Upate New York….Two days before Valentines Day
Mark Stanford reached out with a glove-clad hand and gently brushed away the fresh fallen snow from the cold marble headstone. An arctic gust of wind swept over him forcing him to pull up the collar to his overcoat even as he welcomed the wintry chill. It had been a very long, emotionally draining day.
"Oh Conrad…" He sighed deeply.
The funeral ended hours ago. The reception was still going on at their house but Mark couldn't bear to be there any more. He couldn't bear one more 'It was a beautiful ceremony.' Or 'You did the right thing…' or the worse of them all 'He's in Gods' hands now.'
Gods' hands? Really? Is that where he was… He wondered cynically. According to most of those hypocritical bastards back at his house, that was the last place Conrad would be. Fags weren't allowed in Heaven - so the Catholic Church preached. And Conrad was Catholic. A vice Mark was willing to over look because Conrad had so many other redeeming qualities. But ironically, despite their family's bigoted beliefs, this was one time Mark had to agree with them. Conrad was not in Heaven. He was still alive.
Mark stepped back from the empty grave and shoved his hands in his pocket, feeling the folded piece of paper that lay within.
"Where the hell are you Conrad? I know you're not dead. I would feel it if you were. How did we come to this?" Mark's words drifted away on the cold gale in search of answers he feared he'd never get.
He shook his head at his own morose musings and steeled his resolve. He would not allow doubt to cloud his belief that Conrad was alive, and Mark would find him, and bring him home.
Never did he let the possibility that his lover might be lost to him forever enter his thoughts. Mark loved Conrad more than life itself. He was the very air he breathed and there wasn't a day that went by that Mark didn't celebrate his life; a life he knew in his heart and soul, his lover still possessed. And Conrad shared the same amount of devotion to him up until the day several weeks ago when a reckless drunken driver rammed into the side of his car sending it crashing into the river. The day Marks' world as he'd known it came to an abrupt halt.
A search party convened immediately that consisted of just about everyone with in a fifty mile radius. They dragged the river around the clock for days yet Conrad's body was never found. In the end, it was determined by the authorities that Conrad was dead. His body probably washed out into the ocean.
But instead of being disheartened by their failure to find Conrad's body, Mark was encouraged. He refused to believe his lover had perished in that accident. He knew Conrad was alive. He believed it so strongly that no one, not his family or friends, could convince him other wise. When everyone else gave up looking, Mark started his own search.
First he hired professional divers to search the river again from one end to the other. It wasn't that he didn't trust the local authorities but they only had so many resources to devote to one case. Mark had to be certain before he continued. When they too found nothing, it confirmed Marks suspicious, that Conrad had somehow survived the crash and was out there somewhere. He then started phase two of his search and hired a private investigator to find his lover…and then he hired another and another…. Each came back with the same report, no body, and no trace of Conrad's existence. And each time they came back with that report, Mark fired them, then hired another. He never gave up hope.
Days turned into weeks, weeks to months and all this time, his family kept nagging him to have a burial ceremony for Conrad. They said his partners' soul couldn't rest in peace because Mark refused to accept his death. It was "Gods' will after all. Again Mark scoffed at their ridiculous beliefs'. In the end however he relented, but not for their sakes, for his own. Staging this fake funeral made him sick but it accomplished one thing. It kept his family off his back. They now thought he had finally accepted his loss and would move on. He would move on alright, but in his search, and without them looking over his shoulder every minute wondering when the day would come when he would 'finally crack'.
Mark wasn't crazy, he was determined. How could he expect anyone to understand the kind of connection he and Conrad had? They didn't understand it themselves, but it was there. Still there. That connection wasn't broken. It was as strong as ever, which made Mark more convinced that Conrad was alive, and he needed to find him. The only question now was how to proceed.
Mark was running out of money and options. Actually, there was only one option left to him. One that under any other circumstance he would never have considered but desperate times….
"I know you wouldn't approve Conrad, but we have no choice." Mark spoke into the cold night air.
"He's the only one who can help us now. He won't give up where the others have, and yes, I know it's cruel to use him like this, but it's been a long time. He's a man now. Surely he can't still be bitter. He'll help us. And if he doesn't, I'll do what ever it takes to get him to. I'll beg if I have to, I'll even…" Mark took a deep breath unable to voice what lengths he would go to in order to find his lover.
The air grew more frigid as the sun started to set but Mark was oblivious to sudden drop in temperature. He pulled the piece of paper from his pocket and looked at the address again. 254 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh PA. His flight was already booked, his decision made. Come tomorrow night he'd be on a plane bound for Pittsburgh.
"I know you're out there Conrad Thackeray Callahan.…" He said reading the name off the headstone.
"And I will find you. I swear it. No matter what it takes." Mark vowed.
He took one last look at the empty gravesite then, with renewed purpose, he turned to leave. All hope now lay in one man's hands. A man whose name neither he nor Conrad had spoken out loud in over ten years….
Brian Kinney.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania….Valentines Day
"Be nice to me Tina. You're going to be seeing a lot more of me around here from now on. No one makes a cappuccino like you. Besides, I'm a great tipper." The beautiful blonde man teased.
Tina gave him a rueful smile.
"When am I not nice?" She inquired coyly.
"Um, when you're not dropping everything to take my order." The handsome young man teased back.
"That's because she's working on my order Blondie. I was here first and I'm a better tipper." An arrogant, yet sexy voice drawled from a table by the window at the far end of the cafe.
Justin turned curious eyes to the source of the 'voice that smoldered' only to be disappointed when his gaze landed on an oversized newspaper the man was holding up obscuring Justin's view. 'Fucking NY Times' he thought. And who the fuck reads the NY Times in Pittsburgh anyway?
He turned his attention back to the waitress and rolled his eyes at the pretentiousness of the man. Tina laughed.
"That's right he was here first." She affirmed with a bit of censure in her voice that was belied by the wink she sent Justin's way.
"Yeah, but will he be taking you out on the town tonight?" Justin asked slyly extending the 'implied' invitation as he flashed the waitress one of his million watt smiles.
"No I won't be. And neither will he Tina. Well, not to any part of town you'd be interested in, isn't that right Blondie?" The man asked as he lowered his paper.
Justin's breath caught in his throat as he got his first glimpse of the man behind the paper. He had to blink several times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. The man was beyond gorgeous! It was like looking into the face of God….
Brian smirked at the young mans' reaction. He was all too familiar with thatlook, the one that said, 'I want him'. Men and women often looked at him like that. It was a common occurrence; one Brian had grown immune to over the years. Or so he thought. But there was something about the way this particular blonde was looking at him that made his blood grow hot, and his dick hard. Yes there was lust in young mans' gaze, but beneath the desire there was something else. Something he didn't see too often in the eyes of his admires. Intellectual curiosity. Blondie was sizing him up, the man, and not just the 'walking wet dream' as so many of his tricks had dubbed him.
