Coming Out

Chapter 24

For the next few months, things seemed to be going pretty good. Brian continued to learn all there was to know about advertising and he was more certain then ever that he was going to do well in the field once he graduated from college. The time away from Justin was hard for him, but his drive to succeed seemed to make it more bearable. He knew that eventually they would be together, and it was those thoughts that got him through. The only part of his life that he wasn't really happy with was the fact that Justin and Jason were becoming good friends. Brian tried to ignore the feelings of jealousy that seemed to invade his mind, but it wasn't easy. Just thinking about all the time the two were spending together was enough to make Brian want to beat Jason into the next century. He knew he had to trust Justin, and for the most part he did, so he kept his feelings to himself.

It was the week before Thanksgiving and Brian was getting excited. Ryder had given him the week of Thanksgiving off, and because of the holiday, school was closed Wednesday thru Friday. He was actually going to have time to spend with Justin and his mind kept spinning with the possibilities. On Friday, the last afternoon at work, Brian was sitting at his desk trying to think up a plan of what he could with Justin when Cynthia walked in.

"Hey, Brian. Are you excited about your mini-vacation next week?" She asked. She was the one to suggest to Marty that he give Brian the week off. She knew how hard for him to juggle school and his job, and that he was really missing his time with Justin.

"You have no idea, Cyn. I was actually just thinking about what I could do with him. I want us to be able to have some time alone and Jennifer and Molly will be home all week. Any suggestions?" He asked, hoping that she could come up with an idea since he was clueless.

"How about if you take him to New York? I think he would love a trip to the city. You can walk around Times Square and maybe even take him to the art museum there. I'm sure he would love that," Cynthia suggested.

"That's a great idea, Cyn. I knew I could count on you," he replied, jumping up to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Why is it that the only male attention I get is from gay guys?" Cynthia chuckled, blushing from the kiss.

"Maybe because you spend all of your time with queers," Brian teased. He felt bad for the girl. She never really recovered from losing her parents. It was about time she started living her life again.

"I guess you're right. Maybe I should take Billy Stevens up on his offer to go to the movies,” she said softly.

"His offer? Someone asked you to the movies and you didn't say yes? What the hell is wrong with you, girl?" He asked, smiling to take the sting out of his words.

"I don't know. I think I'm scared," she admitted.

"Scared? Scared of what?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe getting too close to someone only to lose them again," she whispered.

"Oh, Cyn, come here." He opened his arms for her.

Cynthia went to him willingly. She was so distraught over what to do. She allowed herself to get close to the Ryder's, and to Brian, Justin, and Daphne, but she didn't want to push it too far. She really liked Billy, could possibly even fall in love with him, and she was too afraid that they would all be taken away just like her parents were. "I know it's silly, Brian, but I loved my parents so much and one day they were gone. I can't go through that again. I just can't."

"Cynthia, what happened to your parents was wrong. I’m sorry you had to go through that, but it doesn't mean you should stay away from people who could be important to you just because you could lose them one day. Life is too short for you to keep people at arms length. Look at me. Don't you think I was afraid to trust Justin after living with the Kinney's? I was terrified but he was just too good to pass up, and look at me now. I'm in a relationship. If I can do it, you can too. Besides, you have me now. I’ll always be here if you need me, and Justin and Daphne will be as well. Do you like Billy?" Brian asked.

"Yes. He is so cute, and he seems really nice, too," Cynthia told him, a huge smile breaking out on her face.

"Then I say go for it. What have you got to lose?" Brian encouraged her.

"My sanity?"

Brian couldn't help but laugh at her. "Cyn, you didn't have that to begin with."

"Ha, ha. Very funny. I have to get back to work. Call me next week and let me know what plans you made for your better half," she said with a smile.

"Okay, and call me if you manage to find the courage to go out with Billy," he teased back.

Cynthia just laughed as she walked out. Brian took the opportunity to log on to the net and check out New York City. A half hour later, he had a room booked for the following weekend. He couldn't help the visions that ran through his mind at the thought of them in the city. He decided to call Jennifer and tell her his plans.

