Chapter 3

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It was an unseasonably warm fall day. It was such a nice day out that the three southern boys decided to go for a bit of a joy ride in Brian's Jeep, with the top down, of course. Emmett was squished in the back seat while Dee had shotgun.

"I can't believe Brian let you drive his baby. He hardly trusts anyone with it."

Dee smirked. "Sunshine here is his baby; he's protective of him as well. Who would have thought they'd hit it off so well?"

Emmett squeezed Justin's shoulder. "Well, I for one am happy for you both. Brian deserves to have someone as sweet as Sunshine."

Justin made a little noise. "Would you guys quit it? You're gonna give me a complex or somethen. Dee, I've been meanen to ask you; is it possible to custom make lip gloss?"

"I don't know, maybe. Why?"

"Brian just mentioned he'd love it if they made Beam flavored lip gloss."

Emmett crowed, "Oh honey, he'd eat you right up."

Justin blushed. "That's what I'm hopen for."

Dee laughed, "I'll check. I've got some connections. Heck, if they can custom make perfume, why not lip gloss?"

Suddenly Justin gasped and slammed on the brakes and prayed. This little old lady in a silver Honda that could barely see over the steering wheel, pulled out right in front of them without even looking. Their seat belts all snapped taut over their chests as they were jerked forward.

"Jesus!" Emmett shrieked.

Justin had avoided hitting the other vehicle by mere inches.

"Everyone all right?" Justin called out.

Justin took a deep breath when he heard a chorus of "yes".

"Uh Dee, why do I smell apricots?"

Dee looked down then slowly closed her eyes. "Oh fuckety, fuck, fuck, Justin, I'm so sorry."

In the near collision a bottle of Dee's lotion had rolled out of her bag. The top was off and there was a sizable puddle on the floor.

"The cap must have popped off."

Justin groaned, "How bad is it?"

"Not too bad, most of it is on the floor mat."

Justin sighed with relief. The floor mat could be taken out and washed off. "Well, you know what we gotta do now?"

"What's that baby?" Emmett asked.

"We gotta take black beauty here to the car wash."

Since they were only a few blocks from the apartment Justin headed that way so he could change into old clothes and they needed to put the top up. Emmett's jaw nearly dropped when he saw what Justin had changed into.

"Ohh baby, if Brian could only see you now."

Justin blushed. "Stop; they're just old clothes I had."

Justin was wearing a pair of very tight, very short cut off shorts and a tight "t" that had "Georgia peach" written across it with a big peach on the front.

Emmett smiled a silly smile. "I had a trick I named peaches once; bet you can't guess why?"

Dee groaned at the story. She'd heard it several times.

"Um, because his ass was shaped like a fresh Georgia peach."

"Oh poo, how'd you guess?" Emmett pouted.

Justin smiled. "Well, it is kinda predictable."

The three southern boys struggled to get the top back on.

"It came off a lot easier than it's going on," Dee grunted.

"Ain't that the truth, honey," Emmett said.

With the top securely in place they drove to the nearest car wash. Dee took the mat out, soaped it up good then rinsed it off several times though it would still need a good airing out. Justin got a bucket and filled it with soapy water.

"As penance, ya'll are gonna help me wash this Jeep," Justin said.

They all took up sponges and began to wash the Jeep by hand.

"I hope Brian appreciates this," Emmett grumbled.

"Well, it's only fair we return it to him in better condition than he left it. I just hope it airs out in time."

"Oh, my gosh!" Dee squeaked.

"What?" Justin asked.

"That guy over there," Dee breathed. "He's absolutely gorgeous."

Both Emmett and Justin looked to where Dee had indicated.

"A fine specimen indeed," Emmett noted.

"He's a hotty," Justin agreed.

The guy was long and lean with dark hair and fair skin. His eyes were ice blue which was a startling contrast to his dark hair.

Justin nudged Dee. "Why don't you mosey on over there and introduce yourself?"

Dee blushed. "No, I… I don't think so."

"Oh come on; what have you got to lose?"

"Your loss is someone else's gain," Emmett singsonged.

Dee smoothed down her sundress. "I can't."

Justin was bent over the hood provocatively soaping it up. "Oh, for fuck's sake, Dee." Justin tossed his sponge aside and began to walk over to the object of Dee's affection.

"What are you doing?" Dee hissed.

"I'm goen to go get his name and number."

Dee made a little noise of distress in her throat as she saw Justin approach the guy and begin a conversation.

"My, my, Sunshine grew a pair and where did yours go?"

Dee glared at Emmett.

Justin came back smiling with a scrap of paper in his hand. "Here ya go. His name is Jonathan; he seems very nice."

Dee spluttered, "He does know it's for me and not you, right?"

"Of course," Justin assured his older cousin.

