Testing, Testing ... 1,2,3

Chapter 1

 

Brian pulled out of Justin with a loud grunt then collapsed onto the younger man below him.

The “Seasons” week had come to a triumphant conclusion the previous night. The exhibition of Justin’s paintings would stay at the Bloom Gallery for at least the next six months. Sidney was not quite sure what to do with the Fractal movie, but Justin and Sidney had plans to discuss it further Monday afternoon. As Brian promised, he had plans to fuck Justin for the next three days.

“Damn, Sunshine,” Brian panted, “that was fucking hot!”

The lovers went back to the loft immediately following the party at Emmett’s Place Too, which was also quite a triumph’ much to Brian’s satisfaction.

Bree had noted how much happier her daddies were while they were together and in the comforting arms of their vast family. Briana was growing tired of a grumpy Dada and of a Daddy that ignored them. The astute little girl put two and two together and came up with, “My daddies need alone time!”

Princess Briana had spoken, so John checked them all in at The Plaza for the night to give the lovers their time alone.

“Yes, it was,” Justin agreed smugly with a sultry grin as he patted Brian’s sweaty back. "One of our top ten.”

“We haven’t had many of those lately,” Brian said gently not wanting to ruin the moment but needing to express his feelings.

“I’m sorry, Bri,” Justin whispered. He knew he had neglected Brian and Bree for most of August and September. “And before you say it, it’s not always bullshit. There were plenty of times when you’ve had to fly off somewhere because of work. This is no different.”

Brian remained quiet as he reflected upon what Justin said, and he knew Justin was completely within his rights. In the past, Brian had always flown off or traveled somewhere when he was trying to get Kinnetik off the ground. It was business. The Kinney name was on the door and nothing, not even Justin, was able to stop Brian. This was no different.

Brian was about to roll off of Justin when he realized they were both rather sticky. Their combined fluids were drying and they were about to be glued to each other. Brian got up off the loft bed then extended his hand out to Justin.

“Come on, Sunshine. We stink. We need a shower.”

Justin smiled softly as he took Brian’s hand. “Brian...”

“You’re right, Justin. You’re always right.”

“Not always,” Justin said as he opened the shower door. The lovers took their time bathing each other and loving each other.

“Bri, how old am I?” Brian arched his brow at the inane question. “Humor me.”

“You’re thirty-five.”

“And at thirty-five, what were you doing?”

“Besides fucking you, making sure Kinnetik was well established.”

“Right and at forty?”

“Marrying you and launching Part Deux.”

“Right again. But you didn’t do it alone, did you?”

“No, of course not. I had Cynthia and Ted and Scott. I still have them.”

“Give the man a cigar! You chose your people carefully. You groomed them and mentored them so that you can follow other pursuits, such as Babylon and the clinic project.”

“Is there a point to the “This is Your Life Brian Kinney Show”?”

“Yes, at my age you were established and you worked fucking hard to get there. And you had the best of help to do it. But my career is my career. I don’t have the luxury of anyone who can take over for me. There isn’t anyone to take over a painting or stand there during a meet and greet. You can’t have it both ways.”

Brian took a soapy sponge, gently running it over his lover’s body.

“I have been very selfish, haven’t I,” Brian admitted.

“Maybe a little. If it was just the two of us I think you could cope.”

“But it’s not just the two of us, is it?”

“No, we have Bree to consider. She starts to whine, stamps her little feet because one of us doesn’t snap to her wishes and then you go off the deep end. I’m not placing blame, Bri. It is what it is. Bree gets lonely or disappointed, goes to you and reminds you that you’re lonely too. You react the only way you know how.”

“By trying to distract you from your projects. I’m some fucking asshole.”

“Maybe, but you’re my asshole. And I love you so very much.” Justin reached up to kiss Brian. “I want you,” Justin whispered against Brian’s lips. He felt Brian’s smile just before Brian turned to face the wall. Brian scrunched down to accommodate Justin, spreading his long legs as he felt the familiar burn when Justin entered him.

“Oh yeah,” Brian murmured holding on as best he could to the tiles. Justin knew this was a very precarious position for his lover especially in a slippery shower so he angled himself to make every thrust hit its mark. Soon Brian was splashing the tiles with cum. Justin gently withdrew, rinsed them both off then led his spent lover out of the shower.

“It only gets better and better, Sunshine,” Brian cooed as Justin dried him then took him back to bed.

“Yes, it does and I promise, Bri, I’ll make it up to you and Bree,” Justin vowed as the sated lovers snuggled together and went to sleep.

 

*****
 

“Justin, my boy! So good of you to come over,” Sidney gushed. His phone had been ringing off the hook for the whole weekend. Critics were clambering for interviews. Galleries were all vying for Justin Taylor paintings to show.

