Making it Through Another Summer: Chapter 7
Making it Through the Summer & Making it Through Another Summer
by Kim
Making it Through Another Summer
Chapter 7
Monday, March 29th
9:30 p.m.
Woody's
Justin decided to drop by Woody's after class since Brian was tied up with a dinner meeting. As he sat at the bar, he couldn't shake the feeling that had been nagging him ever since his return from Los Angeles. He suspected that something wasn't quite right when it came to Brian's vacation promise, even if he wasn't sure why he was having these doubts. He could tell from the distant way Brian had been acting over the past few days that something was indeed wrong.
The artist again wondered if it was possible that Brian knew about his tricking, but if he did, and had a problem with it, wouldn't he confront him with it? The man wasn't one to bullshit, especially when he was irritated.
Just the thought of his recent tricking made Justin cringe. On the flight home from Los Angeles, he had thought long and hard about his recent behavior, and had come to realize how foolish he had been for taking Emmett's advice. He knew that what he should have done was to openly confront Brian, instead of acting like an immature ass and satisfying his needs elsewhere. Now that they were back from their trip, it was time they had an open and honest conversation. Justin dreaded broaching the subject, but knew he had no other choice, especially since he had come to realize that for him, tricking wasn't providing a solution.
"Hey Goldilocks," Justin's thoughts were interrupted as he looked over to see Cody pull up a chair next to his.
"I thought I told you my name was..."
"Justin," the waiter finished with a grin. "Care to buy me a drink?"
"Only if you call me Justin from now on."
"Sure, why not?" Cody shrugged.
***
"Your hair is starting to grow back," Cody observed as the bartender set a Beck's in front of him.
"You think so?"
"Yeah, and while we're on the subject," Cody hesitated for moment. "I wanted to say that I hope my blond comments weren't responsible for making you cut your hair," he confessed.
"Trust me, they're not," Justin grimaced.
"I realize I may have been a little insensitive with the blond cracks, but you have to admit, you have some kick-ass blond hair."
"Uh, thanks," Justin gave the waiter a puzzled stare. It seemed odd to hear Cody compliment him after the barrage of blond insults.
"Anyway, I wanted you to know that I'm sorry I was an ass."
"Look, you don't have to apologize," Justin objected. "While I did find your wisecracks annoying, they weren't the reason I cut my hair."
"Then why did you?" the waiter questioned curiously.
"Maybe I was sick of people viewing me as some kid," Justin wearily stated. "Perhaps I was sick of being the rebellious artist and wanted people to see me as the businessman I've become."
"So, you're a partner in Pittsburgh's hottest ad agency, who said anything about having to erase the rebellious artist from your life?" Cody argued. "You know, Justin, I've heard a few stories when it comes to some of your exploits. It would be a shame to see you turn into a stiff suit, or another Brian Kinney for that matter. No offense, but aside from the fact he's Pittsburgh's hottest fuck, I haven't a clue as to what you see in the bastard."
"You wouldn't understand."
"True, but I do understand this. As hard as you try, the rebellious artist will always be a part of you. Perhaps instead of trying to deny who you really are, you should try embracing it."
"And how do I do that?" Justin queried, intrigued by Cody's suggestion.
"This might be a start," the waiter proposed, pulling a picture out of his wallet. "What do you think of this hairstyle?" he asked, handing the picture to Justin.
"It's not bad," the blond shrugged as he studied the style shown in the picture. While it was shorn in the back and on the sides, it was long and spiky in the front.
"I think it combines both the businessman and the rebellious artist," Cody indicated.
"Perhaps you're on to something," Justin murmured. However, there were currently more important things he needed to deal with at the moment, things such as his relationship with Brian.
11:00 p.m.
The Loft
Arriving home from his dinner meeting with Scott Matthews, Brian stood in front of the window, smoking a cigarette. He thought back to the promise that had been made his last night in Hollywood. He wondered what had possessed him to come up with the lame-ass pretext of missing Justin as his reason for going to L.A. He was Brian Kinney for fuck's sake, and Brian Kinney wasn't one to shirk the truth... For whatever reason, instead of confronting Justin with the truth, he had acted like a damn coward and taken the easy way out by lying.
What was it about the artist that made him back away from the truth? What was it that made him come up with the foolish idea of going to Ibiza? A vacation in paradise with the hottest guys in the world was the last thing they needed right now. What they needed was the truth. The more Brian thought about it, the more he was reminded of a time almost three years ago, in which he had lied to Justin. It hadn't been a spoken lie, not like his current one, but it had been a lie all the same. He had lied by denying his true feelings, and he had paid dearly for it. Yet here he was in the same place, with the same predicament. Again, he was hiding his true feelings all because he cared more than he was willing to admit. All because when it came to Justin, he sometimes found it easier to take the coward's way out. Only this time, instead of pushing the blond away, he was desperately trying to hold onto him.
Wednesday, March 31st
4:00 p.m.
Brian's Office
Kinnetik
"Brian?"
"What's up, Cyn?" the ad executive looked up from the proposal he was studying to see Cynthia standing in his doorway.
"A Mr. Honeycutt is here to see you. He doesn't have an appointment, but he says it's urgent that he speak to you."
