Three's a Crowd



 

Michael finished the transaction and handed the teen her change. As she was stuffing her wallet back into her bag, he noticed a syllabus poking out of the pocket. His heart slammed into his ribcage. “You’re in Professor Bruckner’s class?”
 

“Huh?” the girl snapped her gum.

He pointed shakily to her bag. “I just noticed you have Ben Bruckner. How is he? I mean how do you like the class?”

She smiled. “He’s great. I’m so glad I took it this semester since he’s going to be on sabbatical next term. I hear his replacement is a real bitch.”

“Oh? What’s he going to be doing?” Michael asked, hoping he sounded casual enough.

“Studying at some Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Thanks again for your help.” She was out the door before Michael had a chance to ask why or when. ‘He can’t go to Tibet!’ his mind screamed after her.

Michael silently watched her saunter down the sidewalk, the ache in his chest growing with each step. He stumbled back to his desk and collapsed. The room seemed to close in on him and he couldn’t breathe.

Justin touched his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Michael.”

Shit. He’d forgotten the teen was in the storeroom. Obviously, Justin had heard her, but Michael couldn’t talk about it, not with him. It was his colossal fuck up that had broken up him and Ben, and Justin and Brian. He knew Justin was just trying to help, but it only made the guilt worse. And the jealousy. Justin and Ben had moved on and were obviously happy, while he and Brian were doomed to do their penance alone—together.

Michael pushed past him to the workbench where Justin had his new sketches laid out for the next set of storyboards. “Let’s see what you’ve got,” he said, studying the first one.

Justin acknowledged the obvious hint to change the subject and pointed out a few changes he’d made. “I think you’ll like Zephyr’s new tights,” he joked to lighten the mood.

Michael went through the motions of looking at the storyboards and commenting appropriately here and there, but he couldn’t get rid of Justin fast enough. Once they decided on a few adjustments and agreed to meet again in a few days, the teen left for class and Michael could finally breath more easily.

Alone with his thoughts, he let out the pain and tears he’d been holding inside for the last hour. If Ben was going to Tibet there really was no hope of getting back together. That had been the only thing helping Michael get through the past few months, the slimmest thread of hope that somehow… but now it was gone. Eventually the tears were spent and Michael wiped his eyes, desperate for something to fill the aching void in his chest. He needed to get out of the shop, away from the small room that seemed to be sucking the life out of him.

Michael picked up the phone and dialed Brian’s office. He needed Brian. The only bright spot in the past few months had been their friendship. It was almost like old times, two years before Justin had shown up and changed everything. Michael had accepted Justin, and even grown to care for him, but he couldn’t help enjoying the fact that it was just he and Brian again. Of course, things had changed, they had even fucked, but it actually strengthened their bond, instead of destroying it, as everyone assumed it would. He needed his best friend right now, and he knew he could always count on Brian.

 

***
 

Later that evening, Brian checked his watch and drained his glass. “I’m outta here,” he shouted over Babylon’s thumping music.

“You just got here,” Michael pouted.

“No, he got here 6 drinks and two blow jobs ago,” Ted clarified.

“And we’ve already talked about the comic book, the porn industry, Ben’s trip to Tibet, Vance fucking Gardner and the Windy City. Was there anything else you wanted to add, because I need to get home and get my beauty sleep for tomorrow.”

Michael shook his head. As much as he wanted Brian’s attention right now, he understood the man had other things on his mind. “No, you’re right, it’s time to go. I’ll drive you home.”

“Unfortunately, I’m sober enough to drive myself,” Brian replied. “You two stay and interview some more performers for Ted’s website.”

Michael scowled as he watched his friend stagger out of the club. That was Brian’s answer to everything. ‘Ben’s going to Tibet? Get your dick sucked. No? Then I will. Back in a bit, get me another drink, would ya?’ Asshole. ‘I need to concentrate on that account for tomorrow, let me get my dick sucked. You’ll be right here, right?’ Yeah, of course.

Michael looked over the throng of dancers. Did sex really help? Michael knew Brian was nervous about the meeting tomorrow, but he didn’t understand how his friend could look so cool. When Michael quit his job at the Big Q and gambled his future on a comic book, he had been so tied up in knots he was sick. Here Brian was, a day away from collecting unemployment, and he was fucking the night away like it was business as usual.

