“So,” Justin said. “Everything is on its way,” he had sent all of their belonging to their apartment in New York. “Okay,” Brian told him. Justin grabbed Pussy from their old bed and patted the cat. “I bought a cage and left it at Michael’s shop.” “Don’t worry about it,” Brian said. “I can take her like that.” Justin heard the ‘I’ but didn’t say anything. He pushed his fears down and watched as Brian packed. “Everything seems like a dream,” Justin told him. “Yeah,” Brian said taking the last of his clothes from his closet. Justin watched in silence as Brian packed his things. He didn’t have the heart to ask the brunet if he was okay. Justin knew he was not himself and he felt horrible with what had happened. Then on top of it all he saw Brian and the bad feeling he was trying to suppress wasn’t going away. “There,” Brian said. “I’m done.” Justin looked at the bags. “Brain,” he whispered. Brian turned to look at him with an arched brow. “Are you coming home?” Justin asked. Brian looked away. Justin bit his lower lip and his eyes closed slowly. He knew the brunet was leaving but apparently not with him. “I need...hell, I don’t know what I need,” Brian took a deep breath. “I’m a mess, Justin.” “We all are,” Justin muttered. “No! It was never your mess; it was never your fault. You didn’t get Joy pregnant,” Brian shook his head. “I didn’t want him and he died.” “Stop it!” Justin hissed. “Stop blaming yourself for everything!” Brian stayed quiet. Justin’s eyes had watered. He shook his head and walked out of the room. He looked around the empty apartment and felt as hollow and bare as it. He was broken and there was nothing he could do for the brunet. “I’m going to call you,” Brian told him. Justin stayed still. “I’ll let you know where I at am,” Brian was carrying his bags. “Do you have money?” Justin asked. “Stop treating me like a fucking baby,” Brian hissed. Justin closed his eyes and nodded. He opened them again to find Brian staring at him. “I don’t want you to go,” the blond whispered. Brian knew what the blond desired but unfortunately they were at an impasse. Brian wanted, no, for his sanity he needed to be alone, “I’m sorry, Jus. I just need to do this.” Justin walked over to him and kissed him. “I love you.” “I love you too,” Brian told him. “I’ll call you really soon.” “You be careful,” Justin told him. “Wherever the fuck you’re going.” Brian nodded and then went down to the first floor. He opened the door and left. Justin stayed there a little while more. He finally walked out of what had been his first apartment. He smiled briefly with all the good memories and frowned with all the bad ones. Then he closed the door to those times. He opened the door again and stepped inside. “Come here,” Justin said looking at Pussy. Pussy jumped in his arms and purred. “I always get stuck with you,” he muttered and this time left knowing he would never go back into the apartment. His life there was over and he was starting a new one. Hopefully Brian would come back to it pretty soon. *** Molly sat down in front of Val. “Can I get you anything?” Val asked her. Molly shook her head. “Okay,” Val said. “Matthew will be home any moment now.” Molly nodded. They stayed quiet for a few seconds and then she extended her hands to him. Val looked at her but didn’t say a thing as he grabbed them. “You remember when Vincent liked that girl, Delia?” Molly asked as she talked about Val’s brother. “Yeah,” Val said. “And he acted like a total idiot to everyone for her,” Molly said. Val nodded and stared at Molly. Molly grinned and then rolled her lips inside her mouth. “You were an idiot,” Val told her at the same time that Molly said, “I was an idiot.” They both laughed. “So,” Val said. “He’s history.” “Yeah,” Molly shrugged. “I don’t need his ass.” “Good,” Val sighed. “You fucking came to your senses.” “Yeah,” Molly chuckled. “Sorry about that.” “That’s Mattie,” Val said when they heard the door. They got up and walked over to the blond. “Guys?” Matthew stood there looking at them. “What’s going on?” “Molly left the asshole,” Val told him. “Seriously?” Matthew asked. “Thank god.” Molly rolled her eyes and went