Brian went to the kitchen, taking deep breaths with each of his small steps, trying to slow his heart that felt it was going to jump right out of his chest.  He filled the measuring cup with water and carefully poured the water into the reservoir.  He opened the container of coffee and measured out enough for a full pot.  Grabbing two mugs from the cabinet, he placed them on the counter.  Opening the fridge, he took out the creamer that he liked and also grabbed the sugar canister from the counter and placed it next to the coffee maker. The fact that he had sugar in his loft was bad enough, but to see it sitting on the counter every day was just strange.

When he looked at the clock on the oven, he saw that he'd only been in the kitchen a few minutes and wished for the first time that he owned a slow brewing machine instead of the quick one he'd purchased.  The one he had could either make single cups or a carafe. He watched the coffee drip into the glass carafe, his mind momentarily mesmerized by the drops as they formed and slid into the container.  It had been 10 minutes and the coffee was finished brewing.  His hands were moist, and his heartbeat had not slowed down.  He ran his hands down his jeans, steadied his voice, and called out.

"Justin, coffee's ready.  Come in and fix your mug."  Brian's voice seemed steady enough to his ears, but he wondered if Justin heard the hesitation.  He also wondered if Justin thought it strange that he stayed in the kitchen while it was brewing when typically, he would have joined him in the living room.

Justin walked into the kitchen area and saw the set up by the coffee pot.  "Great. You've already got the sugar down.  It was always a little high for me to reach when you had it on top of the fridge"

"Emmett chastised me about it and said that I needed to have it at a height that Gus could reach.  So thank Emmett," Brian said, relieved to be talking about something so inconsequential as the placement of the sugar canister.

They fixed their respective coffees and Brian waved his hand toward the living room.  "Gus is in bed.  He loved his new bed, by the way. Thanks for helping me build it."

Justin took a sip of his coffee and then put the mug down.  "I'm glad. You're welcome.  That's what friends are for.... I mean helping each other," Justin said, keeping the conversation light, unsure where to start the difficult part."  he sat on the Koket's white couch opposite Brian who was sitting in the complimentary Koket's chair.  This was a stark contrast to the IKEA loft bed that they built yesterday.  Justin could see his painting that Brian bought to add some color to the room, and he was filled with a sense of pride that the piece hung in his friend's home.  There was a faint hum from the fridge, but otherwise, the silence was deafening, as if they were the only people in the world.  For Justin, it almost felt that way, he and Brian were at a critical juncture, and he was hoping that he had not screwed up this relationship before it even started.

"Brian, I'm sorry," Justin said, accepting that he would have to start the conversation.  "I mean.... I'm sorry about yesterday."

"Sorry's bullshit," Brian said, relieved that Justin started the conversation and still not really sure what he wanted to convey.

Justin cringed at Brian's tone, but he ignored it and continued.

"I shouldn't have kissed you.  And, well, what I said... I'm sorry."

"Sorry you kissed me or sorry you said what you said?"  Brian asked, not wanting to put his cards on the table. 

"Fuck," Justin said, realizing that Brian wasn't going to give him an inch.  "Look, I'm your sponsor and I'm not supposed to have feelings for you.  There is a reason why AA discourages opposite-sex sponsors.  I should have known better.  I do know better."

"Isn't your sponsor a guy?  How is that different?"  Brian asked, thinking he already knew the answer, but wanted Justin to tell him.

"Jeremy is a guy, you're right.  But he's straight, married....even got a couple of kids. It would have been fine, I think if you'd been straight or I'd been straight.  But we're not.  We are both gay and I fucked up."

"But you knew I was gay from the start.  I remember you specifically telling me that you weren't going to trick with me.  In fact, I distinctly remember you telling me this a couple of times."

"Brian, I screwed up.  I had just gotten my one-year chip the week before and thought I was invincible.  I'd made it a year.  No drinks, working the program, got my life on track and I was making money doing what I love.  I was on cloud nine.  And then you walk into the meeting, a newbie, and I said to myself, I can help this guy.  That was me a year ago. I reached out and I was thrilled when you said yes.  Sure, you hit on me, but I thought I was better than the rules.  I'm so sorry," Justin shook his head slightly, feeling as if he wished he could just disappear. He picked up his mug and took a sip, not even tasting the brew. 

"Okay, you screwed up, but what does that mean for me?  Are you just walking out my door and I'll never see you again?" Brian asked, fearful of Justin's answer.

