Summer 2006

"I just can't fucking believe it," Justin was grinning into the cell phone, still in shock over the fact that he was about open his second art show in four months.

The first one, unfortunately held the weekend of Brian's birthday, had been a rousing success. Justin, who would have rather spent an entire weekend in the country with Brian, was soothed of that loss by the fact that he'd made enough money to live for almost 6 months, just in that one show.

"Well you should believe it," Brian's voice purred through the phone and Justin felt his dick respond to his dulcet tones. "You're fucking amazing."

"God, I wish you were here," Justin groaned, shifting on his feet as his dick swelled in size. "I want you inside me."

"I know," was all Brian said in reply. Justin heard his exhale and imagined him lying naked on his bed, cigarette on his lips.

"Tell me what you're doing right now," Justin scanned the crowd around him as he shuffled down the sidewalk, anxious to get back to his tiny one room apartment.

"I'm talking to you," Brain dryly replied. Justin heard another exhale.

"Brian."

"Well are you home yet?"

"Fuck, no," Justin broke out in a jog, crossing the street against the signal and panting into the phone as he run up the three flights of stairs to his place.

"Are you there yet?" Brian asked in a sing-song voice.

"God! Yes!" Justin burst through his door, slamming it shut behind him as he threw his bag onto the floor, stripping of his clothes without care. His cock was so hard.

"Shit!" Justin yelled as he dropped his cell phone trying to pull off his pants. He heard Brian's laugh and nearly came right then. Brian laughed so rarely – Justin treasured each time it happened.

"Don't hurt yourself, Sunshine," Brian growled as Justin picked up the phone.

"Just tell me how hard you're fucking me," Justin whispered, gripping his swollen cock in his free hand.

"Congratulations."

"These pieces are wonderful!"

"You're an unbelievable talent."

"You're only twenty three?"

Justin accepted the compliments and accolades with grace. But he missed Brian. God, he missed Brian. They'd actually spoken on the phone three times this week alone…well, maybe spoken is too generous. There was some conversation, but mostly the greatest sex two men could have over the phone. Just thinking about it made Justin hard.

He wanted to get the hell out of this opening, and get home so he could call Brian. He ached for his voice in his ear. Glancing at his wristwatch Justin sighed. He had another several hours before he could make an exit without being rude.

Shit.

Smiling warmly, Justin shook the hand of another admirer and tried not to count the minutes.

Two hours later…

"I knew it."

Justin heard the voice behind him and for one split second his heart leapt in his chest. Just as quickly it fell and with it a cloud descended. Turning slowly to face him, Justin prepared himself.

"Justin Taylor. When I saw the posters for the show I wondered if it was you."

Ethan Gold.

"Ethan," Justin smiled as warmly as he could, but didn't offer his hand to shake, or any other kind of greeting. "What are you doing in New York?"

"Playing a concert at Radio City," Ethan grinned. Justin tried to ignore that he was just as cute as he'd been the last time he'd seen him. A few pounds heavier, but still fucking cute.

"Are you living here now?" Justin tried to sound disinterested even though inside he was screaming for the answer to be no. Justin really had no interest in knowing what Ethan was doing, or who he was seeing, or anything about him. It wasn't that he was tempted, or even the least bit interested, but for as big a city as New York, it really was a small world. He didn't want to know he could, at any moment, have another random run-in with Ethan. No, what he wanted was for Ethan to disappear.

"I live in Boston now," Ethan shook his head, smiling like he knew what was going through Justin's head. "How long have you been here?"

"Not quite a year," Justin grabbed a glass of white wine off the tray of a passing waiter, offering no more details.

"I never expected to see you again," He added, sipping.

Justin watched Ethan nod. He knew what the other man wanted to ask, he could read it all over his face. He was dying to know and God help him, Justin was bursting to tell.

"Brian's doing well, too. He has his own incredibly successful advertising agency in Pittsburgh. We see each other almost every weekend," Justin sipped his wine as he smiled lovingly thinking of Brian's slim, muscular body. He didn't let the little white lie get in the way; he also tried not to feel so elated at Ethan's obvious disappointment.

"So you and Brian…," Ethan trailed off.

"Oh, yeah. For years now. We're getting married, too," Justin blurted, immediately wishing he could take it back. Marriage was a little bit too big a lie – though not exactly false... "Not for a while, though."

"All this with a man who refused to acknowledge your birthday," Ethan smirked and Justin wanted to hit him. He had no right to say anything against Brian. He didn't know him; he didn't love him; he didn't understand him. Brian was the most complicated person Justin had ever met; there was so much going on with him at any moment, so many idiosyncrasies and so much depth – Justin was still figuring him out almost six years later and he loved that about him.

"People change," Justin replied coolly. Ethan's smile faded.

"Hey, I didn't mean anything by it."

Justin nodded and sipped his wine as an awkward silence descended.

"I just wanted to stop in and see if it was really you," Ethan looked around the gallery, which was packed with people. "I'd hoped…" Shrugging, Ethan smiled at Justin.

"Your art has really gotten good. I mean, you were always talented, but this is…"

"Is what?" Justin prompted him. He couldn't help but be curious even as he wished he'd leave already.

"It's inspired," Ethan smiled sadly. "I'm just happy you're happy, Justin."

In that moment, Justin felt the finality to their relationship and he forgave Ethan for breaking his heart. In that moment, Justin gave up all remaining, lingering thoughts, feelings, and emotions regarding Ethan. He just let it all go. It was freeing.

"I am happy," Justin smiled and the two young men held each other's gaze. Justin knew this would be their final scene. The last time they'd lay eyes on each other. For Justin, it was a necessary step to finally end that chapter of his life. He hoped it was the same for Ethan.

Turning to leave, Ethan was stopped by an older gentleman gushing compliments about the rainy day painting that was hanging at the front of the gallery.

"Sorry," Ethan smiled, nodding at Justin, "he's the artist."

And with a wink, he was gone.