He must be new in town, Brian surmised. He'd have noticed him before if he wasn't. Someone that unique, not to mention hot, wouldn't get past Brian's radar. He was always on the prowl for something or someone new or out of the ordinary, anything to distract him… yet he'd always come up short. Up until now that was. Blondie was anything but 'ordinary'. And he was totally distracting. In a positive life affirming way. Exactly what Brian needed; affirmation of life…
The blonde beauty had caught Brian's attention the moment he walked through the cafes' door. He had a very youthful appearance, yet Brian doubted he was as young as he looked. Again, the eyes told a different story then the 'persona' he was exuding. He had a great body, lithe yet firm. It was evident he worked out yet he wasn't muscular, (the way Brian usually preferred his men). He was probably into Tai chi or yoga. In either case, it worked for him. There was a quiet strength about him that was intoxicating. But it wasn't his firm, svelte body that interested Brian the most. It was his ass. He had what looked like a perfect fucking ass encased in those cargo pants. Or more accurately, Brian mused wryly, a perfect ass to fuck. Add to that his porcelain skin, white blonde hair and amazing crystal blue eyes and it was enough to spike Brian's interest to code Red. Which, in Kinney language, meant he'd have him before the day was out.
"Probably not. But would you be interested?" Justin boldly returned the question once he recovered from his daze at witnessing what he perceived as perfection personified.
The man was that good looking, Justin thought. Almost too good looking. From his perfect sculptured features, smoldering hazel eyes and sensual lips that begged to be kissed, to the way his designer clothes hugged his firm body, as if they were tailored to fit his frame. Which, Justin surmised, they probably were. He was stunningly beautiful, a living work of art. Yet there was something there, something hidden beneath the polished exterior. A flaw. Not one that could be seen, but Justin definitely 'felt' it. If that made any sense. Not that it mattered. Flaw or not, Justin wanted him. The invitation in his response was clear.
Brian sighed and cursed under his breath. Back down to code yellow.
There were very few rules in the Brian Kinney manual, but those few that were in there, he adhered to staunchly. And one of those rules were he didn't hook up with guys who propositioned him. It was his game, and he was the hunter, not the prey. Now there were subtleties to that particular rule that could be circumvented. Like if the guy was coy about his invitation, or if the invitation was more subjective and less overt, then Brian would consider it. But the golden god before him was too overt in his overture. There was a reckless boldness about him that intrigued and even tempted him, but also sent up red flags.
Brian folded his paper and tucked it under his arm as he rose from his chair, grabbing the shopping bag by his side as he stood.
"Now why would I be interested in a night on a town I practically live in Blondie?" Brian inquired as he approached the counter were the blonde was standing.
Justin looked up at the tall Greek Adonis amazed at the formidable presence he made. He was a good several inches taller than Justin and walked with a confidence that was both sexual and menacing at the same time. Justin's interest jumped tenfold.
He flashed him a smile that always got him what he wanted in the past and Brian nearly let his resolve slip at the sight of it. It was that powerful.
Justin noticed his reaction and pushed forward.
"It's Justin. Justin Taylor. And you'd be surprised at all the new and exciting things you could find in old familiar territory. With the right person that is." Justin suggested seductively.
Brian noticed his eyes grew stormy blue with that last statement. Fuck! this kid was dangerous he thought. And Brian Kinney did not do that kind of danger. Not anymore at least. Not for a long time.
"Well Justin Justin Taylor, since it's Valentines day, my favorite day of the year by the way, I'm going to be uncharacteristically altruistic and not tell you to fuck off." Brian said with a smile.
Justin laughed at his audacity. He liked this man. Hell, who was he kidding! He more than like this man, he wanted him. Bad. And Justin always got what he wanted…
Brian then gently nudged Justin aside; ignoring the sexually charged friction caused by the slight contact, and reached into the bag he was carrying to retrieve a bouquet of flowers. He handed them to Tina the waitress.
"Oh my God! For me?" She asked, flustered by the gesture.
"Yes, for my favorite barista girl." Brian said winking at her. Then he surprised her and the blonde standing next to him, by leaning over the counter and grabbing her behind the neck to pull her in for a kiss.
The kiss was hot and possessive and meant for the man standing next to him. Then, just as quickly as he attacked her mouth, he released her.
"Happy Valentines day." He said cheerily then dropped a fifty dollar bill in her tip jar.
Tina grabbed her throat with her free hand; the other was still clutching the flowers, and just stared at him.
Brian raised his brow at her.
"My order Tina?" He asked.
That brought the waitress out of her daze.
"Oh yes Sir! I have it right here." Tina sputtered as she went to retrieve the box filled with cappuccinos and pastries.
She threw a few extra scones into the box before handing it over to him.
"And a very happy Valentines Day to you too!" She said; her cheeks still aflame from his kiss.
Brian took the box from her and thanked her. He then turned to Blondie.
"You're right about one thing. No one makes a cappuccino better than Tina." He said then nodded his head to him in parting before walking out the door.
Justin watched as the tall, beautiful man exited the café.
"Jesus if I had known they grew men like that here in the Pitts I would have moved here years ago!" Justin mused out loud.
Tina laughed.
"Man." She corrected.
Justin shot her a quizzical look.
"There is only one man like that in all of Pittsburgh. Hell, in all of the State! He's one of a kind, and if you want a piece of him you're going to have to wait in line. His dance card is full." Tina informed Justin as she went about making his cappuccino. The young man had been in her café a few times in the past few weeks. She already knew the way he liked his cappuccino. Very frothy with a hint of vanilla.
Justin turned his attention back to the door where the Greek Adonis just departed and sighed.
"Well then, I guess dancing is out…Perhaps chess is more his game…" Justin mused out loud.
"Bit of advice?" Tina asked bringing him his hot steaming Cappuccino.
Justin turned his attention back to her and smiled indulgently. He never did take advice well, but she was a sweet girl.
"Sure." He said.
"Save yourself the trouble. Even if you manage to get him into your bed, he won't stay there long. He has a reputation for being ruthless. When you're in his bed, it's said that the sex is so good that the world around you literally disappears, but unfortunately so do you once he's had you." Tina said.
"That man has broken more hearts then is conscionable. But then again, no one ever said he had a conscious. Rumor has it that he got his heart broken when he was just a kid and vowed never to let anyone near that particular organ ever again. That's assuming he ever had a heart." Tina lamented.
Justin shot her a curious look.
"Harsh words for the man who just gave you flowers and a fifty dollar tip." He scolded.
For some odd reason it bothered him to hear her malign the man's character. He didn't know who the Greek Adonis was, but he knew he didn't like hearing this woman speak ill of him.
