What a Difference A Year Makes 2
Chapter 9
"Hey, Nick," Hunter said into the phone. "I haven't heard from you in over a week. Is everything okay? Give me a call."
Hunter set down the phone and let out a big sigh. He was really beginning
to wonder if he and Nick were the real deal. Lately there had been more and
more excuses about why they couldn't get together. Nick seemed to be way too
busy to spend time with Hunter. The semester was almost over and Hunter knew
Nick should be coming back to
"What's wrong, Hunter?" Claire asked coming in from cleaning out her flower beds of winter debris. It would soon be time to plant some vegetables and get her flowers going.
"Nothing," Hunter said prepared to head up to his room and sulk.
"Sit down, young man. It's time for tea and a cookie, and you're going to join me."
Hunter slunk back into his chair. One of the first things he had learned when he came to the farm was the futility of arguing or disobeying Claire Anderson. She made a bulldog look like a pussy cat when it came to tenacity. And the other part of it was that she was usually right about things and gave good advice even if you didn't want to listen to it.
Hunter was thinking about how Claire had advised him to tell Nick how much he needed him. He had never done that … exactly. When he had called Nick he had been at a party and they had kind of hung up on bad terms. Hunter remembered wondering who Nick might have gone home with. Maybe Nick had found someone. He hoped not but he was beginning to think that might be the case.
Claire set a cup of tea down in front of Hunter. She placed the plate of cookies between them. "So what's Nick up to now?" she asked as she sat down.
Hunter stirred milk and sugar into his tea. "That's what I'd like the fuck to know."
"Language, Hunter."
"Sorry," Hunter conceded. "But I haven't talked to Nick in over a week. Something's wrong. I know it. I … think he must have found someone else."
"Don't jump to conclusions."
"How can I not when he doesn't call, doesn't even answer my calls. All I get is voicemail."
"I could learn to detest voicemail," Claire observed.
"That makes two of us."
"I guess I'm just saying that you shouldn't think the worst until you talk to Nick."
"Yeah, if only that were possible," Hunter said sourly. He took a bite of cookie and a drink of tea.
"Is Nick coming home soon? The semester's almost over, isn't it?"
"I wish I knew if he was coming home. That's one of the things I need to talk to him about."
"Is there a possibility he might stay there?"
"He went up early for that job. If they offer him a summer session, he'd stay. He needs the money."
"I see," Claire said thoughtfully. "Hunter, you're not going to like to hear this, but I think it needs to be said. You're both young, and this is a first love for you. It hurts when it doesn't work out, but you should prepare yourself for that possibility."
"I guess that's kind of what I'm doing. I don't want it to end. I really love him, but I just don't know…" Hunter's voice trailed away and he shook his head staring into the teacup with blurry vision from the tears he was holding back.
"Why don't you go clean up? I need to start dinner. Maybe tomorrow you could help me in the garden."
Hunter gulped and headed upstairs. Claire watched him go, knowing that it would be very hard if Nick let Hunter down. She would keep Hunter busy and not let him dwell on what might be coming.
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"Um … Bri?"
"Yes, Theodore."
Ted stepped into Brian's office. "I … um … I was wondering if I could leave early on Friday."
"Ordinarily that would be out of the question, but…" Brian deliberately left Ted hanging.
"But?"
"Now that I no longer go to
"Th…thank you, Brian. I appreciate that. So, it's all right if I leave early?"
"How early are we talking?"
"Lunch?" Ted said hopefully.
"And just where are you heading at
"Um…"
"Come, come, Theodore. What are you planning?"
"My boyfriend and I are going away for the weekend," Ted blurted out.
"How sweet!" Brian said sticking his tongue in his cheek.
"Can I just have permission to go?" Ted asked, hating Brian prying into his private life.
"Is this the person from the philharmonic? Kettle drums, I believe."
"The very one," Ted said. It never ceased to amaze him how Brian remembered things when he appeared to be paying not the least bit of attention.
"Name?"
"Huh?"
"These are the easy questions, Theodore. What . is . his . name?" Brian asked with exaggerated slowness like he was talking to a retarded three year old.
"Allen Long."
"And is he?" Brian smirked.
"Jesus, Brian."
"So you don't know … yet?"
"I was hoping to find out this weekend. But, fuck, forget it!" Ted turned to leave.
"Theodore." Ted stopped and turned back. "Have a great weekend and say hello to Allen for me."
"You mean I can go?"
"Of course, there was never any question."
"You are an…" Ted bit his tongue. Brian was his boss now.
"Asshole? I think that has been well established."
"Thanks."
"Make sure Cynthia's up to date with everything before you leave." Ted nodded. "And enjoy yourself," Brian chuckled.
"Thanks, Bri, I'll do my best."
Brian leaned back in his chair; it appeared that many of his staff had been bitten by the love bug lately. Cynthia, Brian observed, had a little extra wiggle in her step and now Ted was requesting time off for a weekend tryst. A few years ago this would have put Brian over the edge but recently he had developed an appreciation for outside pursuits. Hmmm...
"Cynthia, get your ass in here!"
"You bellowed, your majesty."
"Yes I did. What is going on around here? Now that Theodore has made the transition from accountant to accountant/ad man, should I be concerned that my accounts aren't properly looked after? And you. I've always relied on you to take care of the little details that I don't have time for. I've noticed that you actually go home on time many evenings. I want to know what's going on."
"Brian, relax. The accounts are fine. Better than fine. Ted has found someone to share his life with and I think he's really happy. As for me, as you suspect, I think I've found Mr. Right. Do you begrudge us having what you have?"
"Me? What do I have to do with this?"
