Three’s a Crowd 

Chapter 2


Brian ordered his usual black coffee and watched as the young man walked around the counter. Justin was having trouble keeping his breathing steady as he placed the cup and saucer in front of Brian and then poured out his coffee; glancing up at him as he finished.

“Thank you”, said the man with smiling hazel eyes flecked with gold and they held Justin’s own for several long seconds before the bell from the kitchen signalled another order to be delivered; but the look they’d shared as Justin smiled weakly as he dragged himself away from the man’s gaze didn’t go unnoticed by Debbie.

“Shame on you, Brian Kinney”, she whispered in his ear, “and you practically a married man”.

Debbie’s words suddenly brought Brian back to reality. Years of habit were going to take a little longer to break than he realised and Debbie was right; he’d made a commitment, of sorts to Mark, so maybe he should give the guy a fair break. Who knows, it might suit him. 

But a guy can still look, can’t he? And besides, he was a little young in any case and if that’s all that it was that had passed between him and the blond then what was the harm in just a little flirtation? But that didn’t explain the feeling Brian had with him the rest of the day: a feeling that someone or something had looked deep into his soul. And he couldn’t forget those beautiful blue eyes.

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Now more than six months had passed since they’d first met and even Brian had to admit he was a little surprised at how quickly things had moved on with Mark. He’d already had one or two people interested in the loft and he realised he was moving ever closer to the point of no return. 

He was steadily moving away from his old life and had become aware how less he was now seeing of the old gang and when he did he felt a little apart from them. Like this morning at the diner when he’d sat at the counter instead of in the booth alongside the gang where it would have been easier to be part of the early morning banter that used to pass between them and a feeling of losing something significant was starting to creep over him.

And Brian smiled as he remembered the blond’s reaction to him; he was really cute, but then a pang of guilt came over him and that definitely was a first; after all, when did Brian ever feel guilty about having the hots for anyone? But hearing Debbie remind him of his commitment made him feel he was being disloyal.

And Mark did make Brian feel good about himself and Brian had even begun to believe Mark’s words of love; realising how much he’d desired to hear those words spoken; filling an empty void inside him. 

As a child, Brian had only ever witnessed affection being bestowed on others; his own parents had never been forthcoming in that department. The only love Brian had ever known was that from a surrogate Mother and from a few close friends. And it wasn’t just during sex that Mark had uttered such endearments, but had told him he loved him in the cold harsh light of day and looking into Mark’s eyes, Brian had believed him.

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Mark was adventurous in bed and pretty noisy with it and Brian loved to hear him gasp for breath: his moans of delight and how he shouted out Brian’s name in the throes of orgasm: an acknowledgment that Brian was the cause of the other man’s pleasure.

Probably because they were of similar build and strength, sex with Mark was exhilarating and exhausting, though Brian was often left feeling a little dissatisfied deep down inside and he wasn’t sure why he should feel like that. Was it because it would normally start out as a contest for dominance? One that Brian had become to suspect was just a game on Mark’s part given that he usually gave himself up to him in the end; usually, but not always.

Brian hadn’t bottomed for anyone since he was a teenager and the first time Mark had indicated it was his intention to top had come as quite a surprise. But the man had initially been relatively patient and gentle: allowing Brian to adjust slowly to the penetration, before powering into him with a strength and determination that surprised Brian; and this was another one of those times.

Brian’s orgasm had been intense: the man’s hand in his hair and Brian clinging to the mattress; silently begging for release, which eventually came and all the while trying desperately not to let Mark know exactly what he was doing to him; not wanting to reveal his vulnerabilities. And when release came for both of them, Mark had then collapsed on top of him; pushing Brian down into the mattress before rolling off him; leaving them both totally spent. But it also left Brian feeling a little used and something that he’d been deliberating over for a few days now had to be said.

