Unbrotherly Love

Part 3

Admissions and Proposal

Craig and his son sat across from each other and ate their dinner in the busy, loud restaurant. The food was decent, but Justin knew his father only picked this particular one because the TV screens hanging from the ceiling always played ESPN.

"How's your burger?" Craig asked, taking a bite of his salad, and then looked up at the TV screen.

"It's good," Justin replied. Craig nodded. "Dad," Justin called. Craig's eyes were glued to the television and he didn't hear his son calling him.

"Dad," Justin called out again. Craig looked at his son.

"Sorry, what did you say? I was just checking out the score," he said.

"Do you think you could maybe talk to me instead of watching the stupid television?" Justin asked, annoyed.

Craig frowned. "Don't speak to me that tone," he told Justin. "You may be able to get away with talking to your mother like that, but I won't tolerate that attitude," Craig said sternly, looking directly at his son.

"That seems to be the only way to get your attention," Justin said. Craig let his fork drop onto his plate, causing it to make a loud clank.

"Justin, what do you want from me? I took you to see the Pirates game, we had excellent seats, and they even won; yet, you've been acting moody all day. What's going on with you? Are you having some kind of girl trouble or something?" Craig asked. Justin rolled his eyes at that.

"No," he said with an annoyed tone.

"What's the problem then? I thought you'd enjoy the game."

"The game was fine... but I just thought that maybe from now on we could do something that doesn't involve sports when we're together," Justin said quietly.

"What? Why?" Craig asked.

"It's just that that is all we ever do. If we're not talking about baseball, we're watching it or practicing it."

"That's always been our thing. You've always loved baseball. Why the sudden change of heart?" Craig asked with a frown.

"Actually, Dad, I don't really like baseball as much as you'd like to think I do. I've stuck with playing all this time because it made you happy, but now I'm starting to realize that by doing that it's making me miserable. There's other things I'd rather be doing," Justin told him. Finally, he'd said it. It was like a huge weight was lifted off of his shoulders.

"What are you talking about? What other things?" Craig asked.

"Well, a teacher of mine saw some of my sketches and said that I have real talent. She said that I should join Art Club... and I want to."

"Wait a second... are you telling me you want to give up baseball so that you can waste your time joining some silly little club drawing pictures?" Craig asked incredulously. Justin swallowed the lump in his throat. He could see his father was not taking this well. He expected it, but it was still something he dreaded.

"Dad, you make it sound as if I'm going to be doodling stick figures. You know I'm better than that, and I love doing it. Joining this club will also look good on my college applications," Justin argued.

"Baseball was your ticket INTO college, Justin."

"It doesn't have to be. My grades have always been good, and if I can also score high on my SATs next next year, I won't need an athletic scholarship to get into college," Justin pointed out.

"Well, just forget about it. The answer is no," Craig told him, picking up his fork and started on his salad again. Justin sighed. This is where it was going to get ugly.

"You can't force me to keep playing," Justin told him.

"Look, Justin. I know that you've gone through a lot in the past year. As a family, we all have. But rebelling and quitting something that you've spent so much time doing and have perfected, is not going to help; it will only hurt you," Craig said. Justin felt his anger rise.

"Family? What family? We haven't been a family for a long time - even before you and Mom got divorced, and we all have YOU to thank for that. You and your stupid bimbo assistant! You fucking left us! Of course your world didn't get turned upside down. You couldn't be happier with your new life," Justin said.

"Justin, please," Craig said in a hushed tone. "Don't make a scene," he whispered. Justin rolled his eyes and stood up.

"I'm done. I'm going to wait by the car," Justin said.

"Sit down," Craig told his son. Justin ignored his father and left their table and went outside.

Justin leaned against his father's car and held his head in his hands and tried to calm himself. Their talk had been a disaster, but at least he got out what he wanted to say.

"Justin?" a voice said behind him. Justin turned around to see Brian standing there.

"Where did you come from?" Justin asked.

"I'm parked across the street. I just came from the CD store and I saw you walk out here looking upset. Are you okay?" Brian asked. Justin smirked.

"Not really. I just walked out on my father while we were having dinner," Justin explained.

"Oh," Brian said, not knowing what else he could say.

"Um, could I possibly bum a smoke?" Justin asked.

"Sure," Brian replied, taking two cigarettes out of his pack and handing one to Justin and lighting it for him before doing the same for himself. Brian waited for Justin to say something, but when he didn't he decided to just ask.

"So what happened?" Brian asked.

"I just told my dad that I was quitting baseball so I could join Art Club and basically it went downhill from there," Justin told him, taking a deep drag.

"Gotcha," Brian said raising his eyebrows in understanding.

"He's being such an asshole about it. I've been doing what he wants me to do for so long and now he's just freaking out that I'm going against what he wants and making my own decision," Justin said.

"Good for you," Brian smiled. "Don't let him manipulate you into changing your mind. My mom has tried that number on me more than a couple of times," Brian admitted.

"Justin! Put that cigarette out now!" Craig Taylor yelled, startling the two boys, as he angrily walked over to them.

"Shit," Justin whispered and stomped out the butt.

