CHAPTER 3 - AND THERE ARE MORE SUBJECTS...AND SECRETS ARE REVEALED

BEN AND JUSTIN’S HOUSE - 40 MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

Sitting down on the sofa bed, I look up to the night sky and it is so beautiful. “Mind if I come in?” Ben asks. “Bought hot chocolate and the cookies will be about another 10 minutes.”

“Of course not, come and look.” I smile as he makes his way across very carefully. “You don’t need a scope to see that.” I point up. “An almost perfect sky.” I sigh.

“Why almost...ah, no stars.” He laughs as he hands me a mug. “I like that this is up here. Saves you from dragging your bedding up instead!”

“True!” I laugh and sip the chocolate.

“What? I know you and you’re dwelling. If this is about CG then stop it. You are going to be great and…”

“No, it’s not that. It’s perfectly aligned, I mean absolutely perfect. I would like to meet the guy to say thanks.

LOFT - SAME TIME

ROOFTOP

BRIAN

Everytime I look up, I realise how small I am. That vast amount of sky and I am but a mere dot. A very rich dot, but a mere one nevertheless. I adjust my alignment slightly and then think about the tenant’s scope. I hope he didn’t mind, but I have watched the sky from that place a few times before I left. The only reason I didn’t take the place was because it was too near Michael. I still can’t believe we have come out of that two year trip alive... well him alive, and me not either behaving like Dr Richard Kimble, but having committed the murder, or in jail!

I snicker as I hear the thumpa-thumpa of the Avenue and realise that I missed it. Not in the sexual sense, as I got plenty of that. I am, well was, the Stud of Liberty Avenue after all and I had to get my needs met...but I missed the familiarity of it all. That was another refrain of Michael’s that almost got him flung into a hornets nest. He’d been keeping his ear to the ground making sure that my reputation is not sullied and now there’s this Brandon guy, who has staked his claim to Studhood. That was one of the reasons we went to Europe. I wanted to get the fuck out of the States before his whine drove me back to the Avenue, just to shut him up!

Speaking of shutting up, I do love a Honeycutt Handbagging! And boy were Lindsay and Mel handbagged. I knew about them being engaged and knew that they wouldn’t invite me to the party, which was why I went to the White Party, a ready-made excuse. We’ve been friends, or so I thought, for years Lindsay and I. And I was sincere in my offering, but it was the speed with which it was rejected; Mel actually laughed! Back then I was a mere ad exec but, like he said now that I’m a millionaire, I’m a dear friend! But I have to thank her for my interest in property amongst other things. If she hadn’t kept coming around and putting property listings all over the fucking loft, I would never have gotten into it!

I shiver slightly and take down some more Beam. “Time for bed!” I declare and with a salute to the moon, I head back inside.

BABYLON - SAME TIME

BACKROOM

BRANDON

I do up my fly and tuck in my shirt. That has got to be one of the most boring fucks ever! I look around Babylon and wonder how the so called Stud did it for all of this time. Same guys every damn time! Sighing, I head to the bar and lean against it, hoping against hope there is something interesting.

“He’s back in town, you know!” Some twink babbles excitedly.

“Who is?” His friend yells.

“Brian Kinney. He’s back!”

Ah, just got interesting.

“He looks hotter than ever. Mind you, money does make you a bit more attractive, doesn’t it?”

“It’s a shame though!” A Bear joins their conversation.

“Yeah, he could’ve left him overseas. Should be interesting to see what happens when you two come face to face, Brandon.”

“Why?” I sneer.

“No doubt he’s come to reclaim his throne. He doesn’t like to lose anything!”

“Two years is a long time.”

“Yeah. I wonder if he’s truly changed?”

“No, of course not!” A whiny voice interrupts. “He’s the same Stud he’s always been!” We all turn to look at a dark haired man, who is waving his beer bottle drunkenly about. “I should know…” He hiccups. “...I’m his best friend!”

“Yes.” The Bear sighs. “We so missed you saying that, said nobody ever! Maybe you should go home and sleep this off.”

“He bought me a house! A house all for me! He loves me! Really loves me!”

“Yeah, yeah. Come along, Novotny. Time to go!” One of the bouncers takes his arm and signals his colleague. “Get him into the lobby and then call the service for the idiot!”

RED CAPE COMICS - THURSDAY AFTERNOON

MICHAEL

The beginning of the week was a write off as I got so drunk in Babylon. But I made sure that everyone knew that the Stud and his best friend are back! I look up as the door chimes and it’s Ma.

“Hey, where have you been?” I demand.

“Helping out at the shelter. Now that I don’t have to work, I have to find other ways to occupy my time.” She looks around the store and frowns. “Michael, you need to dust and then put the stuff out, it…”

“No, this is how I want it to look. Rustic and full of…”

“Dust. It is full of dust! If you don’t want to do it, just ask Brian if you could use the service to do it, but you can’t open up like this!”

“Of course, the service. I keep forgetting the things that we now have!”

“We have? Who’s we?” She’s about to rest her bag on the counter, but changes her mind. I grimace at her continued look of dismay.