to hug him. “I’m sorry.” “You’re forgiven,” Matthew told her and kissed her on the forehead. He put his hand on Molly’s belly and smiled. “Wow, you’re big.” Molly hit him and pulled away. “Ass.” “What?” Matthew asked laughing. “Oh, guys,” Molly said walking to the door. “Dad knows I’m pregnant,” she opened the door and left. Val cleared his throat and swallowed. “It that bad?” Matthew asked. Val arched a brow as he looked at his man. He rolled his lips inside his mouth and didn’t answer. He just walked away to pray for the best. *** Justin put his paintings on the floor. “Hey,” the guy said. “I’m Alfred.” Justin shook hands with him. “You’re one of the artists here?” “I’m the owner,” Alfred said. “Oh,” Justin smiled. “It’s really nice of you to do this for us.” “I love art,” Alfred told him. “Also, I enjoy looking at beautiful things.” Justin looked at Alfred and knew the man was flirting with him. “Uh, I need hang these paintings.” “That’s okay,” Alfred told him. “I’ll find someone to do it for you.” Justin grinned. “That’s okay.” “I thought we could go eat something,” Alfred told him. “I’m busy,” Justin told him. Alfred moved closer to Justin. “I think you’re a very talented young man. I want to preview your work to find out how talented you really are.” Justin smirked. “I guess you’re going to have to wait until the show opens to see my work like everyone else.” “Is that a promise,” Alfred whispered as he leaned forth and captured Justin’s mouth in a feral kiss. Justin pushed back, their tongues fighting for control. Then it all stopped. “What?” Alfred asked. “I can’t,” Justin told him. “I’m so fucking sorry.” Alfred rolled his lower lip inside his mouth. “Why not?” “I have someone,” Justin said. Alfred stayed silent. He wanted the blond for himself and no one else. “Do you love him?” Justin nodded. “That could be a problem,” Alfred said. “It might make it harder for you and me to be together.” “You think,” Justin scratched the back of his head. “I should go and do this later.” Alfred just nodded. He watched Justin walking away from him and he smiled. That man would be his and there was no other way for this to happen without eliminating the competition. *** “So, then Brian came around and...” Lindsay closed her eyes. “The baby died Mel.” Melanie looked away as tears fell down. Daphne got up and walked to her. “Don’t cry, honey,” Daphne said. “Enough tears have been shed.” “It’s so awful,” Melanie told her. “I know,” Lindsay took a deep breath and used all her power not to cry. “What else happened?” Melanie asked. “We had a funeral,” Daphne told her. She cleaned one of her eyes that was starting to cry and cleared her throat. “Everyone was so devastated.” Melanie shook her head. “Do you want some water?” Daphne asked grabbing the glass. “I don’t want to hear anything else,” Melanie said as she drank water from the straw that Daphne was holding for her. “Wait, are the boys okay?” “Yeah,” Lindsay sighed. “Brian and Justin are together, I think but the wedding is off.” “Life has treated them so fucking bad,” Melanie said. “You’re not too far behind them yourself, in the luck department. Life hasn’t exactly dealt you its fare share” Daphne said. “Yeah,” Melanie sighed. “I want to leave this place soon.” “You will,” Lindsay told her. “I’m so happy that you’re okay?” Melanie smiled and turned to Daphne. “How is Melissa?” “Oh, so big,” Daphne said smiling. “She’s with her grandmother. Mom is crazy about her.” “I bet,” Melanie said. Lindsay walked over to her girl. She kissed her. “It will be okay.” Daphne decided to leave them alone. “Girls, I have to go.” “Thank you,” Lindsay said. “You didn’t have to stay.” “It’s a pleasure to be here,” Daphne said and waved. “I feel like it was my fault,” Melanie said. “I should have driven.” “No,” Lindsay. “It wasn’t anyone’s fault.” Melanie and Lindsay hugged trying to survive the pain that still lived with them. *** Cross opened the door to the apartment and Brian walked behind him. “This is it.” “It’s nice,” Brian muttered. “That’s the kitchen,” Cross said. “The door swings both ways.” Brian just nodded. Cross opened his arms. “This is the living room as