Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Author's Comment: Just a note to let you know that this chapter is LONGER THAN NORMAL. I didn't notice the word count until I had posted this chapter, and then I couldn't figure out how to divide the chapter without making a mess of things. So sorry!
Chapter 31 – Aftermath, Part 2
Saturday Morning at Bri-tin…(Day 27)
Justin wanted to take advantage of the early morning light, so he gently slipped out of bed leaving Brian asleep and quietly made his way to his studio.
Brian obviously felt things shift in the bedroom, because he awakened shortly thereafter. Realizing that the bed was not somewhere he wanted to linger without Justin, Brian got up. Taking a quick shower and stopping to have a glass of guava juice while the coffee brewed, Brian decided to make breakfast.
Making coffee, toasting two bagels, and finally locating cream cheese, peanut butter and fresh fruit in the refrigerator, let Brian know that he had made a good start. Pouring the coffee in to cups, placing everything on plates, placing the plates on a tray, let him know that he could pull this off. Brian easily made his way to Justin’s studio.
Since Justin had the door open, Brian just walked right in. “Good morning, Sunshine.”
“You fixed breakfast?” Justin said, greatly surprised by the gesture as he made room for the tray on the table.
“Of course, can’t you see how complicated it is?” Brian smirked, setting down the tray and making himself comfortable on the futon
“This is truly a surprise.”
“I missed a morning blowjob because you got up early. So I figured that if I bribed you with breakfast…”
“I see. Ever the romantic!” Justin said with a laugh. “Did you want this blowjob before or after breakfast?”
“I was thinking after. That way it won’t be interrupted by your stomach rumbling.”
“I guess I could take a break after breakfast. Some things are a priority after all.”
“I’m glad you realize that,” Brian said with a smile, taking another bite of his bagel with peanut butter.
“This is nice Brian, will you do this every weekend?”
“No, I think I prefer to take you out to breakfast, but you were already at work. So…”
“I didn’t want to wake you when I got up. I really thought you might like to sleep in for a change, especially after everything that happened last night,” Justin said complete with suggestive eyebrow movements.
“Not without you.” Brian whispered. “ Besides, I’m going to work in the study this morning. I have some work to finish and a few phone calls to make anyway.”
“On Saturday?”
“I want to be sure to call Gus.”
“Good idea.”
After breakfast had been eaten and the dishes cleared away, Brian and Justin quickly stripped out of their clothes and made their way into the shower in the studio area. Brian was surprised to find this bathroom too was stocked with condoms, lube, and his shampoo and soap.
“So I guess, we’re going to initiate another room, huh?” Brian asked as he regulated the water in the shower.
“I guess so. I love this house. There is enough hot water for a long, leisurely showers,” Justin said, stepping under the water but snuggling into Brian’s chest.
“You keep looking for excuses not to paint, don’t you?” Brian asked with a laugh, reaching around to soap Justin’s back.
“That’s not true, but I’ll paint better once I’m inspired.” Justin said, settling in under the spray, and leaning up to give Brian a kiss.
Brian leaned into the kiss, allowing it to turn passionate and then deepening it. When they finally separated to draw in a breath of air, Justin asked, “Are you sure that you still want that blowjob?”
“Not particularly,” Brian responded with a smile, pivoting Justin around in the shower and reaching for the lube. Brian seductively stretched and prepared Justin for entry. He then quickly sheathed himself within a condom.
Brian let out a groan as he entered Justin and was soon surrounded by the tightness.
As Brian began to thrust, Justin met him stroke for stroke. Justin groaned as Brian pushed him over the edge, with Brian immediately following behind him.
They stayed like that for a few moments under the shower spray.
Eventually Brian pulled out, tied off the condom, and tossed it aside. Justin snuggled against Brian chest once again.
Finally, deciding they had been in the shower long enough, Brian and Justin emerged from the shower, grabbing towels and wrapping themselves in robes. They decided to curl up together on the futon in the studio.
“I see that you have quite a cozy little setup in here and so well equipped too,” Brian commented, repositioning Justin in his arms and tightening his grip. “Of course, I’m getting used to the robes and towels everywhere within easy reach.”
“That’s good.” Justin smiled, snuggling in closer.
“So are you going to just lay here with me, or are you going to get back to painting?”
“Is that a trick question?”
“Justin!”
“I’m thinking it over.”
“Justin!”
“Ok, I’m going to paint…only because you have to call Gus.”
“Good point,” Brian said with a smile, leaning down to kiss the top of Justin’s head.
Brian finally managed to get dressed and headed for the study to make his phone calls. Justin lingered a few moments on the futon. Then he too got dressed and returned to his canvas with a knowing smile upon his face.
