RESCUE WHAT'S LEFT OF ME
Rescue What's Left Of Me
Chapter Nine: That Stupid, Twisted-Love Obsessed, Mentally Retarded Friend Of Yours
Summary: Brian finds out what happens to Justin after a few days of not knowing. Michael is still meddling in their relationship.
AN: I hope you guys enjoy it. Thanks a million to my beta, Helen.
Brian frowned when he saw J.C. sitting right outside Justin's hospital bedroom. The man was leaning back and holding a cup of coffee. He walked over to the man and just gave him the best glare he could muster. To say that he was pissed would have been laughable. He was way beyond that. It had been three whole days since he last seen his husband or heard from him. It was a miracle that he didn't have a heart attack.
"Brian," J.C. said jumping up from the chair. "Justin is going to be okay."
Brian sighed as he closed his eyes and thanked god in a whisper. He opened his eyes and stared at the man. "What happened? Why didn't you call me before?"
J.C. rubbed the back of his neck. "Look, maybe you should talk to Justin. I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry," he said. He didn't call before because he didn't know if Justin was going to make it or not. He knew that there was no way that he was going to put the brunet through that. Not only that, he didn't know what was going on so keeping Brian away was the safest thing he could do.
"Why can't you tell me anything?" Brian asked. "Never mind," he said and turned around to go inside the hospital room where his husband was.
"Brian," Justin said as he looked at the man. He'd just woken up a few seconds before.
"Justin," Brian said when he saw the man. "What happened?"
"I got shot," Justin told him.
"How? What happened?" Brian asked.
"Don't worry about it," Justin told him.
The brunet was getting frustrated. "But Justin..."
"Let it go, Brian," the older man told him.
Just then Justin's doctor came inside. He asked Justin how he was feeling. He informed them that the cops would come to take his statement. Justin assured the man that he didn't know what had happened. J.C. told they been walking down the streets when someone started shooting at them. J.C. had already changed so they didn't know that he was injured. He just told them that he hit the floor and no bullets hit him.
"Well, then," the doctor said. "You can tell that to the cops. You're very lucky Mr. Taylor. Your wounds were not dangerous but you almost bled to death."
Brian closed his eyes not wanting to think about that. J.C. came into the room and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I have to get out of here," Justin said.
"You need to rest," the doctor said.
The sandy haired man sighed. "Can I do that at home?"
The doctor looked at them and sighed. He knew that they were hiding something from him. He had seen Justin's body and knew about the other times the man had been shot because he had the scars to prove it. Maybe the people that wanted him dead were still out there and he couldn't risk having them come to the hospital and injuring someone else.
"Very well," the doctor said. "But it's bed rest with you. You can't walk or do anything at all. Right now you have no pain because of the drugs. I'll prescribe something. "
Brian sat down and let it all out. He started crying, not being able to stop himself. J.C. didn't know what to do or say. He looked at the doctor who excused himself so they could have some time.
"Brian," J.C. said. "It's going to be okay."
"It's been three days since this happened," Brian said. "I kept calling everyone and no one knew where Justin was. I thought he was dead. Why didn't you guys call me right away?"
Justin looked at J.C. and arched a brow.
"I didn't want to stress you," J.C. told him.
"You think I wasn't," Brian hissed. "I thought Justin had left without saying anything to me. How do you think that made me feel?"
"Better than sitting here every night wondering if he was going to pull through," J.C. told him.
The brunet rolled his lips inside his mouth as his eyes watered yet again. He nodded at what Jason said. "Okay, I understand that. But what if he had died? Look, I know you guys are trying to protect me and all that, but if something like this happens again you will call me. Because I want to be next to Justin no matter what. We said we would be there for one another until the end."
Justin smiled. "He's such a romantic."
"Shut the fuck up," Brian hissed. "I'll show you romantic when we get home. I'll be right back; I'm going to call everyone and tell them that you're okay."
The shorter man rolled his eyes.
"You're in so much trouble," J.C. said.
"Right now that's the least of my problems," the man said. "What do you know?"
"Smith took care of everything," J.C. informed him. "They believe the story so we're good. Alfred still wants to talk to you thought."
The sandy haired man sighed. "Great," he muttered.
"It's nothing," J.C. assured him.
"Right," the older man said pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fuck!"
J.C. put his hand on the older man's shoulder. Just then Brian was coming back.
"What's going on?" Brian asked as he closed his cell phone.
J.C. turned to look at the brunet. He moved his hand away and looked at Justin with a grin. "I'm going to go."
"Asshole," Justin hissed at him knowing why his brother had grinned at him like that. He was sure too that Brian thought something was going on between them after all the secrecy. "You called everyone already?"
"Everyone consisted of Emmett and Ted," Brian said. "It's not like I can tell many people about my problems."
Justin looked at him and nodded. Brian came near him and grabbed Justin's hand.
"I love you," the brunet said and swallowed.
The older man smiled. "You're my kid. The one and only," he said as he closed his eyes.
The brunet stared at him and hoped that was true. He wondered why Justin wasn't telling him what had happened. Well, it wasn't like he ever did but still. There was something going on and he could feel it. He knew that it involved J.C. and it scared him to no end that the shorter man was cheating on him with the man. The two of them came from the same world and probably understood each other so well. If Brian only knew that he wasn't far from the truth but not for the reasons he thought.
***
"So how are things?" Emmett asked as he was in the kitchen.
It had been a few weeks since Justin had gotten shot and he was doing much better.
"Better," Brian told him. "He's okay now. At least he stopped taking the pills. He said that it made him drowsy and he couldn't work like that because he needed to stay sharp. He says that as long as he doesn't over do it he's okay and doesn't feel any kind of pain."
Emmett nodded and looked towards the living room where he could hear Slater and Justin laughing at something. "How are you doing?"
"Good," the brunet said and smiled. "One more month to go."
"That's nice," the man said. "I bet you can't wait."
"You know it," Brian told him. "I can't wait to see what it is, you know."
Emmett laughed at that. "So, is there anything else you need help with?"
Brian looked around and shook his head. He had set everything up for when everyone got there. He had finally invited Debbie, Vic, Ted, Michael, Cynthia and Lindsay to the house. Justin told him that he had invited Tony, Tim and J.C. Brian told him that as long as they behave everything would be okay.
"I got it," Slater shouted when the bell rang.
"Hi," Debbie said. "I think we got the wrong house."
"No," Slater said. "I'm a friend of Justin's."
"Oh," she said smiling widely. "I'm Debbie Novotny and this is my brother Vic Grassi."
"Nice to meet you," Slater said. "Come on in."
Debbie went inside with a plate of food in her hands. Vic also had something with him. Brian came to the living room and rolled his eyes.
"I told you I made plenty of food," Brian said.
