CHAPTER 62
Jeff settled back down on the sofa with Nick and pressed play on the movie they'd been watching. He was all kinds of anxious now and the thought that Blaine knew and wasn't saying anything to him was making him feel rather sick to his stomach. He'd tried to call once, but it went straight to voicemail. At 9:15 his phone sang out with Queen's "You're My Bestfriend" and Jeff tensed. It was the moment of truth.
"Blaine-"
"Tell me why. From the beginning, tell me why he thought that…and how he could have possibly even considered that it might ever happen when I've told him, in no uncertain terms, that I'd never…ever…do something like that to him. Please….just…don't leave a single thing out and tell me, Jeff." Blaine blurted out in a rush, and Jeff could tell his emotions were hanging by a thread. He already sounded defeated.
"It's a funny story, actually…" Jeff began, rubbing the back of his neck, with a forced chuckle, absolutely uncomfortable at having to be the bearer of such shitty news. "Nick's here with me, do you mind if I put you on speaker so that if I've forgotten anything or left anything out he can chime in? I don't want you to be uncomfortable, though."
"Do what you need to do, Jeff, just start talking." Blaine said flatly.
"O—Ok….Uh…..alright….." he stuttered.
"Jeffrey….I love you, man, but you need to start talking because I'm all kinds of uptight here, and I need to know what the fuck is happening, ok?!" He'd started very calmly, but by the end of the sentence he was yelling…loudly. Jeff hadn't heard him this upset in a very long time and he didn't like it at all. It brought back very ugly memories.
"Ok, um…well, it all started at The Dive, right? You weren't happy with Kurt dancing with me and then you guys went off…and you grabbed his arm and he knew you were angry with him, ya know? When he came out of the hallway, we made eye contact and he just shook his head at me…didn't stop to talk or anything and he went home. He walked home alone, Blaine. I guess when he got home he was kind of a wreck and he ran into Sebastian in the hallway. Seb asked him what was wrong and he kind of gave him the nutshell version…you guys had argued and he wasn't comfortable staying there, yada yada yada…." Jeff continued.
"Did Sebastian tell him we'd slept together!?" he growled into the phone.
"No! No, dude, no. He uh…he was concerned for Kurt, so he came down to The Dive and that's when he was talking to me while you guys were playing and we were just shootin' the shit, man. You and Nick came down to the floor after the show and Nick and I left while you guys stayed, I guess. I found out later that you'd fallen and cut your hand on the way home, and let me tell you how much that little tidbit of information has thrown a monkey wrench into the mix!"
"How in the hell does that have anything at all do with this!?" Blaine bellowed.
Nick tensed, watching Jeff flinch when Blaine yelled.
"Dude, you need to chill. I know you're upset, but you're yelling at Jeff and it's not his fault, man. I love ya, bro, but it's not cool. None of this is Jeff's fault and he's trying to help you." Nick said, a little miffed at the way Blaine was speaking to his boyfriend. Jeff was clearly rattled. Blaine was heard taking in a loud, deep breath and blowing it out on the other end of the line.
"Continue, please." He said.
"Alright..um…so you fell and cut your hand and then came home and Kurt was in his living room and he heard you guys coming in and went to the door, probably to see through the peephole if you were going to come and try to work things out or whatever, and you didn't. He said you went into our place and then left again a few minutes later and went to Seb's….and that you didn't come back out any time soon." Jeff explained.
"He…oh my God, he bandaged my HAND, Jeff….Jesus H….what is going on with this!?" Blaine said, trying to remain calm. "Then we talked about him and Hunter and wow, what an earful I got on that front. Who knew Seb had a conscience and feelings and holy shit, maybe even a soul?!"
"Ok, so yeah…that didn't help. You staying there wasn't a good thing, I guess, because…well, what would you have thought if things were reversed? Kurt's known since the first week he was here that Sebastian's been out to get you in his bed…as far as he knew, Seb and Hunter were still on the outs, you guys had been drinking and then…..Oh God, Blaine…..then…." Jeff paused, his eyes squeezed shut.
"Then? Please, Jeff, do go on. I'm dyin' here, man."
"Welllllll….." Jeff said, drawing it out, knowing this would send Blaine into a tailspin. "Uh….apparently Hunter was in the apartment from the minute you and Sebastian came inside and he was sitting quietly, listening to your conversation. I guess Seb's not the best with expressing his feelings, and Hunter was going to hear what he had to say about the two of them, come hell or high water. So…apparently you passed out on the sofa, Seb tried to wake you and you wouldn't budge, so he just covered you up with a blanket and went in to go to bed….where he found Hunter waiting for him."