"Wonderful," Brian murmured in a sarcastic voice. "God only knows what he wants this time. You might as well send him in," he frowned, not in the mood to deal with Emmett.
***
"Emile, so good of you to drop by uninvited," Brian drawled as Emmett entered his office. "Just because your pathetic hubby works here, doesn't mean it's open season for you to drop by for a friendly visit."
"Who said this was a friendly visit?" Emmett countered.
"Then what the fuck is it?"
"How about we call it an informative visit?" Emmett proposed.
"Well, informative or not, I don't have all day, Emile, so I suggest you get on with it," Brian said as Emmett took a seat on the couch.
"I'm not really sure how one goes about saying this, but it's come to my attention that my lover was a complete jackass the other day," Emmett began. "While Teddy did overhear a rather shocking piece of gossip, it was no excuse for him to act in the manner he did. It was petty, insensitive, an invasion of your privacy..."
"It was also completely uncalled for," Brian interrupted.
"Well, you can rest assured I told him that. While I can see how Teddy may have been eager to seek retribution for the grudge he's been holding against you for your treatment of him after his arrest, it does not excuse what he did."
"You're damn right it doesn't."
"I also made it clear to him that he was damn lucky to be working at Kinnetik, and that he should put these bad feelings behind him. You could, after all, have refused to hire him," Emmett pointed out.
"I could have," Brian agreed. "But for whatever reason I didn't."
"And that's why I've come to apologize for Ted's appalling behavior. Teddy would do it himself, but he's too much of a..."
"Schmuck?" Brian offered.
"I was going to say coward."
"Well, coward or not, who says there's anything to forgive? As far as I'm concerned, it's over and done with."
"Don't bullshit me." Emmett didn't buy Brian's nonchalant manner for a second. "You can sit here all you want and act as if Ted's behavior no longer means a damn thing to you, but I know the truth, Brian. I know you a hell of a lot better than you think, and I know that deep down Teddy's comments stung, and that hasn't gone away."
"If that's what you choose to believe, Emile," Brian gave a casual shrug. "Although you might want to advise Theodore that in the future he should avoid biting that hand that feeds him."
"Oh, you can be sure I'll warn him," Emmett huffed, still infuriated with his partner.
"Is that all?" Brian questioned, eager for Emmett to leave his office so he could forget about Theodore's distasteful revelation.
"No, it's not," Emmett indicated.
"Well, if you're going to sit here and drone on about Theodore, I would suggest you save it for another time. I'm not interested at the moment."
"But you're interested in Justin, aren't you?" Emmett questioned.
"What about Justin?" Brian asked, standing up from his desk.
"After Teddy's betrayal, I thought it might be a good time for me to fill you in on a few things about Sunshine."
"What things?" Brian demanded, wondering what Emmett was getting at.
"Perhaps the reason he's been tricking since his trip to London," Emmett responded.
"Christ, is any of our business private these days?" Brian muttered in disbelief. If Emmett knew about the tricking, God only knew who else did.
"I can assure you that what I know has been kept in the strictest confidence. No one, and I mean no one except for Justin, knows what I'm about to tell you," Emmett explained as Brian walked over to his drink cart and poured himself a scotch. He had a feeling he was going to need one.
***
"So, you mean to tell me that all this tricking nonsense over the past few months is because I've been refusing to bottom for him?" Brian stared at Emmett in disbelief minutes later.
"That would appear to be the case," Emmett sighed.
"May I ask why the fuck you're sharing this with me now?"
"I had a hunch that after Ted's revelation you might jump to the wrong conclusion about Justin's intentions. Although with the way you were going at it while Justin was in Atlanta, I had my suspicions that you were already aware of the tricking."
"I see."
"You were aware of it, weren't you?"
"Not that it's any of your fucking business, but yes, I've been aware of it since the first."
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You are the expert when it comes to tricking. Although, I have to admit, I'm somewhat surprised by your reaction to it. If I didn't know better, I would almost think it bothers you."
"I hate to break it to you, Emile, but it doesn't. Only pathetic queers like you and Fred believe in monogamy. If Justin wants to get his needs met elsewhere it's fine by me."
"That's what I thought you would say. It's also why I advised him to trick. I told him that if you were being a selfish prick that there was no reason why he shouldn't fulfill his needs elsewhere, especially since you place no value on monogamy."
"It's amazing what my friends know about me," Brian remarked incredulously. "What else did you enlighten poor Sunshine with?"
"Only the fact that he was wasting his time wishing you would become monogamous."
"Well, with friends like you singing my praises it's no wonder he started tricking," Brian retorted. He couldn't believe Emmett had filled Justin's head with such ridiculous notions. Even if some of it were true, it wasn't Emmett's place to butt in where he wasn't wanted or needed.
"Well, with a controlling asshole for a partner what else was he supposed to do?" Emmett shot back.
"He could have tried talking to me, instead of involving you in our problems. Tell me, Emile, did it ever occur to you that instead of encouraging him to trick you could have encouraged him to open up to me? Or did that thought simply slip your mind?"
"Bri..." Emmett protested.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here Honeycutt. A lot of nerve."
"In trying to do you a favor?"
