if you want to stop now, I'll let Peter know that you won't be coming back," Mrs. Bain said slowly and carefully.
 

"You sound like my husband," Debbie said.
 

"Well," Mrs. Bain said with a stunned look on her face, "that wasn't the response that I was expecting."
 

"I'm known for being unpredictable," Debbie said with a small smirk.
 

"So, do you want to meet with Peter today?"
 

Debbie considered her options, wondering if it might be best to cut things off immediately and be done with it.  Then it occurred to her that if Peter had moved around as much as Mrs. Bain said, then he had probably had many instances of people cutting off their relationships with him.  No wonder the poor kid was so screwed up.
 

"I want to meet with Peter," Debbie said firmly.
 

"Are you sure?"
 

"One hundred percent."
 

"Then go meet Peter.  He's already in the conference room."
 

Debbie stood up and grabbed her coat.  She was almost out of the office when Mrs. Bain called to her.  "Debbie, I wouldn't mention that you know about Peter moving.  Let him bring it up."
 

Debbie nodded and strode out of the office standing up straight and gearing up for a not very pleasant meeting with Peter.
 

"You're late," Peter said when she entered the room.
 

"Hello to you too," Debbie snapped.
 

"Um, sorry, I'm just used to you being here when I get here."
 

"Mrs. Bain wanted to speak to me."
 

"About me moving?"  Debbie nodded.  "Did she tell you that this will be the fifteenth time I've moved since I started school?"
 

"That's a lot.  It sounds like you've kept score."
 

Peter was thoughtful for a moment.  "I would like to stay someplace for a few years.  That way I might make a friend."
 

"Just one friend?"
 

"I'd settle for that."
 

"I like to think I'm your friend."
 

"You're a little old to go skateboarding with," Peter said with a rueful grin.
 

"There are different kinds of friends."
 

"I know, but it would be nice to have someone my own age that I could hang out with."
 

"Maybe in the new school you'll find someone," Debbie suggested.
 

"That's what everybody thinks each time we move, but it never happens.  The boys have all been together for years and they don't want an outsider butting in."
 

"And the girls?"
 

"That's like advertising that I'm gay.  That would be the kiss of death."
 

"Maybe there will be a gay/lesbian club in your new school."
 

"There's one in this school, but I never tried it," Peter admitted.
 

"Maybe you should try it in your new school.  You want friends to hang out with, that could be where you find them.  Forget about the cliques that are already established.  Make one of you own."
 

"Easy for you to say," Peter replied shaking his head.
 

"Listen, I know what I'm talking about.  My son is gay.  He had a hard time in school ... until he found a friend."
 

"And did he find this friend in a gay/lesbian club?"
 

"There was no such thing when he was in school."
 

"Ah, the good old days ... which are exactly the same as the good new days."
 

"They don't have to be," Debbie said gently.
 

Peter shook his head and didn't reply.  They sat in silence for a couple of minutes.
 

"What did you think of the cottages?" Debbie asked deciding they needed to move on.
 

"Oh, yeah, I brought the folder back."  Peter rummaged around in his backpack and pulled out the folder that John had made about some of his cottages.  He handed it back to Debbie.
 

"So, what did you think?" Debbie asked when Peter made no further comment.
 

"They're interesting.  Some of them look really historical and some are quite beautiful."
 

"John does excellent work.  He's very creative with problem solving."
 

"I wish I was," Peter said in a whisper.
 

"I haven't mentioned this before, but John Anderson is very successful ... and he's gay?" Debbie stated.
 

Peter raised his head and looked Debbie in the eye.  "You think that matters?"
 

"I thought it might."
 

"Well it doesn't," Peter said defiantly.
 

Debbie drew in a long breath.  She didn't want to fight with Peter.  "John would be happy to meet you.  I thought you might like to show him your drawings."
 

"He wouldn't be interested."
 

"You don't know that."
 

"Nobody's interested in me."
 

"Then what the fuck am I doing here if I'm not interested?"  Debbie grabbed her coat pretending to get ready to leave.  She hoped Peter would call her bluff.
 

"Okay, okay, sit down."  Debbie raised an eyebrow and remained standing.  "Please sit down," Peter amended.
 

Debbie sat.  "Would you be willing to meet John?" she asked.
 

"I'm going to be moving in a few weeks, and ... I doubt the school would let me meet an outsider."
 

"Could you get your father's permission?"
 

"Probably, he doesn't care what I do."
 

"I'd like to take you to the lane and show you my cottage.  You could see John's other cottages on the lane and I'll introduce you to him."
 

"Can you do that?"
 

"I have no fucking idea, but I'm going to see if I can make it happen."
 

"If anybody can make it happen, I bet you can."
 

Debbie beamed at him.  "Get your dad's permission and let me take care of the rest."
 

"Okay," Peter said as the bell rang.  He headed off for his next class.
 

Debbie sat for a moment in the conference room.  She needed to collect her thoughts before she broached all of her plans to the principal.
 

 

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