"And what part of this has ME fucking Sebastian!?" Blaine yelled.
"Ok, what you should know, here, is that when I came home from The Dive, I tried to talk to Kurt, but he said he was fine. Then I heard him crying in his bathroom through the wall and I just went over there. He was upset, B. He was really, really upset and didn't want to be alone, so he asked me if I'd hang out, and I did. But in the midst of all that was going on, I feel asleep in his bed watching T.V. He was awake for a while, probably waiting for you to leave Seb's…maybe even so the two of you could talk?"
"Ok, I get that, but where…how…why does he think I was with Seb?" Blaine asked, very confused now.
"I guess Seb and Hunter talked their differences out?" Jeff asked.
"Well, they wouldn't have had to if Hunter was listening to everything. Seb basically laid his soul bare while we were talking. It was all right there." Blaine replied.
"Ok, so…at some point, I suppose they decided it was a good idea to celebrate their…erm….mutual agreement and lust…and it ended up being quite loud, which woke both Kurt and myself, and let me say this, Blaine, because I have to, in good conscience, tell you that I heard it, too…..either Sebastian or Hunter yelled out your name during their bang fest against the wall, and that was it. Kurt was pretty much in shock from that moment on. And also, remember, it was loud…it was raining and all that. The dialogue that came after only made it worse…something about it being their 'little secret' and so on and so forth and that 'Kurt didn't need to know', blah blah blah. I have to tell you, Blaine, I was convinced something was going on as well, and although I immediately thought you'd been roofied or something, I was shocked as shit." Jeff told him.
"Jeff, you know I'd never…." Blaine began, but something was niggling at his brain. "At least I thought you would know better." He said, dejected.
"Ok, wait, there's more." Jeff said.
"Christ Jesus, how is there possibly more?" Blaine complained, sniffling into the phone now.
"Um…knowing what you know now, and keeping in mind the limited information Kurt had of the evening's events after he left….go over your text conversation again and then just ….just think about it. We'll wait here. Go ahead." Jeff told him.
Blaine did just that, reading and re-reading the texts, shaking his head and dropping his head in his hands, his elbows on his knees. Yes, it painted a very poor picture indeed.
"Is that it. Is there more?" he finally asked Jeff.
"N-no…I think that's about it. I haven't talked to Kurt, B. I ran into Hunter in the hallway last night and he apparently told Kurt that it was him with Sebastian and not you. I guess he and Kurt had talked about Hunter 'not falling into bed with Seb if he apologized' and that was the 'our little secret' part that we heard. When things got hot in the bedroom, Hunter had said something like 'what about Blaine?' and your name, for reasons we won't explore, came out kinda loud….and he explained to Kurt about your hand and the cut and…he said Kurt's a raging mess. He finally got Kurt to call him back and explained everything that he could, but I don't think Kurt's handling all of it well. I believe 'hysterical' is the word Hunter used. I don't know if maybe you want to call him, or-" Jeff began, but was cut off.
"No. No, I really don't want to call him right now. You know what? I get it. It was a tragedy of errors and misunderstandings, but the bottom line here is this: My boyfriend, who I love more than I ever thought possible in such a short amount of time, and my best friend who I've known forever, both thought I was capable of doing this. That stings, man. I don't want to talk to him right now…about anything. I don't want to talk to anyone about it, really. And my request still stands. If you can avoid it, please don't rehash my personal life with Kurt or anyone else. It will only lead to more things being said to screw this up, more misunderstandings…if that could be possible at this point. It's trashed enough as it is with me being left out of it. I'm gonna go. I'll talk to you later, Jeff. " And Blaine hung up.
As soon as he hit disconnect, he let all the tears of betrayal fall into his hands and soak his phone, not giving a shit that it would probably be ruined if he didn't stop. He felt numb and didn't want to move…didn't want to think…didn't want to care about much of anything. A sudden spike of anger grabbed him and he hurled his phone against the nearest wall, watching it shatter…a few pieces chipping off. He felt a sense of right-ness…a bit of 'that's what you deserve!' having done it since the phone was the cause of all the crazy drama with the text messages. Then it dawned on him that he probably just destroyed his only line of communication with anyone outside of Westindale. With that, he curled up in a ball at the edge of the sofa to try and calm himself down…alone.
"That's not fair, Jeff. Every time you spoke with Kurt or myself about that night, you supported him and said that you didn't see him doing this…that there had to be a mistake, etc. He needs to know that, because blaming you for any of this is ridiculous!" Nick said, feeling a bit angry toward Blaine. HE would make sure Blaine knew that Jeff took up for him whenever it was brought up. This mess was eating Jeff alive and that bothered Nick a lot.
