Tenebrosity: Chapter 15: "Let it Be" Part 3

[rhapsody_series]

Author: galeandrandy
Thank you to my artist: momentsgoneby
Thank you to my editor: adoringaudience
Rating for story: XXX
This is Chapter: 15/20
Genre Timeline: Post-513
Present Time: A little over 10 years post-series moving forward.
Past Time: Story directly after Justin goes to NY, returning to Brian & leading up to present time.
Further credit and thank you post: ++click here++
Notes: The Full Tenebrosity Soundtrack is now available. Discs 1 and 2 links can be found in the sticky or in the sidebar.
Warnings: Angst, Original character death, Raw Sex,
Summary: From such a gentle thing, from such a fountain of all delight, my every pain is born ~ Michelangelo
Story Meta: ++click here++
Rhapsody Series Part 1 On-going Reference Timeline Here
Rhapsody Series Character Images Here
Rhapsody Series Character List & Summaries Here
Chapter Word Count: 30,176
★Rhapsody Series Memories in Numerical Reading Order★

★★

Tenebrosity
Chapter 15: “Let it Be”
Part 3

~~~***~~~

Thursday, November 30, 2011

“I’m telling everyone we know that you just spent a half hour looking for the tie that best matched the green in Rel’s Christmas dress. You actually want to match with your daughter!” This really is the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever dealt while shopping with Brian and Arella.

“I really would think you would know your colors better, Justin. I was not looking for a green tie. I found a tie that in one light looks deep emerald and in another light it is smart olive. I was inspired by her dress; I wasn’t trying to fucking match shit.”

Smart olive? Is he serious? “Brian, in all the hundreds of art supply catalogs or dozens of art shops I’ve been in, not once have I ever hear of ‘smart olive’ as a color. The tie is green.”

“You’re really not as creative as I thought,” he quips turning away from me. “Rel, come here.”

Great. They’re going to gang up on me. I can’t wait. “Brian, I don’t need to hear a three-year-old’s opinion on your tie.”

Rel hops out of her stroller and looks at Brian curiously. “What, Dada?”

“What color do you think this tie is when I hold it like this?” he asks, flicking his wrist to the side.

People say I’m the one that’s more effeminate? Seriously? Just because I was born beautiful, doesn’t mean I’m more effeminate. Not saying Brian isn’t beautiful, but…

“Owive, Dada!”

Great.

Brian looks at me and smirks before turning back to Arella and flicking his wrist in the other direction. “Now what color is the tie, Rel?”

“Gween!” she exclaims and looks at Brian expectantly.

I laugh a little louder than I should in the boutique store, feeling quite content with my daughter.

Brian glares at me and smiles down at Rel. “Actually, Rel, it’s emerald.”

“Okay,” she says, not caring one bit. “Can we get wunch now?”

“That’s my girl,” I say and walk her over to her stroller. “Strap yourself in and you and me will go wait in the car for Dada.”

“But I wasn’t finished shopping in here,” Brian gasps.

I look at my watch and then back to him. “Brian, it’s almost one. Rel usually eats at eleven thirty. She’s been good, but unless you want to deal with a meltdown, we need to go. We can come back after lunch. She’ll probably fall asleep in the stroller then.”

“I’m not tiwed,” Rel tells me, pulling on my pant leg.

“Just wait a minute. I’ll have them hold this for when we come back,” Brian agrees.

~~~~~~~~~~

Arella did exactly as I thought and slept through Brian’s modeling when we went to his favorite boutique-clothing store. To be honest, if she hadn’t been with us, I probably would’ve snuck into the dressing room with him and made him fuck me because every time he’d come out wearing a new outfit, my dick got harder and harder. One of the reasons I put up with shopping with him is because I enjoy watching him order people around and love seeing them all frantically rush around to accommodate his money… uhuhm... I mean, him.

