A/N: Oh my, I didn't realize it had been that long! I'm sorry for the waiting. Hopefully this FUN chapter will make up for it. Enjoy!
Chapter 35: The bet
Week 7, December 23rd, Pittsburg, Woody's at night
Welcome to the wonderful world of jealousy, he thought.
For the price of admission, you get a splitting headache, a nearly irresistible urge to commit murder, and an inferiority complex. Yippee."
J.R. Ward, Dark lover
The gang was once again at Woody's taking turns at the only available pool table. Being in a big group was damn annoying sometimes. In order to spice things up, they were doing some one-on-one games, betting the next round of drinks or favors –yes, some sexual, depending on whom was playing. When it was Justin's turn, he ended up with Blake as his opponent. Justin didn't remember ever seeing Blake play and really had no idea if he was any good. Not knowing a lot about Blake and his situation or inhibitions, and not wanted to offend or make the man uncomfortable, Justin demanded the ordinary prize if he won; a free drink. Unfortunately for him, Justin found out Blake was more at-ease with him than he had thought:
"What's the bet? Name your prize."
"If you lose you have to kiss Emmett, and I'm talking a real full kiss with a lot of tongue."
"Oh yeah!" exclaimed an excited Emmett, bouncing around, the tail of the Christmas hat he was wearing on swinging along, "I always wanted to taste those juicy plump lips of yours. I bet you taste fruity."
Justin laughed.
"Ok. One kiss."
Brian pretended not to care and swallow almost all his beer in one gulp. He continued pretending not to care when he felt Justin's stare on him and kept at it when Justin uncertainly emitted a questioning "Brian?". Brian knew it was Justin's way of asking if it was bothering him. He also knew Justin would take back his bet if Brian objected. But fuck him if he was going to say anything. Justin was free to do what the fuck he wanted and didn't need his permission. Plus, he was apparently fine agreeing to the kiss without any fucking hesitation or concern for him. Brian still tried to make the little green monster go back to sleep and repeated in his head, against his own will. 'What the fuck should I care. Besides, it's just Emmett. Nothing sexual there. Not even a trick. Just fucking old Honeycutt. A friend. Justin's friend. Our quite effeminate friend who is totally not our type'. Therefore, to prove he really didn't care, Brian shrugged.
So, when a slightly drunk Justin lost the game to a perfectly sober Blake, he turned to his friend and saw that Emmett had already prepared to the eventuality of the kiss. He had used a minty spray for bad breath and arranged his hat, the tail of it resting on his shoulder. The tall man was patiently waiting on a chair with his hands on his lap like a school boy trying to please the teacher.
"I guess it's time, baby. Finally we are reunited!" gushed Emmett as if a heroine from a cheesy novel "Come here, big guy and rock my world." he purred opening his arms.
Justin laughed and placed his cue on the table. He slowly moved to Emmett, walking sensuously as if trying to seduce a prey. He heard the guys chuckled and saw the smile on Emmett's face right before he leaned into him. At first, he went slow and nice, sweetly and chastely kissing his friend's lips, then he pressed more firmly, teasing the lips with a shy pointy tongue and out of the sudden he kissed the hell out of Emmett who clenched at his neck and clothes and shoulders -anything really- like a drowning man. His tongue darted and forced his way in and expertly made his way into the hot mouth, swirling around and exploring his friend who had turn into a puddle of goo; a puddle that yet surprisingly turned into a various starving man, nipping Justin's lips.
Justin could hear the hoots and cheering and shocked exclamations from their friends and probably patrons. Emmett was really into it, moaning loudly.
Justin suddenly stepped back and Emmett almost lost his balance at the brusqueness of it. Everybody could see how flushed the tall man was, but Emmett being Emmett, he went back to be the genuine funny friend and made everybody laughed as he fanned his red face with a hand.
"Wouah! That was hot!"
"You're a good kisser." affirmed Justin
"You too baby, you too." managed to burst out the very much distorted tall man.
"Learned from the best." said the blond, gazing at his lover, trying to reassure him somehow. They didn't have a no-kissing rule, hadn't had in a long time and this was about a game with a friend, still, Justin knew he had to affect Brian to see him like that with someone else. His concern was deepened when Brian snarled at Emmett:
"Well, Honeybutt, if you can stop wagging your little tail for a moment, it's your turn, at pool."
"It's Honeycutt! Asshole!" yelled in a really high pitch an offended Emmett, "and don't call me that."
"What? Honeybutt?" teased the brunet.
"Honeycutt. My name is Emmett!"
Brian rolled his eyes "Yeah, yeah, Emmett, now could you please move your ass and start playing before you drool on all of us or god forbid pass out. It might help you to get your blood pulse in the rest of your body."
"Well well well, if it isn't Mr. Jealous Kinney. Thank you so much for paying us a visit, Sir!"
Brian kicked him in the butt with his boot as Emmett was trotting to the pool table. Everybody was trying to contain their laughs, not wanting to piss off a green-eyed Brian in complete denial. As the adman glared at all of them, they all suddenly were very interesting in the new game. Justin approached warily his lover, trying to gauge the water before getting too close. Fortunately Brian had been in a good mood all night and, placing his hand over the blond's shoulder, squeezed lightly, reassuring his lover the only way he could. Justin was grateful for that: he already was handling a plate filled with stress and drama.