Brian and Justin had been sequestered for the weekend. They had fucked and sucked the whole time, stopping only for food, water and the occasional shower. They looked (and felt) quite well fucked as they entered the gallery Monday afternoon.

Before Justin had a chance to ask, Sidney led the couple to a flat panel TV monitor on a far wall. The credits of the Fractal movie were just starting to roll.

“I have it playing once every two hours,” Sidney said proudly. “It’s getting a most favorable reaction as well as the Seasons exhibit. Now I know you both must be very tired and want to be on your way back home so I won’t keep you, but I have something for you,” Sidney said with much enthusiasm. “Stay here a minute.”

Brian and Justin watched with amusement as Sidney scurried into his office then quickly emerged with a stack of newspapers and magazines.

“Take these with you; I have copies,” Sidney said as he thrust the stack into Justin’s hands. “I am so proud of you,” Sidney gushed again as he ran back into his office to answer the phone.

Brian and Justin gave each other an incredulous look, as Brian helped Justin with the unruly stack of papers that threatened to fall out of Justin’s arms.

“Let’s go to the diner for lunch before we head back to the cottage. We can read some of these while we eat,” Brian suggested.

 

*****
 

“Got enough food on your plate there, Sunshine?” Brian asked in awe of the mound of food that was piled high on Justin’s plate.

“Brian, I must have lost five pounds this weekend,” Justin said trying to pout around a pickle.

“Now, you probably gained back five pounds and you still have more to go,” Brian growled. He knew that Justin had a tendency to lose weight before a show and when he was so worked up about a project.

“So stop your bitching and pass me another paper,” Justin demanded.

“Yes, dear,” Brian squawked as he slid over the “Dispatch.”

Justin took a bite from his sandwich and a big slurp of soda through his straw. He opened the paper to the Arts and Style section to see if there was a review. He was about to take another bite of pickle when his hand froze midway from the table to his mouth.

“What is it, Sunshine?” Brian asked as he noticed the lack of movement and pickle juice dripping onto the table. “Justin?” Brian said a little more forcefully.

Justin put down the pickle then cautiously slid the paper toward Brian. “Now, Brian, I don’t want you to become upset.”

“Upset? Why should I be upset about a less than favorable review by some asshole reporter who obviously doesn’t know genius when he sees it?”

“Oh, he liked the show.”

“Then what are you talking about?” Brian quickly scanned the article. “WHAT THE FUCK?!”

The whole diner became suddenly very quiet.

 

*****
 

“All right, Mr. Marcus-Peterson, your turn behind the wheel,” the instructor at Driver’s Ed said.

Gus smiled and changed places with Mary Lou, the girl who had been driving the car on the school course. “I’m ready,” he said as he buckled his seat belt. This was their first day behind the actual wheel of a car … in the Driver’s Ed course. Gus knew he had practiced a lot at the cottage and a bit with his mothers. He was sure he was way ahead of the other students because of that. He was ready to show the instructor exactly what he could do.

“Complete your checklist,” the instructor said.

Gus slid the seat back a little further to accommodate his legs which were considerably longer than Mary Lou’s. He made a cursory look in the rearview mirror and the side mirrors. “Ready,” he said.

“Put it in gear and take us straight down to the other end of the lot,” Mr. Rashki, Gus’ instructor directed him.

Gus put the car in drive and stepped on the gas. Everyone in the car was driven back against their seat, as the force of Gus’ action caused the car to peel rubber and the inhabitants to be slammed backwards. At the end of the course Gus slammed on the brakes and caused everyone to jerk forward.

“What do you think you’re doing, young man?” Mr. Rashki demanded, trying not to show his anger, and if the truth be known, his fright.

“Driving,” Gus said with a grin.

“You’re a long way away from a race course, young man,” Mr. Rashki declared. “And a long way away from your driver’s license if that was any indication of what having you on the roads will be like. Get in the back of this car … now!” he ordered.

Gus unbuckled his seat belt with a frown. “I … I was just kidding,” Gus said uncertainly. He had thought it would be fun to try the things he had done with Justin’s car when he was practising in the lane.

“A car is not the kind of thing that you kid around with,” Mr. Rashki said sternly. “I think we will have you sit out the next two lessons until you have contemplated the correct manner in which to conduct yourself in a motor vehicle.”

“But…” Gus tried to protest.

“Enough! Change places with Jerry, and maybe Jerry will be able to show you the proper method of driving a car.”

Gus got out as Jerry slid out of the back seat. He smirked at Gus and Gus wanted to flatten him. He knew he better not though. He quietly got in the back seat beside Mary Lou. She gave him a wan smile trying to be encouraging. Gus realized maybe he had made a big mistake.

 

*****
 

“Owen,” Sharon Brenner said to her husband as she walked into his office in the house. Owen Sr. mainly worked from home these days, although he kept a firm hold on the goings-on in his company.