"This is dessert," Debbie assured him.
"Whatever," Brian said.
"Be nice, Brian," Justin told him smirking.
Debbie let Brian take the plate she had and went to hug the shorter man. "I haven't seen you in a while."
Brian walked away with Vic to the kitchen.
"Been busy with work," Justin told her smiling.
"Hello Deb," Emmett said.
"You got here before us?" Debbie asked.
"I came with Slater," Emmett informed her.
"Are you two a thing?" Debbie asked smiling.
"You could say that," Slater told the woman.
The bell rang again and Justin got up. "I have it."
The sandy haired man opened the door to find Lindsay with a brunette to one side and Tim and Tony at the other. He smiled at them. "Come on in guys," he told them. Once inside the closed the door and presented all of them with the exception of the new woman.
"Her I don't know," Justin said. "I'm Justin Taylor."
"Melanie Marcus," she said extending her hand. "Have I seen you before?"
"I don't think so," Justin told her and moved his hand away quickly.
Melanie shrugged it off.
"She's my girlfriend," Lindsay said happily.
Justin smiled. "Well, come on. Brian has food in the kitchen and you can take anything you want. There is beer and wine among other things. Feel at home."
"Okay," Tim said and walked to the kitchen.
Justin rolled his eyes and went to find Brian. He heard the doorbell yet again but didn't go to open the door. He was sure that someone would get it.
"Hey," Justin said smirking when he found Brian eating a piece of chocolate cake. "Aren't you supposed to eat something first."
"Shut up," the brunet said. "The baby wants it. Vic made it. It's delicious."
Justin looked at Vic who was sitting next to his husband with a big smile. "Do you want anything to drink, Vic?"
"One beer only," Vic said. "I have to take care of myself."
The sandy haired man nodded and grabbed the one that Tim just opened. "Thanks," he said to the man.
Tim sighed and went to get another one.
"Here you go," Justin said.
"Guys," Emmett said coming to the kitchen. "Debbie wants a tour of the house. Do you mind if I do it?"
"Knock yourself out," Brian told him.
"Oh, J.C. is here and Michael came with this guy named Ben. Can you say gorgeous?" Emmett asked and laughed.
Just then Slater came into the kitchen and went straight for the sandy haired man. Justin arched a brow as Slater stood very close to him.
"Look up," Slater whispered.
Justin arched a brow and just then Michael came inside with his new boyfriend. Justin frowned as he looked at Ben.
"Hey, Brian," Michael said smiling as he held on to Ben's arm.
"And you are?" Justin asked looking at Ben.
"Ben Bruckner," the man said smiling. "It's nice to meet some of Michael's friends."
"It's nice to meet you," Vic said smirking.
"Thank you sir," Ben said and smiled.
"You're a cop," Tim said.
Ben arched a brow. "How did you know?"
"You got that look," Tim told him smirking. He could smell a cop a mile away; they all could.
J.C. popped his head into the kitchen. "I am going to watch some T.V.," he said wanting to get out of the kitchen because Ben was there.
"I'm going to go with him," Tim said.
"Bunch of pussies," Tony said as he passed J.C. in a low voice.
Justin shook his head as Michael grinned at him. He leaned close to the brunet. "Your friend is really a piece of work."
Brian swallowed and wondered what Michael was thinking bringing a cop into his house. So yeah, it could be a total coincidence but by the way Michael was grinning he was going to go with 'no'. He sighed and ignored the whole thing. Right at that moment the important thing was to eat his cake. He could deal with everything later on.
***
"So what's up with this fucking guy?" Tony asked.
"Don't worry about him," Justin said. "Michael is nothing but a leech and sooner or later I'm going to cut him off from Brian's life."
They were in one of the guest rooms with two black duffel bags. Tony had brought them to Justin's house. The shorter man had told him that he could have waited until everyone was gone and Tony shrugged. He did promise that he wasn't going to do it again.
"Is that your phone?" Slater asked and reached for his.
"Yeah," Tony said and sat down in the bed. "Yeah, oh really. Okay. Got it."
"Are you coming with us on Friday?" Slater asked.
"I don't know," Justin said and shrugged. "I'll let you know when the time comes."
"Oh here," Slater said and pulled a silver .38 from one of the bags. "Got you this yesterday."
"Nice," Justin said taking the piece and stopping a few minutes to inspect it.
"So, I got this call from a guy that works by the docks," Tony said. "I know where Johnny is."
Justin and Slater looked at each other. They had been looking for the man for a while. They had welcomed him into the group and after a few months the guy had turned on them. He stole some merchandise along with a pretty nice chunk of money.
The sandy haired man licked his lips. "Right now, we're going."
"Are you up for it?" Slater asked.
"We have to pay the guy," Tony said getting up. "He's not doing this for free."
Justin opened the second bag and nodded. He grabbed a roll of money and took the rubber band away. He pulled out five hundred dollars and passed it on to Tony. "We'll count this money later," he said as he closed the bag and pushed it under the bed.
"He's going to deny having the money," Slater said. "The prick."
"I'll fucking kill Johnny if he doesn't get it for us," Justin said.
The door to the room was open and Michael who had come from the bathroom had seen and heard half of their conversation. Before they saw him he moved away. He had to find Brian and tell him what was going on.
"Hey honey," Emmett said looking up from the sofa where he was sitting next to Brian.
"I need to talk to you, Brian," Michael told him. "It's important."
Emmett frowned and got up. "Well, I'm going to be in the kitchen with Debbie and Vic."
"What is it Michael?" Brian asked.
"Where are the girls?" Michael asked looking around.
"They left with Ted," Brian informed him. "Ben and J.C. are in the study looking at the paintings that Justin has bought."
"Oh," Michael said. "Well, I was upstairs in the bathroom and when I came out Justin was with his friends on one of the bedrooms."
"And?" Brian asked rubbing his belly.
"They had guns with them and money," Michael said.
Brian licked his bottom lip. "I don't want to hear it."
"But you have to," Michael told him. “Brian, I heard him saying that he was going to kill a guy today."
Brian swallowed and rubbed his face. “Stop it Mikey, please.”
“You have to get out of here, Brian,” Michael told him. “You just have to. It's not safe. What if he ever hurts you?”
"Stop it," Brian told him. "I'm not fucking stupid, Michael. I'm not a fucking moron. I know about Justin's work and I'm still here. So stop fucking telling me all this shit. I told Justin that when he's with me I don't want to know about it and he kept his promise. And I wish it wasn't like this but there is nothing I can do. I love him and I'm going to be with him and don't fucking tell me shit about him hurting me."
"He's a violent man," Michael pointed out.
"I trust him with my life, Mikey," Brian spat out. "I know in my mind and heart that he would never put a finger on me to harm me."
