Still the One

 

 

Chapter 11



 

 

April 2025

 

“Aaaa-mazing,” Gus purred as he rolled off Ray.  The minute Gus returned to New York, the boys dove into their bed, making love for days, only coming up for air, food, and bathroom necessities.

 

“Are you home for a while?” Ray asked knowing that Gus could be flown out for Kinnetik business at any time.

 

“Yes, I am, except next month when we go to the lane for the wedding,” Gus said with a smug smile.

 

“They’re finally doing it?”

 

“Yup.  Took them a while to get their shit together but Pop and Justin are going to make it legal,” Gus said as he made quote marks in air when he said the word legal.  His dads were more legal than the average person gay or straight.  “You have to take time off,” Gus commanded.

 

“Of course.  Are my parents invited?” Ray asked. 

 

Gus reached for his phone to check his email; Emmett had sent Gus a copy of the guest list.  He opened the email and waved it in front of Ray’s face, teasing him.  The boys wrestled for the phone which quickly turned into another round of fast and furious sex.  They laughed as they shoved each other around then kissed and clung to one another.

 

“I missed you,” Ray murmured.

 

“Missed you too,” Gus replied.

 

“Did you and Shane figure out what to do about Max?”

 

“We have a tentative plan but it’s not going to be easy.”  Gus went over the plan inspired by Ray to gradually have some of Max’s people hired away.  And since Pierre curtailed his merger with Max, Shane and Brian thought it only right to pass a little business his way. 

 

“I thought Pierre was looking to get out of the advertising business?”

 

“Turns out Pierre was getting bored, so Pop and Shane have been passing him some interesting campaigns.  It’s like he got his mojo back but he may still join forces with Isles,” Gus explained.

 

“So win-win?” Ray asked.

 

“Yup!” Gus replied with a brilliant smile.

 

“And Kinnetik North?  When do you have to go back up there?”

 

“Maybe over the summer.  We can celebrate Pride together!”

 

“So I have you for several months,” Ray purred with a waggle of his eyes.

 

“You have me for as long as you want me,” Gus whispered.  Ray mashed their lips together then it was on to the next round.

 

 

*****

 

 

“Mmm, that was good,” Justin whispered as he nibbled Brian’s earlobe.  The guys were still at the loft and still having lots of make-up sex every moment they could.  Brian rolled on top of Justin, lovingly caressing Justin’s face and hair.  Justin gave Brian a warm smile.  “We should go home.  The guys are taking care of Bree; I don’t like taking advantage of them.”

 

“We’ll go back soon, and it’s not like she’s a baby.  But on the other hand she’s probably declared herself the queen of the lane, and is having the guys scrambling around doing her bidding,” Brian said making Justin laugh.

 

“You’re probably right, and in that case we should go home if only to rescue them,” Justin said.

 

“Yeah,” Brian murmured as he kissed the tip of Justin’s nose.  “Have you given any thought to where you’d like to go for a honeymoon?”

 

“You mentioned New York, I think I’d like to go there and disappear into the crowds for a while.  Maybe visit a few museums.”

 

“I think that could be arranged.  We’ll stay in midtown; that way it’ll be convenient to go anywhere you want,” Brian said.

 

“Anywhere WE want,” Justin stressed as he traced Brian’s face and lips with his fingertips.  The years had been kind to Brian.  The few lines he did have just made him sexier, if that was possible.  And the few grays made him look more distinguished. 

 

“I love you.  I never want to argue like that again,” Justin murmured.  Brian nodded and was about to apologize but Justin stopped him.  “No, this was on me.  I was being a selfish, spoiled brat.  You rarely ask me for anything, I should have realized how important this is to you.  I’m the one who’s sorry.  Can you forgive me?”  Moist blue eyes gazed into Brian’s eyes as Justin waited for Brian’s answer.  Brian let his body answer the question.

 

A few hours later the boys decided to call out for dinner.  As they waited for their order to be delivered they set the table together.

 

“I wanted to discuss something with you,” Brian ventured.

 

“Does it involve you and me and a large bed?” Justin teased.