Seeing Brian act as if he owns the world and liking his powerful grace is one thing, watching our daughter act this way, even after she’s had a nap, gives me the complete opposition reaction. It’s embarrassing and it makes me look like a horrible parent, not that Brian thinks so. Brian’s chest puffs out in pride as he watches Arella behave just like he does. I knew this would happen when he suggested we come here and I didn’t put a stop to it because I was in a pleasure-induced haze from watching Brian’s perfect body get dressed and undressed. I can’t be blamed here; really, I can’t because I think Brian did that on purpose.

We’re in a freaking kid boutique that Brian insisted we go to even though she’s going to grow out of the clothes in just a few months. I really want to demand that we leave the store immediately. I swear to God, he’s teaching our adorable, cherubic looking daughter to be a complete bitch. There’s just no other way to say it. My daughter is acting like a spoiled bitch, cheered on by my husband, the Queen bitch.

What’s really disturbing is that Arella woke up from her nap and assumed her mini-queen role the second we walked into the boutique, with no prompt from Brian. It is obvious that they’ve done this together before. She’s deviously sweet in attitude and has the attendants falling over her cute remarks and beaming smile. But of course they have no idea that she isn’t just playing dress up like I know they all think. Arella really thinks she’s entitled to act like this while shopping for clothes. Brian, not missing a beat, encourages her behavior by showing her how to wave her hand in this prissy little wave while tilting her head up and rolling her eyes when an attendant shows her a dress he deems is unworthy.

I’m sure in some alternate universe people might think this kind of thing is cute or endearing. It’s not. It’s really, really not.

Why in the fuck couldn’t he bond with her doing charity work? Okay, so that’d never happen. Fine. At least they could bond while playing Barbie’s or something. Yeah, that’d never happen either. From time to time, Rel does force him to play as the red-headed one whenever she decides it’s time to torture him, but it definitely isn’t bonding. I’d just like it if they weren’t feeding off of one another’s bitchy, elitist attitude so much.

Arella is usually a sweet, well-behaved little girl and she doesn’t treat anyone else the way she treats the clothing attendants. When I finally do have a moment and quietly voice my concerns to Brian, he reminds me of how Arella usually behaves and swears that the employees expect to be treated like minions and they are treated a lot worse by people who aren’t as cute as our daughter. He says that if they want the huge commission they’re about to get, they’ll jump through fire for it. I know for Brian it all comes down to business but it irks me. I don’t want Rel to think she can order people around, namely adults, and I could care less if the people expect it or even want it. I don’t want it.

I have this terrible mental picture of her being a teenager. The teenager part isn’t even what the bad mental picture is, though it does make me quiver. Up until now I do my best to not imagine her as a teen. What’s going on this very moment combined with me thinking of her acting like this as a teenager is terrifying. I can see myself taking Arella to get clothes for school and having her order the attendants around in the sweet as pie three-year-old voice she has now. Her genuine sweet voice is shy and reminds me of Brian’s when he can’t help but say something romantic.

Arella can barely pronounce most of the orders Brian gives the staff but that doesn’t matter to her or them. They tell her thank you and answer her instead of Brian as if she were the one to speak first.

If I hear another sales woman tell me that my daughter is adorable in a voice that is too high-pitched, I might freak out. I KNOW they don’t mean it. Sure, they do what she and Brian say because they want our money, that’s the bottom line. But they don’t really think she’s sweet. Okay, maybe they think it’s sweet that she imitates Brian. But they can’t help but be irritated by her. I’d like to wring her neck right now. If she was a teenager, I’d ground her from the car that Brian is sure to spend an obscene amount of money on. I can’t do anything to her now though because she doesn’t even realize this is wrong!

I really don’t know how much more I can handle sitting in this fucking too soft, too flowery patterned chair and watch them. I know that if I bring this up with Brian again it’s going to turn into a huge fight because I’m too angry to hold back. That would only rightfully piss Brian off if I did because he’d never want to come into this, their favorite store, ever again.

“This puwpel one is best,” Rel singsongs, skipping out of the dressing room. “Buy it, Dada. Buy it!”

Brian comes out after her and grins approvingly as she twirls in front of the mirrors that line the wall I’m facing. “What do you think?” he asks me.

