PART XI~IN FOR A PENNY~

Kinnetik

Brian, followed by Justin and Harry, arrived at Kinnetik. The drama which occurred there that morning  had seemingly been forgotten, as the hustle and bustle was back and reaching epic proportions. Cynthia came towards him, a huge smile splitting her face.

“We got them, Brian. We’ve got the Taltons! They were there at Chartrez last night. Despite the drama, they were impressed with what you’ve done with them. They asked to set up a meeting later this week.”

“That soon, huh?”

“Wait,” Justin interrupted. “Who are the Taltons and why is this such a big deal?”

“Only the richest family in the Northwest Region, famous for their movie studios. They are along the lines of Paramount Motion Pictures and 20th Century Fox. Providing we can get the preliminary pitch done by…”

“Friday at three,” Cynthia supplied.

Brian nodded. “Friday at three, this will send Kinnetik global, faster than any of the other international campaigns we have going.”

“Well then I guess we better get started. Where do you want me?” Justin asked.

Brian rolled his eyes and smirked. “There are so many ways to answer that question Sunshine.”

Harry barked a laugh while Justin blushed. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes I do. But you have to admit that you left my imagination to go where it wants. Truthfully, I want you to work directly with me on this campaign.”

“Seriously? Brian, I…”

“Am going to work directly with me on this campaign,” Brian answered, in a voice which brooked no argument. “Cynthia, have Murph give you the specs to give to Justin. I already had Ted talk to him about Justin. After seeing Justin’s work, Ted agreed with me, including adding a percentage of the company into Justin’s stock portfolio.”

“You did what?!” Justin yelled.

Brian ignored him. “As one of the executives, he’s entitled to that. It won’t affect his school schedule when he starts. In fact, it will help him to finish his degree that much faster, since they use life experience as credit, provided it can be proven. The work he did with me on site of the Chartrez account earned him the title of Executive Liaison and he’s only thirty credits shy of his International Business degree. Murph still retains his job as Art Director, but Justin works only on specific accounts, directly with me. Not bad for someone who was only supposed to start as a freshmen during the summer term. I had Ted check with Ben and with all of his ‘life experience,’ he’ll be entering Carnegie Mellon as a second term Junior. In the meantime, are the suits here?”

“They were delivered about an hour ago and are in your office,” she answered, still smiling. From what she could already see of the young man, he was going to make a fabulous addition to the Kinnetik staff. Ted had already shared some of Justin’s work with her and a little of the history of how Brian and Justin met days ago. They both were in awe over the changes Brian began making from the moment the two of them met. Even though their relationship was supposed to be on a trial basis, both Cynthia and Ted were thinking that Justin Taylor would be around for the long haul. To that end, she began as she meant to go on. “I made sure that the Boss suit had a high-powered shirt and tie to go with it. Giuseppe had Jacques send a new suit over for you as well. Good thing you are there so much. I didn’t even have to ask. They offered.”

“Can you send Ted over with their payment and then have him come back in here?”

“No. You misunderstand, Brian. The suit is free. They remembered Justin from the other day and apparently someone came in talking about him. They said that if it would help you to rescue the young man from his evil clutches then they would do everything they could to help you in this small way.”

“Did they say who it was?” Justin asked, instantly on alert. Brian noticed and put a hand to the small of his back in reassurance.

“Does the name Brandon Parks ring a bell?”

“Fucking hell! He is just determined to make my life a misery, isn’t he?”

“He is,” Brian confirmed. “Look, let’s just prepare for the meeting with your ex-boss and then we will address the situation with Parks. You’ve already made your decisions; he needs to see that.”

They headed to the office, each man lost in his own thoughts. For Brian’s part, it was how best to extricate Justin from this Brandon character. He knew that the young man wouldn’t give up easily. Honestly, he couldn’t blame Brandon for his pursuit of the delectable blond, since Brian was finding himself falling head-over-heels for him. It was something that Brian never would have thought to happen to him in a million years. He was always so careful with whom he let into his life. But there was something about Justin: his struggles, his pride, his triumphs, and his intelligence, that spoke to Brian on every level. Although he was a naturally cautious man, he also knew when to take risks. He was sure the gamble he was taking on Justin Taylor was one that would pay off in more ways than he’d ever bargained for. He was looking forward to it.