"What if they come after him and they get you," Michael said.
Brian looked away. He'd thought about that for a long time; he still did. He was scared that something could happen to his baby but he couldn't have those thoughts. He got up while grunting his discomfort.
"That's not going to happen," Justin said. "I can take care of my family."
Michael stood up with wide eyes. "How long have you been there?"
The sandy haired man smirked. "Does it matter?"
"You have a great collection, Justin," Ben said as he entered the living room with J.C. behind him.
"Thanks," Justin said as he stared daggers at Michael. "J.C. we're going out. Get your shit together."
Brian moved closer to Justin and kissed him before he smiled and walked to the kitchen.
"Nice having you over," Justin said. "Can't wait to do it again," he told them before he left with J.C.
"Do you want to go?" Ben asked.
Michael sighed. "I don't know. Brian needs me here."
Ben frowned. "Is he not feeling okay?"
"It's not that," Michael said. "It's...let's go."
Ben nodded and they went to say goodbye to Debbie, Vic, Brian and Emmett. When they were in Ben's car Michael told him to stop because he had to tell him something.
"What is it Michael?" Ben asked.
"It's about Justin," Michael said. "He's...a criminal."
"What are you talking about?" Ben asked.
"They all are," Michael quickly added. "They carry guns and deal with money and drugs. They talk about killing people and all that. I'm scared for Brian. He has his eyes closed because he thinks he's in love. He's only going to end up hurt."
Ben couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Are you sure about this?"
Michael nodded. "We have to help Brian, Ben."
"Do you think he's in danger?" Ben asked. "Has Justin hurt him?"
"I think so," Michael said. "I'm worried about my friend."
"I understand, Michael," Ben told him. "I'll check into it."
"No," Michael said. "I don't want you getting into trouble. I'll call the cops. That way there is evidence that there is a problem."
Ben nodded. "That's the best you could do. Brian needs to open his eyes. I'm happy that you're so caring Michael. You're a good man."
Michael smiled and him and nodded.
***
Brian answered the phone of the house. It was Emmett and the man was asking for Justin so he handed him the phone.
"Hey Em, what's up?" Justin asked. He had a slight smile but it started to turn into a frowned as he listened to the man on the line. "Are you fucking serious?"
"Yeah," Emmett said. "I know about it because he did it from here. He thought he was alone but I came home for lunch and was in my bedroom changing my shirt. I stayed really quiet and heard everything."
"What else did he told them?" Justin asked.
"That was everything," Emmett said. "He made it sound like Brian was in danger."
"What's going on?" Brian asked worried that something had happened.
"I'm going to fucking kill him, "Justin hissed. "Yeah, okay. Thanks, bye."
"Justin?" Brian asked in a low voice.
The older man got up from the bed where they were laying next to one another. He opened the closet and started taking out a few pieces of clothing.
"Tell me what's going on," Brian demanded.
"Oh nothing at all, just that stupid, twisted-love obsessed, mentally retarded friend of yours," Justin hissed. "Damn it! He called the cops on me."
"What are you talking about?" Brian asked.
“Michael called the cops on me, Brian," Justin said. "I don't know when but they might drop by to investigate."
“What?” Brian asked.
“He told them that I was armed and dangerous,” Justin said. "And that I had drugs in the house."
“Can they come in here?” Brian asked.
The sandy haired man sighed. “Come here.”
Brian walked to him.
“I need a favor kid," Justin told him.
The brunet swallowed. “What is it?” Brian asked not liking how things sounded already.
"If the cops come tell them that I don't live here," Justin said. "You haven't seen me in a while either. They can't come in here if you don't let them, Brian."
Brian didn't know what to say to all that.
"Tell them that Michael is making it all up because he's in love with you or something," Justin said. "Whatever you have to say to make all of this go away."
"You want me to lie...to the cops!" Brian said getting scared.
“I’m going to go for a few days, okay?” he asked as he started throwing things in his duffel bag. “I want you to tell them that you haven’t seen me in a few days. Then you tell them that Michael has been harassing you because he wants to be with you.”
“Justin,” Brian said not sure he was listening correctly. “What are you talking about?”
“Brian,” Justin said walking towards him. “If they find me they will take me in for questioning and right now I don’t have time for this shit. They will search this place and trust me, we don't want that. Think of our kid. They could take him away just because I’m here. Just to fuck with us they can say anything and take it away from you and all because of your so called best friend.”
Brian put his arms around his belly. “They can’t take our baby.”
“Would you do this for me, baby?” Justin asked.
The brunet swallowed and nodded. “Okay, I will.”
"I don't want to leave you, Brian," Justin said. "But damn, I'm still hurt and if they find out there are going to be questions. If they start investigating me things will get ugly. If I go to prison I'll go crazy. I won't go back there again."
"I didn't know you were before," Brian told him.
"A long time ago," Justin said. "It doesn't matter."
"It does matter," Brian assured him. "It's like I...god, Justin. Sometimes I feel like I don't know you."
The sandy haired man stopped moving and just stared at the floor. He knew that what Brian was saying it was true. He had so many secrets from Brian. He didn't even know himself anymore. "I'm sorry."
Brian rubbed his belly. "I don't want things to be like this when the baby is here."
Justin rubbed his face. "Okay, I know that I have to open up more to you but sometimes it's hard. We have a lot to talk about but right now I have to go."
Brian nodded and went over to the sandy haired man. He kissed him hard. "Be careful."
"I will," Justin promised him.
"Call me," Brian said before the older man left. He sat on the bed and started crying. He knew that he had to go talk to Michael and it wasn't going to be pretty.
***
Brian knocked on the door and waited for Michael to answer it. He was there because before he came he called Emmett and the man assured him that Michael was in the apartment. The door opened and Emmett arched both of his brows.
"You don't look too good," Emmett said.
"I haven't been able to sleep all night," Brian informed him.
"Who is there?" Michael called from inside.
Brian made his way in. When he got to the living room Ben and Michael were sitting down eating a pizza.
"Hey, Brian," Michael said smiling.
“You’re a fucking asshole!” Brian yelled. "How fucking dare you?!"
Emmett stood next to Brian. "Brian, you should calm down. The baby."
Brian bit his lower lip and his eyes watered. "How could you do this to me, Michael? The cops were at my house asking a bunch of questions. Jesus fuck!!"
Michael put his plate down. "I only did it to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" Brian asked.
Ben got up. "Brian, you're so lucky to be alive. Justin could have done anything to you."
"You make it sound like Justin would ever hurt Brian," Emmett said. "Have you lost your mind? Justin would do anything for Brian. He loves him!"
“He’s a criminal!” Michael hissed.
“He’s my husband,” Brian told him. “And Michael if you do anything to jeopardize my family I’ll fucking kill you.”
