Right Next Door

Chapter 5

 


By Friday afternoon, Justin was tearing apart his garage, searching frantically through the boxes that still remained unpacked from his move.

“It’s got to be around here somewhere,” he muttered to himself and he tossed yet another box aside.

“What are you looking for?” Molly asked, coming up quietly behind him.

“Shit!” Justin exclaimed, clutching his heart. He glared at his sister. “Don’t sneak up on me like that. How can someone as big as you move so quietly.”

“Hey, be nice,” Molly replied, shoving him gently. “Pregnant women don’t like being called big. And I didn’t sneak up on you. I was inside and heard you throwing things around in here. At first I thought a raccoon or something got in. Now I repeat, what are you looking for?”

“When I was packing up my loft, I put my club clothes in separate boxes, figuring I wouldn’t be needing them for awhile. Now I can’t find them,” Justin explained, resuming his search.

“You have separate club clothes?”

“Of course. A gay man can’t go out to the clubs dressed in cargo pants and t-shirts. He’d never get laid like that,” Justin sighed, as if everyone knew that vital piece of information.

“Of course they wouldn’t,” Molly giggled at her brother’s seriousness. “I really need to get myself one of those How to be Gay in America handbooks and brush up on my gay etiquette.”

“Don’t laugh at me. Either help me look or get back in the house,” Justin snarled. “Oh, and what time is Mom going to be here?”

“She’ll be here by eight, although I still don’t see why she needs to come all the way over here just because you want to go out. I’m pregnant, not dying. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Humor me, alright? I just don’t like the thought of going out and leaving you and the kids here alone. You wanted me to go out and get a life; I am. But while I’m out, Mom’s going to be here to keep an eye on things,” Justin replied.

“Fine, whatever. Anyway, dinner is ready. I made a plate for you so whenever you’re ready to eat, it’s there for you.” Molly turned to go back inside, tired of arguing with Justin over her health.

Justin searched for a few more minutes before he finally located the box he was looking for. He grabbed it and went inside, stopping to eat on his way upstairs. He went through the box, finding his hottest clothes, and then went into the shower. It was strange, but he was getting a little nervous thinking about hitting the club scene again. Not that he wasn’t into the club scene. Back when he was in Chicago, he was a regular at Spin, but that seemed like a lifetime ago. Since his move, most of his time was spent with Molly and the children, trying to help fill the void left by Steven’s death. But despite his nervousness, he was looking forward to a night out, getting to know Emmett better and forgetting about his responsibilities for awhile.

When Jennifer arrived, Justin sat with the two most important ladies in his life and talked about the baby’s upcoming arrival until it was time to go. He drove to Babylon and found a place to park, then went to their meeting place. Emmett was there waiting for him.

“Hey baby, you ready to dance the night away?” Emmett asked excitedly.

“More than ready,” Justin admitted. “Thanks for suggesting this. I didn’t realize how much I missed the night life until I was getting ready. I love Molly and the kids, but a guy needs more than that.”

“Tell me about it. I could never understand how all those hetero’s could spend every evening at home when there are so many more exciting things to do,” Emmett laughed as he grabbed Justin’s hand and led them past all the people in line and right up to the door. The huge bouncer greeted him warmly and kissed his cheek, before nodding them both inside.

Once they were inside, Justin stopped moving to take a look around. He’d been in Babylon before, but it had been years ago, long before a crazed homophobe blew the place up, injuring hundreds of people, and even killing a few. Justin had read about the incident when it happened, and shuddered as he thought about the devastation of that night.

“Wow, this place looks great,” he commented loudly, trying to be heard over the music. “I remember reading about the bombing. Were you around here then?”

“Yes I was. I was over there, as a matter of fact,” Emmett replied, shuddering himself over the memory. “I still get jumpy when a car backfires.”

“Wow, Em, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up. I was just curious.”

“It’s okay. I was pretty freaked out at first, but I’m okay now.” Emmett pulled Justin over to the bar and waved hello to Tony. “So, what’s your poison?”

“Um…Jim Beam, straight up.”

“You heard the man, Honey,” Emmett said to Tony. “And I’ll take my usual.”

Justin recognized the bartender from Brian’s party, but didn’t comment on it. Once the drinks were in front of them, Justin downed his in two swallows and ordered another before Tony could disappear, enjoying the almost forgotten burn of beam as it went down. After the second drink, as the alcohol started entering Justin’s system, he found himself being pulled out on the dance floor. They spent the next few hours dancing among the hot, sweaty men, laughing and having a great time. Justin was extremely glad that he agreed to go out. It had been too long since he had let loose and had some fun.

