Chapter 17 – Back in New York

Finding a place to live wasn't going to be easy.

Justin sat on the old sofa in the living room, surfing the net and pondering the requirements for a new place to live. There had to be good schools nearby, in addition to being high-end enough for Brian with a place close by for Lindsay. It had to have enough room for a studio, near business space for Kinnetic, and preferably close to Chelsea. So far, Justin hadn't come close. He thought for a moment and picked up the phone.

"Could I speak to John Avery, please?" Justin paused. "Tell him Justin Taylor's calling."

John's voice came on line a moment later. "Justin, what can I do for you?"

Justin gave a light laugh. "I'm finding it harder than I thought to find a place to live and I was wondering if you could recommend a good realtor."

"Sure. I have a cousin who's a realtor. She handles all the Avery business." John then rhymed off her contact information while Justin jotted it down. The two men spent a moment discussing the plans for the signing dinner before John closed the conversation. "I'll give Miranda a call and tell her to expect you. Allow me a few minutes to warn her you're going to call. She doesn't take walk-in clients. See you Friday."

Justin hung up with a feeling of satisfaction. Maybe Brian could get Miranda to help find an office for Kinnetic.

Justin pulled out the business cards he'd gotten at the show. Possible agents. He picked up the phone again.

"Lindsay, it's Justin." He smiled softly at her greetings. "Listen, I've got the cards of some agents from the gallery and wanted to get your advice."

"Why didn't you ask me when you were in Pittsburgh?" Lindsay questioned.

"With everything happening, can you believe I forgot the cards in New York?"

Lindsay's gentle laughter came across the phone. "I can believe it. Who have you got?"

"First up, Amanda Burns."

"She's not bad, but she tends to take on too many artists and then drops them at the first sign of trouble. Knowing you, trouble's inevitable."

"That's not fair. I never start the trouble." Justin grinned as Lindsay disagreed. "Next in line, Ronald Deacon."

"Stay away from him. He's got a reputation for high percentages and treating his artists terribly. I've met him. Can't stand the man – he's an all-round jerk."

"Okay – that business card just went in the garbage." Justin pulled up the next one. "Jared Bannerman"

There was a pause on the other end of the phone before Lindsay squealed. "Oh, my God."

"I take it that's good?" Justin asked.

"Good? It's amazing! The man only takes on a few artists, and they're all amazingly successful. He's the best - the absolute best. I met him at a show in Toronto. Don't bother giving me any more names. Just get off the phone and call him right now." Lindsay was almost babbling in her excitement before she collected herself. "Justin – don't sign anything before a lawyer and I review it, but call him now."

"Getting off and phoning. Love ya, Linds."

"Love you, too."

Justin dialed Jared Bannerman's number. "Hello, it's Justin Taylor," he began as soon as a voice came on the line. "You gave me your card at a show last week."

Jared chuckled t the young artist's eagerness. "Justin, I'm glad you called. I enjoyed your show."

"Thank you. I was hoping your card indicated an interest in representing me."

"It does. I'm surprised it took you over a week to call." Jared's questioning tone demanded a response.

Justin winced at the implied query. "I'm sorry. I didn't call because I had a family emergency and had to fly out. I learned on Sunday that my father is critically ill. I just got back in."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Jared paused for a moment before getting back to the point. "Why don't we meet and see if we can do business together?"

"Sounds good. Do you have a time and place in mind?" Justin responded.

Jared asked for a lunch meeting the following day at a restaurant near the art gallery. Justin agreed, leaning back with a satisfied smile. Things were really coming together. He picked up the phone to call Lindsay back.

"Hey, Linds," Justin began. "I thought you'd like to know that I'm meeting Jared for lunch tomorrow. He wants to be my agent."

"Justin, I am so happy for you!" Lindsay burbled over the phone. "You'll call me tomorrow and let me know what happens, right?"

"Absolutely. There's one other thing - a friend put me in touch with a realtor. Hopefully, I'll have some places for you to look at soon."