As for Justin, his thoughts were darker. He couldn’t understand why Brandon was trying to force his hand. He knew that Brandon had wanted more from him than a one-night stand, but he thought he had understood when, after the second time they fucked, Justin told him that there would never be anything permanent between them. What was Brandon hoping to gain? Was he thinking that by showing up where Justin lived or by disregarding what Justin often told him, that he’d wear down his resistance in the long run? If that was Brandon’s reasoning, he surely did not know Justin. And why was Gary so hellbent on speaking with him in person? Was it to convince Justin to stay with the troupe or was it more than that? Gary had always known that when Justin tired he would leave the troupe; those plans were never a secret. So why the sudden press for Justin to not quit? What the hell was going on?

Justin nearly jumped when he felt a strong pair of arms come around him. He was so deep in thought that he hadn’t heard anyone enter the room where he was changing. He instantly relaxed as he recognized the familiar comforting scent, mixed in with Armani Code cologne. Justin inhaled a huge breath before letting it out, letting the scent infuse every part of him.

“Relax. It’s all going to be fine.”

“How can you be so sure? It’s like one drama after another already and it’s only been...”

“A few days, I know. But look at all that we’ve accomplished together in those few days. We’ve worked on a major account, set up an agreement, gotten you into one of the premiere ad agencies in the Northeast region, sent off your acceptance letters to further your education, then you acquired and moved in with your lover. As a few days go, I think you’re managing your life quite well. After all, it’s not everyday someone recognizes my fabulousness and causes me to take a second and third look.”

Justin snickered. “Well you certainly don’t lack confidence.”

“And neither should you. Regardless of how he tries to keep you, Sapperstein doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”

“And Brandon? What am I going to do about him?”

“You’re not going to do anything. It’s not your fault that he chooses to live in his own delusion. I’m sure you didn’t lead him on. From what I gather, you’re not that type of person. He was a warm body and a surface-friend when you needed one.”

“Surface-friend?”

“Yeah. He was a friend, who never bothered to look deeper to get to the man beneath the facade. Lindsay and Michael were surface-friends for me. As long as I was doing what they thought I should be doing, all was right in their little, narrow worlds. It’s when I stepped out of their box…”

“That they hired a private detective or invented dramas to bring you back to them.”

“Yes. And that is what Brandon is doing right now. Trying to invent a drama that will keep you tied to him. You get to decide if you want to play it out until it results in what I’m going through with Michael and Lindsay. Or you can end it now and save yourself the headache. You’ve made it clear that you weren’t interested in what he was offering.”

“But I seem to be interested in what you are.”

“What can I say? I’m special.” They both laughed at that before growing serious again. “All I can say is that I didn’t expect you either. But I am glad that you’re here.”

“Me too,” Justin said, a slow smile creeping on his full lips. Brian placed a gentle kiss on them, even as a soft knock on the door curbed the moment.

“Guys, Gary Sapperstein is here, as is Brandon Parks. Oh, and I’ve rescheduled the meeting with Vibe. Apparently, Marcy is still out to lunch with Ernest. His meeting will be on Thursday.” Cynthia called through the door.

“Okay, we’ll be right out,” Brian answered. “Ready?”

“As much as I ever will be. Thanks Brian.”

“No need to thank me, but I’ll accept payment in the form of your tight little ass wrapped around my cock as soon as this meeting is over.”

“If Brandon pushes me too far, I’ll wrap myself around your cock during the meeting.”

Brian folded his hands as if praying to the gods. “Please let the fool act up… please let the guy be an asshole! I’ll do anything!”

Justin laughed. “Stop! I can’t go in there red-faced.”