Tina had the good grace to blush.
"I'm sorry. You're right. I guess I'm not immune to all the broken hearted men who traipse through here complaining because they've been used so badly by him." Tina said, trying to explain her harsh words.
"Used? Does he promise them more than sex?" Justin asked.
Tina once again blushed.
"No. If anything, he's known for his brutal honesty. Still, knowing you're just going to be a one night stand doesn't make the inevitable rejection afterwards any less painful." She sagely remarked.
Justin shrugged, paid for his coffee and dropped a five dollar bill into her tip jar.
"They cause their own pain." He said then turned abruptly away and walked out of the cafe.
The whole encounter in the café left him a bit unnerved. Justin didn't like feeling unnerved. He spent the last two years struggling to get control over his life back. It was part of the reason he left New York. Things were getting too tense there. He was getting to tense. He couldn't carry on in his line of work anymore. Too many memories, too many scars….
When his cousin Agnes told him she could get him an interview with the owner of a Private detective agency she worked for in Pittsburgh, Justin jumped at the chance. He was done with police work. His only other option was to accept a desk job and Justin was not the administrative type. He liked to be in the field. Being a private eye appealed to him. His department worked with a few detective agencies in New York, and he even had a few offers to join those firms, but he felt it was too close to home. He'd be working closely with NYPD and his goal was to forget everything about the NYPD. The incident, as he called it, changed him. Though he jumped right back into work after it happened, he noticed he was now a man driven. He saw evil in every corner, and trusted no one. Too often he found himself bringing innocent people in on mere suspicion. The last guy sued the department for unlawful arrest. That's when Justin decided to get out before they forced him out, or worse, behind a desk.
The Agency Agnes got him an interview with was located in a gay community. The owner Agnes said was gay himself, in fact. It sounded like the perfect situation for him. He felt comfortable here. Pittsburgh suited him just fine thank you very much. He felt at home here.
Home…Hazel eyes…auburn hair…
Justin shook his head and wrapped his scarf more securely around his neck to ward off the sudden chill he got that he doubted had anything to do with the cold February air.
'Where did that thought come from?" He wondered.
The Greek Adonis on the surface appeared to be exactly the kind of man Justin gravitated towards these days. Hot, available, and commitment phobic, much like himself. Since the 'incident' Justin only indulged in sexual encounters that were brief, pleasurable and disposable. In and out, so to speak. Seeking the maximum amount of pleasure with the minimal amount of bullshit. Justin Taylor was NOT relationship material. Not anymore anyway. The 'incident' had left him damaged in more ways then one. Justin accepted this. He didn't bemoan it; he just learned to live life to the fullest with his limited emotional capabilities. And the Greek Adonis, who he could kick himself for not getting his name, seemed like the perfect candidate to indulge in some serious pleasure seeking experience. Yet….appearances could be deceiving. He sensed something in the man. A connection, if he could call it that. It was as if some part of him recognized something akin in the older man. Something…..damaged.
Justin frowned as he walked towards his car.
'That's it. That's the flaw. He's damaged, like me.' Justin deduced.
And that thought did NOT sit well with him, because one damaged soul was bad enough, but two? Well that was a recipe for disaster. The logical answer would be to simply stay away from the man but something inside of him told him that wasn't going to happen.
Sooner or later, Justin was sure, his and his 'hazel eyed obsession' paths would once again cross.
Little did he know that events were already in play that would set their paths on a full head on collision course.
*****LATER THAT MORNING
"What demented queen is responsible for this?" Emmett asked as he walked into the office.
Debbie came out of Brian's office draped in a string of red hearts.
"Em baby, you like!" She all but squealed.
Emmett shot Shane a look that dared her to give him up then turned his attention back to Debbie, the 'Den mother' of their odd little family.
"Deb honey it's beautiful!" Emmett declared with exaggerated falsetto.
The office was plastered with paper cupids, red hearts and glitter. Bowls of heart shaped candies sat on each desk. As always, it was a tad over done, but that was Debbie for you. Always living out loud. Everything about her was big from her personality, to her impossibly big red hair, to her big, BIG heart to her equally big mouth. But they all loved her, especially their boss. Debbie was more of a mother to him then his own mother was.
Shane shook her head laughing at Emmett's attempt to cover his faux pas and walked over to Cynthia who was standing in front of their boss's office door taping up a big heart shaped piece of red construction paper with the words "Happy Valentines Day Daddy" written on it with crayon.
"Hey Cyn, any calls yet?" She asked.
Cynthia, who was the Agency's second in command, turned to look at Shane.
"Five. And I just got here a few minutes ago. I haven't even checked the answering machine yet." She said with a certain amount of pride in her voice.
"Well that should make his majesty happy." Shane commented.
"It will make his majesty gloat, as he does every year around this time." Debbie chimed in. There was a hint of censure and sadness in her voice.
"Ma lay off. Let him enjoy this one day will you? He's actually fucking happy this one day of the year! Why do you always want to ruin it for him?" Her son Michael asked her.
Michael had driven his mother to his best friends Agency early this morning to decorate the place knowing it was Brian's favorite time of year. Yet she did so, as she did every year, with an ulterior motive.
"Because he's celebrating it for the wrong reasons!" Debbie countered.
"Um, I don't know Deb. I mean you have to admit, there's merit to his logic. Five calls Deb. And you know before the weeks out, we'll have several dozen more cases. It happens every year." Emmett said.
"He's right Deb. Numbers don't lie. We may not like the results, but one of the perks of Valentines Day falling within the same billing cycle as the credit card companies is that people get their first clue that their partners are cheating. Unexplained charges to jewelry and florist shops tend to raise a lot of questions. Questions we give answers to and nine out of ten times, the answer is exactly as the client suspected to begin with, but just needed validation. That's what we do. Validate the universal truth that men, and women in a lot of cases, are only as faithful as their options." Shane added.
"You're all cynics! You know that? You always look at the bad, and not the good! You seem to fail to realize that love, true LOVE, is very hard to find. But when you do find it, it should be celebrated! That's what Valentines Day is all about. Finding and honoring true love! True love may be rare but it DOES exist! Just because the almighty Kinney hasn't been kissed by cupid yet he's got you all convinced that it doesn't exist! And that today is nothing more than a means to make money either by the commercialism of it all, or by capitalizing on people's misery who dared to, God forbid, believe that they found true love! For fuck sakes, can we blame the poor souls for believing they've found it? I mean if not for the continual search for true love, then for God sakes what the fuck inspires you to go on?" Debbie asked.
Shane, Emmett and Cynthia all looked at each other. Truth was none of them were currently in a relationship. There was some merit to their boss's beliefs, though they weren't quite as cynical as he was. They still all held on to the hope that one day, love would come their way. Debbie was right. That hope did motivate them to keep searching. Still, in their line of work, it was getting harder and harder to believe in true love. They've seen too much of the worst of mankind to not be skeptical.