"Um, he does know I'm really a guy, right?"

"Yes," Justin laughed.

"And he's still interested?" Dee asked rather surprised.

"Yep," Justin smiled.

"Huh, hot damn!" Dee cheered.

Emmett and Justin laughed.

&&&&&&&

Brian and Justin talked on the phone each night. Justin had to admit that he felt sad with Brian so far away. He was sketching and working on his night course, but he really missed all the time he and Brian spent together.

The night before Brian was to return, Justin's phone rang just before eleven.

"Hey," Justin said knowing who it would be.

"How are you doing?" Brian asked in that low, breathy voice that spoke of sex and passion.

"I'm good, now that I'm talken to you."

Brian smiled. He loved the way his Sunshine always made him feel so special. That was exactly how he wanted to make Justin feel in return. "I'll be home tomorrow."

"I know. I can hardly wait."

"You been missing me?"

"All the time."

"I want to fuck you all night when I get back."

"I'm up for that," Justin grinned.

"Literally?"

Justin was already lying on his bed stroking himself. "Yeah."

"Good boy," Brian said sliding down in his bed at the hotel. He was naked and missing his boy so much.

"Tell me what to do, Brian," Justin said in a husky voice.

"Are you stroking yourself?"

"Um … yes."

"Now cup your balls and roll them around in your hand." Justin's moan told Brian that his boy was feeling the effects of doing that. "Play with them. Feel their weight and know that you are going to get off in just a few minutes.

Justin moaned. "So good."

Brian stroked his own hard dick. Justin's moans and whimpers could almost make him come. He loved that sound. "Stick your fingers in your mouth and get them all slicked up." Justin did as he was told making suitable slurping sounds so that Brian would know what he was doing. "Jesus, Justin, you're driving me nuts," Brian gasped as he worked his cock a little harder.

"Good," Justin grinned.

"Naughty boy!"

"Your naughty boy."

"My naughty boy," Brian groaned as he felt his balls draw up. "Stick those wet, slick fingers up that delicious ass of yours."

Justin gasped as his fingers penetrated his hole. He moaned as he hooked them inside and pressed in and out. "Oh, fuck!" he yelled as he came very hard.

Brian heard the moans and then Justin's cry of release. His hand worked feverishly on his cock until his own orgasm blasted through him. "Shit!" he gasped letting out a long breath. "That was almost as good as having you here beside me."

"But you'd rather have me there, wouldn't you?" Justin asked as he was able to breathe again.

"You know I would."

"Get home as fast as you can."

"I will," Brian promised before he cut the connection.

&&&&&&&

The next morning Justin didn't have to be in to the diner until noon. He slept late and then got up to have breakfast and do some sketches of Brian. He was trying to capture the look Brian had on his face when he came.

After a while, not being altogether pleased with what he had drawn, Justin decided he would leave the sketches for later. Besides, no facsimile could ever be as good as the real Brian Kinney.

Justin went into the kitchen to get some more coffee. The phone hung on the wall in there and he, all of a sudden, felt the need to talk to his mother.

"Mom?" he said when she answered.

"Oh, Justin, it's so good to hear your voice." There was a strange unsettling quality to her voice, almost like she was trembling.

"Is anything wrong, Mom?"

"Um … no, why do you ask?"

"I had this feeling that I should call. It was stupid, I guess."

"Not stupid at all. I'm always pleased when you call."

"My courses are going good. I thought you'd like to know."

"I'm so proud of you."

"And how's Molly?"

"She … she's fine," Jennifer replied almost like she was trying to convince herself of that.

"Mom, what's going on?" Justin asked, getting a weird vibe from his mother.

"Nothing's going on, sweetheart."

"If you're sure…" Justin frowned.

"I'm sure."

"Well, then I guess I better go. You know you can always call me if you need anything."

"I know, Justin, and I appreci…"

"Jennifer, what the fuck are you doing talking to that little asshole! I told you he is dead to us. Hang that up immediately."

Justin recognized Craig's shouting voice and he cringed involuntarily. He had been on the receiving end of his father's temper more than once. He held his breath hoping his mother would be all right. He heard the phone clatter against the base, but it didn't cut the connection. His mother must not have hit the cradle properly in her haste.

"You know how I feel about that faggot. He is not my son, and he's not yours either," Craig continued to shout.

"But, Craig, he's alone and far…"

"Shut the fuck up! And don't you dare contradict me!"

Justin listened to all this, petrified of what was going to happen next. And then his worst fears were realized. He heard his mother scream.

"Owww! Craig, you're hurting me! My arm. Owww!"

"Fuck," Justin muttered. What could he do? He wanted to leap through the phone and yank his mother back here to safety. But all he could do was listen to what was transpiring so far away.

"I'll do more than hurt you, if you ever take a call from that fag again. Do I make myself clear?!"