you can see. Through this hallway,” he walked making sure that Brian was following him. “This is the bedroom and that’s the bathroom.” “It’s perfect,” Brian told him. “Just for you,” Cross nodded. “A lot of college kids like it here.” “Do you want me to pay you cash or do you want a check?” Brian asked. “A check would be fine,” Cross assured him. Brian sat down to make it while Cross told him some of the rules. “Here you go,” Brian said. “Thanks,” Cross told him. “I’ll bring your lease tomorrow morning.” Brian nodded. “Why are you here?” Cross asked suddenly. “I need an apartment,” Brian told him. “No man,” Cross laughed. “Here in New York.” “My boyfriend lives here,” Brian told him. “Oh,” Cross frowned. “Why don’t you live with him? Does he live with his parents or something?” Brian shook his head. “I need to do this own my own. I’m tired of depending on everyone.” “Nice,” Cross told him. “I like that in a person.” Brian dropped his things in the room. Cross was right behind him. “Well,” he said, “here are the keys.” “Thanks,” Brian said taking them. Cross left the apartment so Brian could do whatever he wanted. He would come back to show Brian around the city. Brian got in the bed and sighed. He grabbed his cell phone to call Justin. “Brian,” Justin said happy to see that Brian was calling him. “Where are you?” “I’m in New York,” Brian told him. “You’re coming home,” Justin said smiling. “I have my own apartment,” Brian said. “Oh,” Justin was surprised. “I just think that we should live like this for a while,” Brian told him. “Until I find myself.” Justin closed his eyes knowing that Brian was probably right. But he wanted the brunet to be able to grow up with him; he would interfere as little as possible. “Are you still there?” Brian asked. “Yeah,” Justin said. “When can I see you?” “I have to check my schedule,” Brian told him. “I’m kind of busy. I got a job plus I have to go to college.” “Right,” Justin was happy that at least the brunet was close to him. *** “Mother!” Molly yelled. “Oh god, Mom!” Jennifer came out of the kitchen and went over to Molly. “Honey!” “I think I’m going to have the baby,” Molly yelled. “Okay, okay,” Jennifer ran to get the keys. “Don’t panic.” “Don’t panic!” Molly said. “You say that as if we went through this everyday!” “Molly!” Jennifer yelled. “Relax!” Molly bit her lower lip and started crying. “It hurts, Mommy.” Jennifer quickly went up the stairs and grabbed Molly’s carry on. Then she made it back to where Molly was in record time. “Come on sweetie, you have to get up.” Molly got up with her mother’s help. “Everything is going to be just fine,” Jennifer told her as they walked to the car. She opened the door for her daughter to get in. “Okay,” Molly gasped and started breathing like they had taught her. Jennifer closed the door and went to her side. She opened the trunk and threw the carry on there. Then quickly got inside the car and started it. She drove to the hospital while holding one of Molly’s hand and wondering if she would ever get to use that hand again. “Mom!” Molly yelled. “It’s okay,” Jennifer told her. “You’re doing great. Help me!” she screamed when they were in front of the ER. A nurse and an orderly ran to them. “Okay,” the nurse said. “Go get a wheelchair.” The guy nodded and went for it. “Mom,” Molly gasped. “We have to call Matthew.” “I know honey,” Jennifer said. “Don’t worry about that now.” The guy came back with the wheelchair and took Molly away. Quickly she was put in a room where they told her she had to wait. “What the fuck is wrong with them?” Molly asked. “Wait for what?” Jennifer smiled. “It’s procedure. The baby is on its way but not quite yet here.” “I hate this!” Molly yelled when another sharp pain hit her. “It’s worth it honey,” Jennifer told her. Molly shook her head and knew she wouldn’t be having anymore kids. *** “I think you’re beautiful,” Alfred said as he stood behind Justin. The hairs on Justin’s back stood out. There was no denying that he liked Alfred. He just couldn’t do anything. He had to think of Brian. “Don’t,” Justin told him. “I am with someone. You know that.” “You keep talking about this mystery