Brian's words hit Justin like a punch to the gut.  He couldn't imagine not seeing Brian, but he didn't want to hurt him anymore. 

"I don't know what it means.  I can't be your sponsor anymore, but I can be your friend.  I like you, Brian," Justin said very softly, wishing for the 100th time in the last few days that he could have practiced better restraint.

Brian listened to Justin, his mind reeling from the implications of their conversation.  "A new sponsor.  What if I don't want a new sponsor?  I think we work well together."

"Brian, I can't be your sponsor.  That cannot change.  I crossed a line that I shouldn't have.  For your sobriety, I can't do it. I'm sorry."  Justin looked at Brian's crestfallen face and his heart went out to him. He chastised himself, feeling as if he was the scum of the earth.

"Don't you think I should be the one who decides who will be my sponsor?" Brian asked.  It had not occurred to him that Justin would stop being his sponsor.

"You do get to decide, but I have to take my name off the table.  I can still be your friend, but I can't be your sponsor," Justin said, accepting for the first time what his indiscretion would cost him. Justin heard rustling coming from Gus' room.  He hoped Gus was asleep and not playing possum, listening to this interchange.  While Brian had not kept Gus in the dark regarding his sobriety, this conversation was not meant for him to listen.

Brian listened, trying to pay attention, "Okay.  We can still be friends....as long as you are not cutting all ties."  Brian hesitated a few moments but decided to add, "What if I want more than friendship?  Would you be open to that?"

Justin looked at Brian, unsure he heard the question correctly, and said, "more than friendship...What does that mean?"  Justin was surprised at the question and his mouth opened wide and his eyes appeared bigger.

Brian got up, walked to the couch, leaned down, and gave Justin a kiss on the lips.  It was fast, but his message was clear.  "It means that you are not the only one with feelings," Brian said, smiling at Justin as he returned to the couch. 

Justin was stunned.  He had not expected that response.  He had expected anger, rejection, sadness, but he did not expect that Brian had feelings for him too. 

Justin sat back in his chair, his mouth returning to its open position as he tried to process Brian's latest action.  "Brian, I don't know what to say.  I'm not sure you're ready to date.  You've been sober for six months; that's like asking a baby to take its first steps."

"Are you comparing me to a baby?"  Brian said indignantly.

"No.  It was a metaphor.  Brian, I'm not really sure this is a great idea.  I mean, sure I have feelings for you. That was unfortunately brought out yesterday when I kissed you and said what I said, but you don't have to reciprocate them.  I don't want you confusing your feelings with your desire for me to be your sponsor."  Justin tried to give Brian an out, still shocked by Brian's action. 

Brian stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the Pittsburgh skyline. "I see.  So, it's okay for you to have feelings because you've been sober for longer than me, but it's not okay for me to reciprocate those feelings?  Fuck this!"  He could feel the emotions churning and brewing in him and he didn't know what to do with them.  He wanted to bang the wall in frustration but didn't want to wake up Gus.  He wanted to yell and scream at Justin, but most of all he wanted a drink.  He wanted to open a large bottle of Jim Beam and drown his feelings. 

He walked back toward where Justin was sitting on the couch and sat down. Without a word, he pulled Justin toward him, using his hand to guide Justin's neck toward him and kissing him hard on the mouth.  It was not a quick peck, but Justin could feel the pressure on his mouth and Brian's tongue circling his lips, pushing for entrance. 

Justin felt his emotions surge through his body while his mind screamed to stop.  His mind won and he pulled away.

"Tell me that you didn't like that.  Tell me that my kiss was not coming from someone who knew what they wanted.  Go on, tell me.  I'm waiting," Brian said, hoping that Justin would be honest with him and that this kiss had proved his point.

"Brian.  I didn't say you couldn't have feelings for me or that they aren't real.  Sobriety doesn't stop you from having feelings.  What I was saying is that it may not be a good time to explore anything.  There is a reason why AA suggests that people wait at least a year before starting a relationship.  Obviously, the organization knows something about relationships.  They also state that you should have a sponsor that is not someone who you might be attracted to.  I didn't listen to that suggestion, but I think for both of us, we should listen to the other one.  I would never forgive myself if you started drinking again.  I would always blame myself for your lapse."  Justin said as he stood up from the couch and went into the kitchen to get more coffee.  He needed to physically distance himself from Brian's close proximity as it was taking all his willpower to not return Brian's kiss.

