Endings and Beginnings

Book 5 Chapter 1 


Brian slammed down the phone. 

“Is there a problem?” Justin asked as he made his way into the living room. 

“Stephen asleep?” Brian asked ignoring Justin previous question. 

“Yep.” He admitted. “So?” Justin pushed slightly as he lowered himself onto Brian’s lap. Brian wrapped his arms around the smaller body and brought their mouths together in a reverent kiss. 

“I won’t let him hurt you.” It was a promise. It was all Brian had to offer but he wanted Justin to know that he wouldn’t fail him again. 

“Brian?” Justin pulled back softly tracing Brian’s jaw as he stared into his warm hazel eyes. “It’s not your job to keep me safe. Don’t go and drudge up all that pain. This has nothing to do with that night. So he’s back. So we deal okay? We deal together.” Justin assured Brian then hesitantly kissed his lips. 

“I know you’re afraid.” Brian’s gaze pierced him.

“I’m not some scared little faggot.” Justin protested vehemently. 

“I didn’t say that you were.” Brian continued. “I want you safe. I think we should maybe head to the loft for a while. The security is better and I’m not sure Hobbs would know how to find you there.” 

“Brian, I’m not running from him and I’m not hiding either.” Justin argued. 

“You aren’t running or hiding, we’re just moving to the loft until we can figure out why the hell he was down on Liberty.” Brian explained. 

“It feels like running.” Justin replied seeing the logic but at the same time feeling weak if he allowed Hobbs to control him.

“Do it for Stephen.” Justin looked in the direction of Stephen’s room. “It’s not forever. Just until we can get some answers.” Brian argued. Justin sighed then nodded in resignation. He leaned back into Brian’s arms resting his head on the man’s chest trying to let go of the lingering anxiety he felt at seeing Chris. He knew Brian had a good point and as much as he didn’t want to appear to be running away, he knew Stephen had to be his top priority. He kissed Brian’s chest through his shirt then cleared his throat.

“Okay, we’ll go to the loft, but just until we get some answers.” Justin replied. He felt Brian relax slightly as he kissed the top of Justin’s head. Justin pulled back for a moment his eyes searching Brian’s. “So Brian,” His voice was soft but determined.”how do we get some answers?” 

*****************************

Chris heard his office door open and assumed it was his secretary. Other than his father, she was the only other person allowed to enter his office unannounced. 

“I put the papers on the corner of your desk.” He explained still lost in the proposal his father had asked him to review. “And can you bring me some coffee when you get a chance.” He heard the sound of his secretary filling a cup and then heading back over to him from the credenza. Finding it odd that it was taking her so long to place it on his desk, he glanced up wondering if she was needing his attention. His gaze fell on the vaguely familiar face from his past as the tall brunet proceeded to pour the scalding coffee down the front of Chris’ shirt. 

As it pooled on the crotch of his pants, Chris leapt to his feet feeling the heat through the thin cloth.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He demanded staring wildly at the man.

“I was just about to ask you the same thing you pathetic little prick.” Brian spat stepping still closer. He grabbed Hobbs by his shirt drawing him dangerously close. “You stay the fuck away from him. Is that clear?” Hobbs furrowed his brow feigning innocence. “Or this time it will be you lying in a pool of blood.” Brian released him giving him a hard push. Chris stumbled back over his chair almost falling to the ground. 

Recovering from the initial shock he shouted at the retreating form. 

“You better get the fuck out of here before I call security.” He spat.

Brian paused at the door then turned back a smirk on his lips. “Call them.” He warned. “I bet Daddy would be very interested to know that his little butch boy was wandering the haunts of Liberty Avenue.” Chris’ mouth went dry as the tried to think of something to say in response. 

“Get out. I’m not afraid of you.” Was the best Chris could offer. Brian actually laughed at the man’s transparent bravado but quickly sobered giving Chris one last warning glare. 

“Well Chris, that would be mistake number two, fucking with Justin was number one, let’s see how truly stupid you really are.” He turned and walked out leaving the other man to collapse down into his chair breathing heavily. 

“Mr. Hobbs?” Jeanie appeared in the door. “I’m sorry, I was away from my desk. Are you okay? Who was that man?” She asked glancing back at the retreating figure who was now entering the elevator. 

“I’m okay.” Chris swallowed. “Just spilled some coffee on myself.”

“But that man---- I heard him threaten you.” She replied clearly concerned. 

“I’m fine. Just someone from my past. I don’t think he’ll be back.” Chris said dismissively. Jeanie seemed unconvinced but accepted her boss’ explanation. “Could you go down and pick up my dry cleaning now instead of this afternoon?” Chris continued. He had a meeting with his father in an hour and didn’t want to explain the stain on his pants. She nodded giving him a supportive smile then left. 

