Wedding Bell Blues

Chapter 9

June 2, 2007

"Sorry, I'm late, Lindz." Brian kissed the tall blond on the lips as he rushed into the café.

"Thanks for meeting me for brunch," he added as he sat in the booth with her.

"No problem, besides it's not often I get to have brunch with the great Brian Kinney," Lindsay stated with a twinkle in her eye. Brian examined the one woman in his life he ever would have considered having a relationship with.

"I'm sorry, I guess I have been neglecting you," Brian said contritely.

"Sorry? Whatever happened to your no apologies, no regrets philosophy?"

"I guess I've been reexamining that particular philosophy lately. I regret not spending enough time with Gus and I certainly regret some of the shit I put Justin through."

"Brian, what's wrong? You've never second guessed yourself in your life. What is it? Oh, God, the cancer, it didn't..." Lindsay reached across the table and took Brian's hand her eyes growing wide.

"No, it didn't. I'm fine." Brian placed his hand over hers and gave it a little squeeze. They remained holding hands for most of their conversation. They stayed silent for a few minutes as a waitress brought their orders.

"Brian, do you ever think what it would have been like if we, you know?"

"Yes, I do. Especially now. I think how normal everything would have been. I love you, Lindsay, you know that. I would have done anything for you, married you if you wanted me too. You're my best friend. Shit, I am becoming a lesbian," Brian chuckled.

"Not hardly, but I know what you mean. Sometimes I think about us and with Gus. We could've had a typical American family. The American dream."

"Everything so normal, except for two little flaws in that dream."

"Oh? What's that?"

"You like pussy and I love dick."

"Brian! You're awful. You're right of course, but awful nonetheless." They shared another quiet moment then Brian had to ask.

"Lindsay, Justin, he will be an important artist, won't he?"

"Yes, he will. Sidney commented about that this morning."

"Why?" Brian asked with a raised eyebrow.

"We sold another of his sketches this morning. An 11 by 14 pencil rendering and for two thousand dollars. Just think what his larger pieces will go for and his paintings. We've had a number of agents enquire about him. And they'll wait until he's finished with school."

"He's that good that they'll wait." Brian knew the answer even before he made the statement.

"Yes, they will. Justin is that good."

Brian sighed then slumped a little in his seat. "I figured. And he will have to go to New York."

"Brian, Pittsburgh isn't quite the hotbed of American artistry."

"Tell me about it." Brian pondered a minute then asked about the sketch. "So which sketch was sold and to whom?"

"Well, um..."

"Lindsay?" Brian was beginning to regret knowing.

"Itwasanudeofyouintheshower," Lindsay mumbled around a breadstick.

"What?!" Brian asked in horror.

"A nude of you in the shower."

"You sold my naked ass to some pervert?"

"No, I sold your naked cock to a local business owner."

"Holy fucking shit! That's all I need."

"Brian, it was a beautiful sketch and not just because it had you as the subject. It was done with such love. That's what made it so wonderful. You could feel the love. And there aren't many men who could look that sexy in a shower." Lindsay added hoping to quell Brian's indignation.

"Great. So who's the pervert who bought it?"

"Peter, the owner of Torso and he's not a pervert. He just appreciates beauty when he sees it."

"That and my dick."

"Yes, well, it is impressive even when sluiced by cool running water," Lindsay said knowing that Brian liked cool showers when he showered by himself.

"Peter bought it as a gift for his partner. Apparently they both have had first hand knowledge of your endowments."

"Fuck!"

"Yup." Lindsay couldn't hold back her laugh seeing Brian's blush. "Brian, you'll work it out. It's not like he's going to London or Paris to study. He can do that here and New York is not that far away. I know your business takes you there regularly. It wouldn't surprise me that you open a branch there and don't tell me you haven't thought about that."

"You're right. Ted and I have talked about it. Kinnetik's not ready yet but it will be soon. Lindz, what will I do without him?"