"That's great, Justin." Lindsay's voice softened. "Brian talked to me about living expenses. I don't know if I can accept." Justin could hear her sigh over the phone. "New York is really expensive."

"Lindsay, listen to me." Justin spoke authoritatively, willing her to believe him. "I talked to Brian about this before I left. He really wants you and Gus close. Don't let money stop you. He can afford it and it doesn't matter to him. You do. Gus does."

"But…" Lindsay started.

"No buts, Lindsay." Justin concentrated, trying to make her understand. "I know Mel is back in Pittsburgh. If you want to stay with Mel, I'll understand. But don't let money get in the way of our being a family. I'm begging you. Think of it as child support. Brian does."

"I can't stay with Mel. She tried to talk me into staying and I could feel myself drawn back to her." Lindsay's sadness streamed across the phone line. "I can't go there again. I'll have to take Brian up on his offer."

Justin listened, hating the defeated sound in Lindsay's voice. "Hey, listen. It's a chance to start over, do something new. You'll be amazing, I know it."

"At least I've got a nibble at a few jobs."

"That's great, send me the locations and we'll see if we can't find someplace close to live."

"I will. Justin – I'm so proud of you. I'm sure Jared will work out."

Justin's face lit up at the thought of the high-powered agent.

Lindsay continued, "Remember – don't sign anything until a lawyer and I have seen it."

Justin rolled his eyes, knowing Lindsay couldn't see him. "Don't worry. I'll talk to you later. Bye"

Just as Justin closed his cell phone, Eric walked into the room. He took a deep breath to steel himself and walked over to where Justin sat. "How are you doing?" Eric said sympathetically. "I'm sorry about your father."

Justin smiled at his roommate. "Me, too. Dad and I haven't gotten along in years, and the trip home didn't change that. I guess it was worth a try." Justin gave Eric a once-over. He looked like he'd just woken up, his hair mussed, dressed in a white t-shirt and sweats.

Cute.

"You seemed pretty excited when I came in, what's up?" Eric sat down on the couch beside Justin, enjoying the way Justin's face lit up.

"One of the agents who gave me his card at the show is supposed to be really good." Justin face shone with enthusiasm. "I'm meeting him tomorrow."

"That's wonderful," Eric grinned back, his amber eyes gleaming gold in the light. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the show when you were there. My advisor wanted to meet with me on Saturday and I had plans on Sunday. I dropped by the gallery on Monday when you were out of town. Your pictures looked amazing on display."

"I thought so, too," Justin eagerly agreed. "I liked it even better when all those discreet little SOLD signs went up."

"I can see why," Eric's happiness at Justin's success showed. "How was Brian?"

"Great!" Justin laughed. "I'm definitely feeling no stress today." Justin winked slightly to make sure Eric knew the kind of stress he was concerned about. "And he's coming back into town on Friday," Justin almost sang.

Eric laughed, "That's good." Eric looked off to the side for a moment, "Justin, can I ask you something?"

"Probably," Justin chuckled. "Depends on what it is."

"When did you know you were gay?" Eric's embarrassment made the question come out a bit more baldly than he had meant for it to, so he gave an apologetic shrug. "I mean really knew, not just thought maybe."

"Why are you asking?" Justin wondered.

"If you don't want to answer me, that's okay." Eric shifted uncomfortably. "I really need somebody to talk to right now and thought you might not mind."

Justin's brow furrowed slightly before he nodded. "Well, let's see. When I was thirteen, I started to suspect something weird was happening." Justin shook his head lightly. "I mean, all the guys in my class were obsessing about girls and I just couldn't care less. There wasn't a single girl in my class that I was interested in, and breasts just looked kind of spongy to me." He grimaced and Eric chuckled slightly.

Justin grinned wryly. "I could use a drink for this conversation. Want one?" At Eric's nod, Justin went to the kitchen and grabbed two beers. Passing one to Eric, Justin kept trolling through his memories. "I just thought I was a late bloomer. My mother used to describe me that way - I think because I'm short. Well, in some ways." Justin gave a cheeky grin and waggled an eyebrow at Eric, enjoying the laugh he got in response.