Chris took two deep breaths as he lowered his head to his desk. Kinney. That was the guy’s name. Brian Kinney. He recalled. He’d seen him picking up Taylor at school a few times then that night on Liberty when he and Taylor had gotten into it. Kinney had tried to defend Justin, then finally that night when---. Chris shook his head. He’d hoped to put all of that behind him, but now it was clear that he’d never be free of it. 

The sound of the phone caused him to jump. “Jeanie.” He called wondering why she wasn’t picking up. Remembering the errand that he’d just sent her on, he picked it up himself. 

“I have a little job for you.” Mark’s voice was low and firm.

“Hey Taylor’s maniac boyfriend just showed up here, poured hot coffee on me and threatened to hurt me if I came near Taylor again.” Chris spat into the phone already weary of Reinhold and his games.

“Did anyone witness this little dramatic moment?” Mark asked sitting on the edge of the mattress in his humble apartment. 

“Well Jeanie, my secretary overheard part of it.” Chris admitted wondering how much Jeanie had really heard. He ran through the conversation once more in his head trying to determine if he had inadvertently revealed something he hadn’t meant to. 

‘Excellent.’ Thought Mark, his smile growing wider with this new turn of events. “I’m sure he won’t be back. He just needed to put you in your place, no doubt. I’m sure Justin ran home crying to him after he spotted you.” Mark replied as he delighted in the fact that Chris’ appearance had obviously shaken the blond so badly. 

“Look Mark, I can’t do this—“

“Oh now, now Chris.” Mark pushed past the other man’s protest. “We both know you can’t help but do this; that is if you want to keep your father’s affection, so let me tell you what you have to do today.” Chris sighed grinding his teeth feeling the cooling cloth of his pants now clinging to his legs. 

“What do I have to do?” He asked angrily. 

“I have some Pirate tickets I need for you to pick up and deliver for me.” Mark casually replied. 

“Pirate tickets. I didn’t think fags liked sports.” Chris spat.

“You like them don’t you Chris?” Mark replied silencing the other man. 

“I’m not fucking errand boy.” Chris shot back ignoring the dig.

“Oh yes Chris, you are. You are anything that I want you to be. I suggest that you remember that.” Chris bit down on the inside of his cheek feeling his face flush with anger. He withheld his heated response giving in to the situation instead. 

“Where do I have to deliver them?” He asked. 

“Vanguard Advertising.” Mark replied. 

“Wait.” Chris began, “Isn’t that where—“

“Kinney works? Yes. He’s a partner there. You don’t have to hand them to him personally. Just leave them at the front desk. They are at the Will Call window under your name. I paid for them myself.” Mark smoothly continued. 

“I don’t think—“ Chris began.

“That’s right Chris. Don’t think. Just do it.” Mark slammed down the phone. He knew Chris would comply as he reached for his briefcase and pulled out the evidence he had on the other man. Kinney’s appearance at Chris’ office was perfect and actually sped up Mark’s timetable. Just a couple of more things and all would be in place. Justin would be sorry for all the misery he had caused Ethan. He would also pay for the grief that still clung to Mark even now almost a year after Ethan’s death.

Mark stood and made his way over to the alcove staring down on the busy street below. It had taken him a long time to come up with the perfect revenge against the blond. He’d known from the moment he’d learned of Ethan’s death that he would find a way to make Justin pay for the time he had cost Mark and Ethan. Mark had been patient, slowly devising the perfect plan to destroy Ethan’s little domestic mistake. It was important that in the end Justin was left totally devastated. He had to suffer as Mark had suffered all these long months wrestling each day with thoughts of what could have been and at the same time what now could never be.

Mark had watched over the last few months as the blond had moved on with his life once more, finding happiness with Brian Kinney, his long lost lover. Mark had hung out at a few of the local gay bars and heard his share of stories concerning the two men and their passionate past as well as their ridiculously romantic reunion. Love rekindled and all of that shit, he’d been furious to see how quickly Justin had forgotten about his dead partner and moved back into Kinney’s bed. 

The first few months after Ethan’s death all of Mark’s plots had concluded with the blonde’s sudden and mysterious death but the growing relationship with Kinney had sparked a new more tragic ending to the story. Seeing the men together, arm in arm, tender kisses and subtle gazes, the plot had come together with an almost artistic beauty. Surely Justin would see the beauty of it all one day, years from now, when he truly understood the brilliance that only true bitterness could inspire. 