“I can’t believe you’re treating me like this over him,” Michael said. “I’m your best friend.”
“I have a family Michael!” Brian yelled. “He’s going to be the father of my baby and you know what, I can’t wait for that to happen.”
“But Brian,” Michael tried.
“You know I had a shitty family, Mikey,” Brian said. “That’s all going to change. Please don’t mess with it. They could take the baby away from me. Did you not stop to think about that?”
"Brian, he's only trying to help," Ben assured the brunet.
Michael frowned momentarily. All he had wanted was for the shorter man to go away. “Is that why you’re with him?” Michael asked. “It could have been...someone else, Brian, someone that you deserve and can love just because not because you have to."
Brian walked closer to his friend. “I love Justin. I do, Mikey. I’m in love with him.”
Michael shook his head. “No, it’s only because he’s going to be the father of your baby.”
“Michael," Brian hissed getting even more annoyed. "Since the moment I met him I knew he was different. He could make me do things that no one else could. He made me want to have a family. He's the person that I've been waiting for all my life." Brian explained. Because even thought he always pretended like he was a tough guy and didn't give a shit about anyone, secretly he'd been hoping that he would find someone especial and now he had that person. He wasn't going to let anyone mess with what he had with Justin and that included his best friend. "This was supposed to happen, it was meant to be."
“It wasn’t Brian,” the man said and swallowed.
Brian looked down and put his hand on top of his belly. “This is what’s supposed to happen. My baby is going to be born and he’s going to be loved by his fathers.”
Michael looked at the floor. "I was just trying to help."
"I've always known from the beginning that Justin is a bit shady and gets involved in things that he shouldn't," Brian related. "But he's a good man."
Ben frowned. "How can he be good, Brian? I checked him out and he was in prison for murder."
Brian licked his lips and tried to keep calm. "I know about that," he lied. So he knew that Justin had been in prison but not the why. He and Justin had a lot to talk about as well.
"How can you be with him?" Michael asked.
"God, Michael," Emmett said. "You got to stop it. Really."
"Stop what?" Ben asked.
Everyone kept silent.
"I'm going to go," Brian said.
"I'll walk with you," Emmett told him and the two men left.
Ben looked at Michael who looked like someone had died. They sat back down and Ben threw his arm over Michael’s shoulders. When Emmett came back he closed the door and walked over to Michael.
"I was just trying to help," Michael pointed out.
"No, you weren't," Emmett told him. "Tell me if I ever get serious with Slater are you going to do the same to me?"
Michael looked away. "It's not like that."
"I bet is not!" Emmett hissed. "Jesus Christ, Michael. That was very low."
"Let's relax here," Ben said. "Your friend was only trying to help."
"You don't even know the half of it," Emmett said. "I'm going out."
Michael watched him go and then looked at Ben. "How am I supposed to help him? He doesn't want to see the truth."
Ben sighed. "I don't know, Michael. There is not much that we can do, but if there is anything we can do to help him then we'll find it."
The dark haired man smiled at that.
***
Justin was smiling at his friends as some of them padded him in the back. Earlier that day they had gone out with their boss because he had some business with a few old friends. Things turned ugly because it was more than it met the eye. Alfred had gone to see them to ask questions about what had happened to Jake. They were having dinner at one of Smith's restaurants when all of the sudden someone started shooting at them. Justin risked his life to protect Alfred and was able to get the man away from all of it.
Alfred was more than grateful and didn't question what had happened to his son anymore. Justin was happy that he'd gain the very thing they were after; trust. Alfred trusted Justin with his life. From now on they knew that Justin and his guys were going to get more business because of it.
“You’re going to be working for me now,” Alfred had told him. "From now on you answer directly to me."
Before, they had been working for the man, of course, but under the supervision of Smith. They would always do what Smith said. Now that was over. Slowly Justin kept climbing up the ladder.
"I'm going to go," Justin said as he looked at his watch.
Slater frowned. "Why? We're having a good time."
"I haven't seen Brian in over a week," Justin told him. "We're meeting today."
Slater nodded. "Okay, call me."
The older man left and drove to the park. When he got there he got out and walked to one of the benches. He looked at his watch again and then looked around. He leaned back and tried to relax but he was on the edge. He was about to leave when he saw the guy that was coming to meet him. He pulled out his cell phone and called J.C.
"What's up?" J.C. asked.
"What you doing?" Justin asked.
"Not much," the shorter man said.
"Meet me at Johnny's," Justin told him. It was the place they went to talk when something was wrong. Right at that moment, Justin felt like he was being watched.
"Sure," J.C. replied.
The shorter man hung up and stood up right away. He started walking towards the guy and didn't stop walking for nothing in the world. They had their rules; if Justin wasn't sitting on the bench then the guy didn't even look at him. They didn't even share as much as a look. Two hours later he was meeting his brother.
"What's up?" J.C. asked.
"Something doesn't feel right," Justin said. "I need you to blend away. Follow me everywhere and if someone is stepping over my shadow I want to know who."
"Done," J.C. said. "I went to see Brian yesterday. He really misses you. He looks so big."
Justin sighed.
"Here," J.C. said handing his phone to his older brother.
The shorter man smiled as he saw the picture of Brian. "He looks like he isn't sleeping."
"I don't think he is," J.C. said.
The older man sighed.
"I think you can go back home," J.C. said. "Do you want me to whack Michael? Because he so deserves it."
Justin looked at the blond. "Are you serious? Since when did you start talking like that?"
"It's the job," J.C. said.
The sandy haired man shook his head as he handed the man his phone. "I'm going home. I miss my family."
The older man drove home in silence. He usually had the radio on but he had too many things in his mind. When he arrived at the house he smirked as he saw Brian with his long coat on. The man looked like he was moving in slow motion. He parked the car and Brian didn't even realize it.
He got out and threw the door shut. That's when Brian turned around to see who it was. He smiled widely when he saw the shorter man. He started moving towards the older man. Justin shook his head and jogged over to him.
"What are you doing out here?" Justin asked.
"I was saying goodbye to Debbie," Brian told him. "She came by with Ted."
The shorter man kissed the brunet. "Mmm, I missed you."
"What are you doing here?" Brian asked.
"I live here," the man said.
Brian smiled widely. "Are you staying?"
"Of course I am," Justin whispered.
Brian couldn't have been happier happy with any other piece of news. He could have jump with joy if that was physically possible for him. He settled for hugging his husband tight to him. Justin kissed him on the corner of his mouth before he started walking towards the house with him. The older man had let Michael slide the firs time he cause Brian pain only because Brian had asked; now he was counting. He was going to be patient but he knew Michael was going to do something stupid again, it was a gut feeling. Three strikes and you're out; he would make Michael disappear from their lives forever if the man kept messing with him and his family.