Justin spent a few minutes in the kitchen, taking his time preparing his coffee and stalling as long as he could before he rejoined Brian.  "How about this?  You find a new sponsor and we remain friends.  AA encourages people to make new friends and we've done that.  I like hanging out with you and Gus.  We can see what happens.  I want you to be really sure that your feelings for me are not tangled up in my sponsorship."

Brian took a deep breath, feeling rejected and elated at the same time. He rolled his eyes and gave Justin a tentative smile.  Brian said, "Okay.  But it sucks. You're killing me here.  I have never felt ... well, I guess there is time for feeling later.  At least you haven't taken that option off the table."  Brian reached out to give Justin a hug and while Justin wasn't sure he should return the hug, his body had other ideas.

"Brian, let's be friends.  You know that they say that the best relationships start out as friendships," Justin remarked, giving his familiar PSA as he again stepped back from Brian.  He felt like he was in a dance, step forward, step back, step forward, turn around, step back.  It was dance of sorts, a mating dance, but he was not trying to impress a mate, instead, he was trying to stave off any mating rituals.  He hoped that maybe one day he and Brian could participate in the dance.

"You and your educational tidbits.  I swear you are walking font of random information."  Brian smiled at Justin, feeling a little less tense than he had earlier this evening.  The night had not turned out as he anticipated, but really, he had no anticipation, other than talking with Justin. 

"So, I guess I have to find a new sponsor?  And on another note, are you joining me and Gus this weekend?  He wanted to know if you'd be around," Brian asked.  He looked at his empty mug, unsure when he had finished the coffee.  He said, "I'm getting some more coffee."  He walked to the kitchen and fixed a new mug, taking it back to the living room.

"Yes, you need to find a new sponsor.  No, I won't be joining you this weekend.  I think we need a little distance," Justin said, although he really wanted to say yes. "You'll need to find a new sponsor soon.  There's been a lot of changes in your life in the last few days and major changes can result in lapses."

"Another reason why you should continue to be my sponsor.  What happens if I feel the pull of the alcohol and you're not there to call?"  Brian asked, trying to manipulate Justin into changing his mind. 

Justin shook his head.  "Brian, that is the very reason I can't be your sponsor.  I cannot be the one you turn to in a drinking crisis and be the person with whom you are in a relationship.  I can't be your safe place if I'm in your bed.  If we have a fight and you want to drink, it would destroy everything we had.  There really needs to be separation.  I realize my mistake and I wish I could turn back time, choosing to be your friend and not your sponsor, but unfortunately in this situation, hindsight is 20/20," Justin said, finally putting into black and white terms the justification for changing their relationship.

Brian listened and said, "So you do want to sleep with me, be in my bed?"

Justin shook his head, hoping that wasn't the only part of the conversation that Brian had heard.  "Brian, I like you.  I like you a lot.  If I wasn't your sponsor, maybe we would have started a relationship, but I'm currently your sponsor and I need to back off before anything happens.  The lines are too blurred.  Who knows, once I'm not your sponsor, you may find that your feelings for me have changed."  Justin finished his coffee and stopped himself from reaching out to hug Brian.  He wanted to kiss him, hug him and hold him tight.  He'd like nothing better than to intertwine their bodies together, but he would restrain himself, hoping for that outcome in the future.

"I don't think that will change."  Brian sighed heavily, suddenly feeling very tired.  The adrenaline that had been coursing through his body had stopped its furious pumping and now he was left with the residual chemical.  Luckily, he had his treadmill in the corner of the living room and had learned that Gus was not awakened by the pounding of his feet on it.  He could see a late-night run was in his future.

"I guess I better go.  I'll see you soon," Justin said, leaving the date and time open.  He didn't want to tell Brian that he would see him on a specific day, giving the man a definitive timeline for their connection.  He knew that he would probably miss him and go through a withdrawal of his own, missing Brian and his companionship, but he knew he had to stop being his sponsor and this was the way he felt was best.  He just hoped that when he and Brian saw each other again, he would be comfortable that Brian had support from another person.

"I guess you should."  Brian stood up and walked Justin to the door, opening the door and watching as Justin walked to the elevator.  He wanted to hug Justin, but respected Justin's new boundaries. The hug he had given him a few minutes ago had felt great, but it was obvious that Justin was uncomfortable, quickly stepping back from it.