Mark had loved Ethan. He’d worshiped him for years. He’d waited patiently for the man’s career to advance to the point where any exposure by the blond would fail to harm the musician. Just as that time had finally arrived, that moment when they would at long last declare their secret affair to the world, fate had ripped Ethan from him, stealing him away. Mark gasped as the pain ripped through his heart once more as he relived that terrible moment of revelation when he’d known his life was over. 

Mark knew now that the only way for Justin to ever understand the extent of his crimes was to put him in the exact spot where Mark now existed. The only way for Justin to truly pay for all that he had cost Mark was to have him experience that sort of devastation first hand. Justin had to know the pain and despair that is only felt when a person’s true soul mate was forever ripped from their life. Mark would give him that understanding and insight. It was the least he could do. Mark knew exactly how to destroy Justin Taylor. He would kill Brian Kinney. 

**************************

“Brian?” Cynthia’s voice came over the intercom. “You have a call on line one and also a delivery at the receptionist desk in the lobby.” 

“Who’s on the phone?” Brian asked setting the mock up aside for the moment.

“Michael, I think.” Cynthia admitted. Brian sighed. Things were still strained between he and the other man, but he knew that avoiding Michael wouldn’t help the situation any. 

“Okay put him through and can you get the package?” He asked. Cynthia assented then put the call through.

“Mikey.” Brian greeted. 

“Brian are you okay? What did Carl say? How is Justin handling this? Did Hobbs say anything to him?” The questions raced out of the receiver overwhelming Brian. 

“Take a deep breath Mikey.” He warned but was warmed by his friend’s concern. “ I’m fine, pissed, but fine. Carl said that unless Hobbs actually approached Justin in some threatening manner there was nothing he could do. Justin is understandably shaken but Hobbs didn’t say anything to him.” Brian rubbed his free hand over his face. “Did I answer all of the questions?” 

“Yeah.” Michael replied laughing as he realized how much he sounded like his mother. “What can I do?” He offered. 

“Nothing that I know of. Just don’t bring it up to Justin and pass that along to the guys. The last thing he needs is a bunch of overprotective, nosey friends hovering over him.” Brian stated firmly. 

“Jeez Brian. We’re worried. Emmett even threatened that he was going to go have a talk with Hobbs.” Brian smirked at that image.

“What was he going to do? Dance him to death or maybe cook all over him?” Brian laughed easing Michael’s tension. 

“We’re just worried. What can we do?” He asked. 

“Nothing right now but I’ll let you know if anything other than just keeping your mouths shut comes to mind.” Brian offered. “I have to run Mikey.” Not waiting for his friend to disconnect Brian hung up the phone. 

“Brian?” Cynthia’s voice startled him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to catch you off guard.” She admitted. “Here’s the envelope you had at the receptionist’s desk.” Brian took it from the woman then opened it. He emptied it onto his desk. Four tickets fell to the wooden surface as Brian and Cynthia exchanged a look. 

“Pirate tickets?” He questioned. Cynthia shrugged totally perplexed. It was a well known fact around the office that Brian Kinney had no interest in sports other than a passing interest in college and professional soccer. She picked up the tickets and shook her head.

“Well even though he still might be a little young for it, you can run by and pick up a Louisville Slugger for Gus.” She stated.

“A what?” Brian asked. 

“A Louisville Slugger. It’s a baseball bat.” She laughed at her bosses confusion. ”It’s the give away promotion for this game.” She handed Brian the ticket indicating the information. “ See? It’s bat night.” 

**************************************

Carl looked up and was surprised to see Brian Kinney walking through the door of his office. He tossed four tickets on the man’s cluttered desk then stood back. Carl looked at the objects then back up at Brian. 

“Thanks for the tickets?” He questioned reading the man’s anger. 

“They aren’t for you. They are for me and Justin and our kids.” He spat.

“And you don’t like baseball?” Carl continued his voice leading the man to reply. 

“They were purchased and picked up by a man who matches Hobbs’ description. They were purchased by him then he apparently left them for me in the lobby of my office.” Carl furrowed his brow trying to understand why Hobbs would have done such a thing. 

“I have to admit it is strange Brian, but I would hardly consider giving you and Justin tickets to a Pirates game as threatening behavior.” Carl replied pushing the tickets back in Brian’s direction. 

Brian snatched them up and tossed them back at the man. “Look at the fucking promotion for tonight.” He growled. Carl picked up the tickets his eyes narrowing as he examined them carefully. “It’s bat night.” Brian impatiently helped him out.

“Bat night?” Carl mused. “Bat night.” He repeated once more his eyes meeting Kinney’s. “Okay, you’ve convinced me. Time I paid this guy a little unofficial visit.” 