man,” Alfred said. “But I don’t see him.” Justin swallowed. “He has some problems to deal with.” “And he left you out of it, instead of facing the problem together?” Alfred shook his head. “That’s too bad.” “I’m trying to work here,” Justin said as he looked up to see if his painting was hanging right. “It’s perfect,” Alfred muttered. Justin’s cell phone ran and he quickly picked it up. He stepped away from Alfred. “Hey, Bri.” Alfred arched a brow and smirked. “Is that him?” “Who is that?” Brian asked. “The owner of the gallery,” Justin said. “He thought it was one of the artists calling me.” “Matthew called me,” Brian said. “Congratulations Justin.” “What?” Justin asked frowning. “You’re an uncle,” Brian told him. Justin closed his eyes not sure how much this was affecting Brian. “Oh, I didn’t know.” “Yeah,” Brian muttered. Justin frowned feeling Brian’s pain. None of them said anything for a few seconds. “Brian,” he tried. “I have to go,” Brian told him and hung up. A tear made it out of Justin. “Are you okay?” Alfreda pulled Justin to him. “What did he say to you?” “That I’m an uncle,” Justin said. “He congratulated me.” “What’s wrong with that?” Alfred asked. Justin pulled away from the man. “That his son is six feet underground.” “Fuck,” Alfred said. “That’s what he’s going through.” Justin nodded. “Look, I have to go,” he said picking his stuff. Alfred nodded and frowned. He wanted Justin for himself but it looked complicated. He took a deep breath and made up his mind. Justin would be his, the blond needed him, he could tell. *** Matthew rushed into the hospital with Michael behind him. “Could you slow down?” Michael asked. “No,” Matthew said. “Okay,” Michael sighed. “It was just a question.” “Come on,” Matthew said almost running. “We’re almost there.” “How did you get here before us?” Matthew asked Val who was talking with Jennifer. “How is she?” “She’s fine,” Jennifer said. “Come on. So you can meet your daughter.” “I got a daughter,” Matthew said in a daze as he looked at Val. Michael laughed. “I held her,” Val said. “She’s so fucking tiny.” “Wow,” Matthew smiled. “Through there,” Val said and gave Matthew as shove. “You should have seen him when he got the call,” Michael laughed. Val was about to say something but didn’t have time. He heard his name being called and cringed at the voice. “Val,” Craig said. Val turned to look at his uncle surprised. “What are you doing here?” “I came to see my daughter,” Craig told her. “She’s in there,” Val said. Craig nodded and went to see her. Michael and Val looked at each other with wide eyes before they followed Craig. “Craig,” Jennifer said. “Jennifer,” Craig muttered. “Daddy,” Molly said smiling. “I have a girl.” Craig looked at Matthew who was holding his daughter. “Who the fuck is this?” Jennifer took a deep breath. “This is Matthew. He’s the father.” “I see,” Craig sighed. He looked at his daughter and felt disappointed. He had wanted so much more for Molly. To be married and have a house, but it was done. “Are they going to get married?” “We’re not together, Dad,” Molly said. “Oh here we go,” Val whispered to Michael. “Doesn’t he know?” Michael asked. “Are you kidding?” Val asked in a low voice. “He kicked Justin out of the house because he’s gay.” “Oh fuck,” Michael muttered. “What do you mean you’re not together?” Craig asked. “We were,” Molly said. “But we broke up. Craig took a deep breath. “Val, do you want to hold her?” Matthew asked. Val stood still and smiled at them. “Sure.” “What’s her name?” Craig asked standing next to Val. “Aida,” Molly told her. “Mom picked it up.” “I like it,” Craig said. “Can I hold her?” Val nodded and handed the newborn to his uncle. “We have a daughter,” Matthew smiled and hugged Val. “I’m so happy.” “Wait a minute! I did all the work,” Molly said, “thank you very much for remembering that.” “I put in some of the work too, at the beginning,” Matthew told her and winked. “Guys,” Jennifer said and laughed at their exchange. “Can I hold her,” Michael asked. Craig nodded and gave his granddaughter to Michael. “So, do you work?” “Craig let’s not start,” Jennifer told him. “I do,” Matthew said. “Where