CHAPTER 3 - CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE - TWO WEEKS LATER, LATE AFTERNOON

VIC

I smile as I drive up to Britin. I have been charged with getting the final yes from a one Brian Kinney. I met up with Cynthia that very evening and I can’t believe it’s the same one who hired Ted. I like Ted. He has the same mentality and tolerance towards Michael that I have. Zero! As I pull up, I pause as I hear the most beautiful music. I get so lost in it that I don’t hear the door open.

“Dvorak cello concerto.” A rich voice interrupts my reverie. “Took me three days to find out what the fucking thing was and I was damned if I was going to ask him. You have got to be Vic. I’m Brian. Cynthia said you would be coming over. Sorry it’s taken so long for us to meet up, but had to go to New York and then California.”

“Yes, I know.” I take his hand and after shaking it, he gestures me in. “Ted was most surprised to be pulled into the melee so quickly.”

“He handled it well though. So…” He continues to talk over his shoulder as we proceed, I assume, to the kitchen. “...what do you have to convince me to use your services?”

“Ah, now that...Well take a seat, Mr Kinney and let me show you what we can do…”

Ten minutes later, he is chewing quietly and perusing the menu. “Okay definitely no desserts, especially not the cupcakes. Um, lots of salads, very lean meats. I can do one treat a month, so that can be of your choice. Food delivery once a week for a trial period of a month and a three month rolling contract, if I am happy.”

OPERA HOUSE - SAME TIME

EMMETT

I let myself in and listen to Justin playing on the roof. I have yet to meet this man, but if he looks anywhere close to the way he plays, well then…! As I put the food in the fridge and cupboard, I can’t help but sway along to the music and I am quite disappointed when it finishes.

BRITIN

VIC

“Elgar.” Brian mutters. “Please be Elgar.”

I watch him listen and then smile before going back to the contract.

OPERA HOUSE

EMMETT

“Now that is one hell of a machine. I love it. Needs a clean though.” I make sure the fridge is closed properly and leave the note as per normal, but that machine being mucky is bothering me. No, can’t leave it! Twenty minutes later, it is pristine and judging by the pods that were jammed in there, Intense is a favourite. I set it up and then scream the place down.

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph! You scared the shit out of me!” I shriek, clutching my heart and the counter as I notice someone behind me.

“Hi, sorry.” The slightly rumpled figure blinks at me. “We finally meet. I’m Justin and you have got to be Emmett.”

“Yes. That’s right.” I wait for the hammering to settle before taking his hand.

“And I love you more than life itself and my cello. You fixed my machine!” He cries in delight and puts down his bow. “Need coffee bad.”

“You had a pod jammed in there.” I say and then look at him properly. Holy mother of God, he is beautiful! And that butt...oh momma!

“So will you?”

“Oh yes, absolutely.” I reply and then pull myself out of the thought of having him squirm as I rim him. “Wait, will I what?”

“Let yourself out. I need to practise some more.” Justin grins as if he has read my mind and flashes a smile. I blush to the roof of my car!

“Yes, well I’ll be going then!” I babble and almost leave by the window!

“Bye, Emmett!” He calls out as he heads back up to the roof with a large mug in his hand.

BRITIN

VIC

He’s frowning and looking at his watch. As if he’s waiting for something. “You okay, Brian?”

“Yeah, just...never mind...so where do I sign?”

“Here. Here and here.” I point out and then the music starts again.

“Bach.” He almost seems to let out a breath of relief.

“Back where?” I query.

“Huh? Oh nothing. Right, so there you go. Look forward to meeting your partner. It takes a lot to impress me.”

“Oh he will impress you alright. Thank you for seeing me, Brian. I shall leave you to your day.”

“Thanks, Vic.” He smiles and then looks into the distance with a soft smile.

Oh by the time I am done with you, Mr Kinney, you are going to be smiling bigger and longer than that. So much more!

MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - EVENING

MICHAEL

We are going dancing and drinking tonight. I have finally been let off diner duty. Uncle Vic can be such an unreasonable fucking grouch sometimes. It’s not as if I won’t be paying her back...well, eventually!

“Michael! Emmett is here!” Ma calls up as I pull on my shirt.

“Five minutes!” I call back down and pray that Ted is not with him. He’s annoying, always looking at me as if I am doing something wrong!

“One minute!” Emmett calls back up. “Ted is already lining them up!”

I sigh and pull on my jacket. At least, I’ll get drinks out of him, so that’s something!

BABYLON, AN HOUR LATER

As we make our way through the crowd, I can just imagine the face on Ted when we meet up with him, he hates waiting. But instead of a face, he’s talking to a God!

“Who the fuck is that?!” I whisper to Emmett.

“I do believe that would be his boss.” He replies.

“That’s his boss? I would break the no fucking policy with him in no time flat!”

“Not a chance in hell!” Emmett scoffs as we get closer. “Like me, he would be too much for you. Way too much!”

