A/N: A big thank you for the reviews! To the "guest" reviewer - Amen!
So sorry for the long delay in updating and for this chapter being so short. Work, family commitments, and a bunch of other things going on doesn't leave nearly enough time for writing! I will do my best to post the next chapter shortly. As a reader myself, I hate long delays in stories I follow! Again, my sincere apologies!
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters or places. I am making no money from this work of fiction. No copyright infringement intended.
Warning: I do not have a beta, so all mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Ch 2:
Michael stood frozen in place as Brian's words slowly sank in. It struck him that the grief Brian was suffering over losing Justin paled in comparison to his anger. Brian's anger was not directed at Justin; it had been a mutual decision to call off their wedding, but instead it was squarely aimed at Michael and everyone else he had once considered a friend.
Unsure what to do, Michael stepped out onto the expansive multi-tiered brick patio to call Ben for advice. Brian's explosive reaction had rattled him more than he wanted to admit. He was used to Brian spouting off with sarcasm and anger; that was the Brian Kinney he knew and loved. Arrogance and attitude mixed with stunning good looks and charm made him the envy of all. However, the emotional trainwreck Michael had spent the last several hours with was a complete stranger to him.
Zipping his thin nylon windbreaker up to his chin in an attempt to ward off the damp morning chill, he sat on the porch swing hanging from the pergola overhead and pushed speed dial one for home. Ben answered on the third ring with a jaw-cracking yawn, and Michael smiled as he pictured his husband lying in their bed, naked and likely sporting impressive morning wood.
Any other time Michael would have been up for some impromptu phone sex, but now was not the time or the place. After several minutes of typical good morning chit-chat, Michael turned serious and sought Ben's advice on how to deal with Brian. He abruptly ended the call several minutes later when he saw Brian lazily strolling slowly toward the house out of the corner of his eye. He said nothing as Brian climbed the steps and sat next to him on the swing, his eyes red-rimmed and puffy and his shoulders slumped. Michael's heart broke for his best friend, but he was at a loss what to say or do.
Brian had obviously been crying, which was something Michael had only witnessed once or twice before. He had always felt oddly honored that his best friend for over half of his life would let his guard down around him and show his vulnerability. Michael silently prayed that Brian would honor him once again. Gone, at least for the moment, was the explosive anger, which had been replaced with a profound melancholy. Michael waited patiently knowing that Brian would not talk until he was damn good and ready. The silence was deafening.
"Why, Mikey," Brian finally asked with a gravelly, emotion-choked voice.
Michael's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why what?"
Brian turned his head and looked into Michael's soft brown doe eyes. With a hint of lingering resentment and sadness he asked, "Why did you all tell me to send him away?"
"Justin? We didn't. We just ...".
"BULLSHIT!" Brian bellowed. He suddenly stood and began pacing, repeatedly running both hands through his hair. His agitation grew with each step as his anger returned with a vengeance. Brian's eyes were feral and his posture dangerous.
Michael swallowed hard and sat wide-eyed, too stunned to move or speak. The last time Brian was this pissed at him, Michael ended up with a seriously bruised jaw. Ben's advice to just let Brian vent and rage ran through his mind. He knew that getting defensive or arguing would get him nowhere, so he sat quietly and waited.
After several moments of furious pacing, Brian dropped down onto the low stone wall enclosing the patio and took a few deep calming breaths. After wiping angry tears from his eyes with the back of his hand, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. Taking a long drag, he looked across the patio at Michael through narrowed eyes and a thick cloud of smoke.
"Everyone got their happily ever after - except me. For five fucking years you all tried to convince me that I loved Justin. For five fucking years everyone kept telling me it was time to grow up and commit. For five fucking years I had to watch as you all did what and who you wanted. Now, you're a little suburban housewife married to Zen Ben, and you've got the whole little family thing going. I've got fucking nothing!" Brian stated coolly before standing and pacing again.
"Brian, that's not …," Michael began to say before being interrupted again.
Brian shook his head and took another drag from his cigarette. His previous cool restraint was gone, replaced with bitter disdain.
"And then when I finally do admit it, admit that I love Justin and vow to spend the rest of my life with him, you all tell me to let him go, to let him run off to New York and make a big name for himself. Fuck, then to top it off Lindsey takes my son and moves to fucking Canada! Now the two most important people in my whole fucking life are gone. You all made sure of that. Then you make me re-open the fucking club like that's going to make everything all better. You know, get the old Brian back? Well, newsflash, asshole, that Brian is dead!"
Michael jumped to his feet and attempted to stammer out a reasonable explanation only to have Brian round on him menacingly.