I take a deep breath and try my best to give them both a real smile. Maybe if I say I like it we can wrap this up. Brian really doesn’t want to know what I think at this moment. I think Arella is adorable and beautiful in anything and yes, the dress is beautiful, but that’s not the point. I manage a real smile in the mirror. “It looks great,” I tell them and make myself yawn.

“Are you tired?” Brian asks attentively, bending down to kiss my head.

“Yeah, I’m ready to go home.” Okay, I said that without whining, score for me.

“Okay,” he says, excessively agreeable.

“Okay?” I ask him in disbelief.

“Sure. You’ve spent practically the whole day watching us buy clothes. I know you probably want to go home and finish painting,” he says softly against my ear. “Or maybe you want to go home and ream me out for letting Rel act like a diva?”

So he knows this has been REALLY pissing me off this whole time. The bastard! I guess there is something sort of endearing about it. I’m a total putz for thinking that but I can’t help it. Arella, Brian and Gus are my biggest weaknesses. I’m just happy Gus isn’t here to join in on this show. I turn my face toward his and grab his neck to pull him into a kiss. “Make her be polite before we leave or you really will get it,” I warn him in a whisper.

He stands up straight and moves so that his ass is directly in front of me. “Come here, Rel. Let me help you take those shoes off so we can buy them.”

“But they has to do it,” Rel whines.

“The ladies don’t have to do anything for you, Arella. Neither do I,” he says placing his hands on his hips. “Now would you like me to help you?”

“Yes,” Rel sighs, walking in front of Brian.

“Excuse me?” Brian says. “Is there a please to go along with that?”

Good. He’s at least teaching her to be polite to him.

“Paahllleeease, Dada?” Rel says, sounding like she means it.

“Good girl,” Brian says and gives her a kiss before bending down and jutting his ass out so far, he’s practically sitting in my lap.