Michael noticed a guy checking him out. He was built like Ben, but with blonde hair and the most perfect, round ass Michael had ever seen. The last thing he needed was another reminder of Ben. Michael tore his eyes away and finished his drink. He wasn’t Brian. Sex wouldn’t help him.

Ted nudged him. “That guy’s coming over here.”

Michael slammed his glass down. “I’m not interested.”

“What?” Ted’s eyes never left the hunk.

“With my luck, he probably has a plastic ass stuffed in his pants,” Michael mumbled.

“As long as it’s not a plastic dick, I’ll take my chances,” Ted replied as he moved away to meet the brunette at the edge of the dance floor.

Michael realized his mistake and watched Ted talk to the trick for a few minutes. His friend turned around and gave him a thumbs up. Even Ted was having a better day than he was. Michael waved him off and quickly left before the blonde, who now decided to make his move, reached him.

Since he was in no hurry to go home to an empty apartment, Michael decided to stop at the diner and visit his mom for a bit while he had a couple lemon squares. They never disappointed him. As he approached the diner, he saw Brian’s jeep parked in front. Maybe Brian decided to get something to eat too. His pace sped up as he hurried to meet his friend.

Suddenly, Justin burst out of the diner and jumped into the jeep. Michael watched Brian pull away and cursed to himself. If he’d been a few minutes earlier, he could’ve gotten a ride home too. Maybe Justin would’ve stayed with him a while and watched a movie or something. At this point, he would try anything. He could walk his mom home and see if Vic was still up. They could make popcorn…

He was just about to enter the diner when he noticed Brian turning left at the stoplight. They were headed for the loft.

That cocksucking son of a bitch!

 

***
 

“This is a pleasant surprise,” Justin purred as he attacked the older man’s face and neck with hot hungry kisses.

Brian moaned as he tried to keep his focus on the road. He stopped the teen’s hand as it slid across his thigh. “I’m going to drive right over the sidewalk if you keep that up,” he chastised. As a compromise he brought the teen’s hand to his lips and sucked greedily on each digit.

Justin was mesmerized by Brian’s beautiful lips as they wrapped around his fingers and pulled them inside. Each time Brian sucked them in, Justin felt a jolt in his cock. “Oh god…hurry,” Justin panted. “I was so fucking horny all day after you rimmed me this morning, I want you inside me.”

The teen was rewarded by Brian’s sharp intake of breath. Even though the man wouldn’t let him touch him, the boy could still get to him. “I can still feel your tongue licking my hole,” he lightly traced Brian’s ear with his tongue and the older man groaned, “it aches so bad from you teasing me, I need to be fucked…hard. I was going to fuck myself with a dildo when I got home, that really big one you gave me for my birthday last year. I need it, Brian,” his voice was thick with desire, pleading for release.

Brian loved when he begged, and his cock was rock hard in response. He pulled into his parking spot and killed the engine. Finally free to give his undivided attention to the horny boy next to him, he turned his head and captured the teen’s lips, roughly tongue fucking the boy’s mouth until the teen was close to exploding. Brian let him go and smiled devilishly at Justin’s glazed eyes. “If you had your heart set on the dildo…” Brian moved to start the jeep again.

Justin slapped his hand away and slid onto Brian’s lap. “Only because I couldn’t wait.” He ground his ass against Brian’s cock. “I thought I wasn’t going to see you again until tomorrow.”

“Now you get me tonight instead,” Brian replied, holding the teen still, “but I’m not fucking you in the parking lot.” He pushed Justin off and got out.

Justin followed him into the building and they waited for the elevator. The stairs would’ve been faster, but neither man was moving very comfortably. “What do you mean ‘instead’?” the teen suddenly asked. “You’re still coming to the opening tomorrow, right?” Some of Justin’s work had been chosen for exhibition in the student gallery and the opening was the next night. Brian ignored his question as he opened the gate, and Justin had his answer.

The teen was glaring at him and Brian averted his eyes as he pushed the button for his floor. “Something came up,” he finally replied.