"When I was fourteen, I got hot looking at the swim team, and then there were the guys in the locker room. There was one guy in particular, Chris Hobbs. I used to fantasize that he was gay."

Justin's distant look caused Eric to reach out and lightly touch his leg. "Justin, are you okay? I don't have to hear this if it makes you uncomfortable."

Justin's eyes shifted back to the present and focused in on Eric. "I'm fine," he reassured. "The next big indicator would have been the internet."

"Why the internet?" Eric asked, laughter lurking in his eyes.

"Like all young men, I surfed for porn." Justin smiled at the memory of the first sighting of Jake O'Toole, gay icon. "Unlike most young men, I found the pictures of the girls decidedly unappealing." Justin broke off his reminiscences to shake his head slightly. "But the men, well that was different. I had no trouble getting a hard-on, so I was pretty sure."

"But not absolutely certain?" Eric prompted.

"Pretty sure by fifteen." Justin started to laugh suddenly.

"What's so funny?" Eric asked.

"Just remembering something." Justin shook his head. "When I was seventeen, I came out. My mom and I were having a hard time and she took me to see a counselor. The poor woman asked me if I had anything to say." He started laughing again.

"I take it you did." Eric hinted.

"I announced that I liked dick." Justin continued to chuckle softly as Eric stared at him in shock. At Justin's confirming nod, Eric started to laugh. "Then I told them that I liked sucking dick." Eric collapsed back on the couch, laughing. Justin joined him, bodies touching lightly. "I finished off by proudly stating that I was good at it." Justin laughed until tears ran out of his eyes.

They laughed together for awhile, Eric regaining control first, hiccupping softly. "My God, I can't believe you did that."

"I know. I was such a little twat." Justin wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes. "I can't believe my mother still talks to me with the all the stunts I pulled."

"Neither can I, if that's an example."

Justin looked at Eric closely, wondering. "Eric, why are you asking? I don't mind talking about it with friends, but it usually comes up after more than one beer."

"I don't know." Eric shook his head, irritated with himself. He sighed. "No, that's a lie - I do know why I asked. Lately, I've been feeling things I'm not used to. I just wanted to talk to somebody, you know?"

"Yeah, I know." Justin reached out and lightly touched Eric's leg. "I used to talk to my friend Daphne all the time. It helped a lot." Justin frowned slightly. "Eric I've watched you watch Ari for over two months. If you're not in love, you're certainly in lust."

"True. That's what's killing me here. How can I want Ari and still have feelings for men?" Eric rubbed his sweaty palms on his legs before starting to laugh. "I am so screwed. I have no idea what I'm doing."

"Most people don't." Justin grinned. "So when did these feelings start? I want details."

Eric's face turned beet red. "Um…" he swallowed convulsively. Eric opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Eric?" Justin queried, puzzled by the look on Eric's face. "What's wrong? What did I say?"

"Christ," Eric muttered. "You asked the perfect question. I've always liked looking. Male, female, it didn't matter, but…" Eric leaned his head back and looked up at the ceiling. "The first time my body really stood at attention for a guy was a week ago, on the day Brian came for a visit."

Justin's jaw dropped. "You've got the hots for Brian? My Brian? And you're asking me for advice?" Justin looked stunned.

Eric paled slightly, but then continued. "I'm just trying to figure this stuff out. Nothing's going to happen between me and Brian."

"Not if I can help it," Justin murmured so softly, Eric couldn't hear him. Justin stared at his roommate speculatively. "We should experiment – to see which way you really swing."

"Justin, what are you talking about?" Eric's obvious confusion made Justin grin mischievously.

"Wait here. I need to make a quick phone call." Justin grabbed his cell phone and moved into the kitchen so Eric wouldn't overhear. He was startled when Ari came into the kitchen, but he didn't want to break the mood with Eric, so he just held up a finger to his lips.