I look around to see if any of the store attendants are watching and when the coast seems clear I run my hand over Brian’s right ass cheek, pat it and say, “Good boy.”

~~~***~~~

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

I knew that Emmett was doing well with his catering and event planning business, but to have such a large shop he must be making tons of money. There’s a possibility that Drew may have invested some money into it as I know he is a co-owner and is in charge of the financial aspect of the business, but I doubt Emmett would rely solely on Drew’s banked football earnings to keep his business afloat. Real estate in Napa Valley, California is expensive and to own a building this size in the center of town, must cost a fortune. I’m in total awe and so proud of Emmett’s success. I wish I could’ve made the trip two years ago when everyone else came out here for his housewarming party, but at least I’m here now.

“What do you think?” Emmett asks, as we walk arm in arm into the lobby.

“It’s magnificent, Em.” The floors are marble, the ceilings are at least twelve feet high and the décor is classy, with hints of romantic elegance. “I’m so happy for you, so glad you are living your dream.”

“I am,” he agrees and grabs my elbow, leading me toward the reception desk where a young blond girl sits behind it. “This is Jeannie,” Emmett says.

“Hi.” I stay a few steps away from the desk and wave at her in greeting. The vacation helped me reconnect with Brian, but I’m still not that good with interacting with strangers. Emmett is one of the few people in my life that I’ve always felt comfortable with, he’s a very tactile friend, so all of his hugs, kisses and touches haven’t phased me but even the prospect of a simple handshake with Jeannie makes my skin crawl.

“Hi.” Jeannie waves at me and asks, “Em, is this Justin or Brian?”

“Forgive my lapse in manners,” Emmett says in a flustered tone. “This is Justin. Justin Taylor-Kinney, meet Jeannie Marlowe. Without her, I would have absolutely no free time. She’s the best friend I have here in Napa but also my personal assistant.”

“It’s good to meet you,” I say, trying to overcome my nerves. “I’m glad that Emmett’s business is doing so well and that he has made a good friend out here. He’s talked a lot about you.”

Jeannie blushes and grins widely. “Hopefully good things.”

“Definitely,” I assure her.

“Emmett has been more excited about you and your husband visiting than…” she pauses, “well I can’t think of anything that’s made him this excited.”

“It’s true, baby,” Emmett tells me. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. Seeing one another once a year is far too little.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I tell him. “I hope you’ll be able to come to Pittsburgh to visit everyone soon.”

“I know it seems like a long time from now, but Drew and I are planning to come for Thanksgiving. Napa Valley is gorgeous but we spent Thanksgiving here last year and it just didn’t feel the same without the whole family around.”

“Yeah.” I should know what he means and if I allowed myself to, I would, but I haven’t celebrated any holiday in years. My heart begins to hammer in my chest and I can feel sweat breaking out on my neck and palms, signaling the beginning of a panic attack.

Emmett gently places his hand on my shoulder and gives me a worried look. “Justin, are you ready to head back to the house?”

“Yes,” I say in a rushed thankful breath. I’m ready to be back with Brian. As comfortable as I feel with Emmett and as much as I’ve enjoyed touring the town and his shop with him, only Brian can make me feel safe.

“Okay,” he says, his voice a little cheerier, “it’s been a long day and I’m sure you’re exhausted from the flight and could use a nap before we have dinner.”

I do my best to smile at him and nod. This is why I’ve missed Emmett and I wish… I wish he’d been around then. “Thanks.”

Emmett and I say goodbye to Jeannie and as we walk toward the door a customer comes through. I step to the side to let him pass but instead the man stops in front of me.

“Justin?”

Oh! Holy shit. “John?”

“Mr. Garrison!” Emmett gasps and looks down at me in shock. “You know him?”

I can tell that Emmett must be thinking that John is a past trick or something but he couldn’t be more wrong. “John is Daphne’s husband.”

“Daphne?” Emmett asks. “Your Daphne?”

“Yes what other Daphne do I…”

“No,” John interrupts me, “not any longer.”

“Oh,” Emmett sighs, “good. I mean… not good because that means you and that goddess are no longer…”

“We’re divorced,” John says in a confused tone. He shakes his head. “It’s been over three years now, I would’ve thought that she would’ve told her best friend.”

“We haven’t spoken for a long time,” I tell him. I try to think of the last time I spoke to Daphne and I can’t really come up with the month but I know the year and I know the last time I heard her voice was when I left a message on her answering machine. “How are she and the girls?”

“They’re doing well and living in Clapham now with her fiancé. I’m getting remarried too, Emmett is planning my nuptials.” He grimaces while looking at Emmett and asks, “I hope this won’t make things weird for you and Lucia while planning it?”

Emmett looks at me, apparently to see if I have anything to say about it, but truthfully I don’t. I have no idea what happened to Daphne and John’s marriage and even if I did, I know John’s family is well-to-do and it wouldn’t bode well for Emmett to let personal matters come into play, so I just shrug my shoulders in silent answer. I can’t believe this. I knew that John and Daphne lived here for some time after they were married, but they were living in San Francisco the last I heard.

“No, of course not,” Emmett says smoothly. “I wasn’t aware that we had an appointment today though, John. I hope I’ve not fudged my schedule.”

“Oh, you didn’t. I don’t have an appointment, I am just here to make a payment,” John says, patting his pocket.

“Oh good,” Emmett says with a deep sigh. “Well, I’ll let you get to that with Jeannie. I’ve got some visiting to do.”

“Yes. It was nice to see you, Justin,” John tells me.

“You too,” I reply and turn for the door but something inside me makes me turn back around. “Wait, John…”

“Yeah?”

“Clapham, is that a suburb of San Francisco?” I’m not sure why I asked that, it’s not like I’m going to make the trip up there to see her, I’m not ready to talk to her yet but I don’t like not knowing where exactly Daphne is and I wonder if she feels the same way about me.

“No, it’s a suburb of London.”

“As in England?” I ask, shocked.

He nods. “Yes.” He gives me a sad smile. “Justin, I’m not sure what happened with you two…”