***
About An Hour Later…(Day 27)
Justin’s cell phone rang, and he mindlessly answered it without checking the caller ID, “Hello.”
“Justin, it’s Jason. I’m glad I caught you,” the voice on the other end began.
“Why is that?” Justin had to ask.
“I hope you’ve made your reservations? Time is fleeting.” Jason reminded him with that singsong style that was always most irritating.
“I was just there, don’t you remember? The wing of Cincinnati Art Gallery isn’t due to open for another three months. So what are you talking about? Don’t you think this is a little early for reservations?”
Justin knew it was a waste of time, but he thought he would try logic anyway. He could hear that Jason was on a mission; so he knew he would just have to ride this out, until he found out what his friend had on his mind.
“I’m just trying to make sure that you and Brian are on your way here?” Jason said, trying to understand why Justin was being unusually dense.
“Remember that project I was working on with Brian, well we just had the final meeting and ….”
Jason interrupted, figuring he didn’t really want to hear excuses. “Perfect! So you can get your ass here to Cincinnati with no problem!”
“The client wants an accelerated roll out schedule. Brian is going to be swamped. I’m on my way to New York, next week….”
Once again Jason interrupted, “And you’re saying this, because….”
“We’ll have to reschedule whatever visit you had in mind for another time,” Justin explained when he could finally get a word in edgewise.
“I don’t think so!” Jason protested. “Don’t tell me you forgot!”
“What?”
“Your godson is having his fourth birthday. He expects you and Brian to be here. Your visit is the whole reason that he is looking forward to being four years old. So, I suggest that you redo your release schedule. Unless of course, you and Brian are planning to explain to a three year old why he’s about to be disappointed.”
“You know, Jason, you’re really getting brutal. You used to be such a nice person.”
“I learn from the best. How am I doing?” Jason said with a laugh. “Your room is ready. We even added sound proofing.”
“What a thoughtful gesture. So I see there is no way around this?”
“Not really.”
“I take it Paul is on the line with Brian giving him the same spiel.”
“Pretty much. So I guess things are settled, and I have no choice in this.”
“You know Brian keeps talking about your 1500 SAT scores. I’m beginning to see that you may be more than a pretty face. You know, Jus, you’re very smart for a blond.”
“Let me talk to Brian, and we’ll let you know when we’re coming.”
“Now that’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. I knew if I talked to you long enough that you would come around,” Jason teased. “By the way, I got your email about Milan. I know that whatever you submit is going to be wonderful. Of course, you HAVE to be accepted.”
“Have to be accepted? Jason, don’t you bother to read the emails that I send you? I have been given a chance to apply!…to apply! There is no guarantee that I will be accepted for all the reasons I told you in the email. Didn’t you read it?”
“You’re just going to have to make a great submission because you have to be accepted. That’s all that there is to it!”
“What? Why is that?”
“Well if you are selected, you will have to be in Milan this summer. Paul and I have already invited ourselves to accompany you and Brian. I know Brian is already there...home of Armani and all. We just decided you shouldn’t go alone, so we’re inviting ourselves to tag along. So you have to make a great application. Paul and I have plans.”
“I love the way you two would have no life if it wasn’t for Brian and me.”
“Yeah, well things are so quiet otherwise. I seem to stay out of mischief until you’re around. Or at least that’s Paul’s version of reality. However, now it’s apparent that you alone cause all the trouble, I’m sure that Brian will agree with me.’
“What are you trying to say?”
“Paul and I have worked together since I was 18. Never once did one of our clients need an intermediary. You and Brian work on one project together and intermediaries start flying half way round the world. Now I ask you, which one of us causes the mischief? You know after that little stunt of yours, my status as ‘total innocent’ in anything that we do is going to be assured. Oh yeah, I’m going to love this.”
“You have such an evil mind.”
“Have you talked to Brian yet about working with him?”
“I told you I would wait to see how this project went. Sure Brian got the account, but I created so much chaos, he probably doesn’t want to work with me again.”
“Brian is used to you. After all these years, Brian is perfectly capable of handling the firestorms you create. In fact, I’m sure that he loves them. Talk to him Justin!”
“I’m trying to build up my courage. We’re going to talk when I get back from New York. Then, I can feel him out to see what he thinks about this.”
“Well, I’m going to start my research on places of interest in and around Milan. I want to be ready. The summer isn’t that far away.”
“Will you give it a rest?”
“Wasn’t planning on it! I want to be sure that you’re properly motivated.”
“Will you let me get back to painting? I’ll talk to you later.” Justin said. “We’ll let you know when we’re arriving. Give Nicky a hug for me.”
“I can do that…I’ll talk to you later. Just remember what I said. Bye, Jus.”
“Bye,” Justin said, closing his cell phone. Justin took a moment and just shook his head.