"Who the hell are you?" Craig demanded, looking at Brian.

"I'm Brian, Jack's son," he replied to the man. Craig gave him a confused look and then looked at Justin.

"You know, Jack... Mom's boyfriend?" Justin told his father. Craig huffed.

"It figures your mother would be with a man whose son is clearly a bad influence," Craig spat. Brian glared at Craig.

"Excuse me, but you don't know shit about me or my father. Personally, I couldn't imagine how such a nice woman like Jennifer got trapped into marrying a judgmental prick like YOU," Brian shot back. Justin's eyes went wide with shock. He'd never seen anyone stand up to his father that way.

"Why, you rude little shit. Stay away from my son. You're probably responsible for convincing him that he's better off being a quitter and to instead get involved in that dead end hobby of his," Craig glared at Brian. The boy was about to say something back to the man when Justin cut in.

"Dad, Brian has nothing to do with my decision. I've felt this way for a long time, I just didn't know how to tell you," Justin explained.

"Whatever. Get in the car, now," Craig ordered his son.

Brian shook his head in disbelief. His father had told him what an asshole Craig Taylor had been to Jennifer, but now he could see firsthand how much of a prick he really was. He looked over at Justin, who mouthed 'Sorry' to him. He just smiled back at him and shrugged.

"See you at school," Brian called out to Justin as he flicked his cigarette, and then headed back towards his own car across the street. He looked back once to give one last glare to Craig, The Asshole.

Justin got into the passenger side of his father's car and listened to his father bitch at him the rest of the way home. He eventually tuned him out, Craig's hurtful comments getting to be too much for him.

When they pulled up to the house, Justin quickly got out of the car, ran inside the house, and into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him. He could hear his father's angry voice downstairs talking to his mother. He lay on his bed with his pillow over his head to muffle the sound of his parents' yelling. It was just like old times. He could remember locking himself into his room trying to tune out his mom and dad's screaming arguments.

When the yelling stopped and Justin heard the front door slam downstairs, he knew his father was finally gone and he sighed a breath of relief. He heard his mother climbing the steps and knocked on the door.

"It's open," he called out. Jennifer walked in looking distressed.

"Are you all right?" she asked. Justin nodded.

"What about you?" he asked in return. She gave him a sad smile.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just hate fighting with him. When he gets this angry it's completely useless talking to him."

"Yeah, I know," Justin said. Jennifer sat on Justin's bed.

"I already knew what happened before you got here. Jack called me. Apparently, Brian came home upset and told him what happened. He told Jack that your father said some pretty horrible things to you and then to him," Jennifer said. Justin nodded.

"It was fucking embarrassing. He didn't even know Brian and started shouting out all of these accusations. He was a complete dick," Justin said.

"Don't talk about your father that way," Jennifer said softly.

"But it's true!"

"He's still your father, Justin," Jennifer told him.

"I don't care! He had no right to just yell at Brian like that and judge him. You should have seen Dad's face though when Brian told him off," Justin chuckled.

"Yeah, Jack told me about that too," she said with a small smile.

"I don't care what Dad says. I'm not playing baseball anymore. I've made my decision, and there is nothing he can say or do that will make me change my mind," Justin said.

"All right, honey," Jennifer whispered. She got up to leave his bedroom. "Justin, I know you're angry with him, but just remember that he is your father and he loves you, despite you not doing things the way he likes. Okay?"

Justin nodded.

"Oh, and Justin?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

"I don't approve of your smoking. Just because Brian's father is passive about it, it doesn't mean that I agree or will do the same." Jennifer closed the door behind her.

Justin rolled his eyes and smirked. He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, and thought about his situation. He loved his dad, but with the way things had been going, they were growing more and more distant. He was sad about that, but he also felt a sense of newfound freedom. He smiled to himself as he thought about going to his first meeting for Art Club after school next week.

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Justin walked out of the classroom which Art Club was held in 3 times a week. It was his second week of being in the club, and he absolutely loved it. He was so happy and he knew that he had made the right decision. He knew it was right from the first meeting.

He didn't miss baseball at all. He did have to admit that it had kept him in good shape though. He had pretty muscular arms from his pitching, and he and his team members had been required to do a certain amount of working out. You couldn't tell much when he was dressed, but whenever anyone saw him without his shirt on, they were always surprised upon seeing his lean, toned body. He had definitely made for some eye candy during Daphne's pool party a few months ago.

Justin's baseball coach wasn't very happy when he told him he was quitting, being as he was the team's strongest pitcher. That was actually putting it mildly. His coach was livid. The man had already received a call from Craig Taylor and planned to talk Justin out of quitting, but the blond did not budge on his decision.

As Justin walked down the hall to exit the building he saw Brian at his locker.

"Hey," he said, smiling at the brunet.

"Hi," Brian smiled back.

"I didn't expect to see you here right now," Justin told him.

"Well, I just got out of swim practice and I had to stop by my locker to pick up my Chemistry book," Brian explained. Justin nodded.