“Brian and I.” I scroll through my phone, trying to find the number. “Do you have the number for them?”

“No and you should ask Brian if it’s okay before I give it to you. And speaking of you and Brian, I get the distinct impression that only you have moved onto the next stage in your relationship with Brian.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I stop scrolling and start frowning.

“Some things he said on Sunday.”

“Like what?”

“I had two years of Michael, he is on his own. It’s none of your business. We are not partners in any way. Not the words of a boyfriend no matter how new to a relationship he is.”

“He was just tired and…”

“Honey, he’s not tired. He’s not interested.”

DEBBIE

I watch the liar-liar-pants-on-fire blush creep up his face. “And if you are honest to yourself, and if only to yourself, he never was.”

“He was, I mean, is!”

“Michael, I birthed you so I know when you are lying and when he is pissed off with you. You’re lying and he’s pissed off with you. I want to know why?”

He slumps against the counter. “He said I was ungrateful!”

“In what way...”

“Well he…”

“Let me finish. In what way is that not true?” His jaw drops and he slams his arms into his usual pout position. “You know what he did before he left on Saturday?” He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “He took my cards away, saying you weren’t going to ride on my money.”

“What is that supposed to mean? Oh, that reminds me! He needs to put his card back on the food account. Think his previous one must have expired. But back to what you were saying...”

“You need to start paying your own way for things. You have barely any overheads, but you still expect Brian to pay. And before you say it, the trip around almost the entire world, the house and this, he’s paid for more than enough!” I wipe my fingers along the counter and blow off the dust. “This could be symbolic of your friendship, for that is what it barely is, disintegrating to dust.

“You sound just like Emmett!” He snipes and then curls his lip in disdain. “Still can’t believe he works for him.”

“Why? He’s got a good eye. What’s the beef with you two anyway?”

“He told a lie about Brian and I didn’t like it.”

“A lie? What did he say?” I can’t imagine Emmett lying about anything, let alone Brian. They are the same in that respect.

“Well he didn’t say it, but he kept suggesting something. I soon set him straight.” He smirks. “He didn’t like that I told him what his chances were. But it doesn’t matter now.”

“Chances were in what? If it doesn’t matter, then just say it.” I demand, exasperated by his dramatics, which Carl swears he gets from me.

“That they slept together. Him and Brian, as if!”

“But they did back when Emmett first came to the Pitts. It took a bit of persuading, but they did the deed.”

“Persuading?” He whispers, looking like he wants to either throw up or cry. “I don’t believe you!”

“About them sleeping together or that Emmy popped his cherry? Because trust me both are true.”

“Bullshit, utter bullshit!” He explodes. “Brian and Emmett? Never in a million years!”

“Michael. They. Did. He needed someone gentle and Emmett was it. Fact.”

“But he would’ve told me that. He would’ve!” He almost spits in my face with rage.

“Why would he? Like he’s constantly saying, ‘unless it’s your cock in my mouth or mine up your ass, it is nothing to do with you’.”

“But I’m his best friend. His best!” He grabs his coat and struggles to put it on such is his fury. And let’s face it, his jealousy.

“Where are you going?”

“To see Brian for an explanation!”

“Why should he explain?”

“Brian should explain!”

The door chiming brings in the man in question. “Explain what? I could hear you bellowing two doors away.”

“Ma said that you and Emmett…” He pauses hardly able to bring himself to finish the sentence.

“Me and Emmett what?” He too runs his fingers over the counter in dismay. “Why haven’t you dusted before you put the stuff out?”

“Never mind that! That you and Emmett...fuc…”

“Fucked?” Brian supplies with a smirk and then he chuckles. “So that’s it? That’s why you’re so pissy with him all the time!”

“I am not pissy with him! So did you two?”

“Yep. It was time and he was the best. Now enough about past dalliances. Your reaction now and it not being your cock in my ass are the reasons why I didn’t say anything. Are you guys around on Sunday? Now that I have finally moved into Britin, thought we could have lunch there.”

“Oh can I cook?” I plead and he kisses my cheek in answer. “Let me know what you want to do and I’ll order it for you.”

“But...Brian.” Michael stutters, but Brian is gone with a wave and a shake of his head.

“I returned the favour.” I say, picking up my bag and dusting it down.

“What?” He looks confused.

“Well he got you your first fuck on the Avenue, so I got him his.”

LINDSAY AND MELANIE’S HOUSE - SATURDAY MORNING

LOUNGE

LINDSAY

“I wonder what it’s like?”

“What’s what like?” Mel looks up from her magazine.

“Britin. It sounds so romantic.” I sigh.

“Does it? How does something that sounds like Brian sound romantic?”

I shrug. “It just does. I bet it’s huge. He always does things on such a grand scale!”

“Have you got your argument ready?” Mel puts the magazine aside and folds her arms. “For why you now want him…”

“We want him…” She corrects stiffly.

“Yeah that. As the father.”

“We are simply asking him to remake the offer and we will accept.”

“And you expect him to do it just like that? After the way we treated him?”