"Well I'm living proof that true love does exist! Ben and I have been together for two years now, and two people couldn't be more devoted to each other than us." Michael said in defense of 'true love'.
Debbie nodded her head triumphantly, as if her point was just made.
None of the three single people in the room dared mentioned the fact that the reason why Michael and Ben were in a committed relationship was because Ben was HIV positive. He knew first hand the dangers of infidelities. Bens' last lover cheated on him, and gave him HIV. Ben would never be that careless. And he never intended to have another long term relationship until Michael came along, and that took a lot of convincing on Michaels part. They were each loyal to each other. Their loving 'committed' relationship may very well have been spawned from 'true love', but it was cemented in their special circumstance.
"And you two are an inspiration to us all!" Emmett said deflecting what everyone was thinking.
"Unfortunately, not all. I wish Brian would see what he's missing." Debbie said.
She'd known Brian since he was fourteen and always wondered what had changed him so much.
When he was younger, he was such a happy, loving boy. So upbeat, and positive. Then right before he went off to college, something changed. What, she didn't know. But something happened. Something she suspected only he, and her son knew. And Michael wasn't talking. Her son was loyal to a fault. Whatever secrets Brian had they were safe with Michael.
Oh, Debbie had heard the rumors; that Brian had his heart broken and swore never to love again, but she couldn't believe that. She never saw him with another boy, or ever heard him talk about a love interest. Plus he never showed any signs of someone who's had their heart broken. If anything Brian grew more driven after high school. Still something must have happened to make him so…determined. Gone was the carefree, loving child who spent hours at her house laughing and day-dreaming with her son up in their room. That boy was gone, to be replaced with a man obsessed with success.
He got a full sports scholarship, for soccer, to Carnegie Mellon and got his BS in business, but that wasn't good enough for him. He then continued on and got another degree in criminal forensic. After that, he joined the police academy and quickly moved up the ranks to Detective. He was on the force only three years before he decided to open up his own private detective agency. And that was just two years ago.
Considering his past record, Debbie wondered how long it would be before Brian moved on to his next endeavor. It was as if he was constantly running from something or to something. What ever it was, the man couldn't seem to stay put for too long. And that behavior followed him into his personal life. Where as once, when Brian was a teen, he talked about someday having a partner and family of his own, he now rejected the idea vehemently. He now believed there was no such thing as love. That love was just an illusion straight people created in order to get laid. And since his main objective was to get laid, Brian chose to forego the illusion and went straight for the prize. This practice had earned him the title of "Stud of Liberty Avenue" One she wasn't quite sure he was proud of.
"Happy Valentines Day everyone!" Brian's voice boomed through the office. Debbie jumped; half believing she conjured him up from her thoughts.
"Happy Valentines Day boss." Shane said as she approached him to take the box out of his hands.
"Oh Goodies!" Emmett squealed gleefully and clapped his hands.
"Deb, amazing job with the decorations, as usual." Brian said walking over to her and placing a kiss on her cheek.
He then reached into the bag he was carrying and pulled out a bouquet of blood red roses.
"For you Ma." He said tongue in cheek.
Debbie took the flowers and kissed his cheek.
"Not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but I'd be happier if you were giving these flowers to someone more….special." Debbie said knowing her meaning was not lost on him.
"There's no one more special than you. But I know just what you mean that's why I have these." Brian said reaching into the bag again and pulling out another bouquet of roses and handing them to his best friend Michael.
Michael laughed.
"Asshole. These aren't for me." He said, knowing his friend so well.
Brian shrugged and took the roses back.
"Oh well, can't blame a guy for trying. You see Deb, there's proof. The reason why I'm single is because the love of my life is happier with someone else. My 'true love' has another 'true love'" Brian mocked.
Debbie smacked him with the roses.
"Ouch!" Brian said laughing.
Cynthia took the roses out of Brian's hands.
"These better be for Lindsey. She's coming in this morning, remember?" She reminded him.
"Yes, I remember. She's bringing my son. Or were they already here?" He asked eyeing the heart shaped ornament on his door with a suspicious glint in his eyes.
"No, I brought that in. Lindsey and Mel brought Gus to my house last night. Gus asked me if I could bring this to the office this morning and hang it before you arrived. He wanted it to be the first thing you saw when you came in." She explained.
Brian pulled his bottom lip in and starred at the oddly shaped heart with his son's unmistakable handwriting on it. His heart swelled, reminding him that he indeed did have one. Thank God. If there was anyone who could bring forth emotion from him, it was his son. Now there was true love he thought to himself. The only kind he'd allow himself to feel.
He turned his attention to the occupants in the room.
"Is that not a thing of beauty?" He asked.
Everyone agreed at once, complimenting the boys' handiwork. They all knew how Brian felt about his son. He lived for the boy. Gus was Brian's world. If anyone doubted Brian fucking Kinney had a heart, all they'd have to do is witness him with his son. It gave his closest friends and family hope, that Brian would maybe one day open that heart of his just a little more, and let someone else in.
"Ring"
'I'll get it!" Cynthia said running over to the phone.
"Where's Agnes?" Brian asked inquiring as to the whereabouts of his secretary.
"She called and said she'd be late. She had to run an errand." Emmett answered.
"When she gets here I want everyone in my office. Get Theodore too. Where the fuck is he anyway?" Brian asked wondering where the fuck half his staff was.
"Teddy's in his office honey getting ready for the morning meeting." Emmett informed him.
"A meeting that's not going to take place if Agnes doesn't get here soon. I can't have Cynthia manning the phones. That's Aggy's job." Brian snapped.
As if on cue Agnes walked in looking her usual disheveled self.
"Happy Valentines Day!" She said to everyone in the room.
"Agnes, where the fuck were you? You know this is our busiest day of the year. What was so important that you couldn't be here doing your job?" Brian reprimanded.
"Sorry Boss, but I had to pick up Steven's gift! I couldn't get it after work, Marty's closing early today to take his wife out to dinner." Agnes explained. Steven was her latest boyfriend. Marty owned the jewelry shop around the corner.
Brian rolled his eyes.
"See, this is what 'love' gets you. Late to work." Brian said to Debbie.
Debbie huffed and told Michael to get her coat.
"Some would say you are a hopeless cause Brian Kinney." She said as she slid into her coat.
"Some?" Brian asked with a raised eye brow.
"Yeah, some. I on the other hand, still hold out hope for you." She said then leaned up to kiss him goodbye on the cheek which she then followed up with a 'motherly' smack.
"Thanks for the roses...Asshole." She said then winked at him.
Michael laughed.
"See you later?" He asked as he donned his own coat.
Brian reached out and pulled Michael in for a kiss.