"He's hurt, Nicky. He feels betrayed. I hope he'll get over it soon enough. Until then, let him hate me. There's nothing more I can do but to be here for him when he needs me. What's done is done. Now we wait." Jeff said, all traces of hopefulness gone from his voice.
"He doesn't hate you, Jeff. I think it's kind of impossible to hate you, personally." Nick smiled. Jeff laughed out loud.
"Uh, really, have you met your father?" Jeff chuckled.
"Oh…well, yeah, there's that." Nick said, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Unfortunately I have."
"Will you stay tonight?" Jeff asked, hopeful, moving his hands to cup Nick's face and kiss him softly.
"If you want me to stay, Jeff, I'll always stay. There's no place I'd rather be."
"Good. I want to strip you down and just hold you against me…feel your skin on mine. Any objections?" Jeff asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.
"Hmmm….no objections here…." Nick trailed off, leaving soft kisses down Jeff's neck.
"Mmmmm….like that so much…." Jeff whined, standing and moving toward the bedroom. "Show me more?"
"Anything for you."
They found themselves on the bed, laying on top of the duvet just studying each other with fingers and intense stares, clothing gone the moment they passed through the door.
"Promise me something?" Jeff finally said, not making eye contact.
"Anything I'm able to promise is yours." Nick told him, a smile on his face.
"Don't let this happen to us. Let's just promise each other that there will always be open communication between us and we won't shut each other out…ever…over something like this? It scares me to death, Nicky. What they have together is so good…and who knows if they'll recover from this one, small misunderstanding. It breaks my heart. I don't think I could bear it if it happened to us. You're far too important to me." Jeff said softly, yet sincerely.
"It's a miscommunication of epic proportions, that's for sure. But I promise you, Jeff, that no matter what, I'll ask questions before I jump to conclusions. I'll let you explain, and I'll try very hard to be clear with you as well. I've lost you once; I don't want it to happen again. We're a good fit, and I don't want to lose that."
"Show me how well we fit together, then?" Jeff smiled.
"That's something you'll never have to ask twice for!" Nick said, grabbing Jeff and moving those flexible dancing hips under himself on the bed so he could straddle his hips.
"No answer, yet?" Burt asked, watching Kurt sit dejectedly on the sofa staring at his phone two mornings later.
"No." Kurt said, barely above a whisper, not raising his eyes.
"Jeff said he spoke with him? Explained everything?"
"He did…and I think it's most likely worse now. Before he just thought I was angry, and he didn't know why. Now he knows…he knows what I thought he did. He knows I didn't have enough faith in him….in him to…" Kurt began, but broke off on a whimper, trying not to cry anymore. His eyes were so red and sore from crying and wiping them that he looked almost sick.
"Kurt, maybe it's time to go home and deal with this face to face?" Burt suggested.
"Won't matter, he's not there. He left."
"He…he left? Where'd he go?" Burt asked, confused.
"He…uh…Saturday he must have gotten a call from Westindale Academy. They needed someone, temporarily, to take a class for 6 weeks; some emergency came up with a teacher. He packed up and left. Didn't even wait for Jeff to get home to tell him, just left a note. Said he needed to get away and think, so yeah, he's not even there even if I did want to go talk to him face to face." Kurt replied, still quiet.
Burt removed his hat and scratched at his head, sighing. He didn't know how to help or what to say anymore. He couldn't make Blaine listen…couldn't make him forgive Kurt. Oddly, Burt understood how Blaine felt. Knowing that someone you love assumed you could do something awful couldn't be easy. After hearing the whole story, he understood both sides. It was a mess, and he was clueless as to what could make it better. Probably only time.
His phone buzzed and it was Carole, asking how Kurt was feeling. She'd gone to work, but was informing him that she'd be home for dinner. He snapped a quick picture of Kurt balled up in the corner of the sofa, his hair a wreck, huge dark circles under his eyes and wearing sweat pants and that horribly ratty, ragged t-shirt he used to wear under his cover-alls at the garage. He looked pathetic and tired. Sending it off to Carole, he waited for her reply. "Oh God, Burt, what can we do?" she responded. "No clue…just be here, I guess." He said, sadly.
Kurt really did look awful, absolutely not himself at all. He'd have an attack of some sort if he'd realized Burt took his picture when he looked this way. Something had to give. On a whim, he texted the photo to Blaine without any words. The man needed to know what this was doing to Kurt. He didn't need to forgive him on the spot. He didn't need to fly to Ohio and express his undying love and offer Kurt his forgiveness. He did, however, need to discuss it and deal with it one way or another, as mature adults. Kurt was simply fading and Burt was ready to intervene.