I barely manage to stop myself from telling him that it was him that happened, at least… I think it was.

“…but I’m sure Daphne would like to hear from you. We’re still friends, you know, and not just for the kids’ sake.” He reaches into his pants pocket and takes out his wallet. “I have her business card, if you want it, it has her cell phone number, email and post address on it.”

I take the card he offers me and slip it into my jeans pocket. “Thanks.” I don’t know if I will call her anytime soon, I’d like to, but there’s a lot of hurt I’m going to have to get past first. I give him a wave and Emmett and I exit the shop and I realize that the panic I had felt before has completely gone away. It’s weird because seeing John so unexpectedly probably should’ve made it worse, but the shock I feel must be taking over my other feelings.

“Justin, I hope you’re really not angry with me planning John and Lucia’s wedding. I’d never met him when he was with Daphne and I guess I should’ve put two and two together with the name but…”

“It’s okay,” I assure Emmett as we get into his car. “I didn’t even think about the fact that this is the same place Daphne used to live.”

“What happened with you two?” Emmett asks in a cautious tone as he starts the car.

I don’t want Emmett to think badly about his client so I’m not going to tell him that most of the problems between me and Daphne began when she met him and continued for a long time after that. Instead, I’ll just have to tell him the truth, what was apparent to me as the final door closing on me and Daphne’s lifelong friendship. “I called her, my mom called her, her mother called her, we left messages for her,” I pause to swallow around the lump in my throat that the past’s pain is causing me before I go on, “but she never called me and she didn’t come… you don’t remember seeing her there, do you?” I know that me and Brian were in a fog as was my mother and honestly I never asked anyone else, but I’m pretty sure I would’ve known if she had been there.

“Where, sweetie?” he asks softly.

I wipe at my eyes to stop the burning tears on the cusp of falling from them. “At Arella’s funeral. She wasn’t there.”

“Oh god, baby, I’m sorry. No,” he rests his hand on my leg and squeezes it, “no, she wasn’t there.”

“She called a few days after but I couldn’t talk to her, not then and she called for some time after that too but I just couldn’t… Brian talked to her a few times I think but I couldn’t fathom speaking to her after her abandoning me like that. Then… well… I stopped talking to everyone, everyone who was there and who did care and I certainly wasn’t going to pick up the phone one day and call her after all that.”

“Well I’m glad you picked up the phone to talk to me,” he says, his words wobbly.

“I should’ve done it sooner.” I’m barely holding back from crying and make myself stare out the window at the beautiful scenery because if I looked over at Emmett, who is no doubt crying, I would lose it.

“No, you called when you were ready and I’m not going to say that Daphne isn’t in the wrong and I really can’t fathom a reason as to why she wasn’t there for you, but maybe the time will come when you’re ready to talk to her and you can find out just what her reasons were. Maybe seeing John today was a sign that you might want to start thinking about getting in touch with her.”

“Maybe,” I agree. “But it also might’ve just been a coincidence.”

Emmett’s laughter draws my eyes to him and I see him shaking his head back and forth. “Sweetie, you know there is no such thing as coincidences. Your life is proof of that. Just think, Brian Kinney could’ve picked a guy who gave a damn good blowjob, one that would’ve kept in the backroom just long enough for you to have gone home with someone else.”

“Or just gone home,” I say, perfectly recalling the night we met. “And likely to not return to Liberty Avenue for a long time. I was two minutes away from calling Daphne and having her pick me up because I was so freaked out. I was thinking that I never wanted to go back to Liberty Avenue, I was too intimidated.”

“You?” Emmett gasps. “I never would’ve thought.”

“I was,” I say. “I probably would’ve gone back once I’d left home and gone to college or something… but I don’t think I would’ve had the courage to go back while I was still living at home. I barely had the nerve to go in the first place…” I sigh. “Daphne probably would’ve made me though, she knew I was gay even though I didn’t tell her until the next day at school, she knew and she loved me anyway. She’s the first person that I ever told I was gay and she acted like it was no big deal. She gave me the courage to go after Brian time and time again. She wasn’t just my best friend; she was the first person in my life to accept me, gay or straight.”

“Well then it sounds to me like she was a damn good friend to you once,” Emmett says in a sad voice.

“She was and there are times when I just wish… I wish I hadn’t introduced her to Valerie. She was so freaking jealous of Val, even though she had no reason to be. I know friends can grow apart because they don’t have things in common or just because life gets in the way, but I never thought she’d choose to ignore me the way she did.”

“It doesn’t sound like the Daphne I knew,” Emmett says. “What about Valerie? I know you said you’d been thinking of calling her, have you made any decisions about that?”

“Brian and I talked a lot in Mexico and we talked about Valerie and what happened. I think I need to talk to my mom and Deb about some things I’m confused on because… well, Brian seems to think that Valerie was led astray by them unintentionally on our mothers parts, and that we might’ve been pouring all our anger and hurt onto her.”

“And what do you think?”

“I think Brian may be right,” I say. It’s so hard to look back on that time with any clarity.

“Well I hope he is, because I always really liked Valerie.”

“Me too.” I put my hand over Emmett’s and squeeze it. “I’m really glad to have you as a friend, Emmett. I hope you know how much I appreciate you being so patient with me and Brian. Talking about Val and Daphne makes me realize how much I’ve lost by missing out on their friendship, I would hate to think that I’ve probably done a lot of damage to our friendship too.”

“Justin,” Emmett says in a passionate voice, “you didn’t. We’re friends, we’ve always been friends and no amount of time is going to change that.”

The dreadful feelings inside me turn around because all I can feel right now is grateful and happy to him in my life. He always has known how to make me feel better and this time is no different. “Thank you, Em. I’m really fucking glad I’m here.”

“Me too.”

