Ethan had been calling Justin every day for three weeks. He would say how much he missed him, how much their time together meant to him, and how he could barely function without him. Then he'd say he didn't know what missing Justin might make him crazy enough to do. In this way, he subtly threatened to tell Brian about their former 'relationship.' He wanted to make Justin squirm (never knowing when or where the truth might be revealed), all the while acting as though he weren't doing so on purpose.
Justin had told Ethan enough about Brian, little though it was, for Ethan to find him. Everyone knew where the stud of Liberty Avenue lived and where he hung out, and they were all willing to talk. However, Ethan was afraid that Brian wouldn't believe him. He couldn't prove that he and Justin had fucked more than once. Even if Brian did believe him, Ethan's revealing the truth wouldn't get him Justin back, and that's what he really wanted. Thus, he was hoping to scare Justin into outing himself. To drive him so crazy that he'd admit it.
Then Brian would crush Justin. Ethan was certain of that. When Justin had told Ethan about "the rules," Ethan had asked whether he was the first person with whom Justin had broken them. Unfortunately (for Justin), he'd been honest, telling Ethan about the virgin he'd deflowered and the look on Brian's face when he'd sensed what Justin had done.
Surely a second betrayal, one that was much, much deeper than the first, would send Brian over the edge. According to the scuttlebutt around town, Brian was arrogant and prideful. To maintain his dignity, after not only being betrayed a second time but also lied to, surely, he would need to kick Justin out, perhaps even severing all ties. Then, then, Ethan would swoop in. He'd make Justin feel loved and wanted, and, pretty soon, Justin would be right back where he belonged, in Ethan's bed.
Of course, if it looked like that would never happen, he might have to tell Brian. He'd never get Justin back that way, but if he couldn't have Justin, he sure has hell wasn't going to let Brian have him.
Ethan looked at his watch. It was just about time for his daily phone call to Justin (he always called during Justin's afternoon shift at the diner, right before Justin would be heading home).
**********
Brian had given Justin his medication and had run out to the pharmacy to get the prescription filled. Then he let Cynthia know he'd be taking a personal day. He'd spent most of it trying to work at his desk, but he ended up spending most of his time checking on Justin (who had spent most of the day sleeping) and thinking.
Finally, in the afternoon, he gave up all pretense of working and sat next to Justin on the bed, giving voice to the thoughts that had been plaguing him since he awoke.
Brian asked Justin's sleeping form softly, "Are you really willing to kill yourself to get me to stop tricking? Or were you trying to scare me into saying the words?"
He sighed and caressed Justin's face gently.
"It's been a week since I tricked and three since I tricked as normal."
He chuckled. "I can't exactly say I've been unsatisfied." He added mentally, "And so far, no one's said anything. Mikey's been so wrapped up in Ben and Ted and Emmett in each other that they could care less what I do." Then aloud, he whispered, "Maybe I should stop tricking altogether. Maybe I should say the words. I do you know."
Unexpectedly, Justin stirred. He opened his eyes and whispered, "I know you do, Brian. I know."
Brian couldn't help but smile, seeing Justin awake, hearing the certainty in his voice, the certainty that Justin had been lacking since the bashing. The bashing. Brian's chest ached every time he thought of it, every time he was reminded of how he'd almost lost Justin. Brian looked down and swallowed hard. If Justin didn't recover…if his fever persisted (as it had all day)… Brian shook his head to banish the thought. Suddenly, he couldn't keep the words in anymore. Suddenly, he knew he could no longer keep Justin at arm's length with his tricking.
He lifted his head until his eyes met Justin's and then whispered huskily, "I love you, Justin. I love you so fucking much."
Justin's breath hitched in his throat, his heart stopped beating, and tears filled his eyes. He moaned, "Oh Brian, I love you, too. More than I could ever say."
Brian smiled softly. Then he leaned in to kiss Justin's lips. But he stopped halfway when Justin's phone started ringing. Justin's eyes widened in horror.