"C'mon kid, get up. I could use your help at the garage today. Wayne called in, but I can't blame him. You remember his daughter Jen? She's gone into labor two weeks early. Baby on the way is a good reason to call in I guess. Let's go…lots to do." Burt said cheerfully. Kurt barely glanced up from under his lashes.
"I'm not up for it, dad. Can you manage without me?" Kurt said, lifeless.
"Nope. I'm leaving and so are you. You're not going to sit here like a lump on the sofa all day feeling sorry for yourself. What's done is done and now you just have to find a way to make it better. Laying around isn't going to improve your mood, and I gotta tell you, you're bringin' me down, so let's get a move on!" Burt said, walking over and grabbing Kurt's hand to haul him up.
"Oh my God, I'm gonna…dad….c'mon!" Kurt whined.
"Quit your bellyaching and get in gear. I'm leaving in 10 and you're going with me. Gotta get your mind off of this mess somehow!"
"I can't stand you right now…" Kurt said, no heat or vehemence behind it at all.
"I love you too, kid. Now let's get going." Burt smiled.
"So what's the big emergency?" Maggie asked Cooper as she spoke with him on her lunch hour? He'd texted her, asking her to call him when she was leaving for lunch.
"I need a favor from you…do you mind helping me out? I just need you to pick something up for me, and it's time sensitive." Coop replied, a smile in his voice.
"Is it close by? I don't have too much time, but if I can make it there and back, I'm happy to help you, you know that!" she smiled.
"Not far at all…I'll text you the info right now. Heading into a meeting in 5 minutes, and it'll take all afternoon unfortunately. Can you just grab it and take it home with you? I'll stop by tonight for it?"
"That's fine, will you be around for dinner? It's nothing special…I have a chicken in the Crock Pot with potatoes and vegetables, but there's plenty if you're free." Maggie added.
"I'll be there. Damn it, Mags, I can already taste it. And I have to skip lunch for this stupid meeting, so thanks for putting THAT image in my mind!" he laughed.
"Well, I can always make the kids and myself a pb&j and you can have the whole thing?" she snickered. "Ok, I'm on my way out the door…I'll grab whatever this mystery package is and see you tonight. I love you…" she trailed off, smiling. "Text me that info, k?"
"On it, and thank you for doing this for me! I love you, too, beautiful woman!" Coop said, his eyes alight with love, knowing he'd see Maggie and the kids that evening.
"Ok, guys, let's get this stuff put away. Coops's coming for dinner tonight and we should probably act civilized and sit at the table and eat instead of plopping on the floor in front of the coffee table!" Maggie said, laughing.
"Coop's coming, Coop's coming!" Mattie yelled, whooping around the room with his superhero cape flying behind him.
"Yep, he is, so like I said, Legos off the floor please…ALL of them this time. And Evee, I know you're 'still playing with them!' but you need to put Barbie's clothes away in the box. You can get them all back out for the fashion show after dinner, ok?"
"K, mama. It's not as much fun to play fashion show here as it is at Blaine's when Kurt's over. He knows all 'bout clothes and what looks good. He's Barbie's favorite stylist!" she said, eyes bright.
"Kurt does know an awful lot about fashion and clothes, doesn't he?" Maggie smiled. "Do you know that's what Kurt's job is? He draws clothes and if people like them, then he gets fabric and he makes them for people to wear! Isn't that cool?"
"You could do that, mama. You make our clothes sometimes!" Evee said, her faith in everything Maggie did showing in her eyes.
"I do, you're right, but I use a pattern that someone else already made. Kurt starts from even before that…before the pattern. In fact, the last time I saw him he said he had something for you. When he gets back in town we'll have to find out what it is, yeah?" Maggie smiled.
"Something for me too?" Mattie asked.
"Apparently so, super-dude! Legos away?"
"All put away, mom! 'Cept this box is in my way! I can't put the Legos behind the door where they go!" Mattie growled, frustrated.
"That's Coop's box. Don't smush it, I don't know what it is!" Maggie yelled as the kids took a few other things into their room while she checked on dinner. The doorbell sounded then and she answered it with a huge smile, hearing Coop crooning the words to a cheesy love song on the other side of the door. He immediately leaned in and kissed her long and hard, his hand on her neck holding her close, edging her up against the open door.
"Oh! Oh my goodness….whoa….what's all that for?" Maggie said, giggling, her eyes shining with happiness.
"For a while." Coop winked. "Kids home?" he asked absently.