 

*****

Brian was sitting in his office, his eyes closely watching the scene before him on the monitor. Since the bombing, he’d had surveillance cameras put in throughout the club, wanting to keep a close watch on what was happening. Now he was able to watch a certain blond shaking his delectable ass for all of gay Pittsburgh to see. He’d been surprised when Emmett showed up with Justin. He hadn’t expected to see Justin anywhere other than right next door, and seeing him in a relaxed atmosphere made him consider the fact that he’d been too hard on the man. As the clocked ticked, Brian began to realize how often Justin made his way back to the bar, and how much alcohol he was actually consuming. He’d planned on making it an early night. He was deep in the heart of a major chapter in his book and wanted to spend the weekend working on it, but Justin’s presence made him alter his plans and now, as the night raced on, he was still in his office. It was ridiculous.

He considered going home and was getting ready to leave when he looked at the monitor one more time and noticed Emmett being led away from Justin by what he knew was a potential trick. Justin was a big boy, and could handle himself, but something about seeing him left on his own in his obviously drunken state didn’t sit right with Brian. He finished shutting down his office and then quickly made his way to the bar. He was at Justin’s side just as the man signaled for Tony again.

“Don’t you think you should slow down a bit?” Brian mocked, throwing Justin’s words back in his face.

Justin was startled to hear Brian’s voice beside him, but hid his surprise as he answered him. “Well, as you so eloquently pointed out to me last week, it’s none of your business.”

“Actually, it is. As owner of the club, it’s my duty to watch out for the safety of my patrons,” Brian replied, signaling Tony away when he appeared in front of them. “I take it you drove yourself here tonight?”

“Owner of the club?”

“Yeah, didn’t Emmett tell you I own Babylon?”

“No, I guess it slipped his mind,” Justin mumbled. “But you’re probably right. I think I’ve had enough for tonight. I’d better just head home.”

Brian watched Justin back up from the bar, bumping into a group of guys passing by and almost fall face first back into the bar. “Okay, I don’t think you should be going anywhere right now. Come with me.” Brian grabbed Justin’s arm and started leading him towards the stairs.

“Where are you taking me?” Justin asked curiously, as he allowed himself to be led away.

“We’re going to my office. I’ve got a coffee pot and some food left over from a dinner meeting I had with my employees earlier. Putting something in your stomach couldn’t hurt right now.”

Justin didn’t resist. As soon as they started walking away from the bar, he realized just how drunk he actually was. There was no way he could drive himself home in his present condition. Once they were inside the large room, Justin looked around, taking in his surroundings. The office was just like its occupant; sleek, modern, and completely organized. He spotted a leather couch off to the side and dropped down on it, wishing he could get the room to stop spinning. What had possessed him to drink so much? He knew better.

Brian started the coffee machine and then went to the small refrigerator and took out the left over fruit platter from earlier. It wasn’t the best source of food for someone in Justin’s condition, but it would have to do. Apparently Justin didn’t mind, since he dove for the platter the minute Brian put it down in front of him. Brian then made a very large cup of black coffee and put that down next to the food. Then he sat back and waited while Justin did what was expected of him and consumed what was there. He ate in silence, which was fine with Brian, since he didn’t have much to say. Once it was clear that he was finished, Brian cleared away the remnants of food and fixed another cup of coffee.

“Thanks,” Justin said as he took the cup from Brian. “I don’t usually drink this much, and lately I haven’t been drinking at all. I didn’t realize how hard it would hit me.”

“No need to thank me. I was just doing my job as club owner,” Brian lied. He’d had people flagged before, but never brought them up to his office to sober up. “Finish up your coffee and I’ll follow you home. I was just getting ready to leave anyway.”

Justin ignored the strange feeling of disappointment when Brian brushed him off as just another customer and took another sip of his coffee before putting the cup down and leaning back on the sofa. He was suddenly very tired and just needed to shut his eyes for a second.

Brian watched Justin lay his head back and knew immediately that he had fallen asleep. There was no way the blond would be able to drive anywhere in his present condition. He left Justin alone and went back downstairs in search of Emmett. He found him on the dance floor, bumping and grinding with the same guy he’d spotted before.

“Where’s Justin?” Brian asked, watching closely for Emmett’s reaction.

“He’s over there at the…bar,” Emmett replied, as his eyes scanned the room, looking for his friend. “Well he was right there. He must be in the little boy’s room. What are you doing here? You’re never here on Friday night.”