"I hardly call this a favor. If you had wanted to do me a favor, you could have come into my office this past February and told me what you told me today. Instead you had to plead for me to hire that piece of shit you call a partner. Yet somehow, I'm the one who's selfish. Not this time, Emile. You're the one who's selfish, you and that son of a bitch Theodore. As for my relationship with Justin, you don't know the first thing when it comes to our relationship. So, instead filling his head with bullshit, why don't you do something constructive and in the future, advise him to communicate with his partner. Now, I suggest you do yourself a favor and get the hell out of my office."
"Gladly," Emmett muttered. It was obvious there was no reasoning with Brian.
"Oh and Emile, you better tell Fred to start looking for a new place of employment. I have a feeling that Justin is going to be none too happy when he learns how his supposed friend betrayed him..."
***
"Unfucking believable," Brian muttered to himself once Emmett had left. He couldn't believe how he hadn't seen the reason for Justin's tricking sooner. It had been staring him in the face the entire time, but he'd been too stubborn to see it. To think he had wasted all of his energy worrying that Justin was bottoming for other guys when the whole time he'd been topping them.
He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or furious with Justin. On one hand he was glad to know the reason for Justin's tricking, on the other, he was angered that the blond had taken Emmett's silly advice instead of forcing him to discuss the issue. While Brian knew Justin had attempted to broach the subject on a few occasions, he knew Justin, and knew that if the blond really wanted something, he wouldn't have stopped until he was satisfied. The fact that he had given up so easily bothered Brian. It wasn't like Justin to throw the towel in. He was a fighter pure and simple.
Another thing that irritated Brian was Emmett's involvement in this whole ridiculous mess. He could forgive Justin for confiding in his friend, but what he couldn't forgive was the reckless way Emmett had handled the situation. Instead of using common sense and encouraging Justin to come to him with his needs, Emmett had done what all the other family members were famous for by pointing out all of his shortcomings. The thought that Emmett had begged him to help Ted while he had possessed knowledge that could have greatly assisted him in his relationship with Justin infuriated Brian.
As far as Brian was concerned, Ted and Emmett were pathetic excuses for friends. They weren't worth his effort if this was the type of treatment he could expect in return. As for Justin, there was no predicting how the blond would react once he learned of Ted's betrayal. All Brian knew was that it was going to hurt like hell for the artist to learn how his friend had betrayed him.
Midnight
The Loft
"God that feels good," Justin purred as Brian lapped at the precum glistening on the tip of his hardened cock.
"Like that?" Brian looked up to give his partner a knowing grin.
"Yes!" the blond panted as his partner's lips continued their assault on his shaft.
"I can make you like it even more," Brian breathed.
"You can?"
"Uh-huh," he nodded and reached for a condom.
"Brian?" Justin stared at his lover in shock as Brian handed him the condom.
"Take it."
"But," the blond began to protest in confusion.
"Take it, Justin," Brian instructed.
"Are you sure?" hesitant blue eyes looked up into determined hazel ones.
"Why else would I be handing you the condom? Now hurry up before I change my mind."
***
Minutes later, Brian felt his body clenching in response to the feeling of Justin's heated cock buried deep inside of him. He moaned, as his lover continued to tease him by slowly thrusting in and out in an attempt to savor each and every sensation. Brian knew now that no matter what his fears and insecurities were, it had been wrong to deny Justin this. Had he been thinking clearly instead of allowing his fears to run rampant through his mind, he would have realized that keeping Justin happy was a hell of a lot more important than his own selfish insecurities. Besides, there were some benefits to being an occasional bottom, especially when one had a partner as skilled and solicitous as Justin. However, there was no way in hell Brian would admit this. He couldn't have Justin resting on his laurels. For now Brian would simply lie back and succumb to the fierce pleasures his lover was arousing, relieved that at least for now it appeared as if things would work themselves out.
***
"Satisfied?" Brian whispered as he laid back against the pillows, cradling Justin in his arms once they had finished.
"Yes," the blond sighed contentedly as he snuggled deeper into Brian's arms.
"Good. Now I expect the next time you have the sudden urge to top you let me know instead of sating your needs in some worthless trick," Brian offhandedly advised.
"What did you just say?" Justin suddenly sat up to stare at his partner in shock.
"The game's up, Sunshine. I'm on to you," Brian revealed.
"But... how? Why? Since when?" the blond stammered in confusion.
"Since London. You never were much of a liar."
"Brian, I can explain... I..."
"There's no need to explain," Brian shrugged. "You were following our agreement."
"But, I..." Justin began to protest
"Don't, Sunshine," Brian cut him off.
"I'm sorry," the blond raked a hand across his head. He was stunned that Brian had known since the first. "Why the fuck am I apologizing?" he suddenly wondered aloud.
"Perhaps because you should have come to me?" Brian stated, trying to conceal his bitterness. "Didn't you promise me that you would tell me if you weren't getting your needs met?"
"I did come to you," Justin objected. "On several occasions," he added. "However each time you brushed my needs aside as if they hardly mattered."
"You should have pushed harder," Brian argued.
"And it would have gotten me nowhere."
"You don't know that, Sunshine, especially since you gave up without much of a fight."