“I’m not going to sell the loft,” said Brian quietly, once both men had recovered their breath sufficiently to speak. “What?” asked Mark, rolling on to his side to look at him and he discarded the condom and tossed it in the trash. “But I thought we agreed” and Brian thought he saw a glimpse of anger in the other man’s eyes as he spoke.

“I know … but I decided to lease it instead … that way …” Brian’s voice trailed off, unwilling as he was to voice his confusion and the odd doubt that had started to come over him in the last couple of days. 

“In other words you’ll have somewhere you can run back to at the first sign of things not working out between us” stated Mark and this time, he didn’t bother to hide his anger.

Brian sat up and moved to the edge of the bed and closed his eyes, hoping this wasn’t going to turn into an argument. “If you didn’t want us to move in together .. why didn’t you say something earlier?” Mark asked him and he grabbed his clothes and started to dress: not even bothering to shower.

“Mark …” Brian reached out to take the man’s hand, but was brushed aside.

“I thought we had something good going for us”, stated the other man, pushing his feet into his shoes. “But obviously I think more about this relationship than you do” and without bothering to say goodbye, Mark grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

Brian realised that if he let Mark go now; like this, that it could be the start of the end for their relationship; that things might never get back to how they’d been and he had to make a quick decision; is that what he really wanted?

“Are we still going to Debbie’s on Sunday?” called Brian after him, the decision having been made and Mark stopped abruptly; he sighed and then turned around; a little surprised that Brian had actually called him back.

“Do we have to?” he asked and he saw Brian look away. Mark closed his eyes; he knew he was asking Brian to give up certain things and maybe he was pushing him just a little too fast. When they were moved in together, there would be time enough to steer him away from his old life. Taking meals at a diner and eating in a cramped kitchen in a small house with people with whom he had nothing in common had very little appeal, but he knew he had to tread carefully or risk losing Brian all together.

“Okay”, agreed Mark, reluctantly. “I’ll pick you up” and slowly he walked back across the polished wooden floor and up to Brian’s bedroom. Leaning down, he took Brian’s chin in his hand and tilted the man’s face towards him.

“I do love you,” whispered Mark, “it’s just …” “I know” acknowledged Brian. “Debbie can be pretty hard to take sometimes … but she is practically my Mother …” and Mark nodded and smiled. And then he kissed him and the harsh words of before melted away and Brian grinned as Mark started to undo his shirt.

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Dinner at the Novotny’s was as awful for Mark as he’d remembered from previous times and the gang had been quite surprised that he’d actually come along and had even brought flowers for Debbie, an action which had earned him a kiss from Brian; maybe he was trying after all, but when they were joined by Lindsay, Melanie and Gus, Mark wondered if things could get any worse. 

Debbie’s idea of home-cooking didn’t really appeal to Mark, who loved to cook himself and when he and Brian were spending the night together either at Mark’s or at the loft, the other man had insisted on making dinner. Once, when he’d kept Brian waiting outside his apartment, Mark had mentioned giving him a key, but somehow had never got around to it, even though Brian had felt obliged somehow to give Mark a key to the loft and would often return from work to find a meal ready for him.

Brian found this extremely difficult to start with: all this domesticity. He’d never been used to meals waiting for him: not even as a kid.

His Mom hardly ever cooked, as she never knew when his Father would return; either from an evening at the bowling or from the social club he went to with the boys from work. Brian and his older sister, Claire, had pretty much fended for themselves when they returned from school and with whatever they found in the refrigerator or the store cupboards, which wasn’t usually much. Back then, the only time Brian ever ate properly, was when he was hiding out at Debbie’s and he was still uncomfortable with someone just doing stuff for him.

But unlike his parent’s house where family meals taken at a table had been virtually non-existent, but when they did happen were almost silent and fraught with tension, meals at Debbie’s had always been noisy, happy affairs. And now Brian sat next to his son and helped him eat his dinner; the experience obviously something the two of them enjoyed and Mark fought to keep his jealousy of the toddler disguised. Then after dinner, when the youngster was sitting on his Father’s knee, Brian’s tickling, despite warnings from Lindz, resulted in part of Gus’s dinner returning and this time shared with Mark.

