Prologue

In 2001, Brian got the offer from Adam Wyatt at Kennedy & Collins advertising agency and moved to New York. His loyal assistant Cynthia moved to New York also. He's still close with the old gang back in Pittsburgh, but has made quite a success in his new life. In 2003, Ted was recovering from his addiction and Brian asked him to move to New York to manage some of Kennedy & Collins' finances. In 2004, Brian faced cancer (more or less) alone, with only minimal help from Ted and Cynthia.

Justin never really hit the bars on Liberty Avenue. He was not 'out' to his parents. He didn't tell them so that he could be sure they would pay for his college art degree. He guessed (rightfully so) that if his dad knew he was gay he'd be cut off from any family funds. (He's not 'out', so no bashing occurred.) In his sophomore year he secretly dated Ethan for a few months, but broke up when he caught Ethan cheating on him. He dated other guys and sometimes would just pick up a guy to trick with, enjoying a single lifestyle in his college years. He came out to his recently divorced parents just after graduation from college. His father would not talk to him afterwards. His mother has accepted Justin's homosexuality and was supportive.

While studying art he went to the Sydney Bloom gallery and befriended Lindsay who encouraged him to show his work at the Gay & Lesbian Center. Justin got a four year art degree from PIFA and graduated in 2004. After a small gallery show, an article came out in Art Forum magazine about Justin. Lindsay encouraged him to go to New York to follow his dream. He shares an apartment with his best friend Daphne's friend Janice and works as a bus boy.

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Sunday, July 10, 2005

Brian's POV

I'm 35. I've been chasing men for, hell, 20 years now. Back in Pittsburgh I was tricking all of the time. When I first moved to New York I enjoyed the 'fresh meat' here. Changing to a new firm in a new city has been demanding, though, and I haven't been able to trick as much as I did back in the Pitts. To tell you the truth, it just doesn't have the appeal it used to.

Anyway, this one night I was at a bar with Greg and Jerry from the art department at Kennedy & Collins. It was slim pickings that night. Oh, yeah, guys still give me the eye and an appreciative nod, but I didn't see anybody I was really interested in doing anything with. I still enjoy the chase and I'll enjoy tricking occasionally, but there's not as much satisfaction from it. And I have no interest in remembering that one jackass who pointed out the scar and actually had the fucking balls to try and sympathize. I wanted a fucking blow job, not therapy. Kind of changes one's perspective on tricking after that.

I'd had enough with the bar. It was a Sunday. I just wanted to go back to my condo, relax and watch an old movie. I said goodbye to Greg and Jerry. As I left the bar I lit a cigarette and then I looked up to see this … vision. This young man, probably mid-twenties, is standing at a nearby lamppost like he's waiting for someone. He had great blond hair, a beautiful face and a nice build. Something about him exuded sexuality and innocence all at the same time. When I first saw him, his head was slightly cocked. We locked eyes on each other and he straightened up. God, he was beautiful. Then, some gal came out of a nearby bar and he turned his attention to her. They were obviously friends. I'd say maybe more than friends, but my gaydar meter was pegged to 'gay' on this guy just from the way he looked at me. Anyway, he put his arm around her and they walked away. But, just before he was about to turn a corner he turned back and looked at me again with this grin on his face like … sunshine. Fuck, I could have had him.

End POV

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Cynthia entered Brian's office. "Hey, Brian. Here's the file you requested and Lindsay is on line two."

"Thanks. … Lindsay, how's it going? Is everything OK?"

"Yes, Brian. Everything is fine. Gus is doing great. We miss you. I'm calling to tell you I'll be in New York in a couple of days and I was wondering if I could stay with you."

"No Mel?"

"No. No Mel."

"OK, then. You can have the guest room. What brings you here?"

"A gallery opening for a friend."

"Really? OK. I can go with you. There will probably be some pickings for me there. I haven't fucked an artist type in a while."

"Sure, Brian." She chuckled. "So, when are you going to be back in Pittsburgh? Gus would like to see you."

"I'll be back in Pittsburgh in a few days. Mikey has insisted that I go to that thing at Babylon with him."

"Great! Gus will be thrilled. How's work?"

"It's for shit right now. I've got a new campaign that I can't get a handle on. I'm looking at this art and I know something's wrong, but I can't say what. Too bad you can't look at it and give me an artist's viewpoint."

"I know someone who might be able to help you."

"Who's that?"

"There's a young man that I know from Pittsburgh who has recently moved to New York. He's got a degree in art from PIFA. He's familiar with all forms of art and did posters for the GLC once for me. I don't think you ever met him. As a matter of fact, he's the artist friend that I'm going to see at that gallery show."

"What's his name?"

"Justin Taylor."

"Do you think he could help me out?"

"Why, Brian Kinney … are you admitting that you might need help with something?"

"Fuck you, Lindsay. Just give me this Jason's number."

"Justin."

"Justin. What's his number?"

"Um, 212-555-0710. He's in the Village. He might be able to come in and look at your stuff."

"Many men have looked at my stuff, Lindsay."

"And I'm sure they've been very impressed."

"Is he hot? I assume if he worked on something for the GLC that he's gay."

"Yes and yes."

"Hmmm. I'll call him right away."

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Within the hour, Brian gave Justin a call. The soft voice on the phone said, "Hello?"

"Hello, Justin Taylor?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"My name is Brian Kinney. I'm a friend of Lindsay's from Pittsburgh."

"Of course, Brian. Lindsay's told me about you. You're Gus's father, right?"