"Not tonight honey. Busy, busy." He said before releasing him.
Michael sighed.
"Like a bee. Complete with the stinger." Michael quipped back.
Brian laughed.
"Dinner this Sunday Deb?" He called out before the two reached the door.
"Same as every Sunday! Maybe this week you'll actually show up!" Debbie complained before she and Michael exited the building.
Brian turned back to his employee's.
"Ok, let's get started then." He said clapping his hands together eagerly.
"Phones all yours Agnes. We'll be in our meeting. Tell Theodore to get his ass in my office stat." Brian instructed.
Agnes quickly took her place behind the reception desk and buzzed Ted.
Several minutes later they were all, (except for Agnes who was manning the phones), sitting in Brian's office drinking the cappuccinos and eating the pastries he bought them. Brian abstained from partaking of all the carbs.
"So, where are we?" He asked.
Shane was the first to speak. Shane, along with Emmett, Cynthia, Theodore and Agnes had been with him from day one. Shane and Emmett were field agents; Cynthia handled 'special' accounts, her specialty being in cyber surveillances and Theodore was his accountant. Agnes ran the front end of their operation.
"We are down one P.I. and need two." Shane said as she munched on a scone.
"Really Brian, did you have to fire Chad?" Emmett asked clucking his tongue disapprovingly.
"The question should be did he really have to fuck him?" Cynthia asked more candidly.
"So? What's the big deal? He fucks everyone." Ted defended.
"Point is, now we're down a P.I. Cynthia's divvied up his cases to me and Emmett. The load's too heavy, plus with all the new clients that are already lining up for our services, we're going to need at least two more hands on deck." Shane said.
"First, I didn't have to fuck Brad, he just made himself too accessible. And yes, I had to fire him after that. He wanted a second fuck." Brian said.
Everyone in the room shuddered mockingly in response to Brian's announcement.
"God forbid. And his name was Chad." Emmett said.
Everyone laughed.
Brian chose to ignore them.
"Whatever. Second, I'm interviewing someone this afternoon to replace Fred." He continued.
"Again, his name was Chad, and is this new guy gay?" Emmett asked.
"No." Brian said, though he had no clue really. Agnes set up the interview.
"Good." Everyone in the room echoed the same thought.
Brian's jaw dropped open.
"You make it sound like I'm some sort of predator!" Brian complained.
"What? And you're not?" This came from Cynthia, who out of all of them was the bravest in telling their boss exactly what she thought.
Brian glared at her.
"Where are we on dumpster boy?" He asked Shane, switching topics, getting down to business.
"Hitting brick walls, that's where. I'm not the assailant's type. I can't smoke him out." Shane said.
Brian frowned. They had a good working relationship with Pittsburgh's finest. When ever the cops hit a dead end with a case, they were called in. 'Dumpster boy' was one of those 'dead end' cases. The police found a kids' strangled body two weeks ago in a dumpster, and couldn't even get an ID on the boy. No family, no friends, no clues. Shane took the case and was able to get a name. He was a hustler named Jason Kempt. She was working on the premise that the kid got off'd by one of his Johns. A deal gone bad, sex got too rough...situations like that were common in that profession.
Shane went undercover posing as a young male hustler to flesh out the culprit. She had that androgynous look about her. When properly attired, one couldn't tell if she were male or female. Not that it mattered; in either sex she was considered a beauty. Short glossy black hair, blue eyes, rosy kissable lips and a face that could stop traffic. She was slight in form, and 'boyish' in manner when the role called for it. And she was playing this role perfectly, only with no luck. All she managed to find out so far was dumpster boys' name and were he worked. She'd been 'working' the place for the past week trying to get more information.
"Well keep trying. Our guy will show up sooner or later, if he doesn't proposition you, he's sure to go after one of the other hustlers down there. Make friends, keep close to these kids. This guy killed once, he'll do it again." Brian said.
"I'll do my best Boss, but I also got three missing person's cases I'm working on, and one cheating husband. I can't be everywhere at once." Shane complained.
"What part of "I have an interview this afternoon" didn't you get? Keep your panties on; help is on its way. And if you can't handle it, pass a case or two on to me." Brian said.
Shane bristled at Brian's implied slur.
"I can handle it." She said resolutely.
Brian nodded his head in approval.
"Em? How's it going with that football player?" Brian asked.
Mrs. Drew Boyd had hired them to investigate her husband. She was convinced there was another woman. Brian knew from experience that if the wife suspected, enough to hire a private investigator, that her husband was cheating on her then chances were she was right. They had to handle this case however with kid gloves. Drew Boyd was an iconic sports figure. Discretion, on their part at least, was top priority.
"Well there is good news and bad news." Emmett said cagily.
Brian noticed that Emmett grew very nervous all of a sudden.
"Start with the good news." He said.
"There's no other woman." Emmett said.
Brian raised an eyebrow, surprised at that bit of information.
"Oh? Then what's the bad news?" He asked.
"There is another man." He said.
Cynthia laughed, Shane choked on her scone and Ted sighed.
"I knew it." Ted said.
"His ass looked too good in those white pants." He added.
"Fuck. You got the proof for this? She won't accept this with out solid proof." Brian said.
"Um, besides some photo's of him making out with a guy in a back ally on Hubert street…I, um, I…"
"Shit! You fucked him didn't you?" Brian roared as he sprung from his chair.
Emmett physically cringed at Brian's outburst.
"I swear to God Brian, it was an accident!" Emmett defended himself.
"Really? His dick just accidentally slipped into your ass? What the fuck were you thinking?" Brian admonished.
"He wasn't thinking, he was fucking. You of all people should understand that impulse." Cynthia chimed in.
"You know Cyn, sometimes I wish you would just shut the fuck up..." Brian said warily then sank back into his chair.
"Ok, what's done is done. Time for damage control. Call him in here. We need to have a talk with Mr. Boyd." Brian said.
"Brian, you can't. You'll be breaking the client/agency privacy agreement." Cynthia reminded him.
"I know, but this is a special circumstance. Do you want to ruin that man's career? His wife will freak, and use the information to destroy him. I didn't start this agency to ruin lives." Brian said vehemently.
"Are you kidding? How many relationships do you think we've ruined by exposing cheating partners?" Shane asked.
"We did those people favors. They were heading for divorce or breakup before they even came to us. They just needed proof. But we DON'T intentionally ruin a man's career because he doesn't bat for the same team his sponsors do!" Brian said. This was personal to him.
"I agree. I think we should call Drew in. This is a special circumstance. He's fucking one of our agents. That alone broke the client/agency privacy agreement. We have no choice." Ted voiced this logic.
"Emmett and I will deal with it. Let's just leave it at that. What about that other case. The metro sexual fags who both hired us to investigate the other. Any progress there or have you fucked them both too?" Brian asked Emmett.