Without bothering to clean up or change clothes, Justin walked out of the studio and into the study, where Brian was just finishing up a phone call. Brian looked at Justin as he entered the office and smiled.
“You know I have watched you paint for years. It’s a good thing your paintings sell for so much money,” Brian said, closing his cell phone.
“Why do say that?”
“Because you manage to get more paint on you and, dare I say it, on my shirts, than you ever get on the canvas. It must cost you a fortune. How do you manage it?” Brian continued to tease.
“What is your point, Brian?” Justin asked slowly, placing his hand on his hip for emphasis.
Brian still wasn’t ready to let this go. “You’re even instilling bad habits in my son. I talked to Lindsay earlier, and it seems that now Gus only wants to finger paint when he’s in her studio, and he manages to get covered with paint. You know what a neatnik Lindsay is when she paints! She’s trying to figure out where Gus learned his painting techniques.”
“Are you finished?”
“I’m sorry, did you want something?” Brian innocently asked with a smile.
“Jason just called. We have to go to Cincinnati for Nicky’s birthday. Are you going to be able to get away?”
“Like Paul gave me a choice!”
“I see your conversation went pretty much the same way that mine did with Jason.”
“Pretty much.”
“Did Paul mention to you that he and Jason have invited themselves to tag along to Milan for the emerging artist show, if I get accepted.”
“No he didn’t mention that part. So I guess this means any plans that you had about not being accepted are out the window.”
“So I guess I better get back into the studio and work on my technique, so I make a good application, huh?”
“Looks like it. Let me know when you’re ready for me to pose.”
“Pose? Pose for what?”
“I told you, I’m already picturing my picture or my body parts on display at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. So in order for that to happen, I assume I have to pose. I’m going to start my work out schedule now so everything will be just perfect by the time you’re ready to paint me.”
“Brian, don’t you think I have enough sketches of you to be able to paint you without you posing? That is assuming I’m planning to make you the subject of my submission.”
“Who else would you use? I’m so handy.” Brian said with a smirk, kissing Justin’s ear since that is the only place that was free of paint.
Justin leaned into the kiss. He then smiled and said “Later,” before returning to work in his studio.
***
Meanwhile In Toronto…(Day 27)
“Gus, did you have a good talk with your dad?” Lindsay asked, noticing the smile on her son’s face.
“I told dad about my spelling bee and playing soccer in gym class,” Gus recounted.
“That’s good, honey.”
“Did you talk to Justin?”
“No, Justin was in his studio. I just talked to dad. Justin is going to New York.”
“Justin is going to New York?” Lindsay repeated, knowing she couldn’t possibly have heard correctly.
“New York!” Melanie exclaimed, walking in on the tail end of the conversation.
“Yep!” Gus reassured everyone.
Lindsay and Melanie immediately knew there was going to be trouble. The last time that Gus had to think of HIS Justin in New York, he worried about Justin being hungry and alone. Gus had refused to talk to them and even staged a hunger strike because Lindsay and Melanie didn’t show the proper level of concern for Justin. Now Justin was returning to New York. Both mommies knew this could spell trouble.
“Mom, when are going back to see dad. Has it been a month yet?” Gus asked, flipping through a calendar on the wall.
“No, Gus. It’s only been a week.” Lindsay explained. “We have about three more weeks to go.”
Gus was definitely not happy with that news. “Three weeks is a long time,” he finally said resolutely, lowering himself to the floor in disappointment.
Finally Gus crawled over to play with Jenny Rebecca, hoping this would make the time go faster.
Seeing that Gus was occupied, Lindsay eased into the next room to call Brian back.
“I thought Justin was going to be in Pittsburgh painting for three months. Yet Gus just told me he was going back to New York,” Lindsay began as soon as Brian had answered the phone…all without the requisite hello.
“Well hello to you too, Lindsay. You have obviously been hanging with Melanie too long, you’re starting to pick up her bad habits. Now why are you giving me the third degree about Justin’s whereabouts?”
“I just thought Justin would be in town for three months. Now he’s going back to New York. What did you do this time?”
Brian let out a long-suffering sigh. “I didn’t do anything. Justin has to meet with his agent and a few galleries. He’ll be gone less than a week.” Brian answered.
“I just wondered why he didn’t mention it when I talked to him.”
“He probably didn’t think it was important. Did he tell you about Milan?” Brian asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Yes, isn’t it exciting?”
“Justin has been reserved about this. He wants us all to remember that he is only getting a chance to apply. There are no guarantees that he will be accepted. Still, it’s quite an honor to be asked to apply.”
“Brian, there’s no doubt in my mind that he will be accepted. I can’t believe how his career is taking off. I’m really proud of him.”
“Be sure you tell him that.”
“I already have. The question is how are you dealing with this?”