"Hello?" Jennifer said into the phone.

"Hey Jennifer, it's me," Brian replied.

"Oh, hi Brian. Justin isn't home from school yet," she offered as she glanced at the clock.

"I know. I was calling to talk to you," he explained.

"Is something wrong? Are you going to be late again tonight?" She asked.

"No. Actually, I just wanted to talk to you about next weekend. I made arrangements for Justin and me to go to New York for the weekend. I want it to be a surprise for him. We haven't really seen each other that much since school started and I thought he would enjoy the city. I know he’d love the art museum," Brian explained, taking the credit for Cynthia's idea.

"I'm sure he’d love that, Brian, but what about Craig? Where are you going to tell him you are going? Justin is still seventeen, Brian. Craig hates when he just takes off for the weekend without knowing where he's going." Jennifer told him. “It took a lot of convincing to get him to agree to your weekend in the cabin.”

"Maybe we could say that we are going to go check out New Jersey, see what kind of housing they have around Princeton for next year?" Brian suggested, hoping that Craig would believe their story.

"You know what, Brian? I don't want to know. You're on your own. You boys have me lying to my husband too much as it is. Once he finds out the truth and that I knew the truth the whole time, I'm going to be in trouble," Jennifer explained, dreading the day when she had that argument with him.

"Oh, shit, Jennifer. I didn't even think about the position we’ve been putting you in all the time. I’m so sorry. Maybe we need to..."

"It's okay, Brian. I chose to keep your secret, so I'll worry about it then. I just want you both to be happy. I'm just going to try not to know too much," Jennifer explained.

"Thanks, Jennifer. You are the best!" Brian exclaimed for about the hundredth time since moving in with them.

"So you keep telling me. I'll see you at dinner," Jennifer replied before hanging up.

Brian thought about the way Jennifer was always willing to help them out and knew he needed to find a way to thank both her and Craig for all they had done for him. He’d have to talk to Justin and see if they could come up with something special for them. He went back to work trying hard not to think about the trip he and Justin were going to be taking.

Brian walked into the house an hour earlier than usual. Ryder had let him go so he could start his vacation. He saw that Jennifer's car was gone and was hoping for a few minutes alone with Justin. When he entered the family room, he saw Justin and Jason sitting on the couch watching a movie. Forcing down the jealousy that was beginning to surface, he decided to give the kid a show.

"Hello, Jason," he said sweetly.

"Oh, hello Brian," Jason replied, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

"Brian! Why are you home so early?" Justin asked in surprise.

"For this," Brian told him as he grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to his feet.

Justin didn't have time to respond before his mouth was covered in a deep, passionate, kiss. It took a moment for Justin to remember that Jason was in the room with them, but when he tried to pull away, Brian deepened the kiss, plunging his tongue inside and tasting him. All thoughts of company were gone until they heard Jason clear his throat. Justin pulled back, his face red with embarrassment.

"Sorry, Jason," he said, weakly.

"That's okay, Justin. I have to get going, anyway. I'll see you at school on Monday," Jason said, taking one last look at Brian's smug face before leaving.

"Brian, why did you do that?" Justin asked, as soon as heard the front door close.

"Because I missed you, and thought about you the whole way home. I figured that since I got out early, we could take advantage of the extra time," Brian replied innocently.

Justin looked at Brian skeptically, but chose not to push the issue. He knew that Brian was jealous of Jason and didn't want to argue with him at the start of his vacation. "Well then, last one upstairs does the dinner dishes."

Justin took off running with Brian close on his heels, both of them laughing at their antics. All thoughts of Jason were gone from their minds as they raced upstairs. Brian made it to Justin's room first, laughing at Justin's disappointment.

"It's okay, Sunshine. If you're really good, I'll help you wash," Brian told him with a smirk.

"Don't worry, Brian. I plan on being very good," Justin replied, dragging Brian into his room for their extra time.


End of part 24
12/14/03

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