“Well fine. How about this then?” And Brian grabbed Justin, spinning him around quickly while catching the lithe body to him. Descending his head, Brian attached himself to Justin’s lips, pushing his tongue between the plushness to get to the sweetness inside. Being mindful of the limited time they had, Brian made quick work of exploring every nook and cranny within the hot cavern, pulling gasps and moans from Justin as he continued indulging himself. When Brian finally tore his mouth away from what was fast becoming his addiction, he was gratified to Justin’s face flushed with pleasure and a dazed look in his blue eyes. That almost-fucked look was what Brian had been aiming for. “Time to go Sunshine.”

“Couldn’t we just…”

Brian chuckled. “Later. But first, let’s finish this.”

Justin nodded, knowing that Brian was right. Taking the older man’s hand, they left the wardrobe, closing the short distance to the conference room. Harry was already seated near the head of the table. Cynthia and Ted were next to him. The space directly at the head of the table was reserved for Brian but the seat to his right was for Justin. Making their way to the front of the room, still hand-in-hand, Brian and Justin claimed their respective places.

“Justin,” Brandon said, his voice breathless. “It’s such a pleasure to see you. You haven’t been home for days.”

“No I haven’t,” Justin said, noncommittally. He wasn’t going to let Brandon play the concerned boyfriend card.

“Well where were you?” Brandon asked indignantly. He was hoping to put Justin on the defensive; make him see the error of his ways in ditching him. He wasn’t liking Justin’s uncaring, unapologetic tone.

“Not that it’s any of your business but I was with my partner. You remember him, don’t you Brandon? Gary Sapperstein, I would like you to meet my business partner, as well as my life-partner, Brian Kinney.”

“Life-partner?! What the fuck are you playing at Justin? You told me you don’t do boyfriends?” Brandon nearly screeched. In that moment, he reminded everyone of the chimpanzee named Michael Novotny currently sitting in a Pittsburgh jail cell off of Liberty Avenue.

“That’s right. I don’t, but I do do my partner… all the time, in fact.”

“When the fuck did this happen? And how does he feel about you fucking my brains out on Monday night?”

“That’s a lie and we all know it, since I was nowhere near my apartment. In fact, we were at the Chartrez Resort for their opening, which is part of the reason I left the show. Gary, the other reason I left is because I’ve decided that it was time for me to move on. I will begin attending the programs at PIFA and Carnegie Mellon within the next few weeks. In addition to that, my position here requires that I am available at a moment’s notice to meet with the lucrative clients of our business.”

Gary, who had been silent up until this point, looked at the young man who had been like a son to him in so many ways. “Are you happy with this decision, Justin? Why have you kept this from me for so long? When did you apply to college?”

Justin smiled at the older man. “The last time I came home, I took a chance. When we came back this time, I picked up my mail and responded right away. Gary, I’m tired of travelling. My family is here; my life is here and I need time to reconnect with the people who truly matter to me. I want to thank you for taking a chance on me when I had nowhere else to go. The situation I left behind was an untenable one that I needed to disassociate myself with for a time. But times have changed and apparently it’s also healed a wound deep within me. I have to be here.”

“Then there’s really nothing left to say except go be happy, Son. I wish you every success. It will be extremely hard to replace you.”

“WHAT?!?! Gary, you can’t let him go! I won’t let him go! He’s mine! He’s my partner! I will not go on without him!” Brandon screeched. “Justin! You belong with me! You will be with me! I swear I will kill anyone who tries to stand in the way of you and I being together!”

“Brandon, get ahold of yourself! I don’t belong to you or anyone else. I belong to me. And as for who I will be with, I already told you. I’m with him. Now if there is anything that I have done or said to make you think that what you wanted really mattered in the grand scheme of my life, I apologize, but it doesn’t change facts. You and I were fuckbuddies. We had a good time but now it’s over. Be content with that!”

“NEVER!” Brandon lunged across the table in his effort to get to Justin. Crawling and clawing, kicking and screaming, he was pulled back and unceremoniously dumped down onto the floor, two towering men standing over him.

“Where would you like him, Mr. Kinney?" Alexander Graham asked his boss.