“Yes, dear,” Owen replied.

“I was thinking that I’d like to have a dinner party.”

“Were you now?”

“Yes, and I think I would like to invite Molly and Owen and Jennifer and Seth, of course. And her brother and his family. We have never properly reciprocated their hospitality at Christmas time. I believe we should rectify that oversight immediately.”

“Hm, rectify the oversight,” Owen mused. “I’ve never heard a better reason for inviting people to dinner.”

“You know what I mean, dear. I just thought we could have a nice extended family get-together. It should be very pleasant.”

“And just how casual would this dinner be?” Owen asked, knowing how his wife’s mind worked.

“Not casual at all. We’ll have it in the formal dining room. I thought maybe a nice prime rib. I’ll work out the rest of the menu later.”

“I see,” Owen replied.

“You see what?” Sharon asked raising a perfectly plucked brow.

“You want to put on the dog for the rich executive and his artiste-of-the-moment husband.”

“I like to show off our lovely things. And I do know how to entertain,” Sharon said firmly.

“That goes without saying.”

“See,” Sharon said with a smile. “So, we’ll have a dinner party, let’s say on Thursday evening.”

“Sounds good to me,” Owen agreed. He usually did agree with his wife. It was always easier that way. “Will Sarah be attending?” he asked, referring to Sharon’s mother.

“That goes without saying,” Sharon repeated Owen’s words as she leaned down to give him a kiss before leaving the room.

With a smile Owen got back to his stock portfolio.

 

*****
 

“What does this little fucker think he’s playing at?” Brian demanded of the diner on Liberty.

“Brian, calm down, please,” Justin begged hoping to avert any more of a scene than the one his husband had already made.

“I will not calm down,” Brian spat, lowering his voice but still visibly incensed.

The diner turned their attention back to eating and Justin laid a hand on Brian’s to try to calm the man down further. “It’s just some stupid article,” Justin said gently.

“Yeah, in a major newspaper,” Brian reacted. “Who the fuck does that little weasel think he is? And what would possess him to write such a thing?”

“I don’t know, but it will all blow over in a few days. It’ll be old news and totally forgotten about,” Justin promised.

“I wish.”

“Hey,” a handsome young man in skintight leather pants said as he stopped at Brian and Justin’s table.

“Yes?” Justin said looking up at the man.

“If either of you is looking for some action, I’m available,” the guy said as he dropped a piece of paper on the table and headed for the washroom.

“He winked at me,” Brian said. “He fucking winked at me … after all these years.”

“He left us his number,” Justin giggled as he opened the folded piece of paper.

“I don’t fucking believe it! We’re being propositioned.”

“Just goes to show that you’ve still got it, big guy,” Justin said with his own wink, hoping to mollify his angry husband.

“Don’t you see, Justin? This is just the beginning. Everyone’s going to think that we…” Brian found it impossible to finish that statement.

“It won’t be that bad,” Justin said gently, hoping that he might be right.

“Just listen the fuck to this,” Brian stated looking at the newspaper again. He began reading from the review that Finkelstein had written in the Dispatch.

Although Justin Taylor’s new show is creative and cutting edge, it also reflects his values of family and home. It’s too bad that those values don’t translate into reality. This reporter learned to his chagrin at the opening of Taylor’s show, that there seems to be problems between the two handsome men in the Kinney-Taylor household. One can only conjecture that Mr. Taylor’s recent successes have caused a rift with his husband, who is a powerful and wealthy advertising executive. Although Mr. Kinney appeared at the opening, he kept his distance from Mr. Taylor most of the time. Except for a few perfunctory moments together, there was a noticeable distance between the two men who form one of Pittsburgh’s most well known and, may I say “hottest” couples. Looks like there’s trouble in paradise for these two.

“That fucking idiot!” Brian said at the end of his reading. “I’m going to wring his scrawny little neck.”

“Brian, calm, please. You know, and I know, that there’s nothing wrong between us, except for you being grumpy lately,” Justin said trying to inject a little humor.

Brian glared at him. “With good reason, may I remind you.”

“Point taken,” Justin said. “But you fucked me through the mattress this weekend. Surely that took some of the edge off.”

“Maybe…” Brian conceded.

“Really, it will be fine. Just let this thing die a natural death,” Justin said.

Brian was about to agree when the guy who had left his number on the piece of paper walked by. He turned to wink at them again and then added, “I wouldn’t mind a threesome.”

“Fuck!” Brian said.

“Fuck!” Justin had to agree.

“What the fuck is going on with you two?” Debbie demanded as she came through the front door of the diner. She was carrying a newspaper.

“Wake me up when this is over,” Brian groaned, closing his eyes and leaning his head against the back of the booth.

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