“Yeah, well tonight I am. And it’s a good damn thing, too? Justin isn’t in the little boy’s room. He’s passed out upstairs in my office. How could you let him drink that much? Especially if you were going to leave him alone as soon as the first trick appeared?” Brian asked angrily.

“Brian…I…he’s a grown man. Surely he’s capable of taking care of himself. Besides, I’ve been keeping my eye on him,” Emmett said, trying to defend himself.

“Really? That’s funny. He’s been in my office for over a half hour and you didn’t even know he was gone. And he may be a grown man, but he hasn’t been out drinking in months and doesn’t know anyone here other than you. I thought you’d have been a little friendlier to him, instead of ditching him as soon as Tiny here winked at you.”

“His name is Robert,” Emmett huffed.

“I know. Tiny is just his nickname, if you catch my drift. Don’t worry about Justin, not that you would have, I’ll make sure he gets home.” Brian walked away without waiting for a reply.

With the help of one of his bouncers, Brian got Justin down to his jeep and settled into the passenger seat. He was conscious through the move, but not very coherent. Once Dave was gone, Brian climbed into the driver’s seat and reached over to fasten Justin’s seat belt. He was surprised when he felt a warm mouth on his. It took a moment to realize what was happening, and he had every intention of moving away, but then he felt Justin’s tongue on his lips seeking entry, and opened involuntarily for the invasion. Although Justin was drunk, his kiss was anything but clumsy, and Brian found himself responding to the passion that was igniting between them. Luckily Justin seemed to come around quickly, before things could get out of hand.

“Ooops, sorry about that,” Justin giggled. “I’ve just been wondering if you tasted as good as I thought you would.”

“Do I?” Brian asked in amusement.

“Mmmm, even better,” Justin mumbled before quickly drifting back off to sleep.

Brian laughed as he started the jeep and headed for home. Unfortunately, Justin was in worse shape by then. Without Dave’s help, it took twice as long to get Justin out of the jeep and up to his front porch. He carefully laid the unconscious man down on the bench that was beside the door and rang the doorbell. Molly appeared almost immediately, looking disheveled and slightly alarmed.

“Brian, what’re you doing here?”

“I’m bringing your brother home,” Brian explained, gesturing to the sleeping form on the bench. He looked at her swollen stomach and sighed. “I don’t suppose there’s anyone here to help me get him inside, is there?”

“Hang on, let me get my mother.” At Brian’s amused look, she explained. “Justin doesn’t think I can handle being here alone so he only agreed to go out once my mother promised to stay the night and baby-sit me.”

“Well, in this instance, I think that’s great. He’s not as light as he looks,” Brian laughed. He waited outside with Justin until a beautiful, blond haired woman appeared moments later. “You must be Mrs. Taylor.”

“Yes I am, but please, call me Jennifer. And I hear you’re the famous Brian,” Jennifer replied with a smile, almost as bright as her sons.

“The famous Brian?”

“You’re all my grandchildren have been talking about. They seem to be quite taken with you,” she laughed.

“Oh, them. Yeah, they’ve been rather…friendly since I met them. I don’t think a day’s gone by where they haven’t made their way next door,” Brian said. “It’s a good thing I’m not a serial killer or something. They shouldn’t be so trusting.”

“That’s what’s funny. They’re usually not so trusting. In fact, since their father died, they’ve been a little skittish around strangers. Experts say that children can be a pretty good judge of character. It says something about you, I think, that they’re so drawn to you,” Jennifer said.

Brian shrugged. “I’m just lucky, I guess. So, I guess we should get Justin inside.”

Jennifer noticed Brian’s discomfort at her comment, but didn’t push any further. Ever since she first heard the name Brian, she’d been curious about the mysterious stranger living next door to her children. Now that she met him, her curiosity was even greater. She’d heard bits and pieces about the altercations between Brian and her son, and was dying to know how Justin went out with a man named Emmett but ended up being brought home by Brian. Unfortunately she’d have to wait until morning, since her son was currently passed out on his front porch. “I guess we should. You know, he’s going to feel pretty foolish when he wakes up in the morning and realizes what happened. He doesn’t normally drink this much.”

“He mentioned that earlier. I suggest having a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water next to his head in the morning. Foolish isn’t the only thing he’s going to be feeling when he wakes up.”

Jennifer agreed and then helped Brian drag her son inside. Once they had him settled on the couch, she thanked the younger man and covered Justin up as Molly walked him out.