The silence in the room stunned Brian.
"What the fuck? Em! Did someone put Viagra in your cereal! Or are you just insane?" Brian asked frustrated.
"They seduced me! They're both cheating bastards! Those two deserve each other. I'm handing in my report to them this afternoon and picking up our check. We should bill them double just for being assholes." Emmett said.
Brian pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. He felt a migraine coming on.
"Buzzz…"
Brian reached over and pressed the intercom button.
"What is it Agnes?" Brian asked.
"Lindsey and Gus are here to see you." Agnes said.
Brian smiled. Seeing his son was just what he needed right now.
"Send them in Aggy." Brian said then rose from his chair.
"Meetings over everyone. We'll pick this up at tomorrow's morning meeting. Until then, Em, keep your hole, all of them, shut for fuck sakes!" He said.
Everyone filed out of the office as Gus and Lindsey entered. Gus ran to his father and jumped into his arms.
"Oomph!"
Gus giggled.
"Did you like the heart I made you Daddy?" Gus asked.
Brian hugged his son to him tightly.
"Of course I did Sonny boy. It's beautiful. I always knew you were talented. You get that from your mother you know." Brian said.
"Ima says' I'm a natural. What does that mean Daddy?" Gus asked.
"It means Sonny boy that things, like drawing and creating art, are easy for you to do." Brian tried to answer his boys question best he can.
"I do like drawing a lot! Maybe I'll be a famous artist one day and Mommy will hang my drawings in her gallery!" Gus boasted innocently.
"I have no doubt Sonny boy that you'll accomplish anything you set your mind to." Brian said ruffling his boys' hair affectionately.
"He is quite good you know. His art teacher told us she's going to put some of his art work up in the library." Lindsey said in her best proud mother's voice.
Brian smiled over at his long time friend. Next to Mikey, Lindsey was his closest friend. They met his first year in college, a year that was very difficult for him, though no one knew it at the time, or till this day, and they had instantly bonded. Lindsey's life from day one was filled with drama. Born into a wasp family, in the closet trying to compete with the perfect older sister. God she was a mess, and she appealed to Brian's attraction to chaos'. Together they lived the college life to the fullest. Taking advantage of every cliché' college experience on record. He gave her confidence and helped her come out to her parents. She helped him forget and taught him how to smile again.
Over the years their friendship grew and their relationship strengthened, and it was because of their special bond that when she came to him six years ago to ask him to be donor to her and Mel's baby he agreed without hesitation. Regardless of the fact that he and Mel, her partner for the last eight years, were not exactly fans of each other. Still, as it turned out, it was the best decision Brian had ever made in his life. He never believed having a child would be possible for him. That was something 'couples' did, and though there was a time, a lifetime ago, when he had foolish dreams of being in such an arrangement…like the tooth fairy, and Santa Clause, that fantasy was quickly shattered. There was no such thing as 'happily ever after' he discovered early on. Being in a 'loving' relationship was a temporary situation at best. Not that Brian didn't recognize that some couples did make it the long haul, he did. But it wasn't 'love' that kept them together. Love was just an illusion people created to excuse all kinds of ridiculous and often hurtful behaviors. Long term relationships were often the results of habit, or worse, sacrifice. The good news for his son was that even if his mom's relationship didn't last, which Brian doubted it would, he'd always have him. He had no one to leave, or to leave him. He would always be the one constant in his boy's life.
"Knock, knock."
Cynthia peaked her head in the door as she knocked.
"Happy Valentines day Lins. These are for you." She said entering with the roses she took from Brian's hands earlier.
Lindsey smiled at her and thanked her before turning to Brian.
"You really shouldn't have." She said to him knowing they were from him.
Brian looked to Gus who he was still holding.
"There from Gus to you, right Sonny boy?" Brian asked.
Gus nodded his head excitedly.
"And for Ima too, right Daddy?" Gus asked.
Brian bit the inside of his cheek. Every Valentines day Brian would get a gift from Gus to his mommy. He never got anything for Mel, it wasn't expected, or required, but this year Gus was old enough to notice the slight. The last thing he wanted was for his boy to think he didn't like his Ima.
"The roses are for mommy Sonny boy. I thought Ima would like these better." Brian said reaching into the bag he brought in earlier and pulling out a box of dark Belgium chocolates and handing them to his son.
"Wow! Ima's gonna love these!" Gus said excitedly as he took the box from his father.
"Here honey, let me hold on to them for you. You can give them to Ima after I pick you up from school. " Lindsey said taking the chocolates from her sons' hands as she sent Brian a grateful look.
"Speaking of school, you better get going before you're late." Brian said.
Gus moaned a bit in protest as Brian put him back down and turned him towards his mother.
"See you this Sunday at Debs?" Lindsey asked as she gathered their gifts up preparing to leave.
"I guess I should put in an appearance. It's been awhile. The last thing I need is for her to show up at my loft with some God awful casserole she insists use to be my favorite while she raids my stash and reminisces about mine, and her lost youth." Brian said.
"Hmmm….from what I hear her youth wasn't lost, it was well spent. And yours…"
"Is not worth wasting any thought on." Brian interrupted as he reached into his bag one last time pulling out a small box.
"I do believe there is one more gift in here." Brian said.
"My Valentines gift!" Gus exclaimed as he jumped up and down in joy clapping his hands.
Brian smiled a genuine smile as he witnessed his son's pure unadulterated joy.
'God was I ever that blissfully innocent?' He wondered briefly before shaking his musings away.
"You didn't think I'd forget the best son in the whole wide world now did you?" Brian teased handing the package to his son.
"Can I open it now Daddy? Can I?" Gus asked.
Brian looked to Lindsey who nodded her head in approval.
"Go ahead Sonny boy." Brian said.
Gus tore into the package with youthful enthusiasm.
His face lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw what was inside.
"An ipod!" He exclaimed.
Lindsey made a face.
"Really Brian, he's much too young for an ipod!" She scolded.
"I also got him a docking station for it. It's just for your room Sonny boy, to replace your radio. I know how much you love listening to music in your room. Mommy will program all your favorite songs in it so that you can listen to them anytime you want." Brian explained.
"Oh thank you sooooo much Daddy! I love it! None of my friends have one!" Gus ran to his father and hugged him.
"Umph…Of course they don't. Not many kindergarteners do." Lindsey muttered under her breath.
"Now Gus, I don't want you bragging to your friends, ok? It's not polite to brag." Brian reminded his son.
"I know Daddy, I won't. I promise." Gus said releasing his father.
"Ok then, now we really better get going before your father decides to buy you a car." Lindsey said.
"Next year." Brian teased as he walked them out of his office.
"Agnes, make an appointment next week for my son and I to go browsing for sports cars. Never too young to start." Brian joked.