He closed the door to the loft and felt exhaustion engulf him. Looking at the clock on the oven, he saw it was past 11:00; he and Justin had been talking for quite a while.  At least with Gus having his own room, he wouldn't need to worry about waking him up when he came to bed.  He briefly wondered what, if anything he should say to Gus, but decided that he wouldn't bring up the subject unless he did.  He yawned and got ready for bed, deciding that the late-night run on his treadmill was not going to be necessary. 

In the morning, Gus was up earlier than Brian and went to the kitchen and poured himself some cereal and juice.  When he and Brian had shopped yesterday, they picked up some breakfast food.  He liked that his dad had started keeping groceries in his home; so Gus could fix a snack or breakfast without waiting for Brian.  He liked the independence and was happy that his dad listened to his choices for snacks and breakfast items.  His moms were always on to him about healthy eating and while his father was definitely a healthy eater, having strict rules about carbs and sugar, his dad let him make a lot of those choices independently. 

After he finished his breakfast, he booted up his Dad's computer and looked at their list of activities, choosing a few that they could explore today.  Looking at the clock, he saw it was already 9:30 and he wondered if his Dad was okay as he rarely slept that late.  His Dad had seemed tired yesterday, so he decided to turn on the television and watch some Mythbusters, having developed an interest in science since he started going to the Science Center with his Dad.  He was watching an episode about superheating water in the microwave.  As he was finishing the episode, Brian came out of his bedroom, hair askew and looking very tired for a man who just woke up.

 "Hey, Dad.  I'm watching Mythbusters.  I was going to wake you up if you weren't up when it finished.  I haven't had to do that since I was a little kid wanting breakfast."  Gus looked at his dad and asked, "Hey, you okay.  You seem kind of out of it and it's almost 10:30. Do you need me to make you some coffee?  I was just watching this cool experiment about superheating water in the microwave, but I'll use the pot to make yours," Gus rattled on and Brian shook his head trying to get the cobwebs removed from his brain.

As he remembered last night and the discussion with Justin, he realized he would have to face Gus as well.  He really wished he could just crawl back in bed, pull the covers over his head and start over.  He always had liked the movie Ground Hog Day.

 "Dad.  Earth to Dad.  Seriously, Dad.  You're freaking me out.  Do I need to call Aunty Emm or Uncle Ted?"

 The mention of Ted and Emmett brought Brian out of his fog.  "No.  I'm good, just a little tired.  I had a really busy week.  And....I guess I'm still sore from putting your bed together; not used to building things."

 Gus smiled at the mention of his bed and said, "Thanks again for buying it and putting it together.  You and Justin did a great job.  Speaking of Justin, have you heard from him?  Is he going to join us today?  I've been looking at our list and came up with a few ideas.  I was hoping he'd join us so I could tell him thank you," Gus said as he watched his father move toward the kitchen, placing a pod in the Keurig. 

His dad had a dual machine; it could make pods or a pot.  He noticed that when Justin was around, he made a pot, but today his dad took out a pod and placed it in the receptacle.  He surmised that Justin wasn't joining them today.  He decided that was okay since his dad seemed out of sorts.

The coffee finished quickly, and Brian prepared his mug, taking several sips before finally answering Gus.  "No Justin isn't joining us today.  Two, I'm fine, just a little tired like I said, and three, whatever you want to do is fine.  I'm going to finish my cup of coffee, take a quick shower, and then we can go wherever you want.  Remember, we must be back in time for Emmett.  I still have a meeting tonight," Brian said, reminding himself that he had to find a new sponsor and the chances of Justin being there were very low.  He hated the idea of both finding a new sponsor and attending AA alone but understood the need for both activities.

"Okay, Dad.  I'll look at my list again while you get ready."

Brian and Gus decided on the Zoo.  The zoo was outside and Brian would be able to walk and think while Gus viewed the animals.  Brian hoped that the distraction of the animals would keep Gus from inquiring more about his mental state.  All Brian had to do would be to stand and appear to watch the animals; he thought he could do that without too much difficulty.  His strategy mostly worked, but Gus noticed that his father was distracted.  He decided that he would not ask his dad about the cause of his distraction and he would just enjoy the time that they were spending together.  They spent about three hours there, including eating at the zoo.  While Brian was not fond of the food at a place like the Zoo, he was in no mood to locate a more palatable option.  They left the Zoo about 4:00 and got home in time for Brian to shower before Emmett arrived.