"No, Mattie took an extra shift at the factory. He needs the overtime and Evee missed the train, so she's gonna be late." She deadpanned. At his look of incredulity, she burst into laughter, as did Coop.
"You brat!" he laughed. He picked her up and hauled her over his shoulder, smacking her on the butt while she struggled to get away, then dropped her unceremoniously on the sofa. Her hysterical laughter brought the kids running and before long they were all tickling Maggie without mercy until she could barely breathe.
"Coop! Coop! I made something for you today at art!" Mattie yelled, running for his school bag.
"What'd you make, big man?" Cooper asked him, still laughing at a breathless Maggie.
"This!" he said proudly, giving Cooper the piece of paper. Coop studied it, seemingly forever, then grabbed Mattie and crushed him in a great big hug, smiling into the boy's neck and holding tightly.
"Th-thank you Mattie. I will treasure it always." He said with a shy smile.
"My teacher helped me spell your name." Mattie grinned. "What's treasure it mean?"
"It means it's important to me so I'll put it in a special place and keep it forever." Cooper smiled.
"Ok, wash up, it's time for dinner!" Maggie said, scooting the kids along into the bathroom. Coop remained seated on the sofa looking intently at the paper Mattie had given him, his face solemn and serene.
"Am I allowed to see?" Maggie asked softly.
"You haven't seen it yet?" Coop asked, a little surprised.
"No, we don't go through bags until after dinner. Whatcha got there?" she asked.
Handing the paper over, Maggie looked on in awe at the picture Mattie had drawn of the four of them, Maggie and Coop in the middle holding hands, with the kids on either side of them. Mattie was holding Coop's hand, the letter's under it spelling out "Cooper, my best friend!"
"Oh….." was all Maggie said, her eyes filling with tears as she smiled.
"Yeah…." Coop agreed with a smile as well, rather choked up and unable to say more. "Yeah."
"Cooper Anderson, how can I help you?" he said, answering his phone at work the following day. He'd almost forgotten how, what with having a secretary and all that good stuff. She must not be back from lunch yet.
"Coop! Hey, it's me." Blaine said.
"Where are you calling from? I didn't recognize the number."
"School. Look, I need a favor, can you run over to my apartment before you pick up Maggie tomorrow night? I broke my phone and I just want to grab my old one out of the drawer in the kitchen until I can shop for a new one. I'm feeling kinda naked not having a phone here." Blaine explained.
"Is this why I haven't heard from you all week?"
"Yeah, well, that and I've been really busy. I love this, Coop…I love teaching these kids. I miss it. I think it's time to double my efforts in finding a teaching job where I can teach music to kids. They're AMAZING, Cooper, and so damn smart!" Blaine gushed.
"Sounds like you're having a blast, then. But what difference does it make if I have your phone? You're there, I'm here…" he trailed off.
"Ok, I um…I really don't want anyone to know I'm home, ok? I'm coming in for dinner with you guys this weekend, that's all. My class ends at 1 pm Saturday afternoon and I'll be able to get a car and come in for dinner and to see mom for a little bit. I need to be back by Sunday evening though. Can I crash at your place?" Blaine asked.
"Umm…yeah. Yeah sure, but you know mom's going to be there. You'll have to sleep on the sofa, cause I gave her your room. She gets in this evening. Why wouldn't you just stay at your own place, B? Not that you're not welcome or anything, but its' kinda weird, right?" Cooper asked.
"If I go home, there will be a barrage of questions that I'm not ready to talk about yet. Besides, I think Trent and Thad are coming up this weekend to bring some things that'll fit in the car. They're helping Jeff pack up all of my stuff so they can move into my room." Blaine explained.
"Ok, wait, what? Trent and Thad are moving into your room why?" Coop said, totally confused.
"It's a long story, but I'm moving out of that apartment and into another one. There's so much more to it. I'll explain it tomorrow night, Coop. Do you mind me staying? I mean, if you wanted time with mom, I can always ask Nick if I can crash at his place? I'm just not ready to go all in on the issue yet. There's still a lot running through my mind."
"No, really, B, it'll be good. The three of us together. It'll be fine, ok?" he trailed off.
"Ok, what gives. You sound like something's wrong."
" I'm really nervous, B. Seriously... really nervous. Do you think mom will like Maggie and the kids? I don't care if she doesn't I guess….I mean, I do, but….but I know she will, I guess? I'm just uptight. I haven't done this before!" Cooper said, excited.
"You know she will. What's not to like about Mags? She's awesome…she's smart, beautiful, easy going, her kids are terrific! No worries, man. But I have to ask….have you ever introduced anyone to mom?" Blaine asked, smirking.
