Wild Child

Chapter 18

When Mrs. Hadley arrived at the hospital around nine o'clock the following morning, she was surprised to see two men sitting in chairs next to Gus' bed.

"Morning," she said looking at Brian and then at Justin.

"Hi," Justin said standing up. "You must be Mrs. Hadley. I talked to you on the phone. I'm Justin Taylor."

Mrs. Hadley smiled and shook Justin's hand. So this was her boss' ex-lover. He certainly seemed to be a cut above Greg Fernley. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Taylor. How's Gus doing?"

"Gus is okay," a little voice from the bed said.

"Hey, Sonny Boy, did we wake you?" Brian asked. Gus nodded. "How do you feel?"

"My head doesn't hurt as much," Gus said.

"That's good," Mrs. Hadley replied.

Just then Barbara came into the room. "Morning, everyone," she said. "You're awake, Gus. That's good."

"He woke up himself," Brian said.

"Excellent. We have an MRI scheduled for 3 p.m."

"Can I go home after that?"

"'Fraid not, kiddo," Barbara joked. "We want your excellent company for one more night." She proceeded to take his temperature and BP.

"Mr. Kinney," Mrs. Hadley said while Barbara was ministering to Gus. "If you'd like to go home and take a nap, I'll stay with Gus."

"I don't know," Brian said running his hand through his hair. "I want to be here."

"You don't look like you slept all night. You need some rest if you're going to be any help to Gus," she explained rationally.

"Well, maybe…"

"And I should head back to Pittsburgh," Justin said.

Gus had been listening to all this, and his blood pressure went up as he heard Justin talk about leaving. "Justin, don't go. Stay a little longer," Gus begged.

"I'm kind of tired and I have to be at the gallery by four."

"You could go home with Dad and sleep in my bed. I'd like to talk to you one more time before the MRI," Gus said using his best pleading voice.

Justin looked at Brian who shrugged. "Okay, Gus," he said slowly. "We'll be back around two."

"Thanks," Gus said trying his best to smile confidently.

"I'll see you in a bit," Brian said kissing Gus' head. He nodded at Mrs. Hadley and walked out of the room with Justin following him.

"Maybe I should just head out," Justin said.

Brian looked at Justin knowing that would probably be for the best, but something inside him wasn't quite ready for that to happen. "Gus has been so much better, calmer, since you arrived. I don't think it would be good to disappoint him at this point."

"Maybe you're right," Justin agreed. "I could get a motel room."

"Don't be a dick. You can sleep in Gus' bed or in the master suite or…" Brian didn't finish that statement.

Justin looked at Brian but the man refused to meet his gaze. They walked in silence outside.

"I don't have a fucking car," Brian said as the realization that he had arrived in Mrs. Hadley's car suddenly hit him.

"I have a rental," Justin grinned. "You can ride with me."

"Thanks," Brian said with a silly grin.

They arrived at Britin not long after. Justin got out of the car, looking at the large house and remembering the first time he had seen the place. That had been when Brian and he had seriously thought about marriage. How long ago that was! "I can't believe you kept it," Justin said his voice soft and full of emotion.

"Most of the time neither can I," Brian admitted.

"Why … why did you?"

"I don't know," Brian replied. "I thought about selling it many times, but I never … could. And now Gus is with me and it seemed like a good place for him."

"I think he's made good progress from what you said."

"I hope so." Brian looked across the lawn at his Corvette still plastered against the tree. "I guess I should call someone to haul that away."

Justin looked at the vintage car and remembered all the times he had ridden in it, especially the first time Brian had brought him to Britin. "Do you think it can be fixed?"

Brian shrugged. "I don't know. It doesn't matter though. It's from another time in my life."

"Yeah," Justin agreed, although Brian didn't see the sadness in his eyes as he said that.

"Come on in. I'm sure Mrs. Hadley left us something to eat in the kitchen."