"Dad, is Justin coming for dinner?" Gus asked, hoping to see Justin.

"No, I don't think so," Brian answered, shaking his head in slow motion.  Gus heard the sadness in his father's voice and wondered what had happened. 

"Oh, okay."  The buzzer went off, announcing Emmett's arrival and Gus buzzed him up.  Gus greeted him at the door and gave him a hug.  "We went to the zoo today and saw the polar bear swimming through the glass.  He is huge."

"I don't think I've ever been to the zoo. That must have been fun."

"You've never been to the zoo.  Well, next time we'll invite you to come with us.  The animals are really cool.  Dad, do you think we could go to the zoo again in a few weeks and ask Emmett to join us?"  Gus asked his father as he was putting his wallet and phone in his pocket.

"Uh, sure, Sonny boy.  If Emmett wants to go see some animals, I'm sure that he can go with us next time."  Brian walked to the door and said, "Justin's probably not coming for dinner.  Just so you know not to cook food for him," Brian did not explain the statement, preferring to keep the reason to himself.

 "Tell him I said, ‘Hi' and thank him for the bed," Gus said as his father opened the door to leave.

"Will do.  Later," he said as he walked out the door, taking the elevator to the lobby. 

He got in his car but didn't turn it in the direction of the meeting.  Instead, he drove toward Ted and Blake's home.  He rang the doorbell, hoping that they were home.  A few minutes later Ted answered the door, surprised to see Brian on the other side.

"Brian..... Come in.  Everything okay?" Ted asked as he looked at his friend.  His eyes seemed distracted and he looked very tired.

Brian walked into Ted's home, looked around for Blake, and then heard him in the kitchen.

"Who's at the door, Ted?"  Blake called out as he put the chicken in the oven.  He didn't hear a response so quickly came out of the kitchen, oven mitts still on his hands.  Seeing it was Brian, he took off the mitts and held out his hand to shake Brian's hand.

"Brian, what brings you here on a Saturday night?  Everything okay?"  Blake asked, already sensing that everything was not okay, or Brian would not be standing in their foyer on a Saturday night. 

"Yes.  No.  I don't know," Brian answered, shrugging his shoulders.

"I only asked one question, so I guess you don't really know the answer.  Let's sit down. The chicken will take a while to cook," Ted said, feeling that Brian's answer had a lot to do with the conversation they had earlier.

"So Justin came over last night," Brian said, wishing he had something to occupy his hands, as he subconsciously wrung them together. 

"I'll get us some water,' Blake said, recognizing Brian's need for occupying his hands.  He'd done his fair share of hand wringing. 

"Thanks, babe," Ted said as he smiled at his partner.

"He said I have to find a new sponsor.  Some such crap about me being safe and if I was his partner and wanted to drink that I couldn't separate the two.  Does he think I'm a fucking 5-year-old that I can't tell the difference between a sponsor and a partner?"  Brian said, his normal filters down and allowing his anger to come out.

Ted agreed with Justin but wanted to let Brian talk before he added his thoughts.

"He fucking kissed me and practically told me he wanted to wake up in our bed and then he tells me he can't be my sponsor.  And then I told him I liked him too, kissed him hard on the lips and I thought."  Brian stopped his story, gathered his courage, and then continued.  "I thought that would make a fucking difference.  You know, telling him that I liked him too, even though I have fucking no idea what that entails.  And then he gets all high and mighty and tells me we need to be friends first and I need to find a new sponsor.  I don't fucking want a new sponsor.  I don't know if I can do this, Ted."  Brian stopped talking, picked up the bottle of water that Blake had set in front of him, and twisted the cap to open it.  He took several gulps of the water, finishing almost half of the bottle before replacing the cap. 

Ted did what Ted did best, he listened and waited.  He was pleased to see that Justin was being honest and realized that he could not wear two hats with Brian.  He understood Brian's turmoil as he'd been there himself.  He'd wanted Blake, wanted to date him as soon as he saw that he was in the treatment center, but Blake had declined.  He understood that Ted needed to be sober and confident before he could date.  And even now they were not each other's sponsors. They recognized that each of them needed a safe space outside of their relationship to vent, share, and explore what it meant to be sober without jeopardizing their feelings for each other. 