"Well, maybe if you hadn't been such a selfish asshole, and had considered someone else's needs instead of your own for a change, I wouldn't have given up," the blond refuted angrily.
"Alright, I was an ass, but did that give you the right to stop communicating your needs to me?" Brian shot back.
"Look, I don't know what else you want me to say."
"There's nothing else to say. I was being selfish, you weren't communicating your needs strongly enough, you went elsewhere and stuck within the confines of our agreement," Brian summarized. He wasn't interested in turning this into a rip-roaring argument.
"So, where do we go from here?" Justin mused.
"I think it's time we made a few modifications to our agreement," Brian announced.
"Modifications?" the blond repeated in bewilderment. "Just what did you have in mind?"
"I think the first thing we should start with is what caused this miscommunication," Brian began, eager to resolve the situation once and for all. "If either of us has a particular need, we need to strongly communicate it to the other. If the other is unable or unwilling to fulfill this particular need, then and only then, would it be permissible to fulfill it elsewhere. Agreeable?"
"Agreeable," Justin sighed, regretting the fact they hadn't discussed this sooner.
"Next, we need to tackle the issue of bottoming."
"Bottoming?" the blond raised a surprised eyebrow. Now this, he hadn't been expecting.
"I don't want you bottoming for anyone else," Brian declared.
"But I..."
"I don't want to hear it, Sunshine. That gorgeous ass of yours is mine and mine only, just as my ass belongs to you and you only. You're the only one I plan on bottoming for and I expect the same in return."
"Do you plan on bottoming for me on an occasional basis?"
"If that's what you need, I plan on keeping you satisfied," Brian promised. While he had feared losing control in their relationship, keeping Justin happy and satisfied was much more important than his own selfish fears at the moment. He would have to find some other way to deal with them.
"Anything else?"
"Yes, actually there is one more thing," Brian indicated. "From now on when either of us trick in the future we should try to be more discreet. That means no tricking on business trips when fellow employees or clients are with us. We have our business to think of. The last thing we need is to fuel the office grapevine with stories of our exploits. It's not productive for Kinnetik."
"Let me guess," Justin cringed. "You know about what happened in Atlanta."
"I suppose you could say that."
"Can I ask how?"
"Theodore," Brian replied.
"Ted?" Justin stared at his partner in shock. He couldn't for the life of him figure out how Ted of all people had found out and why he would have gone to Brian.
"Apparently he overheard Nathan telling Brendan about your exploits at the water cooler," Brian explained.
"Fuck..." Justin shook his head in disbelief. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.
Thursday
10:00 a.m.
Ted's Office Kinnetik
After hearing Brian explain what Ted had done, Justin had spent the remainder of the previous evening wide-awake, stewing over his friend's betrayal. While Brian had done his best to comfort him, it wasn't enough to diminish the sense of anger, hurt, and betrayal he was currently experiencing. Justin couldn't believe that after everything he had done for Ted, his friend had chosen to repay him in this manner. Not about to stand for the accountant's betrayal, Justin stalked into Ted's office soon after arriving at Kinnetik. It was time his friend was called to account for his actions.
"Justin?" Ted looked up in surprise as the blond entered his office. "What's up?" he inquired in a friendly manner.
"Why?" Justin chose to ignore the accountant's question, and chose instead to ask one of his own.
"Why, what?"
"You know what I'm referring to, Ted." Justin glared at the accountant.
"Look, I honestly..."
"Just cut the fucking bullshit and tell me why you did it," the blond demanded tersely.
"Did what?"
"Betrayed my trust?"
"Justin, I..." Ted hesitated.
"Why Ted?" the artist questioned. "Why after everything I did for you?"
"I wasn't thinking clearly."
"Obviously," Justin laughed bitterly. "Do you think that excuses what you did?"
"No, but it didn't have anything to do with you."
"Telling Brian about my tricking had nothing to do with me?" Justin stared incredulously.
"I swear I was only thinking of Brian. All I cared about was getting back at him for..."
"The appalling way he treated you after the arrest?"
"Yes."
"So, let me see if I have this straight," Justin began. "After overhearing a juicy little tidbit at the water cooler, you decided it was the perfect opportunity to give Brian his just desserts?"
"I think that about sums it up," Ted agreed.
"Tell me Ted, am I entitled to my own just desserts when it comes to the appalling way you betrayed our friendship?"
"Well... I, uh..." Ted stammered.
"You know I really should fire your ass. Brian seems to think it's the ideal solution. Lucky for you, I'm not a vengeful person,"
"Justin, I'm sor..."
"No apologies, Ted. No excuses. No regrets," the blond recited his lover's famous mantra, before continuing in a serious tone. "But don't think I won't forget what you did. You see, Ted, betrayals run deep for me, especially ones committed by people who I thought were my friends. So, you can continue here at Kinnetik, but know this, our friendship is over. Fuck with me again, and I will take Brian's advice and throw your ass out on the curb," he warned.
"Justin, you have to listen to me. I didn't mean to..." Ted began to protest.
"Fuck you, Ted," Justin shook his head in disdain as he turned to leave the accountant's office. As far as he was concerned, his friendship with Ted was over. He'd been betrayed one too many times by the people he'd cared about, and he wasn't about to put up with it any longer.
by Kim
Making it Through Another Summer
Chapter 7
Monday, March 29th
9:30 p.m.