Justin followed Brian inside noting the empty foyer and the lack of personal items. He remembered that Brian liked to keep things minimal but it sure wasn't very inviting to step into that foyer. He'd add a table and some silk flowers and a couple of chairs. Just then, Justin realized what he was doing and shivered. He couldn't go there. That time was long past. It was from another time in his life, like the Corvette was for Brian.

The kitchen looked much more inviting, but Justin suspected that had more to do with Mrs. Hadley than with Brian. A basket of freshly baked muffins sat on the table. Coffee was in the pot. The note from Mrs. Hadley said, "Help yourself." They sat at the table and enjoyed the muffins and a cup of coffee.

"Mrs. Hadley's a great cook," Justin said as he polished off his second muffin.

"Yeah, she's been very patient with Gus," Brian replied as he picked at his muffin. "I think they've really learned to care about each other even in the short time Gus has been here."

"That's good. He needs people to love him and take care of him from what you said."

"Yeah. I don't know how I could have let it get so bad."

"It happens without you realizing," Justin agreed thinking about how easily he and Brian had drifted apart even though that had not been what they wanted.

"Let's go upstairs," Brian said. "I need to lie down." He had suddenly realized that the ultimatum he had made to Greg had not been met by Greg coming to the hospital. That must mean that Greg had left. Brian hadn't thought to look and see if Greg's car was still beside the house. He had been too involved in watching Justin's reaction to seeing Britin again.

"Yeah, I could use a nap," Justin agreed.

They headed up the stairs and Brian directed Justin into Gus' room. Justin seemed to approve of what Brian and Gus had done in the way of decorating it. Justin kicked off his sneakers and lay down on the bed before Brian even closed the door.

Brian took one last look at Justin lying on Gus' bed. He used to like to watch Justin sleep, but he quickly closed the door before he fell into that old habit.

Making a quick decision, Brian went downstairs instead of into his bedroom. He headed into the library picking up the phone on his desk. He hit number 5 on his speed dial. It was a number he hadn't used much in the last few years.

"Lindz, it's Brian."

"Brian? Is something wrong?"

"Gus was in an accident last night. He has a concussion."

"Oh my God. Is he okay? Should I come there?"

"He's having an MRI this afternoon. We'll know more then."

"How could you let him get into an accident? What the fuck happened, Brian?"

"He stole my car and ran into a tree, hit his head on the steering wheel."

"Stole your car?"

"Yeah," Brian said knowing he was going to get blasted in the next breath.

"I thought he was doing better. How could he steal your car? He can't drive."

"That's why he ran it into a tree."

"He … he didn't hurt anyone else, did he?"

Brian could hear the fear in her voice. "Just the tree," he said trying to lighten the mood.

"Jesus, Brian, he could be dead."

"But he's not. He's in the hospital, and from what they say, he should be fine. I was there with him all night."

"Should I come to Pittsburgh?"

"I don't think that's necessary. I'll call you when we know something from the MRI. In the meantime, stay put."

"You think I shouldn't come?"

"Gus feels bad about what he did. I think you'll make him feel worse if you come here now."

"But I'm his mother."

"I know that and I'll call you from the hospital so you can talk to him."

"Okay … I guess. When will that be?"

"Late afternoon."

"I'll be waiting.

Brian cut the connection. That hadn't been quite as bad as he had expected. He had expected to be reamed out royally. With a sigh Brian headed up to his bedroom to get some rest. He glanced at the door of Gus' room thinking about who was inside. He felt his hand reaching out for the knob before he was able to get a grip on himself and turn back to his own door. He opened it and headed inside.

Brian had started to pull off his T-shirt when he realized that someone was in his bed. For a split second he thought maybe Justin was… Then the darker hair that he saw against the pillow revealed the truth. Greg was still in the house, sleeping in his bed.

"What the fuck!" Brian said out loud.

"Baby," Greg smiled as he rolled over and looked up at Brian.

"Don't fucking call me that! Why are you still here?"

"I live here with you … remember." Greg smiled like everything was just hunky dory between them.

"Did you get my message?"

"Oh … that. I figured you were upset about Gus, but I really hate hospitals."

