Not Like All The Others

Authors Note: This is the last actual chapter. There will only be an epilogue after this.


JUSTIN’S POV


I run my hands over my face and through my hair as I pace back in forth across the loft. I listen to Brian as he finishes getting dressed in the bedroom. It’s the day of the art show and I honestly don’t think I have ever been this nervous in my life. Brian comes out of the bedroom and watches me pace back and forth for a minute before rolling his eyes and walking over to me. He reaches out and grabs my shoulders, stopping me firmly in my place.

“Stop. Worrying. Your work is great. You have no reason to be this fucking nervous. Now go do something besides wearing a whole in my expensive hard wood floors.” he says before walking back up to the bedroom. He’s right. I need to calm the fuck down; otherwise I’m going to have a nervous break down before I even get to the show. I flop down on the sofa and instead of worrying about the art show I start to worry about the letter that I’m still waiting to receive from PIFA. I hope it gets here soon. Every day longer that I have to wait for it the more nervous I get that it wont be good news. Okay, this train of thought isn’t calming me down any. I feel Brian come up behind me and wrap his arms around me from the other side of the sofa. “You ready to go, Picasso?” he asks me. I nod my head and get up off the sofa. I walk over to Brian and wrap my arms around his neck. He leans down and kisses me then detaches my arms from his neck and begins to lead me to the door. “Come on. You have to go be fabulous.”


JENNIFER’S POV


I stare in the mirror and run my fingers over the tiny crows feet that are beginning to appear in the corners of my eyes. I think I’m doing pretty good for my age, they could be a lot worse. I finish putting on my makeup and head downstairs to where Craig and Molly are sitting in the living room, ready to go. I’m so glad that he decided to come with me to Justin’s art show. Now all I have to do is hope that we are welcome. Justin still doesn’t know that we are coming, or that we even know about it. This could all very well turn out to be a big disaster. Especially since I’m sure that Brian is going to be there. I’m not sure how Craig might behave with them both in the same room. I’m hoping that he will behave for Justin’s sake. I’ve pretty much gotten used to the age difference between Brian and Justin. I know that Justin has always been a pretty good judge of character, and if he loves this man even half as much as I think he does then he can’t be too bad. And I’m pretty sure that if Brian didn’t feel something for my son as well then he wouldn’t have been welcomed to stay there as much as he has been. I walk up behind my husband and tap him on the shoulder. He turns and smiles at me.

“You ready to go?” he asks me. I nod and we all head for the door but before I get outside I stop and go back to the coffee table, grabbing off of it the letter that came in the mail yesterday. I then join my family outside. I’m still not sure whether I should give this to Justin during the show or after it. I glance down and read the name written in the return space. Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts.


CRAIG’S POV


I stand in the door way as my wife runs back in the house to grab what is no doubt my son’s acceptance letter to college. I have complete faith that he got in. It’s at that point that I realize that in less than a year he is going to be in college. Damn how the years have flown by. When Jennifer comes back outside she, Molly, and I all get in the car and leave for Justin’s art show. Even though I said that I wasn’t going to come at first, there is no way I could have missed this. I’m very proud of my son’s talent. The only problem I have with this situation is that I know there is a very good chance that Justin’s boyfriend will be there. And the last time he and I met face to face the results were not good. Mostly due to my behavior I’ll admit. I just can’t see how someone who is that much older than Justin could honestly share any interests with Justin other than sex. Although Jen has made sure to point out to me over the past few days that Justin is very mature for his age and has never had a problem keeping up conversation with adults before. She told me that I needed to back off and let Justin be happy, that he knew what he was doing, and that I needed to be supportive so that if things did go wrong between the two that he could feel like he was able to come to us for comfort without having to worry about hearing ‘I told you so’. I know that she is right. I’m going to try.