do you work at?” Craig asked. “A law firm,” Matthew said. “You’re a lawyer?” Craig asked liking that. “Studying to be one,” Matthew told him. “I see,” Craig didn’t like that so much but at least the guy was getting there. “Don’t worry,” Val said. “I’m taking care of everything.” “I told you,” Jennifer said. “I was going to help my daughter and grand-daughter.” Michael shook his head as he heard them. He just kept smiling and letting Aida hold his index finger. “Why would you take care of things?” Craig asked as he looked at Val. “You’re a good man and I know you love your cousin but this is not your responsibility. It’s his.” “He’s my responsibility,” Val said grabbing Matthew’s hand. “We’re partners.” “And we’re out,” Michael whispered to Aida as he stepped outside while all hell broke loose inside. *** “Aida is so beautiful, Justin,” Debbie told him as she put a plate in front of him. “I didn’t ask for anything, Deb,” Justin told her. “It’s on me,” Debbie said and walked away. Justin shook his head and looked at Val. “How is the eye?” “Fuck you,” Val said shaking his head. “He was nuts.” “You should have seen it,” Michael said chuckling. “I’m outside with Aida and it sounds like a cat is being skinned alive in the room.” Justin smirked. “He might have punched me,” Val said. “But I kicked the shit out of him and made him cry like a girl.” Justin laughed. “I would have given anything to be there.” “I’ll never forget it,” Michael said. “So, how is Matthew?” Justin asked. “He’s up and down with Molly,” Val smirked. “You should see him discussing what’s better for Aida.” Michael laughed. “They’re just kids, man.” Val nodded. “Thank god Jennifer is with them most of the time or me so we can referee.” Justin laughed imagining how Aida would grow up with Matthew and Molly in charge. “They’ll learn,” Michael said. “Then they can try again.” “I don’t think so,” Val muttered. “Uh,” Justin said as he grabbed a French fry from his plate. “That sounded like jealousy right there.” “Shut the fuck up,” Val hissed. Michael laughed and shook his head. “Here,” he picked up the phone that was vibrating in the table. “Mine,” Justin said and answered without looking. “Hello?” “Justin,” Brian said. “Brian,” Justin said. “Where are you?” “I am in your apartment and you’re not here,” Brian said. He had let himself in since Justin had given him a key and told him it was his home too. “I’m in Pittsburgh. I came to see Molly and Aida,” Justin said. “Fuck. I didn’t know you were going to come over. I would have waited for you.” “Great,” Brian told him sarcastically. “I really can’t get anything right, now even my timing.” “I can be there in a few hours,” Justin said. “No,” Brian shook his head. “It’s okay. I can come back later. I’ll call first and that way I know you will be there.” “Bri,” Justin muttered. “I miss you.” Brian closed his eyes. “I miss you too.” Justin smiled. “I’ll see you when I get back then.” “Sure,” Brian told him. “Later.” “Later,” Justin whispered. When he looked up his friend and his cousin were looking at him. “What?” “It’s everything okay?” Michael asked. “Yeah,” Justin told them. “How is he doing?” Val asked. “Better,” Justin said pushing is plate away. “And you?” Michael asked. “I’m okay, Michael,” Justin said and got up. “I’ll see you guys around.” They nodded and watched him go. And they knew him well enough to see that Justin was not okay. *** Justin was going nuts. He had tried calling the brunet a few times but nothing. He would get pissed with Brian sometimes. He knew he had gone to see Lindsay and Mel and that he hung with Daphne a lot during his free time. He hated that Brian was avoiding him most of the time. There was a knock on the door and Justin froze. He took a deep breath and went to open the door. “Alfred?” “What?” Alfred pushed his way inside. “I brought some food.” “What?” Justin asked. “We never agreed to this.” “I know,” Alfred said. “It’s a surprise.” Justin sighed and closed the door. “How did you find me?” “I got your address from Milton,” Alfred told him. Justin knew that Milton was Alfred’s assistant. He stood there not sure what to do next. “Come on,” Alfred said. “Eat