Woody's
Justin decided to drop by Woody's after class since Brian was tied up with a dinner meeting. As he sat at the bar, he couldn't shake the feeling that had been nagging him ever since his return from Los Angeles. He suspected that something wasn't quite right when it came to Brian's vacation promise, even if he wasn't sure why he was having these doubts. He could tell from the distant way Brian had been acting over the past few days that something was indeed wrong.
The artist again wondered if it was possible that Brian knew about his tricking, but if he did, and had a problem with it, wouldn't he confront him with it? The man wasn't one to bullshit, especially when he was irritated.
Just the thought of his recent tricking made Justin cringe. On the flight home from Los Angeles, he had thought long and hard about his recent behavior, and had come to realize how foolish he had been for taking Emmett's advice. He knew that what he should have done was to openly confront Brian, instead of acting like an immature ass and satisfying his needs elsewhere. Now that they were back from their trip, it was time they had an open and honest conversation. Justin dreaded broaching the subject, but knew he had no other choice, especially since he had come to realize that for him, tricking wasn't providing a solution.
"Hey Goldilocks," Justin's thoughts were interrupted as he looked over to see Cody pull up a chair next to his.
"I thought I told you my name was..."
"Justin," the waiter finished with a grin. "Care to buy me a drink?"
"Only if you call me Justin from now on."
"Sure, why not?" Cody shrugged.
***
"Your hair is starting to grow back," Cody observed as the bartender set a Beck's in front of him.
"You think so?"
"Yeah, and while we're on the subject," Cody hesitated for moment. "I wanted to say that I hope my blond comments weren't responsible for making you cut your hair," he confessed.
"Trust me, they're not," Justin grimaced.
"I realize I may have been a little insensitive with the blond cracks, but you have to admit, you have some kick-ass blond hair."
"Uh, thanks," Justin gave the waiter a puzzled stare. It seemed odd to hear Cody compliment him after the barrage of blond insults.
"Anyway, I wanted you to know that I'm sorry I was an ass."
"Look, you don't have to apologize," Justin objected. "While I did find your wisecracks annoying, they weren't the reason I cut my hair."
"Then why did you?" the waiter questioned curiously.
"Maybe I was sick of people viewing me as some kid," Justin wearily stated. "Perhaps I was sick of being the rebellious artist and wanted people to see me as the businessman I've become."
"So, you're a partner in Pittsburgh's hottest ad agency, who said anything about having to erase the rebellious artist from your life?" Cody argued. "You know, Justin, I've heard a few stories when it comes to some of your exploits. It would be a shame to see you turn into a stiff suit, or another Brian Kinney for that matter. No offense, but aside from the fact he's Pittsburgh's hottest fuck, I haven't a clue as to what you see in the bastard."
"You wouldn't understand."
"True, but I do understand this. As hard as you try, the rebellious artist will always be a part of you. Perhaps instead of trying to deny who you really are, you should try embracing it."
"And how do I do that?" Justin queried, intrigued by Cody's suggestion.
"This might be a start," the waiter proposed, pulling a picture out of his wallet. "What do you think of this hairstyle?" he asked, handing the picture to Justin.
"It's not bad," the blond shrugged as he studied the style shown in the picture. While it was shorn in the back and on the sides, it was long and spiky in the front.
"I think it combines both the businessman and the rebellious artist," Cody indicated.
"Perhaps you're on to something," Justin murmured. However, there were currently more important things he needed to deal with at the moment, things such as his relationship with Brian.
11:00 p.m.
The Loft
Arriving home from his dinner meeting with Scott Matthews, Brian stood in front of the window, smoking a cigarette. He thought back to the promise that had been made his last night in Hollywood. He wondered what had possessed him to come up with the lame-ass pretext of missing Justin as his reason for going to L.A. He was Brian Kinney for fuck's sake, and Brian Kinney wasn't one to shirk the truth... For whatever reason, instead of confronting Justin with the truth, he had acted like a damn coward and taken the easy way out by lying.
What was it about the artist that made him back away from the truth? What was it that made him come up with the foolish idea of going to Ibiza? A vacation in paradise with the hottest guys in the world was the last thing they needed right now. What they needed was the truth. The more Brian thought about it, the more he was reminded of a time almost three years ago, in which he had lied to Justin. It hadn't been a spoken lie, not like his current one, but it had been a lie all the same. He had lied by denying his true feelings, and he had paid dearly for it. Yet here he was in the same place, with the same predicament. Again, he was hiding his true feelings all because he cared more than he was willing to admit. All because when it came to Justin, he sometimes found it easier to take the coward's way out. Only this time, instead of pushing the blond away, he was desperately trying to hold onto him.
Wednesday, March 31st
4:00 p.m.
Brian's Office
Kinnetik
"Brian?"
"What's up, Cyn?" the ad executive looked up from the proposal he was studying to see Cynthia standing in his doorway.
"A Mr. Honeycutt is here to see you. He doesn't have an appointment, but he says it's urgent that he speak to you."