Justin snorted. “Let me guess. It’s some fucked up fetish night at Babylon that you can’t possibly miss, even for me. This is important to me, Brian, but I should’ve known better than to expect any support from you.”

Brian’s temper flared. The little shit didn’t even give him a chance to explain. “Justin--”

Justin held up his hand. “That’s fine though. Everyone else will be there so it doesn’t matter.”

Everyone else didn’t even know they were back together so that wasn’t really motivating him. “So what do you need me there for?” Brian asked icily.

Justin’s lips pursed together in a thin line, making him look like a nagging wife. “I know you don’t like admitting you’re in a relationship, but it wouldn’t kill you to act like my boyfriend once in a while!”

Brian couldn’t stop the flicker of pain that crossed his face before the blank mask appeared. Fuck it. Why should he if Justin was still hiding their relationship? He pushed the thought away before it could be voiced. Hell, he was in no shape to argue the fine print of their relationship when he was still grappling with who was designated as ‘the party of the first part’… the second part…the third part…

The elevator screeched to a halt and Brian exited silently, ignoring Justin’s tantrum.

Justin stayed rooted in the elevator as Brian opened the loft door and went inside. He would kick himself, if his foot wasn’t firmly lodged in his mouth. The teen regretted the words as soon as they were out. It had only taken him a month to betray Brian’s trust. That certainly wasn’t going to get him any more declarations from the man. Brian had finally shared his feelings, and confided that he disliked being told how to act on those feelings, and here Justin just tried to railroad him into behaving like…Ethan.

The teen knew Brian had previously planned to attend the gallery opening, so he should’ve at least asked why Brian changed his mind before pitching a fit. A week ago he had been grateful Brian agreed at all because the man was so preoccupied with Ryder selling the firm. Was the sudden change of plans work related?

Justin tentatively entered the loft, shutting and locking the door behind him. If Brian heard him enter, he showed no indication as he continued stripping with his back to the door. The teen walked up the stairs to the bedroom, and Brian disappeared into the bathroom. Justin heard the shower start and was debating whether or not to join him when the phone rang. He checked the caller id display and saw it was Michael.

Brian reappeared in the doorway. “It’s Michael,” Justin told him. The older man looked at him for a moment, but Justin couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Then Brian turned back into the bathroom without a word.

“It might be important,” Justin called when he realized Brian wasn’t going to answer it.

“I just saw him, he can leave a message,” Brian replied.

Justin stepped into the steam filled room and saw Brian hesitate before opening the shower door. The older man was looking at him again. “Come here.” Justin quickly pulled his clothes off and was about to join Brian when the phone started ringing again. Justin turned to check if it was Michael again but Brian grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the shower.

Brian stood under the spray and let the water course over him, drowning out the sound of the phone. But he couldn’t drown out Justin’s voice as the teen echoed his thoughts. “He was so sad today. He misses Ben.” The older man pulled the boy closer, crushing his mouth in a desperate kiss. He didn’t want to think about Michael and Ben, or why they broke up. He didn’t want to be reminded that it was his fault Justin left before, his fault they were struggling now.

Brian finally released the dazed teen and Justin leaned against him to steady himself. After a moment the teen reached for the soap and lathered Brian’s chest. “Why can’t you come tomorrow?”

Brian took the soap from the teen and returned the favor. “I have to go to Chicago for a business meeting.”

“Can’t it wait?”

“No. If I don’t have this account by the end of the week, Vance will fire me. Then there will be no more exhibits, because there will be no more school, because there will be no more tuition, because there will be no more money.”

Justin grimaced. “Okay, I get it.”

Brian stifled a sigh of relief as the teen wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him again.

“Brian, I’m…” Justin almost said ‘sorry’ but thought better of it, “horny.”

The older man cupped the teen’s buttocks in his soapy hands. “That I can come for.”

 

***
 

Michael turned up at the loft the next morning. He pushed his way past Brian, waving a bag from the diner. “I brought you some breakfast since I know you have an early flight.” He looked around the loft. “Justin leave already?” he asked, baiting his friend.

Brian didn’t see any reason in keeping up the pretense since Michael obviously figured it out. “Yes, he had a class.”