some with me.” Justin smiled at the man and nodded. “Fine but then you leave.” “Scout’s honor,” Alfred told him. “Were you ever a scout?” Justin asked. Alfred just laughed but didn’t divulge anything else. They served themselves and started eating. “So,” Alfred said taking a sip of the beer that Justin had given him. “How are things?” “I don’t want to talk about it,” Justin told him. “That sounds bad,” Alfred said. “Don’t,” Justin simply said. “The show is in two days,” Alfred changed the subject. “Are you excited?” Justin smiled. “Very.” “Good,” Alfred said. “I know you’re going to out shine all the other artists.” “I’m not the only artist featured at the gallery,” Justin pointed out. “There is a lot of good talent.” “Yes,” Alfred said, “but you’re one of the bests.” Justin smiled. “Thanks for that.” Alfred nodded and they finished eating talking about the gallery and Justin’s art. When they were done they got up and cleaned everything. “I think it’s time for me to go,” Alfred said. “I did promise.” Justin nodded. Alfred walked over to him and caressed Justin’s face. “I really think you should give me a chance.” Justin frowned. “You do know I am with someone.” “But you like me,” Alfred pointed out. “It’s not right,” Justin said. “I’m sorry.” “If it doesn’t work with him,” Alfred sighed resigning himself. “Give me a call.” Justin chuckled. “Will do.” Alfred bent down and kissed him. Justin moaned and wrapped his arms around the man. His cock pushed against Alfred’s own hard dick. Alfred moved them against the wall and attacked Justin’s neck. “God!” Justin hissed as his eyes closed. Brain came inside the apartment happy that he was going to see Justin. Then he stopped cold on his tracks. He frowned and then he looked at the key in his hand. He let go of it and it landed on the floor, the sound echoing in the apartment. Justin pulled back startled by the sound and saw Brian. “Brian,” he gasped and pulled out of Alfred’s embrace. “I guess I forgot to call first,” Brian looked at them with sad eyes. He looked away quickly and didn’t bother saying anything else. He just turned around and left the apartment. “Let him go,” Alfred said holding Justin when the blond tried to move after Brian. “Let go of me!” Justin hissed and pulled away from the older man. He ran after the brunet. He went down the stairs and outside where Bran was walking in the middle of the street. “Brian!” Brian turned around as they both stood in the middle of the street. “What?” “I...” Justin wasn’t sure what he should say to make the pain in Brian’s eyes vanish. “It’s okay,” Brian told him. “I know I have been a pretty lousy boyfriend these past weeks.” Justin shook his head. He was the one that had fucked up. “Go back to your trick,” Brian said. “I’ll call you later and we’ll talk and everything will be okay.” Justin reached out to touch Brian and the brunet moved away. “Brian.” “I’ll call you,” Brian told him sternly, taking in Justin’s features before he slowly turned to walk away. Justin gasped as he watched the brunet walked away. He took a deep breath and tears started to cascade down his face. He knew that for once Brian would fail to keep his word, he wouldn’t call. Worse Justin knew his calls to Brian would go unanswered and the brunet wouldn’t pick up. Justin’s heart echoed Brian’s retreating footsteps, each step solidifying how things had changed and would never be the same. Now Justin understood how Brian had felt all these weeks as a failure. He simply had screwed up everything, it was his fault. He had fought for so long for Brian’s love, for their relationship. But it had abruptly ended in one night and it hurt like nothing else he had experienced before. Justin had lost the love of his life and all he could do was watch Brian walk away.
I know you guys must be thinking. Is she nuts?! He, he. I’m probably am. I do hang out with Kami a lot, that along should explain some things. LMAO. Yes! That’s the end. Is there going to be a sequel you ask? Yes, of course. Yeah, we’re all breathing better now. He, he. I want to thank my betas for such a wonderful job helping me with this story and all the others. Later!