Gus laughed.
"Ok Boss, while I'm at it, I'll call the realtor and ask him to start scouting for Condo's in Florida. Never too soon to plan for his retirement either." Agnes teased back.
It was no secret to anyone in Brian's life how much he doted on, and spoiled his son. It was often jested about good-naturedly.
"Might as well call the matchmaker too. Get a head start in finding him a good wife." Shane jumped into the fray.
Brian made a face.
"Or a good husband." Emmett corrected with a hint of indignation in his voice.
Shane laughed.
"Now you're all just being cruel." Brian said horrified that his boy would one day be saddled in a….'relationship'….
Everyone in the room laughed.
Lindsey and Gus managed to exit the office amongst the jovial repartee leaving the others to start their workday.
The phone rang effectively halting the playful bantering prompting everyone to get back to their duties.
"Kinney's Private Dicks! You drop it, we'll spot it. He cheats, we'll peak. Loved one gone, we'll find him before dawn. You need a trace? This is the place! No job too big, no job too small. We're here to service one and all! How may I you?" Agnes answered the phone with her signature greeting which never failed to put a smile on everyone's face. Agnes was an original, and she too appealed to Brian's zest for chaos.
"Brian, I just got off the phone with Horvath from the precinct." Cynthia said walking up to him holding a faxed sheet in her hands.
Carl Horvath was the new chief of police for the Pittsburgh police department. They'd been working closely with him on the 'dumpster' boy case.
"He got a break in the case?" Brian asked.
"No, he heard we were looking for another PI and he's sending someone over. He faxed me over his file. Guy's got some laundry list of occupations here. Got his law degree at 25, which is impressive by any ones standards and got disbarred when he was thirty for withholding material evidence and trying to bribe a judge. Joined the police force after that, worked vice for a while before being put on suspension for using department funds to 'interview' prostitutes. Left the force to do some clandestine government work that no one can get any information on, and was last reported as doing freelance work 'negotiating'. What ever the hell that means." Cynthia read the litany off the fax sheet she was holding.
"And exactly why is the good chief sending us this guy?" Brian asked with a raised brow.
Cynthia looked up at him.
"Horvath said you'd like him. Said he'd fit right in here at the asylum." She replied smiling at him.
"He also said this guy knows how to get things done. Thought you'd appreciate that." Cynthia added in a more serious tone.
"Schedule him in for this afternoon." Brian said.
"Already did. He's your one o'clock." Cynthia said.
"Don't forget your nine-thirty. He'll be here any minute." Agnes said having just gotten off the phone.
"Ah, yes. My nine-thirty. Just exactly were did you find this guy Agnes?" Brian asked.
"Geesh Boss, you never listen to me! I told you he's my cousin from NY. He use to work undercover there. He's moved here and is looking for a change." Agnes said.
Brian sighed.
"In other words, he got kicked out too. Why are all PI's misfits?" Brian mused out loud.
"Hey, we resemble that remark!" Emmett chimed in from over at his desk.
"Should have named the agency Kinney's wayward miscreants instead of Private Dicks." Shane said from her desk, which sat across from Emmett's.
"Private Dicks is more appealing." Brian responded.
"Pretty much all dicks appeal to you." Cynthia muttered under her breath as she headed back to her office.
"Maybe you should find a dick of your own, and then you wouldn't be so preoccupied with my obsession with Dicks!" Brian called after her, unsure if his words were heard over her slamming of her door.
The phone rang again. Oh yes, Brian loved Valentines Day. Nothing breeds more suspicion and doubt then declarations of love.
"I'll be in Ted's office. Call me when your miscreant cousin gets here." Brian said to Agnes before she had a chance to answer the phone.
Agnes scrunched up her face disapprovingly as she picked up the receiver. Brian winked at her then disappeared around the corner towards Ted's office.
"Kinney's Private Dicks! You drop it, well spot it….."
Kinney's Private Dicks. Justin laughed as he looked up at the sign that hung over the imposing brick building. Agnes had told him that the building use to be a bathhouse. The irony wasn't lost on him. If nothing else, this Mr. Kinney should prove interesting.
He looked over at his dashboard clock. Shit! Nine forty-five. Already fucking late on his first job interview here. Not that he gave a fuck, except his cousin set this up and he didn't want her to look bad because of him. Well it was that damned Hazel eyed devil's fault anyway. Justin found himself driving around for a while after his encounter with the 'Greek God' just trying to get his bearings straight. It had been a long time since he felt so attracted to anyone. Actually, if he were honest with himself, he never felt this kind of intense instant attraction. It was unsettling, to say the least.
Before he knew it he found himself pulling up in front of the coffee shop again looking to find out the name of the man that had literally rocked his world. Unfortunately, Tina wasn't there. Some kid was covering for her. Something about her mother's car breaking down. Justin cursed his bad luck, or more likely good fortune since he knew no good could come out of a second chance meeting with the man, so he bought himself another cup of coffee and got back in his car suddenly remembering his interview. He hated that he was late. And hated the reason why.
He threw his car in park and entered the building surprised to find the inside decorum to be very fifth avenue, despite its' 'back alley' appearance from the outside. Justin spotted his cousin Agnes the moment he walked through the enormous double pane glass doors and waved at her.
Agnes waved back and motioned him over. She was just finishing up a phone call.
"Justin you're late!" She said coming out from behind her desk to give him a hug.
Justin hugged her back.
"I know, sorry Aggy. I lost track of time. I promise however to dazzle the pants off of your Boss." He said pulling back and smiling at her.
Agnes frowned at him.
"Don't you dare go plying your charms on Mr. Kinney! He's off limits, do you understand?" Agnes scolded lightly.
Justin leaned in and kissed his cousin's cheek.
"I promise to behave, ok? Don't worry. I really appreciate you getting me this interview Aggy. I won't fuck it up." Justin said.
Agnes smiled at him and wrung her hands.
"I know you won't. We really need the help, and you're perfect for the job. He's in with the accountant right now so I'm sure he's not looking at the clock. It's a busy time for us." Agnes said.
"If this is a bad time I can come back." Justin offered.
"Oh no, he told me to buzz him when you got here. He's got another interview this afternoon. Cases are plying up, he's not going to want to put this off." Agnes said.
"Well then, let's get this show on the road. Let me just hit the bathroom first, ok? Too much coffee this morning." Justin said.
"Sure, but be quick." Agnes said pointing the way to the bathrooms.
Justin gave her a quick nod then rushed off to relieve himself. The bathroom was luxurious. Again, Justin was impressed. He walked over to the glistening porcelain urinal and unzipped his pants. Not a moment later he heard someone else enter the room.