"You won't be without him. Do you honestly think Justin could stand to be without the love of his life for very long? He couldn't, not anymore than you can. You'll work it out. How are the wedding plans coming along?" Lindsay quickly changed the subject before Brian could become morose.

"They're fine, that is if my brother stops acting like an asshole and remembers why he's doing it."

"Must run in the family."

"What does?"

"Acting like an asshole. Just remind him why he's doing it in the first place like you reminded me."

"I did, just last night. Lindz, you are happy with Mel, right?"

"Yes, Brian, I am. And even though I may have some regrets that it isn't you, I love Melanie. We're good together. Just like you and Justin."

"Are you sure about that, that I'm good for Justin?"

"Yes, never more sure about anything else than you and Justin." The couple shared another quiet moment then Brian signaled for the check.

"Thanks for meeting me; we have to do this more often. But after the wedding. The boy and I will be heading up there next week after Justin's done with his last final."

"You will tell him about the sale, I tried to call him earlier."

"Sure, and he was probably with his advisor. He has only one more year to go and he wanted to go over the curriculum. He's so close to completion, he's bouncing already."

"Will he be taking the summer off?"

"Yeah, I need him with me up at the farm. John and Bobby have been driving me nuts. I need Justin to prevent me from killing them."

"Brian, you just need Justin."

"That too. And the little shit wants to spend the summer painting. So I'm sure you'll have another picture of my naked ass..."

"Or dick?"

"Or dick, to sell."

"I can't wait."

"Shit."

"Brian, it will all work out. I know it will." Lindsay reminded Brian while giving the one man in her life that she ever really loved a hug and a kiss. The best of friends parted as they went back to work.

******************************************************************

"Brian, Bobby, line two!"

"Thanks, Cyn. Hey, big Red. Not another crisis?"

"No, just checking that you're planning to come up here and soon. And why are you at work? Isn't it Saturday? And I haven't been able to get through to Justin."

"This is the big city; we don't stop working on the weekends. I'm making sure everything is in place so we can spend the next two weeks up there in peace. Justin is finishing up some stuff at PIFA. We'll be on the road right after his last final Monday morning. I haven't forgotten that you roped my sorry ass into manual labor. Isn't that why you have that little blond freeloader living with you? Why can't he help with towing that barge and lifting that bale?"

"Ha! Oh, he's been helping and complaining all the way. But he's been a godsend to Claire and to Steve. And I'm happy to report that Claire and Steve have been seeing each other and not just for Farm purposes."

"Oooo! Shit, I just sounded like Emmett. Hanging out with all these drama queens is not helping me maintain my cool aloofness."

"No, it's not. So, we'll see you Monday afternoon. Oh and Brian, bring your toolbelt."

"Fuck! See you soon, Red, and keep giving my brother a good, hard, long ride."

"I will. Bye, Brian."

"Later."

"Cynthia!"

"You bellowed, boss."

"I did not bellow. Shit. You okay with running things while I'm up at the farm and on vacation?" Brian had to let Cynthia in on his plans.

"Of course I am; I learned from the best, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. And thank you."

"Did I hear right? Brian Kinney thanking one of his peons. Be still my heart."

"Be still your ass out of my office. Cyn, I mean it. I really do appreciate all your help and support. Without it I never could have gotten Kinnetik going." Brian gave his assistant a hug.

"Stop it right now, Brian, before I think you've actually become human. Now go home or to the diner. Anywhere but here. You've done all the work you need to do for today. Get some rest. You're going to need it."

"I think I will. You are coming for the wedding."

"If you think I'd miss my favorite men dressed to the nines, you're crazy. I'll be there. Do you think there'll be any straight men?"

"Maybe from Bobby's office. But no fucking a lawyer. I will not lose you to some shyster from Harrisburg."

"Out, Kinney!"

"Yes ma'am."