 

“Not exactly but hold that thought,” Brian said as he put out the silverware.  “It involves a new cottage on the lane.”

 

“Another one?  Do we have room?”

 

“We have space in between Molly and Rachel but I was thinking more towards the meadow.   It’ll need its own driveway and it won’t be hooked up to the grid, but John can make it work.”

 

“You mean like an eco-friendly green cottage?”

 

“Something like that.  He wants to experiment with solar panels and a bio friendly bathroom.  He lost me in all his techno babble but it’ll be far enough away from the conjoined cottages so it won’t obstruct the view or your lighting.”

 

“Hmm.  Who did you have in mind to live in it?”

 

“The Silver Fox.”

 

“Really?  I pegged him for a city boy,” Justin said with wonder as his eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

 

“Yeah, but even a city boy needs a vacation now and then.  And he was there when I needed him, day or night.”

 

“You don’t have to convince me.  He’s good people and I appreciate all he’s done for the both of us.  Did you show him some plans?” Justin asked.

 

Brian burst out laughing.  “On my last visit I handed him an envelope with a set of John’s blueprints.  I don’t think the good doctor noticed when I left his office.  He was practically drooling.”  Brian paused.  “I’m not sure how to take that.  I must be losing my touch; I’m not used to being ignored,” Brian said with a put upon pout.  Justin put down a dish then gave him a hug.

 

“Poor baby.  But you must admit John’s cottages are stiff competition even for the Stud of Liberty Avenue,” Justin teased.  Brian pushed Justin against the nearest pillar, grinding his groin against Justin’s ass.

 

“I’ll show you stiff,” Brian purred into Justin ear, nibbling the back of Justin’s neck. 

 

That’s when the intercom buzzed announcing their dinner.

 

“Hold that thought,” Justin parroted Brian as he extricated himself from Brian’s grip to get their dinner.  Brian adjusted himself then went to pour their favorite wine.  Justin generously tipped the delivery boy, slid the door shut then brought the deliciously smelling parcels to the table.

 

The boys leisurely ate their dinner while filling in each other on what was going on in their lives for the past few months.

 

“I feel like I’ve been living in a fog,” Brian stated, shaking his head.  “So much time wasted.”

 

“Nothing was wasted,” Justin assured his mate.  “You recognized that you needed help and you got it.  Your fog has lifted.”

 

“Kinnetik,” Brian mumbled.

 

“Is fine.  You have brilliant people working for you including your son.  It survived.”

 

“And Bree?  I feel I neglected her while I was wallowing in my shit.”

 

“You never wallow.  And we have a very perceptive daughter who understands that Dada needed help to sort out some stuff.  You got that help and now you’re ready to come home to us,” Justin said as he stood up from the table and crossed the floor to kneel in front of his spouse.  “You are the strongest, bravest person I know.” 

 

Brian shook his head.  “You’re the brave one,” he said as he gently traced the almost imperceptible scar on Justin’s temple.  He leaned down to give Justin a gentle kiss.  “I think I want to go home tonight.”

 

“Then we go home tonight.  Can we stop by Mom’s first?” Justin asked.

 

“Yeah.  Let’s make the rounds,” Brian suggested.

 

It was early enough in the evening for the boys to stop by the gallery, visit with Jennifer and Seth, and stop by the diner to pick up lemon bars for the kids.  They packed, cleaned up the loft then headed home to Edna’s Treasures Lane.

 

 

*****

 

 

The conjoined cottage was calm.  Its residents were in the sun porch working on another puzzle.  The boys entered quietly; they pulled over additional chairs then joined their family.  Soft chatter and friendly banter was the order of the evening as they concentrated on the puzzle.

 

Everyone could feel that life on the lane was now back to normal. 

 

 

*****

 

 

Debbie strode purposefully into the office at Bree's school.  She waved at the secretary she had spoken with before.  The woman came over to the counter to see what Debbie wanted.

 

"Can I help you, Mrs. Horvath?" she asked.

 

"I need to speak to the principal."

 

"Do you have an appointment?"

 

"No, I didn't know I needed one."

 

"Well, Mrs. Bain is very busy."

 

"It's important that I speak with her."