“Me? I’m as excited as he is.”
“Have you considered the implications?”
“We’ll handle them,” Brian said in a tone that let her know the topic was now closed.
“That’s good.”
“How are things with you and Melanie?” Brian asked, changing the subject.
“They’re good. We’re still working on things.”
“Let me know if I can do anything to help.” Brian said.
“No, I think we can work this out. Everything is going to be ok.”
“If you say so. Is there anything else?”
“Gus was so worried about Justin being in New York last time. I’m afraid that he will get concerned again.”
“Don’t worry. Gus and I have had a long talk about this. Doesn’t he seem ok about Justin going to New York?”
“Yeah…”
“Stop worrying. Justin will call him from New York. Everything will be fine. If there’s a problem just call me.”
“Ok. I feel better now, so I’ll let you go.”
“Lindsay wait a minute. What do you know about Catherine Mann, Justin’s agent?”
“She really very good and highly respected. She has a great reputation. She’ll handle Justin’s career with great care. I’m not sure how she’ll feel about Milan though. It’s a really big step for Justin.”
“I know. We’ll have to wait to see what happens. Either way, Justin is going to be ok.”
“I know. He really is very talented, you know.”
“I know. You take care. Bye.”
Lindsay closed her cell phone and turned around. Melanie was standing there waiting for an update.
“Brian and Gus talked about Justin being in New York. Brian said that Gus is ok with it,” Lindsay explained to her partner.
“I will admit that he does seem to be ok so far,” Melanie said after careful reflection.
“I guess we just have to be sure that Michael doesn’t come up next weekend to upset things.”
“Michael and Ben aren’t coming up here…because they’re paying for Jenny and me to fly there this month. We only have a few more weeks, and we’re back in Pittsburgh.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Another session with Elizabeth will be good. Although…Since you and I have been talking, things are getting better between us. I must say that I really like that,” Lindsay said, gently kissing Melanie.
“Me too,” Melanie whispers as she leaned into the kiss. After a few moments, she posed a question with some concern. “Are you ok about Justin and Milan?”
“I’m just really surprised, that’s all. I knew it would take a while for him to get the solo show at a major a major gallery in New York. But, Melanie, he’s been able to survive a whole year there. He’s had a chance to participate in several showcases, and his paintings always seem to sell out at each show. So his career is going to be fine, whether he gets to exhibit this summer in Milan or not.”
“What does it mean if he’s accepted for the show in Milan?”
“You remember I said that many artists work their whole career and never get one mention in Art Forum. But Justin had a whole article about him in Art Forum by the time he was 22 years old. The critics are going to be watching everything he does from now on, especially if he gets Milan. That’s a lot of pressure for one so young.”
“Lindsay, we’re talking about Justin. He’s one of the strongest people we know.”
“Melanie, Justin wants to be with Brian. That’s why he’s in Pittsburgh now. I don’t know if he’s willing to make the sacrifices necessary to have an international career. We were able to push him in the right direction last time. Justin is a lot more stubborn now.”
“Lindsay, promise me that you will not interfere between Brian and Justin. Justin will have to figure out what he wants. He really can do that. But you need to promise not to push. Whatever happens is Justin’s decision. You need to leave him alone to decide for himself.”
“I know. I intend to stay out of this…unless Justin asks for my help.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“But it’s a really wonderful opportunity for Justin. I’m really very happy for him. And, I’m very proud of him.”
“Be sure you tell him that when you talk to him again.”
“I’ll do that.”
***
A Few Hours Later at Bri-tin…(Day 27)
Justin was sitting at the computer pondering over what was on the screen. Brian happened to pass by the studio door. He walked in and sat down beside Justin and began to mindlessly massage Justin’s right hand.
“That feels good. Thanks,” Justin said, leaning his head on Brian’s shoulder.
“So with all the threats and interruptions, did you get anything done today? I’m really sorry. I know I’m as bad as everyone else. You’re just going to have to close the door to your studio and turn off the phone when you don’t want to be disturbed.”
“I usually do. Today was a relaxing day of painting. I really got quite a bit done.”
“So what are you doing now?”
“Just doodling. My hand was tired so I couldn’t use the sketchpad.”
“I’m not taking very good care of you, am I?”
“You’re taking very good care of me, but I think I’m getting hungry.”
“Do you want to do an early dinner at Popagano’s?”
“Would you be disappointed if we eat here instead? I just want to spend some time with you before we go to Babylon.”
“Do you still want to go to Babylon?”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to dancing with you.”
“So we’ll order delivery…eat in front of the fire…maybe go back to bed…then go to Babylon. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.”
“Is Chinese ok?”
“You read my mind.”
“Oh, if that were only true!” Brian smirked, receiving a swat on the arm from Justin for that comment.