“No, he wouldn’t! I could get him if I want him.”

“Michael, you are one of my dearest friends, and I love you in a purely non-sexual-ever way. I do not have deluded friends so don’t make me think that I have one now.” He finishes that sentence just as we get to Ted. “Now Teddy, please make the formal introductions.”

Ted snorts and shakes his head. For once, he and I are in agreement: that truly is a shocking outfit that Emmett is wearing.

“So, who’s the tangerine dream?” Ted’s boss looks Emmett up and down.

“Emmett Honeycutt, total nelly bottom.” He grins and I gape.

“Brian Kinney, total ultimate top.” He replies with a smirk.

“Emmett!” I gasp. “Sorry about that! I’m Michael and…”

“He’s mine.” Brian growls and with a nod, he follows the guy he just locked eyes with to the backroom. “Look after my drink, Ted. I won’t be long.”

“Sure thing, Bri.” Ted moves the drink closer to him. “So what kept you?”

“Had to wait for Michael to…”

“Dress like me on casual day?” He snickers.

“At least, I’m not dressed like a fruit!” I look pointedly at Emmett, who is scanning the room sipping his Cosmo.

“Uh huh. But even dressed as a fruit, he’s had more admiring glances in ten minutes than you’ve had in the whole year I should imagine.”

Before I can say anything, Brian comes back.

“Good?” Ted asks.

“Okay, took the edge off.” He takes his drink and clinks glasses with Emmett while I stand there fiddling with my beer. “So tangerine dream seen the man of your night?”

“Hmm? Oh, I did earlier. Had a bubble to die for.”

“I do like a bubble.” He smirks.

“Don’t we all, honey? Don’t we all. Okay, they are playing our song! Come on, Mr Ultimate. Let’s see what you got!” He nods and then drains his glass before following Emmett on the dance floor.

“This should be fun to watch.” Ted remarks.

“Problem?” I snark, feeling a little aggrieved that Emmett has left me with him.

“Apart from your company?” He doesn’t even look at me when he says that. “When I say fun to watch, I literally mean fun.”

The song starts up and every pair of eyes turn to them as they dance. I have never gotten so hard so quick just from watching a man dance! They don’t come off the floor for another hour. Just as they are coming back with Emmett fanning himself, another song comes on.

“One more! One more!” Brian yells and grabs Emmett.

“What is it?!” Emmett yells back, laughing.

“Cue the Pulse to Begin! Please! And then we can eat!”

“Alright, Mr Ultimate, commence tailfeather shaking!”

Unfortunately due to his ultimate dance skills, they ended up playing the fucking song four times in a row but by the 3rd song, almost the entire club had gotten the steps including Ted and had joined them on the floor!

“That is it! I’m hungry and in need of a coffee. Come on, let’s go!” Emmett hollers as they finally come back to the bar. “Michael, were you standing here all night?”

“No! I danced a bit. But like you, I have worked up an appetite. Shall we go to the diner?”

“Ugh, no! Let’s go to mine!”

E’S HOUSE OF DELIGHT - 90 MINUTES LATER

BRIAN

“Oh my god!” I groan as Emmett comes out of the kitchen. “Schmidt, you need to make me go to the gym tomorrow! We each get the entire plate?!”

“Indeed!” Emmett laughs as he puts the board of death in front of me.

“Ems, you have to make me go to the gym tomorrow so that I can make Bri.”

“What time?” Michael suddenly pipes up.

“What time what?” I ask. I have to admit that I had forgotten he was there!

“What time do you want me to start the calls? I would need your number.” He smiles at me.

“Just call Ted and he’ll call me.” I reply and peruse the board. “So, where do I start?”

“The onion rings.” Emmett sits down with his board and I just shake my head. Then wish I hadn’t signed that contract with Vic! “You okay, Brian? You look...um, well I’m not sure but not happy.”

“I’m more than happy! It’s just that I’ve signed a food contract with another guy and I really want to have this food.”

“Who’s the other guy?” Ted asks.

“Vic Grassi. He runs the Liberty Diner. He’s got a partner…” I trail off in the face of his ever widening grin. “...which would be you?”

“Indeed, it would!” He wriggles on his seat. “Vic said he signed another client on a trial basis, but not whom!”

I take a bite of the burger. “No, no trial, confirmed. You’re confirmed.” I tell him and inhale the rest of my burger.

ROOF OF OPERA HOUSE - AN HOUR LATER

JUSTIN

The outdoor lights have not come on yet. I rest my chin against my cello and sigh. Then as the lights suddenly come on, his dogs start to yip.

“You going to play him to sleep or go to bed?” Daph comes up and gets under the duvet. “I don’t have to tell you how pissed Brent will be if you get sick!”

“I won’t get sick and I wasn’t waiting for him to get home!” I protest, getting up and hustling her ahead of me.

“Okay, um you going to switch on the CD or shall I?” She smirks and then laughs as I stomp back upstairs to press play!