BRIAN’S POV


I watch as Justin walks around and talks with all of the people admiring his artwork. Thankfully, he has finally calmed down and started to enjoy himself. He was a damn nervous wreck when we first got here. He didn’t start to relax until about a dozen or so people came up to him and told him how good his work was. After that he started to have a good time. I decide that while he is engrossed in conversation that I might as well walk around and see everything else. I can’t help but think that none of the other pieces in the show are as good as his. After I have finished making my rounds I head back over to where Justin is standing. The last person he was talking to finally walks off and I have him all to myself. I come up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, resting my chin on top of his head.

“See. Didn’t I tell you that you didn’t have anything to worry about?” I whisper into his ear. I feel him nod his head and he turns in my arms.

“Yeah. You did. I guess you were right.” he says. I smile and kiss him on the forehead.

“When are you going to learn? I’m always right.” He rolls his eyes and smiles. But the smile doesn’t last long. His eyes lock onto something behind me and a worried look crosses his face. “Justin? Are you okay?” I ask him. When he doesn’t answer I turn and follow his gaze. Shit. His parents are here. Both of them. And it’s too late to sneak away. They’ve already seen us.


JUSTIN’S POV


Shit. My parents are here. How did they find out about the show? How did they find out I was in the show? This is supposed to be a good day for me. Please don’t let my dad come and start shit with Brian. This is exactly the situation that I wanted to avoid.

“Justin? Are you okay?” Brian asks me. I can’t get my mouth to work well enough to answer him. I feel him turn to see what I’m looking at. I can tell the second that he figures it out because I feel his whole body tense. Now that I think about it, I hope that Brian doesn’t go over there and start shit with my dad because of what happened the last time they met. I reach up and grab a hold of Brian’s shirt to get his attention. He turns back to me, the look on his face asking what I want to do. Before I have a chance to come up with any ideas my parents start to make their way across the room. I let out a long sigh and resign myself to the fact that this can’t be avoided any longer. I just wish it didn’t have to happen today. I look up at Brian who looks like he is still waiting to see if I’m going to run. I take a step back and look him in the eye.

“They’re coming over. Can you promise that you wont try and get into it with my dad or try and start anything? That way I only have to worry about him making a scene.” He raises his eyebrow at me but smiles and nods his head. He knows that today is important for me. My parents come up behind Brian and clear their throats to get our attention. Rather unnecessary since they’ve pretty much had our attention since we spotted them. However it is the first time that I notice that Molly is with them. This makes me feel a little bit better. It’s unlikely that my parents are going to want to argue in front of her. Now all I have to do is keep her close by. Brian shoots me one last glance before turning to face my parents. I can’t help but smile a little as I notice that as he turns he moves himself just slightly between my father and me. I look over at my mom before asking the questions that I really want to know the answer to. “What are you doing here? How did you find out about this?”


JENNIFER’S POV


Craig, Molly, and I walk into the GLC and start to scan the crowded room for Justin. Craig sees him first. He is talking to one of the people that is looking at what I’m assuming is his art. We start to make our way over as the person walks away but before we get to him Brian walks up behind him and wraps his arms around him. I feel more than see my husband stop beside me. I look at him and plead with my eyes for him to not start anything. He promised that he was going to try to be open-minded tonight. He returns my stare and nods his head, letting me know that he remembers that he is supposed to keep things civil. We both look back over to Justin and Brian. Justin turns around in Brian’s arms and they talk to each other. Brian kisses Justin on the head and says something. I can tell he’s rolling his eyes from all the way over here but he’s also smiling. I can tell the moment he spots us. The look on his face makes me once again question whether or not we are welcome here. But then again he doesn’t really look mad, just worried, probably about the same thing that I am. Craig. Brian. Same room. I’ve been filled in on what happened the last time that they were in close proximity. Brian says something to Justin and when Justin doesn’t respond he turns to face us. He looks as shocked to see us as Justin does. When he turns back to my son I reach behind me, getting Molly’s attention away from the bright colors and even brighter personalities surrounding her. The three of us make our way over to Brian and Justin. Justin looks ready to bolt. Brian nods his head about something that Justin says. Craig, Molly, and I stand behind Brian and clear our throats. It isn’t really necessary but it’s the only thing that we can really think to do. This is very awkward. I think I’m starting to realize why Justin didn’t tell us about the art show. Justin looks over to us and then to Molly. He looks relieved to see her. I guess her being here shows that we’re not here to fight with him. After a moment Brian turns and looks at us too. This is the first time that I have ever seen him up close and I have to admit that I can figure out why Justin is with him. He is gorgeous. I look back to Justin.