Chapter Nine: That Stupid, Twisted-Love Obsessed, Mentally Retarded Friend Of Yours
Summary: Brian finds out what happens to Justin after a few days of not knowing. Michael is still meddling in their relationship.
AN: I hope you guys enjoy it. Thanks a million to my beta, Helen.
Brian frowned when he saw J.C. sitting right outside Justin's hospital bedroom. The man was leaning back and holding a cup of coffee. He walked over to the man and just gave him the best glare he could muster. To say that he was pissed would have been laughable. He was way beyond that. It had been three whole days since he last seen his husband or heard from him. It was a miracle that he didn't have a heart attack.
"Brian," J.C. said jumping up from the chair. "Justin is going to be okay."
Brian sighed as he closed his eyes and thanked god in a whisper. He opened his eyes and stared at the man. "What happened? Why didn't you call me before?"
J.C. rubbed the back of his neck. "Look, maybe you should talk to Justin. I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry," he said. He didn't call before because he didn't know if Justin was going to make it or not. He knew that there was no way that he was going to put the brunet through that. Not only that, he didn't know what was going on so keeping Brian away was the safest thing he could do.
"Why can't you tell me anything?" Brian asked. "Never mind," he said and turned around to go inside the hospital room where his husband was.
"Brian," Justin said as he looked at the man. He'd just woken up a few seconds before.
"Justin," Brian said when he saw the man. "What happened?"
"I got shot," Justin told him.
"How? What happened?" Brian asked.
"Don't worry about it," Justin told him.
The brunet was getting frustrated. "But Justin..."
"Let it go, Brian," the older man told him.
Just then Justin's doctor came inside. He asked Justin how he was feeling. He informed them that the cops would come to take his statement. Justin assured the man that he didn't know what had happened. J.C. told they been walking down the streets when someone started shooting at them. J.C. had already changed so they didn't know that he was injured. He just told them that he hit the floor and no bullets hit him.
"Well, then," the doctor said. "You can tell that to the cops. You're very lucky Mr. Taylor. Your wounds were not dangerous but you almost bled to death."
Brian closed his eyes not wanting to think about that. J.C. came into the room and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I have to get out of here," Justin said.
"You need to rest," the doctor said.
The sandy haired man sighed. "Can I do that at home?"
The doctor looked at them and sighed. He knew that they were hiding something from him. He had seen Justin's body and knew about the other times the man had been shot because he had the scars to prove it. Maybe the people that wanted him dead were still out there and he couldn't risk having them come to the hospital and injuring someone else.
"Very well," the doctor said. "But it's bed rest with you. You can't walk or do anything at all. Right now you have no pain because of the drugs. I'll prescribe something. "
Brian sat down and let it all out. He started crying, not being able to stop himself. J.C. didn't know what to do or say. He looked at the doctor who excused himself so they could have some time.
"Brian," J.C. said. "It's going to be okay."
"It's been three days since this happened," Brian said. "I kept calling everyone and no one knew where Justin was. I thought he was dead. Why didn't you guys call me right away?"
Justin looked at J.C. and arched a brow.
"I didn't want to stress you," J.C. told him.
"You think I wasn't," Brian hissed. "I thought Justin had left without saying anything to me. How do you think that made me feel?"
"Better than sitting here every night wondering if he was going to pull through," J.C. told him.
The brunet rolled his lips inside his mouth as his eyes watered yet again. He nodded at what Jason said. "Okay, I understand that. But what if he had died? Look, I know you guys are trying to protect me and all that, but if something like this happens again you will call me. Because I want to be next to Justin no matter what. We said we would be there for one another until the end."
Justin smiled. "He's such a romantic."
"Shut the fuck up," Brian hissed. "I'll show you romantic when we get home. I'll be right back; I'm going to call everyone and tell them that you're okay."
The shorter man rolled his eyes.
"You're in so much trouble," J.C. said.
"Right now that's the least of my problems," the man said. "What do you know?"
"Smith took care of everything," J.C. informed him. "They believe the story so we're good. Alfred still wants to talk to you thought."
The sandy haired man sighed. "Great," he muttered.
"It's nothing," J.C. assured him.
"Right," the older man said pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fuck!"
J.C. put his hand on the older man's shoulder. Just then Brian was coming back.
"What's going on?" Brian asked as he closed his cell phone.
J.C. turned to look at the brunet. He moved his hand away and looked at Justin with a grin. "I'm going to go."
"Asshole," Justin hissed at him knowing why his brother had grinned at him like that. He was sure too that Brian thought something was going on between them after all the secrecy. "You called everyone already?"
"Everyone consisted of Emmett and Ted," Brian said. "It's not like I can tell many people about my problems."
Justin looked at him and nodded. Brian came near him and grabbed Justin's hand.
"I love you," the brunet said and swallowed.
The older man smiled. "You're my kid. The one and only," he said as he closed his eyes.
The brunet stared at him and hoped that was true. He wondered why Justin wasn't telling him what had happened. Well, it wasn't like he ever did but still. There was something going on and he could feel it. He knew that it involved J.C. and it scared him to no end that the shorter man was cheating on him with the man. The two of them came from the same world and probably understood each other so well. If Brian only knew that he wasn't far from the truth but not for the reasons he thought.
***
"So how are things?" Emmett asked as he was in the kitchen.
It had been a few weeks since Justin had gotten shot and he was doing much better.
"Better," Brian told him. "He's okay now. At least he stopped taking the pills. He said that it made him drowsy and he couldn't work like that because he needed to stay sharp. He says that as long as he doesn't over do it he's okay and doesn't feel any kind of pain."
Emmett nodded and looked towards the living room where he could hear Slater and Justin laughing at something. "How are you doing?"
"Good," the brunet said and smiled. "One more month to go."
"That's nice," the man said. "I bet you can't wait."
"You know it," Brian told him. "I can't wait to see what it is, you know."
Emmett laughed at that. "So, is there anything else you need help with?"
Brian looked around and shook his head. He had set everything up for when everyone got there. He had finally invited Debbie, Vic, Ted, Michael, Cynthia and Lindsay to the house. Justin told him that he had invited Tony, Tim and J.C. Brian told him that as long as they behave everything would be okay.
"I got it," Slater shouted when the bell rang.
"Hi," Debbie said. "I think we got the wrong house."
"No," Slater said. "I'm a friend of Justin's."
"Oh," she said smiling widely. "I'm Debbie Novotny and this is my brother Vic Grassi."
"Nice to meet you," Slater said. "Come on in."
Debbie went inside with a plate of food in her hands. Vic also had something with him. Brian came to the living room and rolled his eyes.
"I told you I made plenty of food," Brian said.
"This is dessert," Debbie assured him.