Molly waited until they were outside before turning to Brian. “Thank you for bringing him home. I’d hate to think of what could’ve happened to him if he tried to drive himself. How is it that you two ended up together in the first place? What happened to Emmett?”

“I imagine he’s still at the club. I own Babylon and was there catching up on some paperwork. I was getting ready to leave when I saw Justin at the bar, looking rather inebriated. I thought about leaving him to his own devices, but I didn’t want the club to be held accountable if something happened to him. My bartender should’ve flagged him sooner.”

“Right, it was a business decision. I’m sure you probably drive a lot of your patrons’ home, don’t you?” Molly replied, her tone carrying a touch of humor, letting Brian know she didn’t believe a word of what he was saying. “Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad you were there tonight. You’re a good man, Brian.”

Brian was startled when Molly reached up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek before waving goodbye and going back inside. He smiled to himself as he got in his car and drove the few yards to his own driveway. It was too late for him to get any work done on his novel, but strangely enough, he wasn’t angry about the time he lost at his computer. It had definitely been an interesting evening.

*****

The only thing worse than waking with a raging hangover, was waking to find two five year olds standing over you, staring at you questioningly.

“Uncle Justin, why are you sleeping downstairs?” Jared asked as soon as he saw his uncle’s eyes open.

“Shhh…stop talking so loud,” Justin mumbled as he closed his eyes again to shield away the painful rays of sunlight coming through the windows.

“I’m not talking loud. I’m using my inside voice, just like Grandma told me to,” Jared insisted. “So, how come you’re sleeping here?”

“Grandma? Is she still here?” Justin asked, struggling to remember what had happened the night before. The last thing he remembered was standing by the bar with Emmett, ordering another drink.

“Of course I’m still here,” Jennifer answered from the doorway. She looked at her son and could immediately see the agony he was in. “I’m taking my grandchildren out for breakfast and shopping. Do you want to come with us?”

“Um…no. I think I’ll just stay here and pray for unconsciousness. How did I…I mean did I…” Justin stopped, looking at the kids. He didn’t want to mention the night before with them standing right there.

Jennifer knew the reason for Justin’s hesitation and smiled. “Kids, run upstairs and wash up so we can go.”

“Okay Grandma,” they called together, causing Justin to cringe, as they took off up the stairs.

Jennifer laughed at their exuberance then looked down at Justin. “No, you didn’t drive yourself home, thank God. Brian brought you.”

“Brian? You mean…how…I wasn’t…” Justin stammered as he thought back to the night before. Memories started flooding back to him. Brian appearing at the bar, taking him upstairs and feeding him coffee and fruit, then helping him into the jeep. Suddenly he remembered…kissing. Brian had kissed him. No, that wasn’t right. Shit, he’d kissed Brian. “Oh god,” he groaned, rolling over to bury his head on the back of the couch.

“I see your memory has been restored. You’re lucky Brian was there. You were in no condition to drive yourself home,” Jennifer said, using her best motherly voice. “He seems like a nice man. I see why the kids like him so much.”

“Mom, could you please leave me alone to die in peace,” Justin groaned as he felt his embarrassment all the way down to his toes. How could he have been so stupid to kiss Brian? They barely liked each other and only tolerated one another when it came to the children.

“I guess you don’t want to go out with us then,” Jennifer said, glad that Justin’s back was to her so he couldn’t see her amusement. She should be ashamed by the way she was enjoying her son’s embarrassment, but she wasn’t. When he was just twenty one and enjoying his new found freedom to go out and get drunk, she used to warn him about his behavior. She told him that drinking alcohol was a big responsibility and that he should always keep a clear head so that he didn’t regret things in the morning. Apparently he’d forgotten that lesson. Having Brian help him home was a good reminder for him. “Okay, we’ll leave you to sleep. Molly had some errands to run. She said she’d be back around lunchtime so you’ll have a few hours to recover. I’ll see you when we get back.”

Justin kept his head buried in the couch until after his mother and the kids were gone. Then he struggled to sit up and was grateful when he spotted the bottle of aspirin and glass of water on the coffee table. He reached for them and swallowed down three of the small white pills, drinking down the water like a man on a deserted island. His head was pounding and every muscle in his body ached from sleeping on the cramped couch. What had he been thinking, drinking so much? It felt good being out again, spending the night with gay men his age instead of his sister and her children, but he knew better than to over indulge. Hadn’t he just told Brian the week before to take it easy? That thought reminded him once again of the kiss they shared the night before, bringing a rush of his heat to his face.

“Oh God, I’m never drinking again,” he promised to the empty room.


End of part 5
09/17/06

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