"Why didn't you come?"

"Gus wouldn't want me there," Greg stated.

"Even if Gus wouldn't want you, did it ever occur to you that I might need you?" Brian asked staring at his lover with eyes that were finally seeing the whole picture.

"You're here now, baby. Come over here and I'll make you feel so much better."

"Is that all you think about … sex?" Brian asked in amazement at the insensitivity of this man that he had been prepared to make a huge part of his life.

"I thought that was all you thought about too."

"Too fucking much!" Brian reacted.

"There can never be too much fucking," Greg giggled.

"Fucking Christ, Greg! I've been up all night and my son could have died and you're making fucking jokes!!!"

"Hey, calm down. I'm just trying to show you a different take on things, make you feel better."

"I'm not going to feel better until you gather up your trash and get the fuck out of my house."

"Brian…?"

"I don't want to talk to you anymore. Pack your shit. We're over!"

Brian turned and headed out the door. He had a fucking whopper of a headache and now he couldn't even lie down in his own bed until this asshole got out of his house. He stomped down the stairs and went into the library. He headed to the bar and poured himself a large scotch. He downed about half of it and went to look out the window. Staring into space might calm him down.

The first thing his eyes spotted was the wreckage of his Corvette. Brian leafed through his address book until he found the garage that always serviced his Corvette. He dialed the number and asked for Steve.

"Steve, this is Brian Kinney."

"Hello, Mr. Kinney. Not having trouble with our baby, are you?"

"Our baby is wrapped around a tree in my front yard."

"Shit! What happened?"

"It's a long story. I wondered if you could send someone to tow it in to your shop. You can look it over and tell me if it's worth fixing."

"Sure, I can do that."

"Could you have it towed today if possible?"

"I think I can arrange that."

"Thanks, Steve. I owe you one."

"You may owe me a lot if this is as bad as it sounds."

"I'm afraid we may have to scrap her," Brian admitted.

"Well, let's not be hasty. Let me have a look first."

"Okay, and thanks."

Brian cut the connection. He drank the rest of his scotch and went and poured himself another one. He slumped down on the sofa suddenly feeling all the weight of being a parent. It was a fucking lot harder than it looked. He couldn't believe Gus had tried to steal his car. How could he have let things get to that point?

Brian stared at the fireplace wondering if Greg was actually packing. That would be too easy. He was sure he was going to have to have a showdown with the man and bodily toss him out of the house. The only problem was that he didn't have the strength or the resolve to do that at the moment. He didn't particularly want Greg around now that he had seen what the man was made of … or rather what the man wasn't made of. However, he relished the idea of being alone even less.

He laid his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He had been going along lately ignoring everything except the idea that he was heading into some kind of relationship with Greg. It had felt good … for a while. It was nice not to be alone all the time. It had been great having all the sex he could handle and not having to go cruising to find it. It had even been good to have someone to talk to even though the talking had been rather limited. They had spent the vast majority of their time together fucking.

Brian rubbed his palms over his eyes. He had ignored Gus so much since Greg had moved in. Funny that he hadn't realized that until now. He should have noticed how much Gus was affected by his actions, but he hadn't really thought about it. Did that make him a shitty dad? It certainly did in his books. Even though he had almost no preparation to be a father to Gus, he should have seen what was going on. He couldn't believe that Gus had been so bothered by Greg that he had stolen the Corvette to get to Justin in Pittsburgh.

What had Gus thought Justin could do? He couldn't have thought that Brian and Justin would get back together. Maybe Gus remembered how much he liked Justin when he was a little boy. Brian used to think that Gus liked Justin better than him. His two Sonny Boys had played together whenever they could. A faint smile curled the corners of Brian's mouth. Those had been good times. He wished he had appreciated them more back then, rather than denying for so long that Justin meant everything to him.

Brian stayed still, hoping sleep would claim him, but that was not going to happen. Brian sat up looking around. He wanted another drink. But his watch said it was only eleven-thirty in the morning. He shouldn't be drinking at all. He didn't want to go back to the hospital smelling of scotch.