"Whatever," Brian said.
"Be nice, Brian," Justin told him smirking.
Debbie let Brian take the plate she had and went to hug the shorter man. "I haven't seen you in a while."
Brian walked away with Vic to the kitchen.
"Been busy with work," Justin told her smiling.
"Hello Deb," Emmett said.
"You got here before us?" Debbie asked.
"I came with Slater," Emmett informed her.
"Are you two a thing?" Debbie asked smiling.
"You could say that," Slater told the woman.
The bell rang again and Justin got up. "I have it."
The sandy haired man opened the door to find Lindsay with a brunette to one side and Tim and Tony at the other. He smiled at them. "Come on in guys," he told them. Once inside the closed the door and presented all of them with the exception of the new woman.
"Her I don't know," Justin said. "I'm Justin Taylor."
"Melanie Marcus," she said extending her hand. "Have I seen you before?"
"I don't think so," Justin told her and moved his hand away quickly.
Melanie shrugged it off.
"She's my girlfriend," Lindsay said happily.
Justin smiled. "Well, come on. Brian has food in the kitchen and you can take anything you want. There is beer and wine among other things. Feel at home."
"Okay," Tim said and walked to the kitchen.
Justin rolled his eyes and went to find Brian. He heard the doorbell yet again but didn't go to open the door. He was sure that someone would get it.
"Hey," Justin said smirking when he found Brian eating a piece of chocolate cake. "Aren't you supposed to eat something first."
"Shut up," the brunet said. "The baby wants it. Vic made it. It's delicious."
Justin looked at Vic who was sitting next to his husband with a big smile. "Do you want anything to drink, Vic?"
"One beer only," Vic said. "I have to take care of myself."
The sandy haired man nodded and grabbed the one that Tim just opened. "Thanks," he said to the man.
Tim sighed and went to get another one.
"Here you go," Justin said.
"Guys," Emmett said coming to the kitchen. "Debbie wants a tour of the house. Do you mind if I do it?"
"Knock yourself out," Brian told him.
"Oh, J.C. is here and Michael came with this guy named Ben. Can you say gorgeous?" Emmett asked and laughed.
Just then Slater came into the kitchen and went straight for the sandy haired man. Justin arched a brow as Slater stood very close to him.
"Look up," Slater whispered.
Justin arched a brow and just then Michael came inside with his new boyfriend. Justin frowned as he looked at Ben.
"Hey, Brian," Michael said smiling as he held on to Ben's arm.
"And you are?" Justin asked looking at Ben.
"Ben Bruckner," the man said smiling. "It's nice to meet some of Michael's friends."
"It's nice to meet you," Vic said smirking.
"Thank you sir," Ben said and smiled.
"You're a cop," Tim said.
Ben arched a brow. "How did you know?"
"You got that look," Tim told him smirking. He could smell a cop a mile away; they all could.
J.C. popped his head into the kitchen. "I am going to watch some T.V.," he said wanting to get out of the kitchen because Ben was there.
"I'm going to go with him," Tim said.
"Bunch of pussies," Tony said as he passed J.C. in a low voice.
Justin shook his head as Michael grinned at him. He leaned close to the brunet. "Your friend is really a piece of work."
Brian swallowed and wondered what Michael was thinking bringing a cop into his house. So yeah, it could be a total coincidence but by the way Michael was grinning he was going to go with 'no'. He sighed and ignored the whole thing. Right at that moment the important thing was to eat his cake. He could deal with everything later on.
***
"So what's up with this fucking guy?" Tony asked.
"Don't worry about him," Justin said. "Michael is nothing but a leech and sooner or later I'm going to cut him off from Brian's life."
They were in one of the guest rooms with two black duffel bags. Tony had brought them to Justin's house. The shorter man had told him that he could have waited until everyone was gone and Tony shrugged. He did promise that he wasn't going to do it again.
"Is that your phone?" Slater asked and reached for his.
"Yeah," Tony said and sat down in the bed. "Yeah, oh really. Okay. Got it."
"Are you coming with us on Friday?" Slater asked.
"I don't know," Justin said and shrugged. "I'll let you know when the time comes."
"Oh here," Slater said and pulled a silver .38 from one of the bags. "Got you this yesterday."
"Nice," Justin said taking the piece and stopping a few minutes to inspect it.
"So, I got this call from a guy that works by the docks," Tony said. "I know where Johnny is."
Justin and Slater looked at each other. They had been looking for the man for a while. They had welcomed him into the group and after a few months the guy had turned on them. He stole some merchandise along with a pretty nice chunk of money.
The sandy haired man licked his lips. "Right now, we're going."
"Are you up for it?" Slater asked.
"We have to pay the guy," Tony said getting up. "He's not doing this for free."
Justin opened the second bag and nodded. He grabbed a roll of money and took the rubber band away. He pulled out five hundred dollars and passed it on to Tony. "We'll count this money later," he said as he closed the bag and pushed it under the bed.
"He's going to deny having the money," Slater said. "The prick."
"I'll fucking kill Johnny if he doesn't get it for us," Justin said.
The door to the room was open and Michael who had come from the bathroom had seen and heard half of their conversation. Before they saw him he moved away. He had to find Brian and tell him what was going on.
"Hey honey," Emmett said looking up from the sofa where he was sitting next to Brian.
"I need to talk to you, Brian," Michael told him. "It's important."
Emmett frowned and got up. "Well, I'm going to be in the kitchen with Debbie and Vic."
"What is it Michael?" Brian asked.
"Where are the girls?" Michael asked looking around.
"They left with Ted," Brian informed him. "Ben and J.C. are in the study looking at the paintings that Justin has bought."
"Oh," Michael said. "Well, I was upstairs in the bathroom and when I came out Justin was with his friends on one of the bedrooms."
"And?" Brian asked rubbing his belly.
"They had guns with them and money," Michael said.
Brian licked his bottom lip. "I don't want to hear it."
"But you have to," Michael told him. “Brian, I heard him saying that he was going to kill a guy today."
Brian swallowed and rubbed his face. “Stop it Mikey, please.”
“You have to get out of here, Brian,” Michael told him. “You just have to. It's not safe. What if he ever hurts you?”
"Stop it," Brian told him. "I'm not fucking stupid, Michael. I'm not a fucking moron. I know about Justin's work and I'm still here. So stop fucking telling me all this shit. I told Justin that when he's with me I don't want to know about it and he kept his promise. And I wish it wasn't like this but there is nothing I can do. I love him and I'm going to be with him and don't fucking tell me shit about him hurting me."
"He's a violent man," Michael pointed out.
"I trust him with my life, Mikey," Brian spat out. "I know in my mind and heart that he would never put a finger on me to harm me."
"What if they come after him and they get you," Michael said.