Michael’s face darkened as he slammed the bag on the counter, crushing the muffins. “You fucking asshole! You dumped me to fuck him?”

Brian raised an eyebrow. “Were you volunteering?”

“What is it with you and your fucking dick? Would it have killed you to just spend some time with me last night?” Michael whined like a lonely housewife.

Jesus. Now he was a polygamist. “Mikey,” he put his arm around his friend and pressed their heads together. “I can’t help you with Ben.”

Michael looked into his friend’s eyes and saw his own sadness staring back at him. And it made him angry. He pushed Brian away as he exploded. “I saw you leave the diner together. It wasn’t the first time, was it? What the fuck are you thinking?”

“That it’s none of your fucking business,” Brian said tersely. Maybe Justin had the right idea by keeping it just between them. Obviously, he didn’t expect Jennifer to call him ‘son’, but he expected Michael, of all people, to understand. Wasn’t he the one crying in his beer last night over Ben?

“Jesus, Brian, don’t you see the irony here? He dumped you for cheating on him, but now he’s doing the same thing by cheating on Ethan with you.”

Oh, of course. How silly of him to try and function without his trusty sidekick to look out for him. “Get off your soapbox, Mikey. The fiddler is history. Did you really think that little asshole was going to make Justin happy?”

Michael gaped at him. “What? Justin and Ethan broke up? When?”

“Get your head out of the comic books and pay attention to the real world, Mikey. Haven’t you noticed he hasn’t been around much since Sap’s party?”

“Justin said he was practicing—fuck, Brian! That was a month ago! Why didn’t you tell me?” he whined.

Brian sighed. “To avoid this.”

“But Ethan is still hanging around. I just saw him yesterday, he walked Justin to work.”

Brian shrugged. “Sonny Boy’s got his own little stalker now. Can’t blame the fiddler though, the kid’s a great fuck.”

“It doesn’t bother you that Justin is still seeing this guy?”

Brian glanced at his bewildered friend. “I can’t tell him what to do or who to see.” He looked in the bag, shielding his face from Michael’s scrutiny in case his façade slipped.

“But--”

Brian quickly stuffed a piece of muffin in Michael’s mouth to silence him. “My cab will be here any minute. Thanks for breakfast. He steered his friend to the door and grabbed his overnight bag. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

 

***
 

“Michael, it’s Justin. I have some errands to run this afternoon so I won’t be stopping by today. I’ve got the sketches done and I’ll bring them by tomorrow if that’s okay. Bye.”

Michael erased the message and made a note to call Justin back later. The man had to admit he was relieved he wouldn’t see the teen. He wasn’t sure how to react to the news that Justin and Brian were back together. Something just didn’t seem right, but Brian would be back that afternoon so maybe he could get some more answers.

“I’m going to go pick up a sandwich, you want anything?” Michael asked Vic. The older man helped him out at the shop sometimes.

“No, I’m fine,” Vic replied. “I’ll unpack these boxes while you’re gone, and then I think I’m going to head home.”

“Alright, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Michael headed for the diner, not paying attention to anything in particular as he walked. If he hadn’t almost collided with the woman and her stroller, he wouldn’t have looked up in time to see Justin meeting Ethan outside the diner. Ethan handed the teen a bouquet of roses and kissed him. Justin gave him a bright smile and a hug before steering the other man around the corner.

 

***
 

Justin led Ethan to the coffee shop down the street. When they were seated, he handed back the flowers. “I can’t accept these.”

“Why not?” Ethan asked innocently.

Justin looked away from the flowers. No one had ever given him roses before, and Ethan knew it. “Because we’re not together anymore. We’ve been over this before.”

“You know I won’t deny that I’m hoping you’ll change your mind, but I have no ulterior motives. I just wanted to congratulate you on your exhibit. I would’ve said so last night, but I didn’t want to intrude with your friends.”

“Ethan, you’re my friend, you could’ve joined us last night.”

“I didn’t think it was appropriate,” Ethan replied.

Justin frowned. When had things become so fucked up? He wanted to remain friends with Ethan, he still cared for him a great deal, and he loved that Ethan did the things that Brian wouldn’t. But that was hardly fair to Ethan, especially since the other man was trying so hard to get him back. Justin knew he shouldn’t lead him on, but he couldn’t stop seeing him.