 

The secretary looked toward the principal's office.  Debbie could see Mrs. Bain through the glass pane in the door of the office.  The principal was at her desk.  Debbie couldn't really see what the principal was doing.

 

"She's on the phone," the secretary said.  "If you want to wait, I'll tell her you're here, and maybe she will have time to speak with you.  No guarantees though."

 

"Thanks," Debbie replied.

 

"Have a seat and I'll let you know."

 

Debbie sat down in one of the chairs lined up against the wall.  She glanced over at a student who slumped in his chair a few places over.  She wondered what he had done to end up in the office - probably nothing good.

 

Glancing around the office, Debbie let her mind wander to what she was going to say to Mrs. Bain.  She had rehearsed her arguments all day at home, but now she was having trouble remembering exactly what she wanted to say.  She shook her head trying to recall all the smart things she had dreamt up to tell Mrs. Bain.  When they weren't coming to her, she began to think this whole thing was a bad idea.

 

"Mrs. Bain is off the phone," the secretary said after a few minutes.  "I'll let her know that you want to speak to her."

 

"Thanks," Debbie replied drawing in a deep breath.  She could still stop the secretary.  All she had to do was tell her not to bother.  She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

 

"You can go in," the secretary told Debbie.

 

Debbie blinked a couple of times and stood up.  She mustered all the courage and energy she could, and stepped through the gap in the counter.  She walked toward the principal's door.  As she reached for the handle, she hesitated.

 

"Go right in," the secretary urged.

 

Debbie drew a deep breath and opened the door.  Mrs. Bain was seated behind her desk looking at a file.  She indicated that Debbie should sit in the chair across the desk from her.  Debbie sat, wondering if she should go ahead with her request.  She really did not like being refused, and she had a sinking feeling that would be the outcome.

 

"What can I do for you, Mrs. Horvath?" Mrs. Bain asked, closing the file and setting it aside.

 

"Please call me Debbie."

 

"Right, Debbie."

 

"I, um, I want permission to take Peter on a field trip," Debbie managed to get out.

 

"A field trip?" Mrs. Bain asked.  She was clearly startled by Debbie's request.

 

"Yes, I want to take Peter somewhere with me."

 

"And where would this somewhere be?"

 

Debbie hesitated.  She had thought that calling this excursion a field trip would make it sound more official.  Now it just sounded silly.  She was about to give up and tell Mrs. Bain she was sorry to have wasted her time, when another thought came to her.  This trip was exactly what Peter needed.  She knew it.  And it was what she wanted too.  "I want to take Peter to the lane where I live.  He has expressed interest in my thatched roof cottage, and in the other cottages on the lane.  It's the only thing he's shown any interest in.  This would be good for him," Debbie ended.  She looked at Mrs. Bain whose face remained impassive.  Maybe principal's learned that expression as part of their job.  Or, more likely, she was expressing her disapproval and the whole idea was going to be kyboshed. 

 

"I see."

 

"You see that I'm a foolish old woman and you're going to turn me down," Debbie supplied.

 

"I didn't say that."

 

"But it's what you're thinking.  Well, thanks for your time.  I won't take up any more of it." Debbie picked up her purse getting ready to leave.

 

"You're jumping to conclusions ... Debbie."

 

"Yeah, I get told that a lot, but they're usually the right conclusions."  Debbie stood up.

 

"Please sit down.  I'm not turning down your request, but I must caution you about some things.  Usually we ask volunteers to keep at arm's length from the students they are working with.  Taking Peter to your home opens up a potential ... can of worms.  Are you sure you want him to know where you live?"

 

"I'm not afraid of Peter," Debbie declared, as she sat back down.

 

"I didn't think you were, but it's better to be careful than take unnecessary chances."

 

"I'm willing to take this chance."

 

"I can see that.  Have you discussed this with Peter?"

 

"No, I wouldn't get his hopes up without knowing that this could actually happen."

 

"That's good.  If you're sure you want to do this, you will need permission from Peter's father," Mrs. Bain explained.

 

"I get the impression from Peter that his father doesn't really care what he does."

 

"Mr. Chang is still Peter's father.  He has the right to refuse."