Brian looked away. He'd thought about that for a long time; he still did. He was scared that something could happen to his baby but he couldn't have those thoughts. He got up while grunting his discomfort.
"That's not going to happen," Justin said. "I can take care of my family."
Michael stood up with wide eyes. "How long have you been there?"
The sandy haired man smirked. "Does it matter?"
"You have a great collection, Justin," Ben said as he entered the living room with J.C. behind him.
"Thanks," Justin said as he stared daggers at Michael. "J.C. we're going out. Get your shit together."
Brian moved closer to Justin and kissed him before he smiled and walked to the kitchen.
"Nice having you over," Justin said. "Can't wait to do it again," he told them before he left with J.C.
"Do you want to go?" Ben asked.
Michael sighed. "I don't know. Brian needs me here."
Ben frowned. "Is he not feeling okay?"
"It's not that," Michael said. "It's...let's go."
Ben nodded and they went to say goodbye to Debbie, Vic, Brian and Emmett. When they were in Ben's car Michael told him to stop because he had to tell him something.
"What is it Michael?" Ben asked.
"It's about Justin," Michael said. "He's...a criminal."
"What are you talking about?" Ben asked.
"They all are," Michael quickly added. "They carry guns and deal with money and drugs. They talk about killing people and all that. I'm scared for Brian. He has his eyes closed because he thinks he's in love. He's only going to end up hurt."
Ben couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Are you sure about this?"
Michael nodded. "We have to help Brian, Ben."
"Do you think he's in danger?" Ben asked. "Has Justin hurt him?"
"I think so," Michael said. "I'm worried about my friend."
"I understand, Michael," Ben told him. "I'll check into it."
"No," Michael said. "I don't want you getting into trouble. I'll call the cops. That way there is evidence that there is a problem."
Ben nodded. "That's the best you could do. Brian needs to open his eyes. I'm happy that you're so caring Michael. You're a good man."
Michael smiled and him and nodded.
***
Brian answered the phone of the house. It was Emmett and the man was asking for Justin so he handed him the phone.
"Hey Em, what's up?" Justin asked. He had a slight smile but it started to turn into a frowned as he listened to the man on the line. "Are you fucking serious?"
"Yeah," Emmett said. "I know about it because he did it from here. He thought he was alone but I came home for lunch and was in my bedroom changing my shirt. I stayed really quiet and heard everything."
"What else did he told them?" Justin asked.
"That was everything," Emmett said. "He made it sound like Brian was in danger."
"What's going on?" Brian asked worried that something had happened.
"I'm going to fucking kill him, "Justin hissed. "Yeah, okay. Thanks, bye."
"Justin?" Brian asked in a low voice.
The older man got up from the bed where they were laying next to one another. He opened the closet and started taking out a few pieces of clothing.
"Tell me what's going on," Brian demanded.
"Oh nothing at all, just that stupid, twisted-love obsessed, mentally retarded friend of yours," Justin hissed. "Damn it! He called the cops on me."
"What are you talking about?" Brian asked.
“Michael called the cops on me, Brian," Justin said. "I don't know when but they might drop by to investigate."
“What?” Brian asked.
“He told them that I was armed and dangerous,” Justin said. "And that I had drugs in the house."
“Can they come in here?” Brian asked.
The sandy haired man sighed. “Come here.”
Brian walked to him.
“I need a favor kid," Justin told him.
The brunet swallowed. “What is it?” Brian asked not liking how things sounded already.
"If the cops come tell them that I don't live here," Justin said. "You haven't seen me in a while either. They can't come in here if you don't let them, Brian."
Brian didn't know what to say to all that.
"Tell them that Michael is making it all up because he's in love with you or something," Justin said. "Whatever you have to say to make all of this go away."
"You want me to lie...to the cops!" Brian said getting scared.
“I’m going to go for a few days, okay?” he asked as he started throwing things in his duffel bag. “I want you to tell them that you haven’t seen me in a few days. Then you tell them that Michael has been harassing you because he wants to be with you.”
“Justin,” Brian said not sure he was listening correctly. “What are you talking about?”
“Brian,” Justin said walking towards him. “If they find me they will take me in for questioning and right now I don’t have time for this shit. They will search this place and trust me, we don't want that. Think of our kid. They could take him away just because I’m here. Just to fuck with us they can say anything and take it away from you and all because of your so called best friend.”
Brian put his arms around his belly. “They can’t take our baby.”
“Would you do this for me, baby?” Justin asked.
The brunet swallowed and nodded. “Okay, I will.”
"I don't want to leave you, Brian," Justin said. "But damn, I'm still hurt and if they find out there are going to be questions. If they start investigating me things will get ugly. If I go to prison I'll go crazy. I won't go back there again."
"I didn't know you were before," Brian told him.
"A long time ago," Justin said. "It doesn't matter."
"It does matter," Brian assured him. "It's like I...god, Justin. Sometimes I feel like I don't know you."
The sandy haired man stopped moving and just stared at the floor. He knew that what Brian was saying it was true. He had so many secrets from Brian. He didn't even know himself anymore. "I'm sorry."
Brian rubbed his belly. "I don't want things to be like this when the baby is here."
Justin rubbed his face. "Okay, I know that I have to open up more to you but sometimes it's hard. We have a lot to talk about but right now I have to go."
Brian nodded and went over to the sandy haired man. He kissed him hard. "Be careful."
"I will," Justin promised him.
"Call me," Brian said before the older man left. He sat on the bed and started crying. He knew that he had to go talk to Michael and it wasn't going to be pretty.
***
Brian knocked on the door and waited for Michael to answer it. He was there because before he came he called Emmett and the man assured him that Michael was in the apartment. The door opened and Emmett arched both of his brows.
"You don't look too good," Emmett said.
"I haven't been able to sleep all night," Brian informed him.
"Who is there?" Michael called from inside.
Brian made his way in. When he got to the living room Ben and Michael were sitting down eating a pizza.
"Hey, Brian," Michael said smiling.
“You’re a fucking asshole!” Brian yelled. "How fucking dare you?!"
Emmett stood next to Brian. "Brian, you should calm down. The baby."
Brian bit his lower lip and his eyes watered. "How could you do this to me, Michael? The cops were at my house asking a bunch of questions. Jesus fuck!!"
Michael put his plate down. "I only did it to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" Brian asked.
Ben got up. "Brian, you're so lucky to be alive. Justin could have done anything to you."
"You make it sound like Justin would ever hurt Brian," Emmett said. "Have you lost your mind? Justin would do anything for Brian. He loves him!"
“He’s a criminal!” Michael hissed.
“He’s my husband,” Brian told him. “And Michael if you do anything to jeopardize my family I’ll fucking kill you.”
