Brian noticed that it was getting close to one and knew that Justin’s last class had just let out. Daphne had told him that she would drive Justin back to the loft before she headed out for her classes. He had made her promise him that she would call after she left Justin to let him know what had happened at PIFA, wanting to make sure that his lover was okay. Brian had already cleared his schedule for the afternoon just in case he was needed at home. Luckily for him, he hadn’t had anything serious on his schedule since the summer push had just ended and Vance had taken that opportunity to go to Hawaii with his wife.
Brian tried to concentrate on his work, wanting to get a head start on some of the new campaigns that his accounts wanted but his mind refused to focus. All he wanted to do was find that bastard that had hurt his lover and make him regret the day he had ever thought of touching Justin. He understood Justin’s aversion to going to the police to file a report about the rape, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t want Ethan Gold paying for what he had done. Brian’s thoughts of revenge were interrupted by Cynthia buzzing his phone.
“Brian, you have a Daphne Chanders calling for you on line one.”
“Thank you,” Brian said. He took a deep breath and picked up the phone. “Daphne, how did it go today?”
“I’m fine, Brian. And how are you?” Brian chuckled at Daphne’s comment.
“Sorry about that.”
“That’s okay, I understand. I’m worried about him too,” Justin assured the girl. “It’s not something I ever thought he would have to go through. You don’t think of a guy having to deal with rape. I just don’t know how he’s going to deal with this.”
“He’s going to deal with this one day at a time,” Brian told her, although he was asking himself that same question. “And we’ll be there to help him get back his life.”
“I don’t think its going to be as easy as all that, Brian. Not if what I saw today is any indication.”
“What happened?”
“Justin was okay on the way to PIFA. I mean, he was quiet but it wasn’t that bad.”
“What about when you two got to the campus?”
“Well…I don’t know….I mean…I guess the easiest way to describe it was that Justin just seemed to shrink into himself. A few people called out to him but he just ignored them. He shrank back from everyone that came near him. His teachers let me sit in on his classes, but it was obvious that he wasn’t concentrating on what was being said. I don’t think he heard a word of what he was supposed to be learning.”
“Shit.”
“But that wasn’t the worst part, Brian.” Brian sat up straight, almost afraid of what else had happened to his lover. As it was, he was already packing his briefcase up, knowing that there was no way he was going to actually be able to get any work done at the office and wanting to get back to his loft to offer what comfort he could to Justin.
“He was there, Brian. Waiting for Justin after one of his classes.”
“Who?” Brian asked, already knowing the answer but wanting it confirmed.
“That asshole, Ethan Gold. When Justin came out of his art history class, Ethan was waiting for him. I don’t know how he knew where Justin would be or what time the class was letting out.”
“Son of a bitch. I’m going to kill the fucker if I ever get my hands on him. Did he do anything?”
“He just told Justin that he wanted to know when they could get back together. That he really enjoyed the other night and he was looking forward to getting to know Justin better. Luckily it was Justin’s last class so I could get him out of there quickly.”
“Fucker. Where’s Justin now?”
“He’s at the loft. I left him just before I called you and that was only because he insisted I do so. Brian he didn’t look good. We need to do something or else I’m afraid what might happen to Justin.”
“I’ve already got him set up for an appointment with a therapist for tomorrow. I told Justin that I would go with him.”
“And what about that asshole Gold? I don’t think he’s going to leave Justin alone and you know we can’t always follow Justin to his classes. There are going to be times when Justin is going to be on campus by himself.”
“I don’t know what we’re going to do but I’ll tell you one thing. That fucker is going to pay for what he did to Justin.”
“Take care of him, Brian. And let me know what you need me to do.”
“Thanks Daphne. You take too.” Brian hung up the phone, grabbing his briefcase and leaving his office. “Cynthia, I’m taking the rest of the day off. I only want you to call me if there’s an emergency and by that I mean that this building is on fire and there are people trapped inside. Other than that, forget my phone number.”
“What’s wrong, Brian?”
“I’ve got something to take care of.” And with no further explanation Brian went home to try and help his lover deal with what had happened with him, even though he had no idea of what to do. The best he could do was try and make sure Justin knew that he wasn’t alone. That Brian would always be with him.