Maybe if he had a shower he would feel better. His shower was off his bedroom and as far as he knew, Greg was still up there. Gus' bathroom was off his bedroom and Justin was sleeping in there. He could hardly sneak in to use it. There was a shower between the two guest bedrooms but he had never been in there yet. There would be no soap or shampoo or anything in that bathroom. The only shower he could actually use was the one off the master bedroom and he knew he could never bring himself to go in there, especially with Justin in the house.

He put his head back and closed his eyes again. If he could only sleep, maybe he would feel better. He must have dozed off for a few minutes because when he woke up he could feel a warm mouth on his cock. He arched his back and groaned as talented lips sucked him off.

"Justin," he whispered without thinking and shot his load into the accepting mouth.

"Huh?" a voice said.

Brian opened his eyes and looked down into the face of Greg Fernley. "What the fuck?"

"What did you just say?" Greg asked with a frown.

"I said 'What the fuck?'" Brian repeated.

"No, before that."

"None of your fucking business!"

"You said someone's name and it wasn't mine."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Brian denied. "I was asleep."

Greg stared at his soon to be ex-lover. "Don't fucking lie to me. I heard you."

"What did you hear?"

"I heard you say Justin."

"I did? You must need to get your ears tested."

"Who's Justin?" Greg demanded still on his knees in front of Brian.

"None of your goddamn business. Get out."

"You asked me to stay here. I … I gave up my job."

"Technically you begged me to stay here, and you haven't missed a day's work yet so ask them for your job back," Brian stated. He suddenly felt nothing for this man … nothing except revulsion.

"Brian, how can you treat me like this?"

"Greg, it's over. Just walk away."

"I can't. I love you," Greg said tears in his eyes.

"Even if you believe that, Greg, you don't know what the fuck love is or you would have been with me at the hospital last night. We're through."

"Like you fucking know what love is! You've just been using me."

"And that was fine with you as long as you were using me."

"Well, it's not fine anymore."

"That's why you have to go," Brian said wearily.

"You can't toss me out like a piece of garbage."

'That's exactly what you are,' Brian thought. "Greg, just leave," Brian said out loud.

"I'm not going anywhere," Greg said defiantly, standing up so that he was no longer in an inferior position.

"Can't you just leave without all this melodrama?"

"Don't you fucking talk to me about melodrama! That fucking kid of yours is the cause of all this. We'd be fine if he wasn't here," Greg yelled. The veins in his temples were standing out.

Brian felt his blood start to boil. "You leave my son out of this. He's still in the hospital and I won't have you badmouthing him. He has nothing to do with what's going on between you and me."

"He has everything to do with it. I know he wants to get rid of me."

"About as much as you want to get rid of him. Well, guess what? You lose. So get. the. fuck. out!"

Greg crossed his arms in a defiant gesture. Brian was about ready to slug him when he thought of a better idea. He quickly ran up the stairs and grabbed everything of Greg's that he could find. He slammed the bedroom door behind him and carried Greg's possessions down to the foyer. He opened the front door and tossed them out.

"You asshole!" Greg shouted as he watched from the library door.

"You're next," Brian yelled. "Now leave!"

"Brian, what's going on?" Justin asked in a sleepy voice from the top of the stairs.

"Just putting out the trash," Brian replied. "Go back to sleep."

"You fucking bastard! You've already brought my replacement into the house!" Greg yelled at Brian. "I don't fucking believe it!"

"Justin is not your replacement. He came here to see Gus."

"Justin! That's Justin? That's whose name you called out when I was sucking you off! You, you, you are despicable!"

Brian opened his mouth to reply but he couldn't think of anything to say. Justin was staring at him from the top of the stairs and he felt his cheeks start to burn.

"I'm gone," Greg said drawing himself up to his full six feet of height. "I don't have to put up with this shit! You'll be sorry when you realize what you've lost." Greg stormed past Brian and out the front door.

Brian kicked it closed behind him and turned to face Justin.