"Just – leave, Mikey. I don't want you here and I don't need you here," Brian muttered with icy cold detachment before turning and walking away, throwing the butt of his cigarette into the dew-covered grass.
"No," Michael shouted when he caught up to Brian and grabbed his arm. "It's your turn to listen to me, asshole! I'll leave if that's what you want, but you are going to fucking hear me out first!"
Brian shot a murderous glare then jabbed a finger in the center of Michael's chest. "Fuck you," he growled before shouldering his way past him and running toward the house.
"Fuck," Michael yelled in frustration. Taking a few minutes to get his thoughts in order, he slowly made his way back to the house only to find the back door leading into the kitchen locked. "Shit," he muttered under his breath. It was time to call in the cavalry.
Three hours later, Michael sat in the Durango at the entrance to the private gravel drive and watched a familiar car approach leaving a cloud of dust billowing in its wake. He let out a heavy sigh, thankful that reinforcements had finally arrived. Halfway up the winding drive, Michael pulled over and Ted stopped just behind him.
"Babe, you okay," Ben asked as he climbed out of the front passenger seat and ran to Michael pulling him into a hug.
Michael held on tight and reveled in being wrapped up in Ben's strong arms. He opened his eyes to find Ted and Emmett looking at him wearing matching concerned expressions.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Michael said tiredly as he was released from the embrace. "I'm just glad you guys are here. I don't know what the fuck to do."
Emmett stepped up and ran a hand down Michael's arm. "It'll be okay, Sweetie."
Ted shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and asked, "Jesus, Michael, what happened? Is Brian okay? He didn't hit you again, did he?"
Michael cracked a sad smile remembering back to the day Brian clocked him and knocked him out cold at Melanie and Lindsey's party.
"No, thank God. Look guys, he is pissed at all of us, and I mean really pissed. Blames all of us for Justin leaving. He locked me out, so that's why I called you." He then turned to Ben and asked, "Hey, where's Ma? I thought she was coming with you?"
"Debbie's on her way here with Jennifer. She's pretty upset. They both are," Ben replied.
Michael nodded. His mother may be brash and opionated, but when it came to Brian she had a way of getting through to him. Brian's own mother had always been cold and distant, so Debbie had made a point over the years of providing the motherly love and support that had been absent his whole life. She was tough, combative, and held back nothing when she spoke her mind, but she also had a tender and caring side and doted over all of "her boys" as if they were all her sons.
As the group slowly walked toward the house, Michael got them all up to speed on the events of the last 24 hours. When they came around the curve, the house came into view and a chorus of excited gasps rang out.
"Oh my God," Emmett declared, dramatically placing a hand over his heart as he took in the grandeur of the place. The house and grounds that he could see were on par with George's palacial estate. Emmett smiled at the memory of his late friend and benefactor. "This place is incredible!"
Ted stood gaping in shock until he finally managed to squeak out a pronounced, "Holy shit!"
Ben's chuckle was followed by an appreciative whistle. "Wow, Brian bought this place? Must have cost a fortune."
"Yeah. It was actually his wedding present to Justin," Michael answered sadly before rolling his eyes. "There's a huge pool, tennis court, stables and a paddock out back. I don't know how he can afford it."
"Oh, he can afford it all right," Ted announced. "Big name clients have been pouring in. Plus, selling his loft and Babylon should ...," he trailed off when Michael shrieked.
"What," Michael barked turning to face Ted. "He's selling Babylon? He just rebuilt it! It's like, like, a second home. Why the fuck would he sell it now?"
"Sweetie, think about it. People died that night. You were badly hurt and Justin could have been," Emmett replied calmly. "Maybe Brian has changed? Miracles do happen."
Michael dropped his hands to his sides and sighed. "That's what he said this morning. He said the old Brian is dead. Fuck, maybe he's right. Maybe this is all our fault."
"Michael, Brian and Justin calling off their wedding was a mutual decision. We had nothing to do with it," Ben stated.
Shaking his head and shrugging, Michael replied, "I don't know. You weren't here last night and this morning. He thinks he's lost everything. Justin moving away then Mel and Linds taking Gus to Toronto? Ben, you and me buying the house and adopting Hunter?" Turning to Emmett and Ted he continued, "And you two with your new relationships? We all have what Brian finally wants, someone to love who loves us back, a home, a family, but now he's all alone."
The four men exchanged looks of sorow and shared shame until the silence was broken.
"Are you assholes just going to stand out here talking about me all fucking day, or do you want to come in," Brian shouted dismissively from the front doorway.