The man was not impressed: vomit not normally a fashion accessory and Brian’s “I told you not to wear a suit” did nothing to ease the situation.

Lindsay had taken Gus up to the bathroom to clean him up and Debbie had tried sponging down Mark’s jacket, but the man tore it off himself in disgust and in the end Debbie had put it inside a large food storage bag for him to take home. Brian offered to take Mark’s suit to the dry cleaners, but he declined and the evening drew to a premature close, with Mark declaring he stank of puke and needed to go home and take a shower.

Reluctantly, Brian apologised to the gang for their early exit and he gave Debbie a kiss and she gave him a knowing and sympathetic smile and patted him on the cheek. He also kissed Lindsay and a cleaned-up Gus and then he and Mark made their goodbyes and Mark drove Brian home, saying he wouldn’t stop over, but would call him in the morning.

They kissed through the open car window and then Brian watched Mark drive away before making his way up to the loft, feeling more than just a little disappointed. Maybe Mark had a right to feel a bit pissed off, after all, Brian remembered a few times when Gus upchucked over him in his early days of Fatherhood; and not an experience he’d enjoyed at the time. 

It was early days for Mark, Brian told himself; being a Father wasn’t for everyone and he remembered how much he’d struggled to come to terms with parenthood and maybe it would be expecting too much of Mark in any case to jump right in and be Gus’s other Dad so early on.

When he got inside the loft, Brian poured himself a glass of beam; feeling the warmth of the liquid as it hit his stomach and he rang Debbie. He thanked her for dinner, saying he hoped their leaving early didn’t ruin the evening. Debbie had bitten her tongue and told Brian it hadn’t been a problem, but that she’d been sorry to see them go so early and that they must come over again; soon.

She was desperate not to alienate either Brian or Mark; she had a feeling it wouldn’t take much for Mark to gradually ease Brian away from his family and she was determined not to let that happen.

Maybe Brian really was in love and maybe he wasn’t. Maybe Mark was the right man and maybe he wasn’t. But whatever came of their relationship, if it all went down the pan, Debbie wanted to make sure that Brian knew his family would be around to pick up the pieces; even if he was stubborn enough to not want to let them. And in order to do that, they mustn’t lose contact.

Debbie’s reassurance had gladdened Brian. He knew she didn’t really approve of his relationship with Mark, but would accept it if that’s what he wanted. Debbie was pretty hard to beat when it came to loyalty and support and from age 14, Brian had known that he’d been part of her extended family and that she’d be there for him like she would her own.

Now as he stepped out of the shower and headed for bed, Brian finished the last of the drink he’d poured himself earlier. He hadn’t expected to spend the night on his own and he missed the man not sharing his bed. 

But as Brian fell asleep, it wasn’t Mark’s face that floated before him in those moments between being awake and when sleep finally overtook him. Instead, it was a face, pale and flawless with beautiful big blue eyes that accompanied Brian to his slumbers.

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Mark was still pretty pissed when he got home and he stripped off his clothes in the bathroom and stepped straight in the shower; he’d have to take the suit to the dry cleaners in the morning.

Mark believed he was in love with Brian and why wouldn’t he be? He was hot, successful and very desirable and apparently, he’d succeeded with Brian where many had tried and failed. 

And he had tried to get on with Brian’s friends; the people that he insisted on referring to as family, but didn’t really understand why Brian had stuck with them all these years and couldn’t help feeling how in some ways, Brian looked a little out of place in his designer wear, eating with the guys in the diner.

He knew that Brian could aspire to far greater heights; he already had a job that was bringing in more than a decent salary and when Mark had him to himself he would finally be able to entice Brian away from the old gang once and for all and sever the ties between Brian and his son and possess him completely.