******************************************************************

Later, Brian and Edna decided to meet Justin and Debbie at the Liberty diner for dinner.

"Hey, Sunshine, how was your meeting with your advisor?"

"Great. Everything's all set for the Fall."

"That's wonderful, Justin," Edna chimed in. "I'm sure your parents will be so pleased."

"My mother will be, at least." Letting that comment go for now, Brian decided to tell Justin about the sale of his sketch.

"Sunshine, I had an interesting chat with Lindsay today," Brian said with an evil glare in his eyes.

"Oh?" Justin looked up through his lashes with all the innocence he could muster. "What was it about?" Both Edna and Debbie looked at Brian.

"Apparently your sketch sold."

"Which sketch was that, Brian?" Justin asked adding more of a little boy quality to his voice.

"A nude."

"Which nude?" Justin asked as he slowly got up from his seat, ready to make a break for the diner door.

"Which nude?! You know perfectly well, which nude it was," Brian growled as he slowly got up.

"Oh, THAT nude." Justin sprinted to the door laughing.

"Come back here, you twat!" Brian yelled as he chased his laughing boyfriend out the door and then captured him on the street just outside of the diner, leaving Edna and Debbie giggling like schoolgirls. The lovers kissed and hugged. Justin knew that Brian wasn't really angry but he had to make a show of it.

While the boys were cavorting on the street Debbie held out her hand to Edna. "Those two, don't even have the manners to properly introduce us. I'm Debbie."

Edna smiled. "Edna Galloway, nice to meet you. Brian's told me all about you."

"Has he now? And just what did the big asshole tell you?"

Edna looked slightly taken aback by Debbie's choice of words, but then she remembered what Brian had told her one afternoon in Panama. "He said you were the mother he should have had, and that he probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you." Edna watched Debbie's eyes fill up.

"The big dumbass! He'd be just fine without me," Debbie said fighting back tears.

"I 'm not so sure. He knows what you've meant to him over the years. Don't belittle it."

"Where the fuck did he ever find you?" Debbie asked wiping at her eyes. "You're as fucking blunt as he is, only in a much nicer way."

"I'll take that as a compliment. He told me to watch out for your colorful language," Edna chuckled.

"Colorful? Is that what he fucking called it?"

"That's what he fucking called it," Edna said with a grin.

"Well, Miss Edna sit yourself down and let's order dinner. I'd like to get to know you better."

"Likewise Miss Debbie," Edna said as she slid into a booth.

By this time Brian and Justin had 'made up' and laughing had rejoined the ladies.

"I see you two seem to have hit it off," Brian said as he slid in beside Edna while Justin sat next to Debbie.

"We're getting there," Debbie said looking at Brian as she remembered what Edna had told her. It would never be something she would discuss with Brian but it was nice to know that her efforts were appreciated. "So Edna, you're coming to the wedding?"

"I'm planning to. Why?"

"It seems like there's always some kind of fucking crisis up at the farm. What was the call about today?" Debbie asked Brian.

He chuckled. "You'll never guess. I had a call from John. He was worried because nothing had gone wrong today and he was sure that was some kind of omen that really bad things were going to happen tomorrow."

"So what did you tell him?" Justin asked.

"Excuse my French, ladies, but I told him to fuck off and enjoy a day of peace because it was probably the last one he'd ever have."

"You didn't!" Edna gasped.

"I did, and I meant it."

"What did John say?"

"He said he'd go get his piece and make the best of it," Brian chuckled.

"Oh Brian," Edna chuckled. "You do lead an interesting life."

"You don't know the half of it," Debbie said as she indicated to Kiki that they were ready to order.

"And I intend to have my piece when I get back to the loft," Brian whispered across the table. His foot was moving very slowly up Justin's leg. Justin was having great difficulty keeping from moaning. Edna watched the two and had to chuckle to herself. They certainly were incorrigible, but she knew how much they loved each other. She wouldn't want them to be any other way.