~~~###~~~

Thursday, May 18, 2017

“…and then you take the figures from the focus group and multiply them by the percentage of…”

“Hold on a second,” I say, stopping Ted’s teaching. “My cell is vibrating and I think it’s my dads.” I reach into my pocket and take it out and see Justin is calling.

“All right, I’ll go get the figures from research while you’re on the phone,” Ted tells me, standing up from his chair behind the desk. “Tell them I said hi,” he says.

“Will do, Uncle Ted.” I take a deep breath and force myself to sound cheerful as I answer the phone, “Hey, are you guys on your way home?”

“Yes, we’re in the air. We land in two hours. Your dad got you something and he’s excited to give it you. Meet us at the house after work, okay?”

Shit, no, it’s not okay. I told Maggie I’d pick her up after work and take her shopping to buy some maternity clothes. “I’ve got plans, with that girl, Maggie.”

“Oh, a date?” Justin asks in a teasing tone. “I thought teenagers only went on dates on the weekend.”

“Dad didn’t even take you on any dates so how would you figure to know that?”

“Ouch, that was harsh,” he laughs. “Though you’re right. So, it’s not a date?”

“No, we’re just friends. We were going to get something to eat, that’s all.”

“Well, why don’t you bring her to the house? I don’t feel like cooking, but we can order pizza.”

“No,” I say quickly, “we… she doesn’t like pizza.” Who the fuck doesn’t like pizza? I’m such a dumbass.

“Gus? What’s going on?” Justin’s tone is alarmed.

“Nothing, it’s just… you already met her and I don’t want it to be a big deal. We’re just going to get something to eat, okay?”

“We haven’t seen you in weeks. I know we’re not that cool to hang out with, but we’ve missed you and I thought you missed us. A few days ago you said you couldn’t wait for us to come home.”

“I can’t wait,” I say, trying to backtrack. “Really, I’m glad you’re going to be home and I’ve missed you and Dad but… Maggie, she’s going through a tough time with her mom and she really needs me.”

“Gus, you sound so strange. What’s going on? Tell me the truth. We promised that we’d talk stuff out.”

“Nothing is going on that you need to worry about. I’ll be home by curfew and see you in the morning, okay?”

“All right,” he says, sighing. “Love you.”