When Brian said there might be some trouble, he and Josh had thought it would be a minor yelling match, sort of like what to expect from the other pains in the ass of Brian’s life. Michael Novotny and Lindsay Peterson were adult children prone to temper tantrums more often than not. What they were not expecting was the snot-nosed, crying, mumbling, deranged individual they pulled from the conference table. What was worse was that Josh had recognized the guy immediately since he’d fucked the guy on Tuesday night. They had shared a laugh because the guy kept calling him ‘Justin.’ Now they each knew why.

“I think this is Mr. Sapperstein’s territory, am I correct?” Brian asked, holding on to Justin’s hand. He had taken ahold of it just before the idiot lunged across the table. Justin had been about to deck him if he’d come any closer. Brian knew it and grabbed the hand so that Justin wouldn’t incur an assault charge.

“It is indeed, since I have his power of attorney. It’s clear that right now, he isn’t in his right state of mind. Can you call someone to come and take him to a hospital until I can make the arrangements to have him transferred to New York. During the off-season, it’s where I live.”

“Sure. I can do that for you. Thank you for letting Justin go without a fight.”

“Oh I was prepared to fight you for him. But only if this was some kind of forced situation. It’s why I demanded the money. I figured if it was then his, for lack of a better term, kidnappers wouldn’t see a penny of his hard earned money. I was hoping that when they saw that he wasn’t going to give them the finances that they would have demanded, they would let him go. But now that I have heard directly from Justin and see the kind of people he is involved with, I can let him live his life without my interference with a clear conscience. That young man means a whole lot to me, no matter how many times we’ve bumped heads in the past. Justin Taylor is very special. Remember that! And Justin, if you ever have need of me or want to come back, you know where to find me, don’t you?”

“Yeah Gary, I do. You should talk to Brian about doing the advertising. I have it on good authority that you would have better success moving your account here. Vanguard sucks!”

Ted, Cynthia and Brian laughed. “Yeah they do, but Gardner does the best with what he has, I suppose,” Brian said.

“You know Gardner Vance?”

“To my everlasting shame. I used to work for him before I started Kinnetik. If you’re interested, we’ll let you look at the mockups currently in the works for another client you’re familiar with. I’m sure Mrs. Marsden wouldn’t mind.”

“Elizabeth Marsden? She’s one of our largest benefactors. Although with Justin leaving, I’m not sure how much longer that will continue.”

“Trust me Gary, let Kinnetik handle the adverts. You haven’t re-signed with Vanguard yet have you?”

“No, I was waiting to see what was going on with you. But now that’s done, it’s time to set the troupe up for next year. Will you be doing the artwork personally?”

“Probably not,” Brian answered for Justin. “We just acquired a very lucrative account that Justin will be working on personally with me. However, Murph, our Art Director, has been working on the Marsden account and would be assigned to yours as well.”

Before Gary could answer, the ambulance in the company of Carl arrived. “What is it with you boys and this building? Another lunatic friend acting up, Brian?”

Justin snickered at the reference Carl made about Michael and Lindsay. “Sadly, this is one of mine, Carl. He didn’t like the fact that I’m living my life with Brian very much and made a great show. Unlike the human chimps in your cells though, I really believe he needs medical attention. This is Gary Sapperstein, Founder of the “For All Seasons” Dance Troupe. He has Brandon’s POA and Medical Proxy per the standard contract with his employees, since the job is fairly dangerous. He’ll be able to give you and the hospital all the information you need. Gary, think about what I said, okay?”

“I will Justin and I mean it, go be happy!”

“I will!” Justin hugged the man while Brandon was being strapped to a gurney still mumbling about the unfairness of it all and that Justin belonged to him. As he watched them go, he turned to Brian. “I almost feel sorry for him, Brian.”

“Who and why?”

“Gary, because he’s not only losing one talented dancer but two. Brandon, for all his insanity, is a brilliant dancer. Just like it will be hard to replace me, it’s going to be equally, if not more, difficult to replace him. But Gary is going to have to keep him drugged up if he has any hope of getting better. He won’t be able to do his job until that happens.”

“But first, Brandon has to want to get better Sunshine. And by the looks of what happened here today, he won’t.