They would be a formidable couple and could move in all the right circles; the friends Mark had made through his gallery connections. They looked good together; everyone acknowledged that and just thinking about Brian whilst under the hot water of the shower aroused him.

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It was now the following day and just as well Justin had the late shift at the diner. Mark had called him at the apartment the previous evening and asked him to come over; it wasn’t one of their usual nights and it was getting late and Mark had sent a cab to collect him and as soon as the younger man arrived he could see Mark was in a strange mood; edgy one moment; loving and caring the next.

“Don’t mind me”, he’d told him, hurriedly pulling Justin’s sweater up over his head. “It’s just been a shitty day,” and with no further explanation, he’d started to cover Justin’s throat in light, fleeting kisses. 

He’d practically pinned Justin to the bed; thrusting into him with an intensity the blond hadn’t experienced with him before and wasn’t sure whether he was being punished for something.

“Mark … is everything okay? Have I done something?” asked Justin, now leaning back against the pillows. Mark was sitting on the edge of the bed with his back to him and Justin heard the man sigh before Mark turned round and reached out to brush his face.

“No … it’s not you … it’s … it’s this damn art show … nothing seems to be coming together like it should and what with the problems in the New York gallery …” but Mark could see the concern in Justin’s face and the confusion about the older man’s feelings for him. 

Shit; he was sure he’d blown it with Brian earlier, reacting as he had to Gus’s accident and then refusing to stay over and he would have to call Brian in the morning and apologise to get things back on track. But he shouldn’t take his anger out on Justin; he didn’t want to upset the blond as well.

Mark had often asked himself what the hell was he doing? Brian should be enough for any man to contend with, but there was something about the blond. 

Brian had been such hard work to begin with and in some ways still needed treating carefully. Mark had realised Brian’s emotions were pretty fragile, despite the hard as nails façade the man wore and his arrogance had, in actual fact, masked feelings of self-doubt. But he’d been determined: seeking him out and being in the same bars as Brian and had ignored the obvious irritation the other man had felt in the beginning until gradually, Brian had got used to him being around and had actually started to enjoy his company.

He was a strange one, Mark conceded; a hard nut to crack with his shell-like exterior keeping people out, but Mark could see the vulnerability underneath all the bravado; seeing initially the distrust in Brian’s eyes when Mark had told him he loved him for the first time. But he’d kept on saying it in the hope that Brian would eventually believe him and now it seemed he did.

But then there was Justin. Pale skin, blond hair and blue eyes; physically smaller and totally opposite from Brian and Mark wanted to look out for him. He remembered the bashing and marvelled how Justin had come through it at all and was proud that in some small way he’d been able to encourage Justin to try his art again.

And he loved him; he loved them both.

“Tell you what,” said Mark, taking Justin’s hand “why don’t you come with me the next time I go to New York? … you’d enjoy looking around the gallery” and he moved in closer: snuggling up behind Justin’s ear. “Just think … nice hotel … room service …” whispered Mark, and Justin sighed at his touch, which sent a shiver through his body.

“I’d like that,” whispered Justin and Mark kissed the blond’s belly and worked his way downwards: towards his goal.

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He’d only got a few hours sleep and had tried to catch up on his rest before spending some time on his art for the show before his shift and Justin stifled a yawn. He wanted to ask Debbie about taking some time off, but he knew he hadn’t exactly been on top form since turning in today and every time he’d gone to mention it someone had been yelling for their order.

Debbie could see Justin must have had a heavy night and that he was chewing something over and had decided not to make him sweat any longer, even though she’d been enjoying watching him continually go to say something and then change his mind.

“Okay, kiddo … out with it” said Debbie as Justin came behind the counter to pick up the coffee pot and he looked at her in surprise; she chuckled.

“Well, it’s obvious you’ve been going to ask me something since you got in here … so …”

Justin looked down at the floor and then back at Debbie: a look that would melt anyone’s heart. “The thing is Debbie … my boyfriend has asked me if I’d like go to New York with him. It would just be for one night and a day … but I know I haven’t been working here very long … so if you say no it’s okay … I’d understand and I guess they’ll be other chances …”

“Whoa, Sunshine … take a breath. Well, that explains why you’re walking round like a zombie today …” said Debbie and she chuckled.