"No…never. Well, not since my first girlfriend in 8th grade, but that was because she showed up at the house and I was forced to. After dad made such a scene, I swore I would never bring another girl home again…until I found the right one….the only one. The most important one." He said sincerely.
"Cooooooop…does that mean….?" Blaine asked, sing-songing just to annoy Cooper.
"It does…in time. Eventually…but not tomorrow. Soon, though. Do you think she'll say yes?" Cooper asked, sounding anxious. Blaine grinned. This was something totally new, an anxious Cooper.
"I think she'd be an absolute fool not to, bro. I really do. After all these years, a woman has brought the great Cooper Anderson to his knees!" Blaine smirked. "You really love her, don't you? And you better say yes, because if you're yanking her chain...yanking my chain, I'll punch you again, Cooper!" Blaine threatened, laughing.
"Blaine, they say when you find the right one, you just know. And I just know she's it. No questions asked…..kinda like you know Kurt's 'it' so I think it's time you put on your big boy pants and talk it out with him, don't you?"
"I'm not ready to do that, Coop. I miss him…I really do, and I know I need to talk to him. I really want to talk to him, Coop…I just feel like…I don't know. I'm just not ready. Can you just let it go and not bring it up to mom? Let me talk to her about Kurt…she doesn't know much anyway. For all she knows he was going to come to dinner tomorrow but he wasn't able to. Please Coop, don't make it difficult?" Blaine pleaded.
"I won't say anything, B…you do things on your own time. But don't let this drag on too long. You might know how you're doing, but do you know how he's doing? I can't imagine he's faring too well, especially if you won't talk to him about it. B, I know you love him…still. Even after everything, you and I both know you do, so don't fuck it up by acting all standoffish, man. I'm here if you want to bounce anything off of me, though, ok?"
"Ok…and I do. I need to bring you into the loop of what's going on with the building and me moving." Blaine told him. "I'll see you Saturday, around 3:30 if there's no traffic, ok?"
"Will do Blainey. I look forward to it. Be safe!"
Kurt staggered into the loft on Friday and found David in his 'office' which was nearly finished. It was beautiful, and whoever told David he had no taste was a crazy person.
"Dear God, Kurt, you look like a corpse! What's wrong?!" David exclaimed, worry in his expression. He jumped up from behind his desk and walked around toward Kurt who shied away immediately.
"Thank you, David…I love being greeted as such…I mean, who wouldn't, right? It's lovely to see you as well." Kurt deadpanned.
"I'm sorry, I mean, I'd say that I take it back, but Kurt, you look…so very unlike yourself. Are you unwell? Have you been ill? I know you said you needed a few days to go home and see your family, but, Kurt, with all due respect, you look like hell!" David said, eyes wide and worried.
Kurt took a deep breath and blew it out his nose, closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest.
"I did something stupid, now I'm suffering the consequences." He said with a horribly sad smile.
"Oh…oh Kurt, tell me you're not ill…please…just…assure me it's not…something…life-threatening?" David asked with great concern.
"Hmm? Life-threat-?" Kurt began, then it hit him what David was asking. He was a young, out and proud gay man who could probably have one hell of a swinging sex life if he wanted it…but that wasn't him by any means. If David thought he looked that bad, it was really not good. "NO! Oh God, David, no…I'm healthy as a horse, just….I'm not sleeping well and I've broken the most important thing in my life…I've broken him…and in the process, I'm unable to fix myself." Kurt said sadly.
"Kurt, we've had this discussion. I'm always here to listen if you want me to be? I have time, I'll make time even if I don't. Is there anything at all I can help you with? Is it Blaine? What happened, Kurt? I thought things were amazing and wonderful between the two of you?" David asked.
Kurt smiled sadly. "They were…amazing, that is. Friday morning was beyond fantastic, Friday night was catastrophic. I screwed up, and now all I can do is grovel and hope he'll forgive me. Unfortunately I can't even grovel, because he's gone, and I don't know when he'll be back."
They sat down and Kurt explained everything to David, leaving out nothing. What good would it do to leave anything out? That's what had gotten him in this mess to begin with…details left out! When they finished talking, David was quiet for a few minutes, watching Kurt and assessing the situation.