"Wonderful," Brian murmured in a sarcastic voice. "God only knows what he wants this time. You might as well send him in," he frowned, not in the mood to deal with Emmett.
***
"Emile, so good of you to drop by uninvited," Brian drawled as Emmett entered his office. "Just because your pathetic hubby works here, doesn't mean it's open season for you to drop by for a friendly visit."
"Who said this was a friendly visit?" Emmett countered.
"Then what the fuck is it?"
"How about we call it an informative visit?" Emmett proposed.
"Well, informative or not, I don't have all day, Emile, so I suggest you get on with it," Brian said as Emmett took a seat on the couch.
"I'm not really sure how one goes about saying this, but it's come to my attention that my lover was a complete jackass the other day," Emmett began. "While Teddy did overhear a rather shocking piece of gossip, it was no excuse for him to act in the manner he did. It was petty, insensitive, an invasion of your privacy..."
"It was also completely uncalled for," Brian interrupted.
"Well, you can rest assured I told him that. While I can see how Teddy may have been eager to seek retribution for the grudge he's been holding against you for your treatment of him after his arrest, it does not excuse what he did."
"You're damn right it doesn't."
"I also made it clear to him that he was damn lucky to be working at Kinnetik, and that he should put these bad feelings behind him. You could, after all, have refused to hire him," Emmett pointed out.
"I could have," Brian agreed. "But for whatever reason I didn't."
"And that's why I've come to apologize for Ted's appalling behavior. Teddy would do it himself, but he's too much of a..."
"Schmuck?" Brian offered.
"I was going to say coward."
"Well, coward or not, who says there's anything to forgive? As far as I'm concerned, it's over and done with."
"Don't bullshit me." Emmett didn't buy Brian's nonchalant manner for a second. "You can sit here all you want and act as if Ted's behavior no longer means a damn thing to you, but I know the truth, Brian. I know you a hell of a lot better than you think, and I know that deep down Teddy's comments stung, and that hasn't gone away."
"If that's what you choose to believe, Emile," Brian gave a casual shrug. "Although you might want to advise Theodore that in the future he should avoid biting that hand that feeds him."
"Oh, you can be sure I'll warn him," Emmett huffed, still infuriated with his partner.
"Is that all?" Brian questioned, eager for Emmett to leave his office so he could forget about Theodore's distasteful revelation.
"No, it's not," Emmett indicated.
"Well, if you're going to sit here and drone on about Theodore, I would suggest you save it for another time. I'm not interested at the moment."
"But you're interested in Justin, aren't you?" Emmett questioned.
"What about Justin?" Brian asked, standing up from his desk.
"After Teddy's betrayal, I thought it might be a good time for me to fill you in on a few things about Sunshine."
"What things?" Brian demanded, wondering what Emmett was getting at.
"Perhaps the reason he's been tricking since his trip to London," Emmett responded.
"Christ, is any of our business private these days?" Brian muttered in disbelief. If Emmett knew about the tricking, God only knew who else did.
"I can assure you that what I know has been kept in the strictest confidence. No one, and I mean no one except for Justin, knows what I'm about to tell you," Emmett explained as Brian walked over to his drink cart and poured himself a scotch. He had a feeling he was going to need one.
***
"So, you mean to tell me that all this tricking nonsense over the past few months is because I've been refusing to bottom for him?" Brian stared at Emmett in disbelief minutes later.
"That would appear to be the case," Emmett sighed.
"May I ask why the fuck you're sharing this with me now?"
"I had a hunch that after Ted's revelation you might jump to the wrong conclusion about Justin's intentions. Although with the way you were going at it while Justin was in Atlanta, I had my suspicions that you were already aware of the tricking."
"I see."
"You were aware of it, weren't you?"
"Not that it's any of your fucking business, but yes, I've been aware of it since the first."
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You are the expert when it comes to tricking. Although, I have to admit, I'm somewhat surprised by your reaction to it. If I didn't know better, I would almost think it bothers you."
"I hate to break it to you, Emile, but it doesn't. Only pathetic queers like you and Fred believe in monogamy. If Justin wants to get his needs met elsewhere it's fine by me."
"That's what I thought you would say. It's also why I advised him to trick. I told him that if you were being a selfish prick that there was no reason why he shouldn't fulfill his needs elsewhere, especially since you place no value on monogamy."
"It's amazing what my friends know about me," Brian remarked incredulously. "What else did you enlighten poor Sunshine with?"
"Only the fact that he was wasting his time wishing you would become monogamous."
"Well, with friends like you singing my praises it's no wonder he started tricking," Brian retorted. He couldn't believe Emmett had filled Justin's head with such ridiculous notions. Even if some of it were true, it wasn't Emmett's place to butt in where he wasn't wanted or needed.
"Well, with a controlling asshole for a partner what else was he supposed to do?" Emmett shot back.
"He could have tried talking to me, instead of involving you in our problems. Tell me, Emile, did it ever occur to you that instead of encouraging him to trick you could have encouraged him to open up to me? Or did that thought simply slip your mind?"
"Bri..." Emmett protested.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here Honeycutt. A lot of nerve."
"In trying to do you a favor?"
