Only Time Will Tell

Brian sat in the booth at Johnny's Bar slowly sipping on a scotch. It wasn't his first and he doubted it would be his last of the evening. Johnny, Zacky and Jimmy were seated around him, all looking as sullen as he did at that moment. They didn't come to Johnny's that much anymore, prefering somewhere where they wouldn't get hassled so much, but Brian had felt the need to be somewhere familiar. 

After Janey had stormed out of Mikki's, Brian had tried to control the anger that had bubbled away inside him, not wanting to ruin Mikki's return home. However, the tension between himself and Matt had become too much, boiling over into an exchange of words that ended in Brian threatening to quit the band if Matt didn't change. The guys had dragged Brian out of the house before it turned even more ugly.

Jimmy had called Janey, who'd assured him that she was at home and suggested they take Brian out for a while, inspite of his protests that he was fine and just wanted to go home to her. Now, he was glad of her suggestion, it gave him time to cool down. The last thing Brian wanted was to take his anger home with him.

"I simply refuse to play with anyone else," Zacky stated, staring glumly into the bottom of his empty glass. "Playing with Gates is what makes this band what it is."

"Z, as touched as I am by that sentiment, do you even realise how unbelievabely fucking wrong that sounds?" Brian questioned, downing the rest of his scotch. 

"I was beginning to wonder if there was some little bromance going on that you were keeping well hidden," Jimmy muttered, standing to get another round of drinks in. 

Brian found himself chuckling, inspite of how he felt inside. 

"Oh you know what the fuck I mean," Zacky huffed. "You can't quit Gates, simple as." 

Brian was very aware of what Zacky was getting at. He couldn't imagine his life being any other way, the band was so important to him. Yet, there was someone who came above all of that, someone far more important to him than anything else in his life.. Brian's threat was to meant to make Matt see just how his behaviour was affecting Janey, how his insistance on acting like some spoilt child was driving a wedge not only between him and his cousin, but between the friendships that had been established over a lifetime. 

Brian was very aware that now was probably not the right time to be leaving the guys in limbo, the consequences could prove to be catastrophic. He'd never been an overly religious man, yet Brian couldn't help but find himself praying to the big guy upstairs that eventually Matt would realise just what he was doing, and that they would be able to put the uneasiness behind them. His thoughts began to drift to Janey, how she was home alone whilst he sat there debating his future with his friends. 

"And here comes the grin," Johnny pointed out as Jimmy returned to the booth.

"Thinking about that unbelievabley sexy wife of your again Gates?" he asked. 

"There's a distinct possibility," Brian replied with a smirk.

He raised his glass to the men surrounding him, swallowing the scotch in one.

"And she, my friends, is who I'm heading home to," he announced as he stood up.

"Going to talk to her about all of this?" Johnny asked.

"Amongst other things," Brian answered with a wink.

Johnny shook his head and groaned.

"You said it yourself earlier Johnny boy, we're the Horny Haners! I'll see you guys tomorrow," he called behind him as he headed for home.

The house was in darkness aside from the dim glow of the bedroom light as Brian walked up the driveway. He quietly let himself in and locked the door, not knowing if Janey was actually asleep or waiting for him. He trod carefully up the stairs, only to find the bed empty when he reached their room. The sound of the faucet running telling him Janey was in the bathroom that connected to the bedroom. Brian smirked as he watched her bent over the sink cleaning her teeth, the shorts of her pajamas covering very little. 

"I'm really starting to love how every time I come home, you're wearing very little these days," he stated, strolling into the bathroom.

"Maybe I need to rectify that," Janey replied as she finished, turning so that she could hop up on the counter to sit whilst Brian busied himself.

Janey studied Brian as he peeled off his shirt, her eyes raking over his toned chest and stomach. She let out a small sigh of appreciation.

"I don't think that'll be necessary," he murmured as he continued to undress.

"I should've left with you today," Brian admitted, standing in front of Janey, who couldn't help but glance at the way his boxer briefs hung dangerously low on his hips. 

"Hey...concentrate a minute woman," he chuckled, tipping her chin so her eyes met his. "Did you even hear what I said, or was that mind of yours in the gutter like always?" he asked with a grin. 

"I can listen and perv at the same time. Us women have a flair for multi-tasking," Janey told him with a wink. 

Brian smiled as he rested his forehead against hers, pulling her closer, her legs around his waist. 

"And just for the record, you shouldn't have left with me today, I needed to get out of there and be on my own. I hit the beach for a bit, went to the cemetery and bent Danny's ear about his hero being a dumbass. It helped clear my head."

Brian gently ran a finger along Janey's cheek and sighed.

"I know, I just felt maybe I could've been more supportive," he whispered.

"I think threatening to quit the band was support enough B."

Brian pulled away from her a little, surprise on his face.

"Val called just before you came home and told me."

"Valary has a big mouth."

"No, she was letting me know what was said, and that she completely understands why you've done it. She's as sick to fucking death of Matt's refusal to let it go as we are. She's giving him hell over it."

"Really?" Brian questioned. Janey nodded.

"Mmmhmm. Let's just say Mr.Sanders may be feeling a little 'frustrated' for a while," Janey informed him, grinning. 

Brian brought her into him once more, trailing his lips along her neck.

"I don't think I could stand it if you ever did that to me," he murmured against her skin.

Janey ran her fingers slowly down his stomach, slipping her hand inside his boxers, lightly running her thumb over the tip of his steadily growing erection.

"Don't piss me off and you've got yourself a deal," she whispered, squeezing him gently. "Now take me to bed Haner, before I change my mind."

Brian swiftly lifted her off the counter. He didn't need telling twice.