The two boys had actually become quite friendly with each other ever since the incident with his father. They had also been to one another's house several times. Their families were getting closer. He finally got the chance to meet Brian's older sister Claire, who lived in her college dorm, but stopped by to meet Jennifer and her kids. Justin had even warmed up to Jack, and thought the easygoing man was pretty cool. Jack and his son shared the same sense of humor, which often times had everyone laughing. The Kinneys certainly knew how to turn on the charm and had a way of drawing people to them.

"So, where are you headed?" Brian asked.

"The bus stop," Justin told him, glancing at his watch. If he didn't hurry he would miss his bus.

"Do you want a ride?" Brian offered.

"Um, sure. If it's not too much trouble..."

"If it was, I wouldn't have offered," Brian smirked. Justin smiled and nodded. They headed for Brian's '98 Honda Civic.

"I wish I had a car," Justin said as they drove along.

"I thought you had one?"

"No, my mom lets me borrow hers sometimes, but I'd like to have my own. She and my dad were talking about maybe getting me a used car, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon, you know, with everything that's going on," Justin admitted.

"Your dad is still pissed at you for quitting baseball?" Brian asked. Justin nodded.

"Yeah. After I told him for the tenth time that I was not going to rejoin the team, he blew up at me and hasn't spoken to me since.

"Sorry," Brian said.

Justin shrugged. "Yeah, it sucks, but at least I'm doing what I want now. He'll cool off eventually."

"How's it going anyway... Art Club, I mean?"

"It's great. I love it. I've learned so much, and the other people there are amazing," Justin said enthusiastically. Brian smiled at him. He was glad Justin was happy. It was good to see him smiling. He did love that smile of his.

"Great," Brian told him with a genuine smile. Justin looked at the handsome brunet and felt his stomach do a little flip. He always felt good around Brian. He liked him more each time they saw each other. He was smart and funny and had a great sense of humor - not to mention he was the hottest guy he had ever met.

Brian saw the way Justin was looking at him and chuckled.

"Why Justin Taylor, are you developing a little crush on me?" he teased. Justin blushed and then laughed.

"You wish," Justin smiled.

"Because it's okay if you do, you know. I completely understand. I know I'm fucking hot," Brian said, giving Justin a flirty smile and tried not to burst out laughing.

"You are such a cocky asshole," Justin laughed, playfully punching him in the arm.

"Cock and asshole being the key words here," Brian said. Justin just shook his head at his friend.

"Just shut up already," he laughed again.

"Yes, dear," Brian said in a falsetto tone, causing Justin to laugh, yet again. Often times Brian brought the humor up a notch just to hear the blond's laugh. He liked teasing Justin and flirting with him, and especially liked giving him a hard time and making him blush. The truth was though, he wouldn't mind it at all if Justin had a crush on him, because he was slowly developing one for the blond as well.

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TWO MONTHS LATER...

Jennifer and her kids were at Jack's house for dinner. Claire had been invited to dinner as well. They all sat around the table, eating the delicious meal Jennifer and Jack had cooked. The happy couple had discovered that they enjoyed cooking together, something that neither thought they would ever do, since both were used to doing all the cooking.

After they all finished their dinner and the chefs were praised for a job well done, Jack stood up at the head of the table, gaining all of their attention.

"Well, I think we outdid ourselves this time, Jen. A great dinner with everyone here and we're all having a good time. Can't get much better than this... almost," he added, and smiled looking at his pretty blond. Jennifer smiled back nervously at him and nodded.

"We decided to have you all here tonight because well, we love you all, and we wanted to share some exciting news," Jack said, the smile never leaving his face. They all waited curiously for Jack to continue.

"I asked Jennifer to marry me last night and she has accepted," Jack announced. Jennifer stood up and he kissed her left hand and then held it out towards everyone, revealing the engagement ring.

All of their kids gasped and didn't say anything for a moment, still in shock. They had expected it eventually, but tonight they were caught off guard. Claire was the first one to say something.

"Oh, Daddy, I'm so happy for you two!" She squealed, jumping out of her seat to give each of them a hug. Jennifer had tears in her eyes but was smiling.

"Wow! That means we'll be a family now?" Molly asked.

"That's right, darlin'," Jack told her. She happily got out of her seat too to give her future stepfather a big hug.

Brian and Justin looked at each other and smiled.

"Welcome to the family, bro," Brian said with a wink, and hugged Justin. The blond laughed at him, and hugged him back. A few months ago he probably would have freaked out a little bit at this announcement, but he found that he was actually happy. He was happy for his mother, and happy that they would all become a family.

Justin briefly wondered what was going to happen now. He was amazed at the amount of changes in his life in the past two years. This year had been a little rough, but lately it seemed that a lot of good changes had been happening.

Justin and Brian both stood up to hug the their parents. Justin first hugged his mother, and then Jack.

"I'm glad she chose you to move on with," Justin said, and hugged Jack. The older man beamed at him and then chuckled.

"Actually, Justin, I think I owe you for that one. If you hadn't driven away all of those other men, I might not have had my chance!" They all laughed, having overheard the comment.

They enjoyed the rest of the evening, laughing, visiting and talking about when the wedding would be, which Jennifer and Jack decided would most likely happen that summer. Things were looking up for the soon-to-be new, big family.