“What did Brian say about your exhibit?” Ethan asked. Justin looked away and didn’t answer. Ethan noted his discomfort and took his hand, slowly stroking the palm.

Justin sighed as the gentle massage relaxed the aching muscles. It had been months since Brian had done anything like that to aid his therapy.

“He didn’t go, did he?” Ethan asked, a hint of condescension evident in his soothing tone.

Justin yanked his hand away, immediately leaping to his lover’s defense. “He’s been busy with work,” he replied curtly. Ethan’s lips curled in a bemused smile, rankling Justin’s nerves some more. “He just made partner,” he added proudly.

Ethan slowly nodded at the news and picked up the roses, brushing his hand over the petals before tossing the bouquet into the trashcan next to them. “No wonder you don’t want those, I’m sure Brian buys you a dozen a day, doesn’t he?” His eyes flashed smugly and he left without waiting for a response. He knew the answer by the look on Justin’s face, and he wanted to remember Justin contemplating the roses he would never get and the ones he just threw away.

“Ethan, wait.”

 

***
 

Later that afternoon, Michael was stocking the new window display. A loud rap on the window surprised him and he fell into his beloved cardboard cut-out of Captain Astro, knocking it over and crushing it as he fell into the pile of empty boxes and plastic wrap. Brian opened the door, red-faced and gasping for air. “You are so pathetic,” he chortled.

Michael glared at his friend, knocking away the hand Brian offered to help him up. “Not funny, asshole!”

“That’s partner to you,” Brian ordered sternly.

Michael leapt up and strangled his friend in a tight hug. “That’s great! We have to celebrate!” He was plowing through the debris, making his way to the counter. “I’ll call everybody and we’ll go to Woody’s.”

Brian grabbed his hand as he picked up the phone. “Later, Mikey.” He looked around the shop expectantly. “Where’s Justin? In the back?” He walked to the storeroom. Brian was planning to surprise the boy and take him home to celebrate. He couldn’t wait to see how happy the teen would be when he told him he was taking tomorrow off just so they could spend all day together, starting with a visit to the student gallery. Justin could be very creative when he was showing his gratitude. “Hey, Sunshine!” He peered around the empty room and turned back to his friend. “I thought you two were working on Rage this afternoon. Did he leave already?”

Michael’s smile faltered but he tried to keep it up. “No, he called earlier. Said he had errands. Why don’t we head over to Woody’s and—Brian!” His friend was already walking away from him.

Brian stopped at the door. “I’ll call you later. I have plans tonight.” He gave Michael a lecherous grin before opening the door.

“With Justin?” Michael asked crossly.

Brian’s grin faded at the tone. “Yes.”

Michael didn’t want to ruin Brian’s evening, but he couldn’t let Justin make a fool out of him either. He would just have to get it over with and then they could celebrate. “Brian, I don’t know how to tell you this. He’s with Ethan. I saw them earlier.”

Brian had to look away from the sad puppy dog eyes his friend was giving him. He picked at some nonexistent lint on his suit. “So?” he asked impatiently.

Michael’s eyes bugged out at Brian’s nonchalant demeanor. He couldn’t believe his friend was letting the little hypocrite use him like that. Brian may be the world’s worst boyfriend, but he never claimed to be otherwise. On the other hand, Justin touted himself as the poster boy for love and relationships, and then threw the rulebook out the window when it didn’t suit him. He dumped Brian for cheating on him, and now he was playing two lovers against each other.

“I can’t believe you’re putting up with this shit,” Michael yelled in frustration. “He’s fucking with you!”

Brian pasted on a smirk. “Actually, I’m fuck--”

“You know what I mean! And don’t pretend it doesn’t bother you that some other guy is giving your boyfriend flowers. I don’t know what Justin’s up to, but--”

Brian’s jaws clenched. “You think I give a fuck if that little twink is trying to woo Justin with his romantic bullshit? He already had his chance, and Justin still came back to me.” The door slammed behind him as he stormed out.

“Congratulations,” Michael muttered in his wake.