"I hardly call this a favor. If you had wanted to do me a favor, you could have come into my office this past February and told me what you told me today. Instead you had to plead for me to hire that piece of shit you call a partner. Yet somehow, I'm the one who's selfish. Not this time, Emile. You're the one who's selfish, you and that son of a bitch Theodore. As for my relationship with Justin, you don't know the first thing when it comes to our relationship. So, instead filling his head with bullshit, why don't you do something constructive and in the future, advise him to communicate with his partner. Now, I suggest you do yourself a favor and get the hell out of my office."
"Gladly," Emmett muttered. It was obvious there was no reasoning with Brian.
"Oh and Emile, you better tell Fred to start looking for a new place of employment. I have a feeling that Justin is going to be none too happy when he learns how his supposed friend betrayed him..."
***
"Unfucking believable," Brian muttered to himself once Emmett had left. He couldn't believe how he hadn't seen the reason for Justin's tricking sooner. It had been staring him in the face the entire time, but he'd been too stubborn to see it. To think he had wasted all of his energy worrying that Justin was bottoming for other guys when the whole time he'd been topping them.
He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or furious with Justin. On one hand he was glad to know the reason for Justin's tricking, on the other, he was angered that the blond had taken Emmett's silly advice instead of forcing him to discuss the issue. While Brian knew Justin had attempted to broach the subject on a few occasions, he knew Justin, and knew that if the blond really wanted something, he wouldn't have stopped until he was satisfied. The fact that he had given up so easily bothered Brian. It wasn't like Justin to throw the towel in. He was a fighter pure and simple.
Another thing that irritated Brian was Emmett's involvement in this whole ridiculous mess. He could forgive Justin for confiding in his friend, but what he couldn't forgive was the reckless way Emmett had handled the situation. Instead of using common sense and encouraging Justin to come to him with his needs, Emmett had done what all the other family members were famous for by pointing out all of his shortcomings. The thought that Emmett had begged him to help Ted while he had possessed knowledge that could have greatly assisted him in his relationship with Justin infuriated Brian.
As far as Brian was concerned, Ted and Emmett were pathetic excuses for friends. They weren't worth his effort if this was the type of treatment he could expect in return. As for Justin, there was no predicting how the blond would react once he learned of Ted's betrayal. All Brian knew was that it was going to hurt like hell for the artist to learn how his friend had betrayed him.
Midnight
The Loft
"God that feels good," Justin purred as Brian lapped at the precum glistening on the tip of his hardened cock.
"Like that?" Brian looked up to give his partner a knowing grin.
"Yes!" the blond panted as his partner's lips continued their assault on his shaft.
"I can make you like it even more," Brian breathed.
"You can?"
"Uh-huh," he nodded and reached for a condom.
"Brian?" Justin stared at his lover in shock as Brian handed him the condom.
"Take it."
"But," the blond began to protest in confusion.
"Take it, Justin," Brian instructed.
"Are you sure?" hesitant blue eyes looked up into determined hazel ones.
"Why else would I be handing you the condom? Now hurry up before I change my mind."
***
Minutes later, Brian felt his body clenching in response to the feeling of Justin's heated cock buried deep inside of him. He moaned, as his lover continued to tease him by slowly thrusting in and out in an attempt to savor each and every sensation. Brian knew now that no matter what his fears and insecurities were, it had been wrong to deny Justin this. Had he been thinking clearly instead of allowing his fears to run rampant through his mind, he would have realized that keeping Justin happy was a hell of a lot more important than his own selfish insecurities. Besides, there were some benefits to being an occasional bottom, especially when one had a partner as skilled and solicitous as Justin. However, there was no way in hell Brian would admit this. He couldn't have Justin resting on his laurels. For now Brian would simply lie back and succumb to the fierce pleasures his lover was arousing, relieved that at least for now it appeared as if things would work themselves out.
***
"Satisfied?" Brian whispered as he laid back against the pillows, cradling Justin in his arms once they had finished.
"Yes," the blond sighed contentedly as he snuggled deeper into Brian's arms.
"Good. Now I expect the next time you have the sudden urge to top you let me know instead of sating your needs in some worthless trick," Brian offhandedly advised.
"What did you just say?" Justin suddenly sat up to stare at his partner in shock.
"The game's up, Sunshine. I'm on to you," Brian revealed.
"But... how? Why? Since when?" the blond stammered in confusion.
"Since London. You never were much of a liar."
"Brian, I can explain... I..."
"There's no need to explain," Brian shrugged. "You were following our agreement."
"But, I..." Justin began to protest
"Don't, Sunshine," Brian cut him off.
"I'm sorry," the blond raked a hand across his head. He was stunned that Brian had known since the first. "Why the fuck am I apologizing?" he suddenly wondered aloud.
"Perhaps because you should have come to me?" Brian stated, trying to conceal his bitterness. "Didn't you promise me that you would tell me if you weren't getting your needs met?"
"I did come to you," Justin objected. "On several occasions," he added. "However each time you brushed my needs aside as if they hardly mattered."
"You should have pushed harder," Brian argued.
"And it would have gotten me nowhere."
"You don't know that, Sunshine, especially since you gave up without much of a fight."