"Yes. She gave me your number. Listen, I need a discerning eye on some art for an ad campaign I'm working on. I was wondering if you could come in and look at this shit and tell me what's wrong with it. I'll pay you a consultant fee."

"Sure, I'm not busy this afternoon. I can cab over there in a half an hour. You're on Madison Avenue?"

After Brian gave Justin the address and particulars on his office they concluded their phone call.

Less than an hour later, Cynthia entered her boss's office. "A Justin Taylor here to see you, Brian."

"Sure, send him in."

Brian's POV

Then he walked into my office. The blond vision. The guy from the lamppost. He was dressed professionally with wool pants and a nice sweater. Damn, he was hot. He strolled in and reached out to shake my hand.

End POV

"Justin. Thanks for being here." They shook hands.

"Sure. No problem. Lindsay has told me all about you. It's nice to finally meet you."

"Nice to meet you. I feel like we've met before." Brian said tongue in cheek, knowing that he'd seen the blond at the lamppost a few nights before. "Let's go to the art department and look at those boards."

They walked down the hall and chatted briefly about the ad campaign that Brian was putting together for a new beer label. Once they got to the art department, Justin looked at the artwork for the new beer.

Brian said, "I'm trying to appeal to the 25-40 demographic. I want to sell it as a more accessible drink than wine, but with a lot of class."

"I think the lettering style is wrong for that idea. It should be classier, maybe a script font."

They discussed the boards further and Justin had several ideas about how to change the appearance of the ads. Brian was impressed and saw to it that a lot of the changes were initiated.

Back in Brian's office the ad exec talked further to his young consultant. "Thanks for your help. I can see to it that you get a consultant fee. Like, $500?"

"I don't know. I just did this for my friend Lindsay and … you."

"Come on. I know you're an artist starting out here in New York."

"OK. How much is the campaign worth again?"

"About half a million dollars."

"All right, then I want $1000, Mr. Kinney."

Brian smiled. "Call me Brian. I like the way you work, Justin." He shook his hand and then put his arm around the young man. He got on the intercom, "Cynthia, have Theodore write up a check for Justin Taylor for $1000."

"Right away, boss."

"Since this worked out so well today, maybe you could come back some time and consult again. There are entry-level art department positions all of the time, too. Do you think you might be interested?"

"Sure. As long as it doesn't interfere with my being able to paint or sell my art."

"Of course. I'd like to buy you dinner or a drink or something to thank you personally. Are you busy later?" Brian ran his hand over Justin's back in a slow and sensual way.

"Well, I might have to fly out to Atlantic City with my agent tonight to meet a potential buyer for some commissioned art. But, I'll admit that your offer is … attractive." Justin pulled briefly on Brian's tie. Lindsay had told Justin all about him. Sure enough, he was hot, sensual, gorgeous, and flirtatious.

Brian took the signals coming from the young man as a go ahead to go further. "How attractive?" His hand went from Justin's back to around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Very attractive." He smiled and tilted his head towards the taller man's.

Brian leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Justin's lips, and then spoke with his lips at the young man's cheek. "Then we definitely have to get together."

Ted burst into the office. "Here's that check, Brian. Oh, hi."

Brian was disappointed that his 'moment' with the blond was interrupted. "Justin, this is Theodore Schmidt, our accountant. Theodore, this is Justin Taylor, a consultant."

Ted shook Justin's hand. "Nice to meet you, Justin. Here's your check."

"Theodore. Nice to meet you."

"Call me Ted."

"Ted. You're from Pittsburgh, right? I remember Lindsay mentioning you. I'm from there, too."

"Oh, OK. How long have you known Lindsay?"

"About four years now. I moved to New York just over a month ago."

Brian was getting tired of all of the pleasantries, especially when he wanted to arrange some more quality time with Justin. "That'll be all for now, Theodore." He forced a smile.

"Sure, Brian. See you around, Justin? Take care." He left.

Justin smiled and put the check in his wallet. Brian approached him again. "So, dinner?"

"Let me call my agent and find out when the flight is." He opened his cell phone and dialed. "Hey, Carol, it's Justin. When are we flying out?" He listened and then showed disappointment. "Tonight at 7:10 pm. OK. No that's fine. I'll meet you at your place at around 5:30, then? OK. 'Bye."

"Damn."

"Yeah, I know. Rain check. Some other time?" Justin said.

"Definitely. I'll call."

"Here's my card." They exchanged business cards.

"I'll have to thank Lindsay for bringing you to me."

Justin smiled. "Not as much as I'll be thanking her."

Brian pulled at the young man's waist again and they kissed again with tongues gently coming in to play. "How about I take you into the copy room right now and we make a hundred copies of various sexual positions on top of the copier?"

"Hmmm. You are very forward, Mr. Kinney."

Every time Justin called him 'Mr. Kinney', Brian could feel his cock twitch.

Cynthia was the next person to burst into Brian's office. "Brian. Oh, Sorry. Marla Jones on line two."

"Damn it! Can't you people see that I'm busy? Tell her I'll call her back."

"It's about that beer campaign. She insists on talking to you about it personally."

Justin smiled and sighed as he placed his hand on the side of Brian's face, which was showing obvious signs of exasperation. "Call me. I'll see you around."

"OK. Good luck in Atlantic City. Lindsay and I will see you at your gallery opening."

Brian sat behind his desk and watched Justin's back side appreciatively as he left. We'll meet again Justin. And, next time, with no interruptions.