"Wise up, Brian. Since you made your commitment to Justin you've been a pussy cat to work for. Everyone here is happier than a pig in you know what. And happy employees make for productive employees. Even some of your artists have brought in some small accounts. I can't tell you how many applications we receive on a weekly basis and PIFA contacted me today. They want to know if you'd consider interns. Brian, you did it. Kinnetik is the place to be in advertising."
"No shit."
"No shit. And that was nice of you."
"What was?"
"Giving Teddy the time off. He really did a lot when you went on your trip and your vacation with Justin. He rarely takes time off."
"Cynthia? Those applications, any of them for accountants? Maybe Ted could use an assistant. We could make Ted the head of the accounting department instead of him being the accounting department."
"I'm not sure he'd go for that. Ted's a bit possessive. You gave him an important responsibility. You should get his input before you hire someone."
"Makes sense. What about you? You know just about as much as I do in this business. Don't you feel the need to expand your horizons?"
"And give up being yelled at by you every day? Nah. But I could use some help."
"Then hire yourself an assistant. See if there's someone internal you can promote, then hire a replacement. There's something else I want your input on. A few months ago I bought a house, a cottage actually, for me and Justin. It's about an hour and a half out of the Pitts."
"You're giving up the loft?"
"No. I'm going to keep it. The house needs to be furnished so we still need a place to live and I may need it if I have late meetings here and don't feel like driving to the cottage. Since we are doing so well, I'd like to be able to work from home a couple of days a week. Do you think that's feasible?"
"Brian, everyone here knows how many hours you put in every day.
Even if you're not here, you're always working. We all know you've proposed to
Justin and how much you missed him when he was in
"Now I know why I keep you around. Both Bobby and Ted have been
pushing me to expand. I was thinking
"Now you're talking. I'll clear some time on your calendar. This calls for a staff meeting."
"Do it. Now get out and go home. It's late. Go fuck Mr. Right."
"I so love my job."
Brian sat back in his chair again. He had a lot to think about. But right now, he was thinking of a little blond that he wanted to get home to.
Later that night and after messing up the sheets on their brass bed, Brian felt the need to talk.
"Justin, can we talk?"
"Talk?"
"Yes, you know, talk. It's what you do with your mouth when you're not eating or sucking my dick. Talk."
"Asshole. What do you want to talk about?"
"First, your studio. The one here in
"I rent it on a month to month basis."
"So you won't lose anything if you start to move your stuff to the cottage."
"No, I won't. I've already told the landlord that I won't be renewing next month. I wanted to wait until the phone lines were installed at the cottage. Aside from some cabinets to store my paints and things, I can start working from there at any time."
"That's good." Brian rolled over so that he could look at Justin. He always thought that Justin was the most beautiful after they had made love and they were cuddled together.
"I'd like you to make a list of the things you want to take to the cottage from here. We won't need all the appliances here and they'd only gather dust if we left them. As long as I have a coffee maker and maybe the toaster, I'll be fine if I have to stay here on occasion for business. I want to be able to work from the cottage a day or two a week if it's possible. I've already discussed it with Cynthia."
"You have?"
"Yeah, that way we can spend some time during the day together. That
is, if you think you won't get bored with me. And she thinks I should consider
a second office in
"Wow, Kinnetik, part deux. I like that and I'd never get bored with you. It may be the other way around. You know how I get when I'm painting, I might ignore you."
"I'll risk it. So you're okay with taking charge of the house. You know what I like and I trust you'll retain the country feel of the place. I'd like it neat and uncluttered but warm, not as sterile as the loft."
"I can do warm."
"I bet you can. We can take our time decorating but I hope we can move in by the summer. We can have a housewarming party if you'd like."
"A party?! You'd really throw a party? Why, Mr. Kinney, how you have grown!"
"And whose fault is that, Mr. Taylor?" Brian said as he captured Justin's lips with his own.
"I think something else has grown." Justin cooed as he felt Brian's cock grow hard as they huddled closer.
"And whose fault is that?" Brian whispered as he felt Justin slither down and swallow his dick.
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"Hello?"
"Hi, Hunter, it's Nick."
"Nick. Nick. Oh, Nick. Now I remember. Tall, skinny dude, light brown hair."
"Okay, I deserve that."
"And I deserve to be told the truth and not led around by my dick. Look, if we're over, if you've met someone else then have the balls to tell me. I need to concentrate; my finals are coming up soon. I know I'm not going to be some hotshot doctor but my degree is just as important to me as yours is to you." Hunter was livid. He cared a lot about Nick but he wasn't going to waste his time on something futile.
"Hunter, I called to say..."
"Don't. Just don't. I don't want an explanation. The Memorial Day
weekend is coming soon and I intend to take the time off to relax for a change.
If you want to see me then you'll be here Friday afternoon after your last
class. Any later than that and I won't be here. I think I'm going to
Hunter cut the connection and took a breath. He took a stand and he felt better for it. He was going to miss Nick but that was nothing compared to missing the confidence Hunter had fought so hard for during his time with Bill and Steve. Hunter wasn't going to let his life run away from him again.
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"John Anderson."
"Hi John, it's Rachel."
"Rachel! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I guess I was beginning to miss your daily calls to me."
"And here I thought I was doing a good thing by leaving you alone," John chuckled.
"I know. I'm fickle. I have some good news for you."
"Oh? What?"
"I felt the baby move today. And he has the hiccups."
"The hiccups? Do babies in the womb have hiccups?"
"Yes, Michelle had them a lot."
"Is it okay for me to ask how you're feeling?"
"Yes it is, and I'm fine. Better than fine. I'm scheduled for another sonogram in two weeks. Would you and Bobby take me?"
"We'd love to. Just tell me when and we'll put it on our calendar. Have I told you thank you, lately?"
"Yes, you have and you know you're welcome. I'll let you get back to work now."
"Okay. Bye, Rachel. I'll call you soon."
"I know you will. Bye, John."