“You treated him. You were the one that laughed!”

“Only after you said no!” She sighs and leans forward in the sofa. “Look Lindz, it’s too soon after he’s come back for you to be asking. Why not wait a while longer? He’s going after that agency after all and…”

“Which he will be doing while I will be carrying the baby. He doesn’t have to do anything, except say yes and provide.” I explain again.

“But what if he doesn’t? What if Emmett is right?”

“Emmett is not right and nor will he ever be!” I stand up and pick up the Art Forum and the Mother & Baby magazines. “I am going to have a bath; I could be some time!”

As I head upstairs, it occurs to me that Mel has been more and more reluctant to approach Brian about this, and I am beginning to wonder why.

BEN AND JUSTIN’S HOUSE - LATE EVENING

ATTIC

JUSTIN

“Oh fucking hell!” I exclaim as I jar the scope, ruining its alignment. “And of course, I didn’t fucking write it down!” I slump on the sofa and look up. Luckily, it’s cloudy so I wouldn’t have seen much tonight, but it’s supposed to be great watching weather tomorrow. “Ben!” I call down from the stairs and he pokes his head out of his bedroom. “Don’t suppose you have Emmett’s number? I need to ask him a question about the scope.”

“Uh sure, but I thought it was someone called Big Bad that shared your passion.” He hands me his phone.

“It is and here’s hoping that Emmett will share his number.” I grouse.

Twenty minutes later, I am beaming from ear to ear. Big Bad has sent me the magnitude numbers and I am all set for tomorrow’s moon gazing!

BRITIN - SUNDAY EARLY AFTERNOON

LOUNGE

BRIAN

Debs was in her element today. She cooked three roast chickens and there is not a speck of food left. Michael is still sulking, but that’s not my problem. Ted and I have an announcement to make.

“Ted, will you do the honours?” I say loud enough to stop any chatter.

“Sure, Bri. Well as you all know, Brian was interested in the Kinsey Agency and as of Friday afternoon, much to the huge fucking annoyance of Gardner Vance, it will be called Kinnetic and already has three members of staff.”

“Three?” Carl frowns.

“Yes, Brian, Murph from VanGuard and...me.” Ted smiles. “Brian, as some of you know can be very persuasive. I will be going in as his CFO. We will be hiring other staff, but in the meantime, we are making the acquisition of many VanGuard clients a priority. So far we have gotten Eyeconics and Ashton Pharma. That was on the strength of Brian’s name and past history alone.”

“Oh honey, that’s wonderful! You are going to be so busy!” Debs comes over and hugs me tightly.

“Yeah, I know. I will also need an attorney. Someone fierce and professional. Do you know anyone, Mel?” I take particular glee in the way her head almost snaps off her neck as she turns to look at me.

The room goes quiet. “Me as in me? You want me to recommend someone that I know to work for you?!” She gasps. “Are you nuts?!”

“Nope. So can you or not? Obviously, we couldn’t work together given our history.”

“Oh but Brian, I’m…” Lindsay puts a silencing hand on Mel’s arm. “...sure you and Mel could.”

“Not in a million fucking years would she even be a consideration. But if you could provide anyone, except you, who could give us what we need, do let me know. I believe I got that word perfect.” I repeat her words back to her and she flushes, but does nod in agreement.

“I have seen your office, you would’ve loved it.” Emmett smirks. “But no matter, I am sure someone will turn up. Someone who has the best interests of Kinnetic at heart.”

“Any other announcements?” Michael snipes, bitterly.

“Yes two. One, as you know I love photography and stargazing, so I am combining the two and going to CG to study that. And the other announcement can be easily deciphered if you look at this picture.” I project the image up onto the wall and at first, people are just staring at the moon.

“Oh. My. God!” Emmett gasps. “She! You! That’s?!” He stammers and I give a shy smile.

“Yep. Thank you, Lindsay. Thank you for being so vehement in your rejection of me when I had normal money. But you need to silence the sudden gong of your biological clock now that I’m a millionaire, because I have decided to go it alone.”

“What?!” She exclaims, going pale.

“Yes. I got to thinking as I was travelling of how I actually wanted to be a father. Now thanks to a friend and a surrogate, I’m going to be.”

“How could you?!” She screams. “How could you do that to me?! To us?! Mel, don’t you have anything to say?!”

“Congratulations, dad!” Mel sticks out her hand and smiles the most genuine smile I have ever seen. “You are going to be awesome!”

“Awesome?! Is that all you can come out with? Awesome?!” Lindsay sneers with tears streaming down her face.

“Yep, actually no. Awesome and thank you.”

“Thank you? What are you thanking him for?! He’s ruined our lives!”

“Your life. The more we’ve lived together the past two years, the more I’ve realised that I don’t want kids, Lindz. I don’t. I like my life... our life, the way it is.”

“Well, I don’t!”

“Don’t I get a fucking say in any of this?!” Michael declares, his face flushed with fury.

“Nope. My life. My choice. Now those who are happy can stay, those who are unhappy can leave.”