Chapter 5 – The Show Part 1
Brian and John entered the gallery together. The walls were covered with renditions of New York streets and people. The large room was partitioned off into several sections providing extra display space. A crowd was standing around, chatting and snacking. There was a momentary silence as the two men entered, then the conversation resumed – louder.
John looked around, disappointed, he had thought that Brian would have better taste in men than this. The paintings were bland, unoriginal - safe. They'd probably sell well. "I don't know, Brian, these really don't do much for me," John said trying to be polite.
"Yeah, they're crap." Brian looked around. "I guess Justin's stuff must be in the next room. Let's go check it out." They walked through the door into the second room.
John's breath caught as he stared. "Jesus, Brian." The paintings almost overwhelmed the senses. Passion, pain, hope. It was all there. The scenes of New York were stark, brilliant with emotions. The loneliness and excitement of the city somehow displayed side by side. The abstracts caught the eye and refused to let go.
Brian walked up to a large abstract. The painting was a kaleidoscope - predominantly swirls of gray and black with a tinge of red. Other colors appeared through the main shades in patterns that continually brought new images from his subconscious to the forefront of his mind. The painting was almost alive as it danced in his vision, continually revealing itself in new ways. Some of Justin Taylor's best work.
Brian looked down at the tag. "Shit, it's already sold."
A pair of arms came around him from behind. "No, it's not. I wanted to show it, but I painted it for you. I thought you might like it." Nerves showed through in Justin's voice.
Brian turned to kiss Justin. "I do." Brian drew the other man into the conversation. "John, I'd like you to meet Justin Taylor. Justin, John Avery – Kinnetics' newest client."
Justin smiled politely and held out his hand. "Pleased to meet you, John."
"And you. I'm impressed by your work. I find it surprising in someone so young." John flashed a smile. "I'm also having a very hard time deciding what to buy."
Justin's smile broadened and John's eyes widened at its brilliance.
"Oh, my God – John is that you?" Noelle's voice cut across the gallery. Dragging another woman behind her - the tall, flamboyant woman almost ran to where John and Brian were standing.
"Noelle, Lisa – it's lovely to see you again. It's been awhile." John leaned forward to give the gallery owners each a peck on the cheek.
"Too long. See anything you like?" said Noelle loudly.
A sudden hush fell over the gallery. John smiled slightly "I'm trying to decide how much of Mr. Taylor's work I'm going to buy."
Conversation started again. Justin looked at Lisa, a question in his eyes. Lisa, a short, chunky woman with cropped brown hair, pulled him aside and whispered. "He's an Avery. If he buys – all the little lemmings will too." Justin stared at John then turned to Brian with narrowed eyes.
"Brian, can I talk to you for a second?" Justin pulled Brian away from the small group. "Did you have anything to do with John liking my stuff?"
"Of course not, you little twat," Brian said, clearly disgusted at the thought. At Justin's look of disbelief, Brian continued. "When we walked in, he told me he didn't like the work – he thought you painted that shit out there."
Noelle interjected "Sorry to interrupt. Justin needs to meet with Simon Caswell."
Justin flashed Brian an apologetic smile as he let himself be led away.
After the interview, Brian, Justin, and John were standing in the front room when Noelle walked up. "I declare the show a success, Justin. Six paintings sold and we're just getting started. We're selling more of Philippe's work, but I warned you that would happen. Most people like safe art. Your work takes a more discerning eye. When word gets out that John here likes your work as much as Simon Caswell, it'll really move. And the price will go up."
Noelle flashed a smile as she floated off.
A painting near the entrance of the second room caught Brian's eye - a fairy queen surveying her domain – her guards hovering in the background protecting against the encroaching shadows. "Whoa – what's that? Is that Ari, your new roommate?"
Justin looked slightly embarrassed. "Yeah – what do you think? It's not a new direction for me, more of a one-off. I just saw it when I looked at Ari." To Justin's shock, Brian's eyes glassed over. "Brian – what is it?"
"It's just..." Brian moved abruptly, uncomfortable as ever with emotion. "It's better than the stuff you did back then, but it's lighter, more like what you did before. You know - before the prom."
Justin caught his breath at the pain in Brian's voice. He moved in and laid a hand on Brian's chest. "When I moved to New York, I left a lot of baggage behind. Some of it I don't miss."
"Too bad some of the baggage won't stay away." Brian commented, thinking back to Jennifer's phone call. He pulled Justin in close, keeping out the world.
Justin felt the tension in Brian "Bri, is everything all right?"
"Yeah – everything's fine." Brian's response didn't convince Justin. There was something off.
"Brian, I know you better than that. What's wrong?" Justin pushed for the answer. Sometimes with Brian, it was the only way.
"It's nothing." Brian took a step back and looked down with a smile. Justin knew when Brian broke contact that he wouldn't get an answer.
John watched, amazed at the King of Liberty Avenue's behavior. The depiction of Justin in the detective's report he had commissioned on Kinnetic looked accurate. An innocent young man, a very gifted artist – but Brian didn't fit his description at all.
The entry to the gallery opened. John watched in bemusement as Justin's eyes widened, then narrowed in speculation. The look on Justin's face made John wonder why he hired detectives – Justin might be young, but he was definitely not innocent.
Justin knew he had spotted a way to shake Brian out of his odd mood.
Brian loved a challenge.
"Brian – remember - I saw him first."