"Well, admittedly there isn't much I can do to help this particular situation other than to listen and offer advice. I can, however, try to make you feel just a bit better, as I can tell you're strung so tightly you're about to snap, Kurt." He said, picking up his phone. "I know we're supposed to have fittings tomorrow, but I don't need you here for that, per se…you have other things going on that are more import-" he broke off talking to Kurt when someone answered the phone on the other end. "Yes! Hello, it's David Perry. Mmhmmm, I'm good, you? Wonderful… Listen, I know it's late notice, but can you get me Amanda for tomorrow afternoon?" He sighed at the answer. "Can you switch someone around for me? Well, I suppose she'll have to do…she's new? Do you trust her? Ok, no, not my address, here, let me get you the address… Kurt, what's your address?" he asked. Kurt turned wide eyes unsure of what was going on at all. He hadn't been paying much attention to the conversation at all, instead thinking of Blaine and how much he missed him. Kurt rattled off his address, assuming David was having something delivered to his place, but unsure why.
"Ok, then, 4 pm it is. I'll let him know! Thank you Candace, so much!" David said, ending the call.
"What's coming to my place?" Kurt asked now, intrigued. Why wouldn't he just send it here to the loft?
"Not what, but who." David smiled. "I've booked you a massage, Kurt. You need it, you look like absolute hell, pardon me for saying so a second time, but it's absolutely true. I couldn't have you in here tomorrow looking like you do even if I wanted to!" he grinned. "You'd frighten people!"
"Thank you, David…thank you so much for sugar coating it for me so I don't feel so awful." Kurt said, straight faced and rolling his eyes. "I don't really want a massage, though, I'm not really good with people touching me…I mean, I'm getting better, but…thank you…. but…no thank you."
"Too late, I've already paid for it and I'll lose my money if you don't take the appointment. I'm also going to call and have someone come for a deep tissue facial. You need it, don't act like you don't!" David grinned.
"I say this with all due respect, David, but you're the gayest straight man I've ever known!" Kurt laughed. "What straight man has these numbers on his speed dial at work?" Kurt laughed.
"There is a reason I look 15 years younger than I am, Kurt." David smiled, making the next phone call.
"Hey beautiful…" Coop said when Maggie picked up her phone.
"Mmmm, just the man I've been thinking of all day long!" she smiled into the phone. "Have you picked up your mother yet?"
"No, I'm on my way to the airport now. I just wondered if you were home yet? I thought you were taking off a few hours early today?"
"I did, and I am. The kids had a 'fun day' at daycare, pool and waterpark stuff, so they're staying until regular time. I think we're doing pizza and cookies with a movie tonight. Too bad you can't join us…but I think leaving your mom home alone on her first night in the city would be mean!" she grinned.
"Yeah, probably. Pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate it."
"Soooo, Mr. Anderson, you have some explaining to do, don't you? It seems this box arrived today, and when I opened it, knowing it wasn't something I had ordered, lo and behold, there's a Nordstrom's box full of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Cooper, did we not discuss this?" she said, patiently, with a giddy grin on her face.
"But babe…I wanted to! Our shopping trip got cut short the other day, and that salesperson was…less than courteous, and you never let me get you anything…so…when you picked up that box for me…and yes, I know I left it there…but the woman who helped you is a personal shopper. She picked the wardrobe out for me after taking in your height, build, coloring, etc. Please don't be angry?" he pouted.
"I'm not angry, Cooper, but you have to know I can't keep it…all of it, anyway. There is one dress I have to have, because it's just the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Maggie said, holding the dress up to look at it again.
"OH please tell me it's the black one…with the stuff on the little sleeves? Please?" he whined, excitedly.
"Oh you! Of course it is!" she laughed. "And shoes to match, Coop, really? I think you went a little…no, a lot overboard here, love."
"Please just let me? I want to. For you…anything for you, Mags. Just…let's wait 'til I can come over and you can do a fashion show for me, ok? And that includes that…uh…that little pink lacey thing that better have been in the box as well." He said seductively. "I can't wait to see that one on you later."
"Who says it's not on me already?" she purred back.
"Oh God…Maggie…please. I just pulled into the airport lot and now I'm going to have to go get my mother with tented pants! What kind of girlfriend does that!?" he said in mock horror.
"The kind that wishes you were here right now. The kind that loves you and the wicked things your hands can do. The kind that wishes your long, strong fingers were-"
"OK…Enough! I can't…Maggie…Jesus…please. Not…I can't now, but any other time, please feel free to excite me over the phone…just not when I have to pick up my mother for the love of God!' he laughed.
"Any other time…noted, Counselor." She grinned. "So what time are we having dinner tomorrow?"
"I'll swing by to get you around 7ish?" he asked.
"We'll be ready."
"Oh, and Mags…the other box, the one I 'forgot'. It's for the kids…and it's non-negotiable. It stays, no arguing." He said seriously.