“So … you gotta boyfriend?“ she continued and Justin nodded. “Well, yeah … sort of. I mean, he’s quite a bit older than me and I’m pretty sure he still sees other guys from time to time, but that’s okay … it’s not like we’re married or anything …” and Debbie grinned. “An older man huh? Is he wealthy?” she asked him and Justin looked shocked. “He’s reasonably comfortable, I guess. But that’s not why I’m with him …” 

“Just joshing” chuckled Debbie. “But when a man asks you to go away with him, well, that can be pretty serious …” Debbie teased him and then broke into a broad smile.

“I guess we can do without you for that long … as long as Kiki doesn’t go down with another case of … whatever it is she keeps going down with … again” 

“You go and have yourself a good time … as long as I get to hear all about it … and I do mean ALL about it” and Debbie winked at him and Justin grinned in embarrassment.

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Mark had called Brian just after he’d got into the office and apologised if he’d been out of line; going off like he had at Debbie’s dinner. “Am I forgiven?” the man asked him and Brian smiled and told him not to worry and offered again to pay for the suit to be cleaned, an offer which Mark declined.

“When will I see you?” asked Brian. “I don’t think it’ll be until after my next trip to New York … I’ve just got too much to do” answered Mark. “But how about I then buy you dinner? We could try that new Italian place … I’ve heard pretty good reports about it …” “Okay” answered Brian. “It’s a date”.

“Love you,” stated Mark. “Me too” answered Brian quietly and he smiled and they both rang off.

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As Mark had thought, he wasn’t able to see Brian again after the night they’d had dinner at Debbie’s, but they did speak on the phone every day.

Then, on his next trip to New York, as promised, Mark picked Justin up and they drove together to the airport where Mark left his car and they took an afternoon flight. Then, on arrival in the Big Apple and after checking in at the hotel, they had dinner and went to a club that Mark often used.

The following morning, they made use of room service and ordered breakfast in their room. Mark didn’t want to waste time going down to the restaurant; the longer he spent in bed with Justin the better.

Even though Mark was occupied for most of the day, Justin enjoyed the gallery and they managed a quick lunch together before Mark had to resume his duties.

Then, after the gallery had closed for the day and Mark had completed all the paperwork, they headed out for dinner before catching a flight back to Pittsburgh.

“Thank you” said Justin and he kissed Mark once they’d got inside the car: away from the cold night air and Mark smiled and put his hand to the back of Justin’s neck and brought him in for another kiss. “We’ll do it again … soon … I promise,” said the older man and he released Justin and put a hand on the blond’s knee. 

“Now, if you’ll only let me find you a decent place to live …” but Justin shook his head. “No, Mark … I’ve told you … I don’t want to be … well, kept … I suppose” and Justin sighed. “I know I’m sort of in limbo at the moment …” continued the blond. 

“At least you’ve started back with your art … “ interrupted Mark. “True,” continued Justin, “but I don’t know how much I can do yet … or even if there’s still a future in it for me …”

“Justin, if there’s anything I can do …” “I know,” said Justin, taking Mark’s hand. “And I do appreciate it …” and Mark smiled again; thinking of the ways the blond could show his appreciation.

Relaxed and happy, Justin lent back in the seat, telling himself how lucky he was to have found such a caring and considerate man; not to mention how hot he was and before long, the car’s heating now working efficiently, Justin started to drift off to sleep on their journey back into the city.

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What should have been one of the most happiest memories of Justin’s life then suddenly turned into a nightmare when, having hit an isolated ice patch on the way back from the airport on this bitterly cold winter’s night, Mark’s life was hanging by a thread and Brian and Justin’s were thrown into turmoil.


To be continued.