 

"You think he'll refuse?" Debbie asked with concern.  She had begun to think that this trip was going to happen.  Now she wasn't so sure.

 

"I don't know," Mrs. Bain admitted.  "I haven't had a lot of contact with Mr. Chang in spite of Peter's problems.  I think you should discuss this with Peter, and if he wants to go to your home, and if you and your husband are okay with that happening, then I will contact Mr. Chang and suggest he allow the ... fieldtrip."

 

"That would be great," Debbie said.  It at least sounded promising.

 

Mrs. Bain looked at her watch as a bell rang.  "Peter will be waiting for you," she said to Debbie.

 

"Yeah, I'll talk to him now."  Debbie picked up her purse and left the office.  The first hurdle had been crossed.

 

 

*****

 

 

Peter was waiting in the conference room by the time Debbie got there.

 

"You're late," Peter said.  Usually she was waiting for him when he arrived at the conference room.

 

"I had to speak to Mrs. Bain," Debbie said as she sloughed off her coat and sat down.  They sat side by side now instead of at opposite ends of the table.

 

"You bailing on me?" Peter asked.

 

"If I say I'll be here, I will," Debbie said with emphasis.

 

Peter could tell his comment had irritated her.  "Okay, okay, so far you have done what you say."

 

"Well, thanks for that."

 

"My dad usually lets me down," Peter said, barely above a whisper.

 

"Has something happened?"

 

"He's in New York on business.  He's got some weird old bag staying with me.  He felt he had to get someone, but she'd rather be anywhere else, and so would I.  I don't know where he dug her up from.  I'd rather be on my own."

 

"You're too young to be on your own."

 

"I'm fifteen."

 

"That's too young to stay by yourself," Debbie affirmed.

 

Peter shrugged.  "I've run away a couple of times.  I like being on my own."

 

A memory of Jason Kemp's body in the dumpster ran through Debbie's mind.  "The streets are no place for young kids," she cautioned.

 

"Living with my father isn't exactly a picnic."

 

Debbie shook her head.  She hated that Peter was so unhappy.  Maybe this trip to the lane would do him some good.  It would be nice to see him smile and enjoy something.

 

"I was talking to Mrs. Bain about taking you to the lane where I live so you can see my lovely little thatched cottage."

 

"What?"

 

"You heard me."

 

"Are you serious?"

 

"I wouldn't be telling you this if I wasn't."

 

"But.."

 

"But what?"

 

"You'd actually take me to your home?" Peter asked in disbelief.

 

"Why is that so hard for you to believe?"

 

"Nobody ever wants me around," Peter said.  Debbie could hear the sadness in his voice.  "Why would you be any different?"

 

"If you haven't figured out that I like you, kiddo, then you're not half as smart as I think you are."

 

"You think I'm smart?"

 

"I know you are, too smart for you're own good, if I'm any judge," Debbie said gently.

 

Peter chuckled.  Debbie decided she wanted to hear more of that sound.

 

"We have to get your father's permission for the field trip," Debbie explained.

 

"Good luck with that."

 

"What do you mean?  Won't your father give his permission?"

 

"Probably, but he's not easy to get in touch with."

 

"Mrs. Bain was going to handle that."

 

Peter shrugged.  "We'll see."

 

"I asked John Anderson to give you a tour of the lane," Debbie said looking for something more positive to talk about.

 

"The architect dude?"

 

"Yes, the architect dude," Debbie replied with a chuckle.  She'd have to tell John that he was officially the architect dude.

 

"That would be cool ... if it happens."

 

"It's going to happen," Debbie said with as much surety as she could muster.  "Maybe you could bring some of your sketches with you when you come."

 

"Why?"

 

"John would be interested in seeing them ... and there might be someone else on the lane when you're there."

 

"Who?" Peter asked wondering what this woman had in store for him.

 

"That's for when you get there," Debbie said with a mysterious smile.

 

"You're a tease."

 

"Sometimes," Debbie admitted.

 

"Do you think this will really happen?" Peter had to ask.

 

"I think so!"

 

Debbie hoped she was right.

 

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