"You're mad and hurt," Ted said, choosing to label Brian's feelings rather than give solutions.

"Fucking right, I'm angry.  I trusted him and he turned me away. Nobody turns me down," Brian said.

"Did he really turn you down or did he ask you to wait?"  Ted asked, hoping that Brian was open to talking.  He heard the frustration in Brian's voice but knew he wanted things to work out with Justin, otherwise, he wouldn't be hurt and angry. 

"He said we could be friends and then see where that took us," Brian answered, not sure where Ted was going with this discussion.

"So he didn't turn you away.  He said he wanted to be friends. That means he still wants you around," Ted said, trying to talk calmly, diffusing Brian's emotions.

"Okay.  But how is that supposed to help me?  I mean if he's not my sponsor, when will I see him?  I barely have time to do anything but work and go to meetings.  After our meetings, we ate dinner and talked.  He helped me really see and understand the ideas that were talked about in the meeting.  How can I do that and have a sponsor too?  There just isn't time."  Brian said, feeling overwhelmed and lost by the idea of juggling it all.

"Brian, there is no set way to have a sponsor support you.  A sponsor doesn't have to attend every meeting with you, nor do they have to talk to you about what goes on in your meetings.  Justin really went above and beyond his role as your sponsor. That is probably why problems developed."  Ted finally added his thoughts to the conversation as he saw Brian calming down and apparently ready to hear him.

"So, are you saying that I could still hang out with Justin every day and review what went on in my meeting and then have a sponsor on the side?"  Brian was excited about this possibility.  His voice rose in anticipation of seeing Justin every day like he was used to doing.

"I don't like the idea of ‘sponsor on the side' Brian.  Your sponsor is critical to your success.  They are supposed to be there to help you when you struggle.  You need to have a good, strong, relationship with your sponsor.  It isn't something you do as an afterthought," Ted warned, trying to stay away from being too preachy.  He needed Brian to accept the importance of a sponsor and maintain his budding friendship and possibly relationship with Justin too.  He knew that unless Brian had both, the chances of success would drop significantly.

"Alright, if you are right and I'm not saying you are.  But if you are right, how do I find a sponsor?  I've been to a meeting every day for the last six months and no one has raised their hand and said, "Hey, I can sponsor you if you need one.  I guess I got lucky when Justin offered.  How the hell did you find your sponsor?  I guess you could be my sponsor.  I already turn to you when I'm having problems."  Brian said, throwing out the idea since it would eliminate him having to find someone. 

Ted shook his head.  "No, I don't think it would be a good idea if I was your sponsor, Brian.  We work together and there may be things that you would hesitate to tell me since I'm your employee.  It needs to be someone you trust but also someone with whom you won't be tempted to start a relationship.  It could be a woman or a straight guy, but no gay guys.  It could even be a lesbian; it's your choice."  Ted said, looking at Blake for confirmation of his words.  Blake nodded his head in agreement but didn't add to the discussion. 

"A woman, a straight guy, a lesbian; you've listed a group of people who I would never associate with on a voluntary basis, much less bare my innermost thoughts and fears about drinking.  How the hell am I supposed to do this?"

Blake said, "Brian, perhaps I can help.  I run a few groups at work and there are a few people I think might be a good fit for you.  Why don't you come to a couple of groups, and I could introduce you?  At least, you wouldn't be going in totally blind," Blake suggested.  He had a few people in mind, but this would give Brian some control while also not making him find a person totally on his own.  Ted smiled at Blake, mouthing ‘thank you' to his partner.

"I guess that might work," Brian said,  "Thanks."  He untwisted the cap off his water bottle and finished the contents in one gulp.  "I guess I need to get back home.  Gus and Emmett are cooking and expecting me home.  Emmett usually leaves before we eat so he can get ready for Babylon."  Brian got up to leave and walked to the door.  He reached out to give Ted a hug and Ted hugged him back.  "I guess this counts as a meeting?  Right?  We did talk about sponsors after all," Brian said.

"Tell you what.  Why don't you go home and eat dinner with Gus and I'll come over later and we can have a short meeting.  Blake can join us if you'd like.  I think it would be helpful," Ted offered, knowing that his friend was probably far from okay, even though he had obviously calmed down from his earlier ire.

"Sure.  See you later," Brian said and walked toward his car, hope restored that maybe he could have it all; Justin, a sponsor, and a sober lifestyle.

TBC