W is for Work
Brian pushed back his chair and leaned as far back as it would allow. He closed his eyes and drew in a long breath. He was at Kinnetik and had been working nonstop for days, barely taking time to go home and change clothes. Sleep had mostly eluded him, to the point that he barely bothered to get into bed.
Sex and work had been his go to activities for most of his adult life. He could always depend on them to see him through whatever difficulty or mess he found himself in. Either of them allowed him to forget, to direct his thoughts elsewhere or to not think at all. Garnering a major client or deal, or finding a worthy fuck were the highlights of his day. Or, at least they had been, until Justin Taylor came into his life. Justin had mostly ruined sex for Brian. Brian had used sex as his stress relief, his builder of self-esteem, his be all and end all. It was the basis of his reputation on Liberty Avenue. Everyone knew he was the Stud of Liberty, and that was the way he liked it. And then along came Justin Taylor with his dazzling smile and his innocence and his energy and ... so many other things. He had turned Brian's world upside down, no matter how hard Brian fought against that happening. With Justin sex was so good, so beyond what it had been before. Now with any other man sex had become little better than mediocre ... thanks to Justin Taylor.
And presently the said Justin Taylor was in New York, for God knew how long, while Brian was stuck in Pittsburgh with only work to keep him going. He had brought in four new clients since Justin left over a month ago, but even that feat didn't make him particularly happy. He had never thought about being happy before that little twink came along. Justin had really screwed up everything for him.
"Brian," a voice said.
"What do you want, Schmidt?" Brian asked without even opening his eyes.
"It's after nine o'clock. I'm about to go home. I, um, wondered if you wanted to walk out with me."
"You afraid the bogeyman is waiting in the parking lot?"
"Um, no," Ted stammered, "I just thought maybe you wanted to walk out together."
"I'm not ready to leave." Brian sat up in his chair and glared at Ted.
"You've been working late every day for weeks," Ted informed him, not giving up so easily. "You need to relax."
"Schmidt!" Brian stated with an edge to his voice. "I didn't hire you to tell me what I need to do."
"We need you to run this place, Bri," Ted continued. "I don't want you to collapse..."
"I'm fucking fine!" Brian snapped. "Now get the fuck out of here before I can your ass."
Ted shook his head. "Sure, leaving," he said as he started to walk away. He had tried to get Brian to realize he was wearing himself out working so much, but apparently his boss wasn't ready to listen to him.
Brian watched as Ted left his office. He heard the outside door close and knew he was alone in Kinnetik. He shook his head, wondering why he had been so nasty with Ted. He knew the man was only trying to help. But he didn't want help. There was only one thing he really wanted ... and he couldn't have it.
He shut his computer down and gathered up the papers on his desk. Maybe he would go to Babylon later and see if there was anything worth looking at ... or touching. He sighed as he snapped his briefcase shut.
As he was putting on his coat his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and blinked in disbelief.
"Hey," he said into the phone. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest.
"Hey," came the reply.
"What's up?" Brian had only spoken to Justin a couple of times since he left for New York. The conversations had been brief and awkward. Brian suspected this one would be the same - Justin asking how he was, Brian lying and both of them saying that everything was fine.
"I, um, I..."Justin stammered.
"You sound like Schmidt," Brian said.
"Oh? You scaring him again?"
"I have a tradition to uphold," Brian said with a chuckle. Why did Justin always make him feel better, even when it was so awkward between them.
"Big bad ass Brian," Justin commented.
"That would be me."
There was a short pause before Justin said, "Big Bad Ass Brian, I have something to ask you?"
"What would that be?"
"I, um, is there any chance you could come to New York this weekend?"
Brian swallowed hard. Did he hear right? He had made it clear that he was staying away so that Justin could follow his art and not be distracted. He thought it would be easier if they didn't see each other, easier for Justin anyway. "You want me to come to New York?" he repeated.
"That's what I said."
"Why?"
"Why? Because I miss you. Can you come?"
"Are you sure?"
"More than sure."
"I can come tonight if you want."
"Tonight?"
"That's what I said."
"Are you serious about coming tonight?" Justin asked hesitantly.
""Yes, unless you don't want me to. I've been working a lot lately. I could take a few days off if you have the time."
"I have the time," was the immediate reply.
"Then get off the phone and let me get a seat on the next jet to the Big Apple."
"Yes, sir," Justin agreed. "Call me when you land."
"I will, and I better warn you that you won't be able to sit down for at least a week after I'm through with you."
"Counting on it," Justin chuckled.
Brian called Liberty Air and got a seat. He'd be in New York by midnight. He took a piece of paper and wrote: "Schmidt, took your advice. Gone for a few days. I'll check in later."
Work could wait. There was nothing pressing at the moment, and there was something he really needed to press in New York. With a smile he turned out the lights and headed out. Work would be there when he returned, but in the meantime he would make full use of his other stress reliever.
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