Though Brian could have stayed and talked accruals, accounts, and investment projections with Ted all day….NOT….he was more then glad when nature called giving him a legitimate excuse not to continue on with the business of his business. And he did need a legitimate reason. His conscious wouldn't let him willfully neglect his business. Too many people counted on Private Dick's income, though he was not one of those people. Brian had made many investments over the years that had left him, and his son, financially secure for the rest of their lives. He started this agency as a hobby to begin with, but then, one by one, his little family of employee's grew, some old friends, some new, and he was now responsible for their livelihood. One day, when Ted and Cynthia were ready, he'd hand over the agency to them. But that time was not now and he needed to make sure everything was in order in the mean time.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice at first the man standing at the urinal next to him. Bathroom etiquette being what it was he kept his focus on his own 'business' that was until his eye caught a glimpse of shiny blonde hair. Hair, he realized uneasily, he recognized all too well.
'Who the fuck recognizes some ones' hair?' his mind rebelled.
All etiquette was tossed out the window when he snapped his head towards the man and gaped.
"You!" He practically shouted surprised, yet secretly pleased to see the blonde again.
Justin was startled by the outburst and nearly peed on himself in response. He quickly zipped up his pants and turned towards the man who had been haunting his thoughts all mourning, wondering if he were hallucinating.
"No fucking way! Are you stalking me?" Justin asked laughing, delighted at this new development.
'God he's beautiful when he laughs.' The treacherous thought entered Brian's mind.
Brian snorted.
"Not likely! What are you doing here?" Brian asked.
Justin gave him a puzzled look.
"Don't tell me we're interviewing for the same job!" Justin asked incredulously.
Brian pushed his tongue against the side of his cheek. So this was his nine-thirty. Shit! This was also Aggy's cousin! Ok, this definitely complicated things.
"I already got the job." Brian answered.
Justin responded by flashing him with a brilliant smile. Not a reaction he was expecting, but one he was growing quite found of. Each time the kid smiled, it went straight to his dick. It was as if the Sun took his cue from that smile.
"That makes you happy Sunshine?" Brian asked.
Sunshine. The nickname washed over Justin like molten honey.
"It's Justin, remember?" Justin asked.
Brian laughed.
"Actually, I do. Justin, Justin Taylor." Brian replied cheekily.
Justin snorted an adorable laugh and lightly slapped Brian's arm.
"You're incorrigible, you know that? And a big tease. Well, since you got the job over me, why don't you take me out to celebrate your good fortune since I got the distinct impression this morning that you didn't like the idea of me taking you out." Justin said.
Jesus the kid was ballsy Brian mused. Brian didn't like pushy, ballsy tricks. But then again he was in luck. This wasn't a trick, this was Aggy's cousin. Brian couldn't in good conscious, make him one of his tricks. He didn't know how he felt about that. Part of him was relieved that there were limitations to their relationship. He didn't have to be psychic to know this kid was walking dynamite. He barely knew him and he was already challenging his staunch personal code of conduct. But another part of him, a part Brian thought long gone, was tempted to throw caution to the wind and dare to walk in that place where logic ceased to exist. The place where Brian had sworn never to venture again. The mere fact that he was even entertaining such a ludicrous idea made him angry.
"You get off on rejection?" Brian countered testily.
"I don't do rejections." Justin parried unfazed by the edge he heard in the man's voice.
Brian smiled. The kid had girt. His audacity was sincere. It wasn't manufactured. Most guys who acted so boldly were simply covering up some serious insecurities. Donning macho attitudes to cover up for either small dicks or low self-esteem. Brian despised men like that. He liked honest confidence. Too much. Brian hated bullshit and excuses. He lived his life with no regrets, and no apologies. It was a trait sorely lacking in most men, most people actually. Which was a good thing for Brian because men like that were Brian's undoing. One man in particular.
'Fuck, fuck, fuck!' That was one place he NEVER let his mind roam. What was it about this kid?
"Yeah well rejection is a part of life. Sooner or later that little harsh bit of reality is going to hit you." Brian said his mood suddenly growing morose.
Justin tilted his head at him curiously.
"What makes you think I haven't experienced rejection? I said I don't 'do' rejection, as in present tense. Not that I never have. Despite my youthful appearance, it might surprise you to know that I have lived a bit, and learned a thing or two along the way. One thing I've learned is that rejection is an internalized emotion. One I won't entertain. I may not get what I want all the time, but I never take it personally. It's just part of life. You're a hot guy. You know that, and I think you'd be a great fuck. I also think you feel the same way about me. If you choose to pass up the opportunity I'm offering that's your choice. It's no reflection on me. But I would point out that denying yourself pleasure is a form of self rejection. Perhaps you should be asking yourself if you get off on rejection." Justin turned the question on him.
Brian couldn't have been more shocked or more turned on if the kid had dropped to his knees and blown him. He had effectively changed Brian's view on what's 'hot' and what's not in one small well-delivered diatribe. For the first time in his life, Brian was at a lost for words. So he did the next logical thing. He grabbed Justin by his waistband and pulled him out of the bathroom and towards his office. He needed to take control back and fast.
Justin was shocked into silence by the sudden movement. He let himself be dragged through the corridor past his cousins' desk.
Agnes saw the two men stalk towards her both with very disturbing looks on their faces. Her boss's was determined, her cousin's, confused.
"Is something wrong Boss?" She asked warily not really wanting to know what occurred between the two men.
"Tell Ted to add Mr. Justin Taylor to our payroll Aggy. He starts today. We'll be in my office discussing the details if anyone needs me." Brian ordered right before he practically threw Justin into his office.
Justin stumbled into the office a bit clumsily. He barely heard his new "Boss" slam the door behind him before he had a chance to right himself and turn around to face him.
"Wait! You're Brian Kinney!" Justin asked stunned at the revelation.
Brian's nose flared slightly at the sight of the disheveled man in front of him. Some of the cool composure he wore so effortlessly had slipped. It wasn't much of a slip but it was enough to bolster Brian's own tenuous resolve. He operated best when he had the upper hand. And he was about to exert that hand right now.
"You can call me Boss." Brian said.
Justin gaped at him.
Brian went in for the kill.
"Now you can either take advantage of this opportunity I'm offering you, or 'reject' it." Brian began setting the tone.
"In either case, trust me, I won't internalize it. But if you do decide to reject my offer, you'll be denying yourself the chance to work with some of the finest people in the field, operate independently, something I get the feeling is important to you, and earn more money than you would working in the public or any other private sector. The only question you have to ask yourself now is do YOU get off on rejection?" Brian said effectively turning the tables on his hot blonde nemesis putting himself once again in charge.
Justin just stared at him in awe at the way he managed to shift power with such finesse and with such ease.
Brian evoked his inner 'Clint Eastwood'
"Well, do you?" He pushed placing the ball back in the blondes' court.
Justin smiled at the reference and gave Brian his answer.
The only answer a situation like this called for.