"Stubborn man…."
"I love you too, gorgeous!" he laughed.
"Mom!" Cooper yelled, getting his mother's attention. She smiled and pulled her carry-on toward him. "How many bags do you have? I'll grab them if you just point them out." He said excitedly, but when she turned toward him again, he realized her arm was situated oddly…then he noticed the sling.
"Just the one checked and my carry on. It's the same color as this one….right over there, I see it" she pointed.
"What happened to your arm?" he asked, grabbing the handle of her small, wheeled bag.
"Oh, that…I had a little accident…nothing to fret over." She said, acting as if it was no big deal at all. "It's nearly healed now. A couple more weeks and I'll be good as new!" she smiled.
"You didn't say anything about being in an accident! What happened? Did someone hit you?"
"No need to worry, Cooper, the…..the car is fine…" she stuttered out, but the smile on her face said she was, indeed, fine and he let it go for the moment.
Maria Cristina Anderson was a strong woman, short in stature and bright eyed. She carried herself as if she were 6 feet tall, despite her 5 foot 2 inch height. Cooper smiled, knowing he'd probably gotten his dad's genes there, where Blaine had clearly not. Her shoulders were straight and her posture perfect. She'd been the perfect show wife for nearly 30 years now and she would be poised in any situation. Cris, as his dad has called her for years, was always happy to see her sons. Today, she seemed even more so, grabbing Cooper in a strong hug and holding on just a little longer than normal.
"It's so good to see you, Cooper. I can't tell you how I've missed you boys being at home, although I know why you don't visit often and I won't hold it against you." She said, an odd look in her eye that Cooper nearly missed. "You look so handsome…such a bright young man you are. Just look at you! Your eyes are shining, darling. Would this have anything to do with this young woman you want me to meet?" she asked, eyes happy, her smile wide.
"It might." Cooper grinned at her. "I adore her, mother, more than I can say. I can't wait for you to meet her…and her kids." He said, sliding that last part in quietly. He wasn't at all sure what his mother would have to say about that.
"Her kids? She has children? Hmmmm….well, we'll have to see how this goes, won't we?" she said with a smirk. "You're ok with them? The children?" she asked. She had every reason to wonder. Cooper was never fond of kids. He had loved Blaine as a baby on sight. He doted on him, played with him, taught him all sorts of things as he grew up, but he didn't want anything to do with other children younger than himself. Cris had wondered if she'd ever have grandchildren between Cooper and Blaine. She was secretly overjoyed to hear things might not be as she'd suspected.
"Maggie has two children, mom. Evelyn and Matthew…Evee and Mattie…and they're…they're so amazing, mom. They're coming to dinner tomorrow, and I hope that's ok? I want you to meet them, and they're obviously Maggie's life…and I'm so fond of them. I love them as much as I love her." He said, rambling. When he realized how he was going on and on, he blushed a bit. Cris just smiled at him and winked.
"I think it's wonderful that you've included them. I'm looking forward to meeting all three of them. I'm just sorry Blaine won't be joining us. I miss him so." She added sadly. "Oh, don't get that look!" she laughed. "You know I don't miss one of you more than the other, but Blaine was home for a long time after you'd left. I got used to having him around, even if it was just when he came home from school on the weekends…although much of that time was spent with Jeffrey at his home…." She trailed off. "I just miss you boys." She said, her brow furrowed a bit.
"Well, then you'll be happy to know that Blaine called me and he'll be joining us for dinner tomorrow. His class let's out at 1:00 and he'll drive in afterward he said."
"OH! Oh how wonderful, both of my boys will be there. I'm so glad…so….yes, it'll be a good thing. We can all talk." She said, rather distracted now. Cooper watched her face as she seemed to look anywhere but at him.
"Mom…is something wrong? Twice now I've thought you were going to say something but you didn't…are you well?" Cooper asked.
"I'm fine, dear, just fine. My health is wonderful, don't you worry." She told him with a smile. "It's odd being here. I haven't been to the city for so long, I'm sure it's changed drastically since the last time I was here. Are we ready darling, should we get going?" she asked.
"Sure… yes…let's go…." He said, still certain that she was either going to say something, or thinking of when to say something. But clearly she didn't want to talk about it now. All he could do was wait.
A/N: Well, Blaine knows now...ugh.
Also, please be kind if I can't update "on schedule" for a bit. I've been commissioned to make a quilt and it's kind of time consuming for me...I'm a perfectionist, so I can't rush it. Hopefully I can still stay with once a week...we'll see!
Also, as always, thanks to Christina for her eagle eye. Have a great weekend!