"Kinnetics. Brian Kinney's office." Cynthia's voice came through clearly.

"Hi, Cynthia. Can I talk to him?" Justin asked.

"Sure. He's not due in his next meeting for 20 minutes. I'll put you through."

"Justin, how goes the house hunt?" Brian asked.

"I'm working on that, but that's not why I'm calling. You know our deal? The no kissing anybody else on the mouth deal?" Justin asked.

"Of course. Did you break the deal again, Sunshine?" Brian asked, his voice like ice.

"No." Justin swallowed hard and took a deep breath before continuing. "I want to break the deal and I'm calling to get your agreement up front."

"How hot is this guy and how far are you planning to go?"

"It's Eric, my roommate and just a kiss." Justin confided. Ari's eyes widened.

Brian snorted. "I thought he was straight."

"I thought he was straight, too. But he's not too sure."

"What?" Ari whispered.

Justin put his fingers to his lips and smiled at Ari.

Brian thought back, picturing Eric. Tall, brunet, gorgeous. "So, you're calling to ask about kissing your hot roommate"

"Yeah. Just to help him figure things out. Is that okay? One kiss, I swear."

"Sunshine, I taught you everything you know about kissing. I know how long one of your kisses can last." Brian took a breath. "Here's the deal. I get a blow-by-blow account of what happens and," he grinned evilly, "anything you do with Eric, I get to do with Eric."

"No way. You're the one he wants, not me."

"What?" Brian asked. "How'd you reach that conclusion?"

"He told me."

Brian huffed out a laugh. "That's the deal, Sunshine. Anything you get to do with Eric, I get to do with Eric."

"Shit." Justin looked back into the living room at Eric, who was pacing and muttering to himself. "Deal." Justin grinned at Ari and said, "Stay here," before walking back into the living room.

Ari leaned against the counter in the kitchen. That had been a very interesting phone call. And things were about to get even more interesting. She moved to door to the living room, watching the two men. God, Eric looked gorgeous. Months of wondering if he wanted her and Justin's going to move in first. Unbelievable. Ari's eyes narrowed with frustration.

"Okay, let's give this a try." Justin smiled, looking at the gorgeous, nervous brunet.

"Give what a try?" Eric demanded.

"The sight of Brian kissing is the ultimate turn on, so we need to experiment a bit to see what you really feel. Will guys make you stand at attention or run away screaming?"

"Huh?" Eric asked, feeling like a moron.

"I'm going to kiss you." Justin grinned. "Unless you don't want me to?" He quirked a brow questioningly.

Eric gulped and stood, frozen in place.

Justin licked his lips slightly. Eric's face paled as his eyes focused on Justin's mouth. Justin moved in, pulled Eric's head down and gave a light lick on Eric's lower lip. Eric gave out a small moan just before Justin opened his mouth and started to kiss Eric. Tongues caressing, lips touching, Eric felt the heat move from his mouth toward lower places in his body as the blood rushed and he started to harden. Justin glanced down and grinned slyly. "That's pretty definitive."

"Uh-huh," was the only response Eric could give.

Ari walked around the corner at that moment, her red hair loose and streaming down her back. "I'm not sure if it is or not," she exclaimed with a grin, "but that was hot, guys. You can kiss in front of me anytime, but for now I think a bit more experimentation is in order." With that, she walked up to Eric, pulled his head down, and gave him a slow, sensual kiss. Eric's arms moved of their own volition to wrap around her and pull her close. When Ari stepped back, she stepped back and stared at Eric with wide eyes. "Wow."

Eric looked from one to the other, then shook his head, threw up his hands and walked out of the room.

"Eric," Justin called after him as he and Ari started to move after him. "Are you all right?"

"Not really." Eric's voice came down the stairs.

"Eric," yelled Ari. "It's okay to be bi."

*A/N - Chapter 2 - Experiments of my Story, QAF NY - Confused gives Eric's POV on this scene. You might find it amusing.