“What are you doing here? How did you find out about this?”


CRAIG’S POV


When Jennifer and I see Brian come up behind Justin I can’t help but stop in my tracks. Jen shoots me a look to remind me that I am supposed to behave and I let her know that I remember. I look back to my son and his boyfriend and watch them interact much like I did the first time that Brian and I had a run in. Only this time, I notice something that I was far too angry to notice last time. I notice that the way Brian acts with Justin is a lot like the way that I acted with Jen when we first met. I also notice that the looks he gives Justin are full of affection and very possibly love. Justin laughs about something that Brian says right before he notices us. The look he gets on his face when he sees us makes me feel like I have been kicked in the gut. It reminds me just how badly I have dealt with things over the past few months. I wanted him to be happy that we were here to see his work. Instead he looks scared shitless. That look makes me determined to try and make it up to him. And the first step to doing that is by accepting the man standing in front of him. Brian notices the change in Justin and turns to see what caused it. He doesn’t look much happier to see us. Jen has to get Molly’s attention before we can make our ways across the room; she is enthralled with everything going on around her. When we get over to Justin and Brian we clear our throats because we can’t think of any other way to break the ice in this uncomfortable situation. Justin faces us first and Brian a couple of seconds later. When Brian turns he moves his body so that he is standing just a little bit in between Justin and me. When I notice this I start to get mad but then I remember what I did to Justin the last time I was around Brian and feel slightly reassured that he is at least protective of my son, even if it is from me.

“What are you doing here? How did you find out about this?” Justin asks his mother.

“I saw the brochure you brought home. Since you had the date that the artists were supposed to bring their paintings circled I figured you were probably in the show. We wanted to see your work.” He looks at her suspiciously, like he doesn’t believe that’s why we really came. Then he smiles a little.

“Really?” My wife nods her head. Justin cheers up once he realizes that we’re not here to rain on his parade. Molly finally brings her attention away from her surroundings to run over and give her brother a hug. She has been blissfully unaware of the tension between all of us.

“Hey Justin.” she says happily. Justin leans over and kisses her on top of her head. Molly then notices the other person standing in the group. She looks up to Brian and smiles before hiding behind her brother and peeking around him. Brian looks at Justin and raises one of his eyebrows in a silent question.

“She’s a little shy around new people. She’ll get over it pretty quick.” he explains. Brian nods his head and looks back down to Molly who shoots an inquisitive glance at her brother.

“Is he your boyfriend?” she whispers loud enough for all of us to hear. Justin hesitates for a second and looks up to Jen and I. When he sees no objections to the topic he smiles and nods his head.

“Molly this is Brian. Brian this is my little sister Molly.” Molly comes out from behind her brother and walks over to Brian and holds out her hand. Brian smiles at her behavior then reaches out and shakes her offered hand. He tells her ‘hi’ the first word that he has spoken since we came over. Molly then turns back to her brother.

“Do they have your drawings here?” she asks him. He nods his head and she begins jumping up and down excitedly. “Good. Come show mommy and me where they are. We get to see them first.” Jennifer speaks up at this.

“Yeah, Justin. Why don’t you show Molly and me your work so that Brian and daddy can have a minute to talk?” she says. Brian, Justin, and I all look at my wife like she has lost her mind. “They’ll be fine. Wont you?” she asks me, giving me a look that makes it very clear that unless I want to end up on the sofa for a month I should listen. I nod my head and she turns back to Justin. “See.” Justin looks at Brian who nods his head for him to go ahead and go. Justin looks hesitant to leave Brian and me alone together but eventually Molly grabs his hand and drags him off, my wife trailing behind. I watch them walk away then turn back to Brian. He’s still looking in the direction my son went. I have no idea what to say to this man. Either he has the same problem or he simply has no interest in conversation with me. I think about just standing in silence until my wife and kids get back but then I remember the look on Justin’s face when we came in. I have to at least try. I try to break the ice by joking around.