“I want to be there.” Brian announced. 

“Nope, you stay the hell away from him.” Carl argued.

“Too late.” Brian gave the man a defiant look.

“What did you do?” Carl asked as he rose and headed over to grab his jacket.

“Let’s just say I took matters into my own hands.” He confessed. “But unfortunately I guess I didn’t drive the point home with Mr. Hobbs.” Brian admitted. 

“Well sometimes a badge carries more weight.” Carl opened the door and ushered Brian out. “So where can I find him?” Carl asked. Brian gave him the directions and floor information as they headed out of the main office area. 

“Call me when you get done. Don’t say a word to Justin about the tickets. He’s freaked enough.” Brian warned. 

“I’ll let you know how it goes.” Carl slapped the taller man on the shoulder before moving towards his car. He couldn’t believe the stupidity of this Hobbs character. Surely he knew that they would be able to trace the ticket to him. Something wasn’t right but for the life of him Carl couldn’t put his finger on it.

*************************************

“Hey.” Justin looked up to find Max standing in his doorway.

“Well the plans are finalized, the architect selected, the ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for a week from Friday, looks like we are about to have a music wing.” The man beamed. Justin smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. Max realized then how tired the other man seemed. “What’s up?” He asked setting his enthusiasm aside.

“Nothing, I saw someone last night and it upset me. I didn’t sleep very well.” Justin admitted. “But I did need to let you know that if you need to reach me just use my cell number for the time being.” 

“Having phone problems?” Max asked leaning back in his chair and placing his feet on Justin’s desk. Justin eyed his feet. It was a now long standing argument between the employee and his boss. Max noted his displeasure but merely offered a good natured shrug. 

“No.” Justin replied firmly. “I’m going to be at the loft for the next little bit.” 

“Brian asked you to move into the loft?” Max asked his emotions bleeding through in spite of his efforts to separate his professional and personal feelings for the man. Justin noted the man’s disappointment but refused to give into it. 

“Yeah just for a few days though. I ran into the guy that bashed me and Brian thought it would be a good idea to head to the loft for a few days until we know why he’s hanging around Liberty Avenue.” Justin’s discomfort was evident. 

“Liberty Avenue?” Max asked. Justin nodded. Max grimaced in confusion. “But didn’t you say he was a homophobe?”

“Yeah.” Justin replied expecting the next question.

“Then what the heck is he doing on Liberty?” Max asked.

“Well he’s either there coming out of the closet or there to drive fags back in.” Justin replied a little harsher than he had intended. The lack of sleep was mixing with the anxiety and uncertainty still surrounding Hobbs, causing the man to be extremely on edge. Max noted his disposition and decided to change the subject.

“So those two new instructors are working out well. What are you planning on taking this fall?” Justin considered his question. 

“I think principles of design and modern abstract techniques.” He replied eying the PIFA schedule on the edge of the desk. Max nodded as he watched Justin return to the schedule he was working through. 

“Well I’ll leave you to it. Just wanted you to know how well things were going with the music wing.” Justin nodded. 

“So will the Reinholds be at the ground breaking?” He asked just as Max reached the door. 

“Not sure.” Max admitted. “I’m sure they’ll call if they can make it.” Justin nodded absently. He was still determined to learn the identities of the individuals who were so generously giving to the university so that Ethan might be remembered. He’d left a message for Ethan’s manager a few days back but so far the man had refused to return his call. Justin really wasn’t surprised that his request was being ignored. It was how the manager had handled him all along. Justin had always been some sordid secret, hidden away, a second class citizen whose only purpose in life was to inspire the talent and stay out of sight. 

Hearing a light rap on his door he looked up. He was surprised to find Brian staring down at him. 

“Wow, this is a nice surprise.” Justin announced as he stood and made his way around his desk to kiss his lover. Brian returned the kiss then deepened it. Justin found himself moaning into the man’s mouth. How was it that after all this time Brian’s touch still managed to have the same effect? 

“Wow.” Justin replied. “Someone had a good day.” He offered. Brian merely smiled back drawing the blonde back into his arms and holding him protectively to his chest. It had been the first time all day that Brian had been able to breathe. Justin was in his arms, safe from harm, this was the only time since they had parted earlier in the day, that Bran felt truly able to breathe. He tightened his grip on the smaller man. “Brian.” Justin’s muffled voice protested. “I can’t breathe.” Justin laughed. 

‘How ironic.’ Brian thought as he continued to hold tight to the smaller man debating on how much to share about the day he’d had with Chris Hobbs. 


****************************