“Love you too. See you soon.” I hang up the phone before he can say anything else. I have no idea how I’ve managed to fake happiness every time I’ve talked to my dads since they’ve been gone. I’m terrified of how they’re going to react when I tell them what I’ve done. Even though I’ve made my decision to give up the baby, which I hope will help, they’re still going to be so disappointed in me and that’s something I can’t stop from happening.

“Got the projected costs as well as the research,” Ted tells me, walking back into the office.

“Cool.” I’m glad to have something to keep my mind off my personal shit. The last couple of weeks I’ve been mainly working with Ted. He figured out that I have a knack and a bit of a nerdy love for math so he’s been teaching me all about his job as Chief Financial Officer.

“How are they?” he asks, sitting down beside me.

“They’re good, they sound really happy.” Except not now that I’ve worried them.

“You don’t sound too happy about that,” he observes, laying a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve been spending far too much time with me since your dads have been gone. From one math lover to another, I know that it’s tempting to escape from your problems into a world where there is always a factual solution, but it only works for so long.”

“Yoda, if you don’t want me as your apprentice then you should just tell me and I’ll find another master to learn Jedi mind tricks from,” I say lightly, hoping my attempt at humor will throw him off.

“Given that you are Brian Kinney’s son, I’d say you’ve already learned enough Jedi mind tricks. Unfortunately, your mind tricks cannot work on your fellow Jedi.” He slips his hand off my shoulder and pushes a folder toward me. “Take a look at these and see if you can figure out what Kinnetik’s projected profits would be if we only take into account the control focus group.”

“Okay.” Good, he’s giving me a reprieve. I flip open the folder and see the different projections and percentages.

“And Gus, if you want to talk about anything, I’ll listen.”

“Thanks, Uncle Ted.” I’m not a total asshole. I know he cares about me and if I hadn’t accidentally ran into Michael first when shit hit the fan; I probably would’ve gone to him first. He’ll know soon enough what troubles me and the less people who know before my dads do, the better.

~~~###~~~

I hang up my cell phone and tell Brian, “Molly said she thinks Gus is dating both Maggie and Blaine.”

“What?” Brian asks laughing. “I doubt it.”

“You doubt it because you hope he’s only dating Blaine.”

“Gus isn’t dating them both because you yourself said it sounded like he didn’t even like Maggie in that way when you met her.”

“Well he didn’t. But Molly said that when he’s not with her, he’s with Blaine. He’s even gone to dinner at Blaine’s house and takes Maggie out to eat all the time. It sounds to me like he’s dating the both of them. Molly thinks he’s worried about what we’ll think and that’s why he won’t admit to it.”

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow before school and let him know that if that’s the case, as long he’s being honest with both of them; there is nothing wrong with it.” He grimaces.

“But do you believe that?” If he doesn’t, Gus will be able to tell and that’ll just give him more reason to not tell us.

“Justin, who am I to tell Gus that he can’t have a boyfriend and a girlfriend at the same time? I didn’t have a boyfriend until I was thirty years old.” I try not grin smugly at his choice of label but he catches me. “Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything,” I tell him, leaning over and kissing his cheek.

“It’s really pathetic that even though we’re married you still get all aflutter about me calling you my boyfriend.”

“But you didn’t call me that then. You hated the term.”

“Still do.”

“Well, it’s nice to have you confirm that you thought of me that way then, even though I knew you did.”

“You knew nothing of the kind.”

“Brian, don’t you remember when I told you I was on to you?”

“You expect me to remember you saying something so absurd when you were naked and covered in ice cream?”

“Ha! You remember exactly when I told you, but I think I may have already been dressed by that time.”

“Shut up.”

“Really, you’re only digging yourself deeper.”

“And tonight when we get home I’m going to show you just how deep I can dig.”

“I look forward to it,” I say, kissing him, and mumble, “boyfriend”, as I pull away to sit back in my seat. We’re on a private jet, and great as renewing my membership in the mile-high club would be, I’d rather wait until we get home. From the look Brian’s giving me I have no doubt that if he did fuck me right here, right now, I’d likely scare the pilot with all my yelling and begging.

TBC in part 4 here----> http://rhapsody-series.livejournal.com/13337.html