"Yes, Craig, yes, please, please, let me go."

"I'll let you go," Craig yelled and Justin heard the sound of something hitting a wall. It had to be his mother's body. "You won't talk to him anymore. I'll make sure of that."

There was a sound of silence for a few seconds and then the line went dead.

Justin realized that he had slid to the floor and was curled up in a fetal position. He was shaking so badly that he didn't think he could get up even if he wanted to. What had happened to his mother? He knew Craig had hurt her, but if he had thrown her into a wall she might be seriously hurt or… No, he wouldn't think like that. But what was he going to do?

He needed to talk to Brian. He needed Brian's help and his strength. Brian would know what to do. Justin hit the numbers for Brian's cell. His hands were shaking so bad he had to dial it twice to get it right. It rang and went to voicemail. Brian must be in a meeting. Justin didn't know what to do at that point. He stared at the phone trying to think what he could say.

"Brian," he managed to croak. "It's me. Something's happened to my mother. I need you."

Justin struggled to get to his feet. He let the phone drop to the end of its cord and it clattered on the floor. In a semi-stupor he walked towards his bedroom and laid down waiting for the world to swallow him.

Brian stepped out of his meeting and pulled out his cell phone. He would have to go back to the hotel and grab his bag, but the meeting had ended early. That meant he might be able to catch an earlier flight. He hit the number for the airline and in a few minutes he was able to get himself on a flight that left in two hours. He'd be back in Pittsburgh in the afternoon instead of the evening.

With a smile and a twitch of his cock he thought about Justin waiting for him at the airport. He could hardly contain himself as he flagged down a cab.

In the cab, he checked his messages. There was one from Cynthia, but that could wait until he got back. The second message was from Justin and he sounded terrible. Brian immediately hit the number for the apartment. He got a busy signal. Justin must be on the phone. He tried Justin's cell but it went to voicemail. He left a message for Justin to call him right back. He tried the apartment again only to get the same busy signal.

At the hotel Brian ran up to his room, grabbed his bag, paid his bill and headed back outside. In the cab he tried Dee's apartment again. He got the same busy signal. What the fuck was going on? On the off chance that Justin might be at the diner, Brian called there. He asked to speak to Debbie when he was told that Justin hadn't come in for his shift. Debbie was ticked with him.

"Debbie, I know you're mad that Justin didn't show up, but I think something's wrong. I had a strange message from him."

"Why the fuck didn't you tell me that?"

"Is there any way that you could check on him?"

"Michael's here. I could send him over there."

"He doesn't have a key. He wouldn't be able to get in."

"But wouldn't Justin let… Oh fuck! You don't think he's hurt himself, do you?"

"Deb, I don't know, but I'm worried about him."

"Listen, Emm and Dee were in here earlier for lunch. I could get Michael to contact them."

"That's good. Do that, and tell them to call my cell as soon as they know anything. I'm on my way home."

"Okay, kiddo, I'll send Michael right away."

"Thanks, Deb."

"You don't need to thank me. That little … Sunshine better be all right."

"Yeah, he better," Brian said as his cab pulled up at the airport terminal.

&&&&&&&

About thirty minutes later, Dee and Emmett burst into the apartment yelling Justin's name. There was no response.

"Where the fuck is he?" Emmett asked.

"Let's check his room."

Dee ran down the hall with Emmett following her. Inside Justin's room they could see him huddled in a little ball on the bed.

"Justin," Dee gasped. "What's wrong?" She went to the bed and sat on the edge. "Justin," she repeated touching his shoulder.

Slowly Justin's eyes focused on his cousin. "Dee," he moaned.

"What happened, Justin? Are you hurt? Are you sick?"

Justin shook his head. "It's Mom."

"Your mother? What about your mother?"

"She … she …." Justin seemed unable to finish that sentence.

"Is she dead?" Dee asked immediately assuming the worst.

"I don't know. She might be," Justin moaned.

"What happened? Why do you think she's dead?"

"I … I called her, and we were talking and then Dad came home and he hurt her. She was begging him to stop."

"You heard this over the phone?"

Justin nodded slowly. "And then there was a big thud and the line went dead. I don't know what he did to her," Justin cried.

Dee pulled him into her arms and hugged him tight. Emmett was standing in the doorway wondering what he should do. The only thing he could think of was to call Brian as Michael had instructed him.

He hit Brian's number in his own phone and managed to catch Brian as he was boarding his plane. After Emmett's hasty explanation of what had occurred Brian said, "Tell Justin I'll be there in a couple of hours. We'll figure out what to do. I have to shut this off now."

Emmett closed his phone and went back to the bedroom. Dee was rocking Justin in her arms. Emmett decided that some comfort food would be the best thing for all of them. He headed for the kitchen.

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