“I was warned earlier that I better behave like a human around you. Otherwise my ass is grass.” It’s a little lame but the country club has not taught me how I should behave around my son’s older lover. Brian finally turns his eyes away from the direction my son went and looks over at me. For a minute I think he may just go right back to ignoring me. But after a couple of seconds he nods and answers.

“Likewise.” he says. I can’t help but laugh a little at how much Justin and Jennifer are alike. Now that we’ve exchanged words, however few there were, without exchanging blows I decide to go ahead and ask about the one thing that has been bothering me about this man being with my son.

“Are you going to hurt him?” I ask. He turns his whole body so that he is facing me instead of just turning his head. He looks me in the eyes before answering.

“Not deliberately.” It isn’t a ‘no’. But it is honest. And it’s pretty much all I can ask for since I can’t even guarantee that I will never accidentally hurt Jennifer’s feelings. I know the way I have been acting with Justin lately has hurt her. I nod my head.

“Okay.” Brian and I come to some kind of unspoken truce in that moment. I feel a pull on my jacket and look down to see Molly.

“Daddy, you have to come look at Justin’s drawings. They’re really good.” She starts to drag me away then stops and lets go of me. She runs back over to Brian and starts pulling him along as well. “You have to come too.” Brian smiles and follows her as she leads us to my son’s section of the show.


BRIAN’S POV


Okay. So, Craig and I haven’t officially become the best of friends, but at least we are at an understanding. Justin will be happy about that. Molly leads Craig and I over to where Justin and Jennifer are standing. Thankfully, Justin decided he wasn’t going to put any risqué pictures in the show, other wise Craig and I might be back on bad grounds real quick. I walk up to Justin and wrap my arm around his waist. He smiles at me.

“So. How did it go?” he asks. I smile back at him and rub my hand over his lower back.

“We are both still in one piece and I think we’re at least on decent terms.” He lets out a sigh of relief then looks over to his parents who are probably having the same conversation as us.

“When are you going to give him the letter?” Molly speaks up without taking her eyes off of Justin’s drawings. Justin looks to his parents, confusion written on his face.

“What letter?” he asks them. His mom reaches into her purse and pulls out an envelope. She holds it out for him.

“This came in the mail for you yesterday. I was going to wait until the show was over to give it to you.” Justin stares at the letter in his hands. I glance over his shoulder to see who it’s from. PIFA. He’s been waiting for this since he applied and now all he can do is stare at it.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” I ask him. He looks up at me and then nods. He rips the letter open and moves so that I can’t read it over his shoulder. Justin’s family and I all watch for his reaction. He reads for a second or two and then breaks out into a huge smile. I barely have a chance to catch him as he jumps into my arms.

“I got in.” He shouts it into my ear but I don’t really care. I spin him around one time before setting him back down and giving him a quick kiss.

“See. I told you that you would.” He rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re always right.” He leans up and kisses me one more time before he runs over and hugs both of his parents. They congratulate him and tell him that they knew he could do it. I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to see Lindsey and Melanie behind me.

“Are those Justin’s parents?” Lindsey asks me. I nod my head.

“Do they know who you are?” Melanie asks. I glare at her but nod my head again. “And you’re still alive?” she adds.

“Why the fuck are you over here bothering me?” I ask her. Lindsey answers for her.

“We wanted to congratulate Justin. He’s already sold half of his pieces.” I smile at that.

“Well, now you have even more reason to congratulate him.” I tell her. She looks confused so I decide to be nice and fill her in. “He just got his acceptance letter from PIFA.” Her face lights up and her and Melanie run over to tell him how proud they are. After everyone has finally calmed down a little bit Linds and Mel introduce themselves to Justin’s parents and he walks over to me. He wraps his arms around my neck and smiles at me. “So has today really been worth all the worrying you were doing in the loft this morning?” His smile gets even bigger.

“No. Today’s been pretty good.”