“I can’t believe you’re treating me like this over him,” Michael said. “I’m your best friend.”
“I have a family Michael!” Brian yelled. “He’s going to be the father of my baby and you know what, I can’t wait for that to happen.”
“But Brian,” Michael tried.
“You know I had a shitty family, Mikey,” Brian said. “That’s all going to change. Please don’t mess with it. They could take the baby away from me. Did you not stop to think about that?”
"Brian, he's only trying to help," Ben assured the brunet.
Michael frowned momentarily. All he had wanted was for the shorter man to go away. “Is that why you’re with him?” Michael asked. “It could have been...someone else, Brian, someone that you deserve and can love just because not because you have to."
Brian walked closer to his friend. “I love Justin. I do, Mikey. I’m in love with him.”
Michael shook his head. “No, it’s only because he’s going to be the father of your baby.”
“Michael," Brian hissed getting even more annoyed. "Since the moment I met him I knew he was different. He could make me do things that no one else could. He made me want to have a family. He's the person that I've been waiting for all my life." Brian explained. Because even thought he always pretended like he was a tough guy and didn't give a shit about anyone, secretly he'd been hoping that he would find someone especial and now he had that person. He wasn't going to let anyone mess with what he had with Justin and that included his best friend. "This was supposed to happen, it was meant to be."
“It wasn’t Brian,” the man said and swallowed.
Brian looked down and put his hand on top of his belly. “This is what’s supposed to happen. My baby is going to be born and he’s going to be loved by his fathers.”
Michael looked at the floor. "I was just trying to help."
"I've always known from the beginning that Justin is a bit shady and gets involved in things that he shouldn't," Brian related. "But he's a good man."
Ben frowned. "How can he be good, Brian? I checked him out and he was in prison for murder."
Brian licked his lips and tried to keep calm. "I know about that," he lied. So he knew that Justin had been in prison but not the why. He and Justin had a lot to talk about as well.
"How can you be with him?" Michael asked.
"God, Michael," Emmett said. "You got to stop it. Really."
"Stop what?" Ben asked.
Everyone kept silent.
"I'm going to go," Brian said.
"I'll walk with you," Emmett told him and the two men left.
Ben looked at Michael who looked like someone had died. They sat back down and Ben threw his arm over Michael’s shoulders. When Emmett came back he closed the door and walked over to Michael.
"I was just trying to help," Michael pointed out.
"No, you weren't," Emmett told him. "Tell me if I ever get serious with Slater are you going to do the same to me?"
Michael looked away. "It's not like that."
"I bet is not!" Emmett hissed. "Jesus Christ, Michael. That was very low."
"Let's relax here," Ben said. "Your friend was only trying to help."
"You don't even know the half of it," Emmett said. "I'm going out."
Michael watched him go and then looked at Ben. "How am I supposed to help him? He doesn't want to see the truth."
Ben sighed. "I don't know, Michael. There is not much that we can do, but if there is anything we can do to help him then we'll find it."
The dark haired man smiled at that.
***
Justin was smiling at his friends as some of them padded him in the back. Earlier that day they had gone out with their boss because he had some business with a few old friends. Things turned ugly because it was more than it met the eye. Alfred had gone to see them to ask questions about what had happened to Jake. They were having dinner at one of Smith's restaurants when all of the sudden someone started shooting at them. Justin risked his life to protect Alfred and was able to get the man away from all of it.
Alfred was more than grateful and didn't question what had happened to his son anymore. Justin was happy that he'd gain the very thing they were after; trust. Alfred trusted Justin with his life. From now on they knew that Justin and his guys were going to get more business because of it.
“You’re going to be working for me now,” Alfred had told him. "From now on you answer directly to me."
Before, they had been working for the man, of course, but under the supervision of Smith. They would always do what Smith said. Now that was over. Slowly Justin kept climbing up the ladder.
"I'm going to go," Justin said as he looked at his watch.
Slater frowned. "Why? We're having a good time."
"I haven't seen Brian in over a week," Justin told him. "We're meeting today."
Slater nodded. "Okay, call me."
The older man left and drove to the park. When he got there he got out and walked to one of the benches. He looked at his watch again and then looked around. He leaned back and tried to relax but he was on the edge. He was about to leave when he saw the guy that was coming to meet him. He pulled out his cell phone and called J.C.
"What's up?" J.C. asked.
"What you doing?" Justin asked.
"Not much," the shorter man said.
"Meet me at Johnny's," Justin told him. It was the place they went to talk when something was wrong. Right at that moment, Justin felt like he was being watched.
"Sure," J.C. replied.
The shorter man hung up and stood up right away. He started walking towards the guy and didn't stop walking for nothing in the world. They had their rules; if Justin wasn't sitting on the bench then the guy didn't even look at him. They didn't even share as much as a look. Two hours later he was meeting his brother.
"What's up?" J.C. asked.
"Something doesn't feel right," Justin said. "I need you to blend away. Follow me everywhere and if someone is stepping over my shadow I want to know who."
"Done," J.C. said. "I went to see Brian yesterday. He really misses you. He looks so big."
Justin sighed.
"Here," J.C. said handing his phone to his older brother.
The shorter man smiled as he saw the picture of Brian. "He looks like he isn't sleeping."
"I don't think he is," J.C. said.
The older man sighed.
"I think you can go back home," J.C. said. "Do you want me to whack Michael? Because he so deserves it."
Justin looked at the blond. "Are you serious? Since when did you start talking like that?"
"It's the job," J.C. said.
The sandy haired man shook his head as he handed the man his phone. "I'm going home. I miss my family."
The older man drove home in silence. He usually had the radio on but he had too many things in his mind. When he arrived at the house he smirked as he saw Brian with his long coat on. The man looked like he was moving in slow motion. He parked the car and Brian didn't even realize it.
He got out and threw the door shut. That's when Brian turned around to see who it was. He smiled widely when he saw the shorter man. He started moving towards the older man. Justin shook his head and jogged over to him.
"What are you doing out here?" Justin asked.
"I was saying goodbye to Debbie," Brian told him. "She came by with Ted."
The shorter man kissed the brunet. "Mmm, I missed you."
"What are you doing here?" Brian asked.
"I live here," the man said.
Brian smiled widely. "Are you staying?"
"Of course I am," Justin whispered.
Brian couldn't have been happier happy with any other piece of news. He could have jump with joy if that was physically possible for him. He settled for hugging his husband tight to him. Justin kissed him on the corner of his mouth before he started walking towards the house with him. The older man had let Michael slide the firs time he cause Brian pain only because Brian had asked; now he was counting. He was going to be patient but he knew Michael was going to do something stupid again, it was a gut feeling. Three strikes and you're out; he would make Michael disappear from their lives forever if the man kept messing with him and his family.