"Well, maybe if you hadn't been such a selfish asshole, and had considered someone else's needs instead of your own for a change, I wouldn't have given up," the blond refuted angrily.
"Alright, I was an ass, but did that give you the right to stop communicating your needs to me?" Brian shot back.
"Look, I don't know what else you want me to say."
"There's nothing else to say. I was being selfish, you weren't communicating your needs strongly enough, you went elsewhere and stuck within the confines of our agreement," Brian summarized. He wasn't interested in turning this into a rip-roaring argument.
"So, where do we go from here?" Justin mused.
"I think it's time we made a few modifications to our agreement," Brian announced.
"Modifications?" the blond repeated in bewilderment. "Just what did you have in mind?"
"I think the first thing we should start with is what caused this miscommunication," Brian began, eager to resolve the situation once and for all. "If either of us has a particular need, we need to strongly communicate it to the other. If the other is unable or unwilling to fulfill this particular need, then and only then, would it be permissible to fulfill it elsewhere. Agreeable?"
"Agreeable," Justin sighed, regretting the fact they hadn't discussed this sooner.
"Next, we need to tackle the issue of bottoming."
"Bottoming?" the blond raised a surprised eyebrow. Now this, he hadn't been expecting.
"I don't want you bottoming for anyone else," Brian declared.
"But I..."
"I don't want to hear it, Sunshine. That gorgeous ass of yours is mine and mine only, just as my ass belongs to you and you only. You're the only one I plan on bottoming for and I expect the same in return."
"Do you plan on bottoming for me on an occasional basis?"
"If that's what you need, I plan on keeping you satisfied," Brian promised. While he had feared losing control in their relationship, keeping Justin happy and satisfied was much more important than his own selfish fears at the moment. He would have to find some other way to deal with them.
"Anything else?"
"Yes, actually there is one more thing," Brian indicated. "From now on when either of us trick in the future we should try to be more discreet. That means no tricking on business trips when fellow employees or clients are with us. We have our business to think of. The last thing we need is to fuel the office grapevine with stories of our exploits. It's not productive for Kinnetik."
"Let me guess," Justin cringed. "You know about what happened in Atlanta."
"I suppose you could say that."
"Can I ask how?"
"Theodore," Brian replied.
"Ted?" Justin stared at his partner in shock. He couldn't for the life of him figure out how Ted of all people had found out and why he would have gone to Brian.
"Apparently he overheard Nathan telling Brendan about your exploits at the water cooler," Brian explained.
"Fuck..." Justin shook his head in disbelief. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.
Thursday
10:00 a.m.
Ted's Office Kinnetik
After hearing Brian explain what Ted had done, Justin had spent the remainder of the previous evening wide-awake, stewing over his friend's betrayal. While Brian had done his best to comfort him, it wasn't enough to diminish the sense of anger, hurt, and betrayal he was currently experiencing. Justin couldn't believe that after everything he had done for Ted, his friend had chosen to repay him in this manner. Not about to stand for the accountant's betrayal, Justin stalked into Ted's office soon after arriving at Kinnetik. It was time his friend was called to account for his actions.
"Justin?" Ted looked up in surprise as the blond entered his office. "What's up?" he inquired in a friendly manner.
"Why?" Justin chose to ignore the accountant's question, and chose instead to ask one of his own.
"Why, what?"
"You know what I'm referring to, Ted." Justin glared at the accountant.
"Look, I honestly..."
"Just cut the fucking bullshit and tell me why you did it," the blond demanded tersely.
"Did what?"
"Betrayed my trust?"
"Justin, I..." Ted hesitated.
"Why Ted?" the artist questioned. "Why after everything I did for you?"
"I wasn't thinking clearly."
"Obviously," Justin laughed bitterly. "Do you think that excuses what you did?"
"No, but it didn't have anything to do with you."
"Telling Brian about my tricking had nothing to do with me?" Justin stared incredulously.
"I swear I was only thinking of Brian. All I cared about was getting back at him for..."
"The appalling way he treated you after the arrest?"
"Yes."
"So, let me see if I have this straight," Justin began. "After overhearing a juicy little tidbit at the water cooler, you decided it was the perfect opportunity to give Brian his just desserts?"
"I think that about sums it up," Ted agreed.
"Tell me Ted, am I entitled to my own just desserts when it comes to the appalling way you betrayed our friendship?"
"Well... I, uh..." Ted stammered.
"You know I really should fire your ass. Brian seems to think it's the ideal solution. Lucky for you, I'm not a vengeful person,"
"Justin, I'm sor..."
"No apologies, Ted. No excuses. No regrets," the blond recited his lover's famous mantra, before continuing in a serious tone. "But don't think I won't forget what you did. You see, Ted, betrayals run deep for me, especially ones committed by people who I thought were my friends. So, you can continue here at Kinnetik, but know this, our friendship is over. Fuck with me again, and I will take Brian's advice and throw your ass out on the curb," he warned.
"Justin, you have to listen to me. I didn't mean to..." Ted began to protest.
"Fuck you, Ted," Justin shook his head in disdain as he turned to leave the accountant's office. As far as he was concerned, his friendship with Ted was over. He'd been betrayed one too many times by the people he'd cared about, and he wasn't about to put up with it any longer.