I pulled my hand out, and reached around and gripped the backs of his thighs with both my hands. I was still kissing him, my tongue in his mouth, his head falling back. I bent my knees and lifted him up, pulling him into me. I walked him a few steps back, until his legs were against the sofa. I let his feet slide back down to the floor, and started to open his jeans and push him back. He stopped me.

“Come to bed.” His voice was husky.

I let my forehead touch his, and started to follow him out of the room. He was holding my hand, and he turned and smiled at me over his shoulder, and I felt a wave of restlessness hit me. I pulled on his hand and tugged his body back against mine again, kissing him hard. He pulled away, and put his hands on either side of my face, and looked at me.

I just stood there.

Justin tried again. “Come up with me.”

I shook my head, and walked back over and stared out the window. I half wanted him to come back and try to make me come to bed with him, and half thought if he did, I’d put my fist through the glass.

His hand was on my shoulder, and I almost jumped. “Brian….”

I didn’t say anything, and I heard him sigh. He brushed a kiss against my neck, and I felt my jaw tense.

I turned and looked at him. He had that patient look on his face.

“I’m going out.” That made his face change, but just for a second.

“Okay.” He said it slowly.

I looked at him for a minute. “I just need to go out.”

He nodded. “I said okay.” I started to say something, and he cut me off. “And yes, I know you don’t need my permission. Do whatever you want, Brian.”

I snorted. “You do very well as the understanding wife. You should be proud.”

He didn’t say anything, just stood there. I walked away from him, over to the desk, and then turned around.

“You know, Justin, it’s not cooking that makes you the wife, and it’s not getting fucked in the ass that makes you the wife. It’s not these fucking rings that make you the wife.” I brushed the open box off the desk, onto the floor. “It’s being understanding, that’s what makes you the wife.”

Justin had watched me swat the rings onto the floor, and his jaw tightened. “Stop it, Brian.”

I walked over to the bar and got a new glass, and filled it. I looked at him. “I guess you learned that from your mother. I’m sure Jennifer was always very understanding about Craig, too.”

Justin looked me right in the eye. “Do whatever you need to do, Brian. But get the fuck out of here.”

Oh man. You know how to go from 0 to 100. That was just awful. And amazing.

Brian knows how to hit where it hurts, huh. Will he ever be able to just LOVE? And accept that Justin DOES know how he feels, and IS understanding. Luckily for him, actually.
I guess he wouldn't be the Brian we know and love if he did.

Brian's so overwhelmed with everything right now.