by BLMorticia
“Mom, do you need help?” Malakei was about to get up.
“No. Sit down. I have everything.” She turned on her heel and walked back to the kitchen.
“Okay. Anyway, no, I won’t be needing those numbers. I’m taken by a gorgeous young man.”
“So when did this happen? Why didn’t you call us?” Malakei’s dad asked him point-blank.
“Well, it’s only been a few weeks. I wanted to bring him, but he’s hanging out with his band tonight.”
“Oh, I see. How about you guys come by over the weekend, then?” Malakei’s mother walked back in with the last two plates and set them down.
His father got up and pulled out the chair for his mother so she could have a seat.
Malakei took another drink and sat the glass back on the table. “We can come by after we return from England.”
“England? Are you going on vacation?”
“He’s from there. He’s going to visit his mother, and we’re organizing the tour.”
“I see.” His mother passed one plate to him. “So this is serious?”
Malakei grinned, thinking of his lover and just how serious it had become for him. “I would say so, Mom. I’m falling for him.”
“Oh, but you said it’s only been a few weeks.”
“Yeah. I realize it hasn’t been long, but….” Malakei nibbled on his bottom lip and dropped his gaze. “I don’t know. I just feel for him. I can’t call it love yet, but I know I want to make this work.”
“What is it about him that makes him special?” his dad asked.
Malakei chuckled at that question. “Funny that you asked that. He just gets me. We’re so different in so many ways, like polar opposites, but when we get together, it’s automatic. We’re finding out more about each other every day, and everything I uncover about him, I enjoy.”
“Well, I suppose that’s a ringing endorsement, then. Dorelee? Do you have anything to say?”
Malakei’s mother stopped eating a moment. “I’m happy for you, Malakei. I’m not going to lie to you and say I’m thrilled because… well, I don’t get the attraction to the same gender, but as long as he makes you happy….”
“He does. He’s been bringing me out of my shell. The biggest thing is he understands where I’m coming from being a closeted man. He isn’t rushing me, and that’s good too. If I wasn’t helping his band, I’d tell the world now, but I want people to pay attention to him, not me.”
“Do you think that’s good for either of you? I mean, you work together,” Malakei’s dad inquired.
“I did very little. Barry worked harder on this album than me. I got them here, but in all truth, Barry did most of the grunt work. I still don’t want to take away their spotlight, though. This will already be big news.”
“Yes, it will be. Have you thought this through and considered what people will think?” Malakei’s mother asked.
“Oh, Dorelee, this boy has never cared about any of that. He’s successful and has done a lot for everyone. If they have an issue with him, then that’s their problem.” His dad went back to cutting his fish.
Malakei nodded. “Dad’s right. That’s always been an issue with me in the past, but I’m over it now.”
“I see. Well….” Malakei’s mother shrugged. “Like I said, as long as you’re happy. I look forward to meeting the young man.”
“Same here. I’m very proud of you, son. Don’t you ever forget that, okay?”
“I won’t. I love you both and appreciate all the support you guys have given me. Now, enough about me. How are things with you?”
“We’re good. The doctor told me my cholesterol is too high, so—”
“Watch that, Dad. Not all the food that tastes good is good for you.” Malakei smirked at his father.
“Yes, I know. Unfortunately I love the things that cause the most trouble and put on the most weight.” He chuckled. “You’ll probably never have that problem. You drink protein shakes and all that.”
“Seth has cooked me a couple of meals. He’s amazing in the kitchen.”
“Really?” Malakei’s mother sounded happy about that. “That’s wonderful. Maybe you can learn how to fix things from him. I always tried, but you didn’t want to listen.”
“Nope, I didn’t. I’m not into cooking. I’ll be okay with someone else doing it.” He snickered.
“What if he gets tired of it?”
Malakei twisted his lips, thinking about his lover. “Nah, I seriously doubt that, Mom. He loves cooking.” And he’s even better at it when it’s outside of the kitchen.
Once Malakei left his parent’s place, he dialed Seth to see where he was. He’d mentioned hanging out with the band this evening. He just didn’t say how long.
“Baby?”
“Hey, Kei. We just left the bar and are on our way back to the hotel. Are you done seeing your folks?”
“Yes, I am. Would you like to come by and keep me company this late evening?”
“I would love to. I’m all packed, so we can go straight to the airport in the morning. What time are we leaving again?”
“Whenever we’re ready to go. I told him the earliest would be eight or the latest twelve. Is that cool?”
“Totally. Gives us more time to spend together in bed snogging.” He chuckled.
Malakei shivered at the thought and nibbled on his bottom lip. “I’m all for that. I might not want to let go, but….”
“Mhmm. Well, then we can continue on the plane if you’d like. I’ve always wanted to be part of the mile-high club. What could be better than doing it on a first-class private jet?” Seth sounded as if he made that comment with a smile. He added a moan at the end too, which made Malakei’s pants tighter in the crotch.
Malakei groaned and moistened his lips. “You sure know how to say just the right things to tempt a man. When will you be there?”
Seth laughed. “The cab has just dropped us off. I can go get my things and meet you in the lobby.”
“Perfect,” Malakei said.
“ I’ll see you in….”
“Like ten minutes. I’m not that far away now,” Malakei said with a grin.
“Okay, I’ll be waiting, love. See you soon.”
“I can’t wait to see you. Okay, bye.” Malakei disconnected the call and stared straight ahead at the open road. Since he wasn’t too far away, he wouldn’t blow any lights tonight. This was only his Lexus, which wasn’t made for racing, anyway. It was a luxury car that needed to be back in the garage where he left it forty percent of the time.
“SO HOW was your visit?” Seth asked Malakei after they hopped in the car.
“They’re good. Very eager to meet you.”
Seth nodded. “So you told them about me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I thought….” Seth looked away a moment and toyed with the belt on his leather jacket. “Just thought you might wanna keep it a secret for now.”
“Why?” Malakei lifted Seth’s hand to his lips and kissed his rings. “My parents are the first people that should know about you, don’t you think?”
Seth bit back a groan when Malakei’s lips ghosted over his skin. “Yes, but….”
“No. Listen, I already told you, it won’t be much longer before I tell the world. Even if it was, I wouldn’t keep that information from my parents. They’ve wanted me to be happy with someone for quite a while.”
Seth shrugged. “I get it. I s’pose ’m shocked about it. That’s all.”
“Well, don’t be.” Malakei squeezed his hand tight. “I’m falling for you, Seth. Hard. And the most important people in my life should know about you.”
Seth nodded appreciatively. “I’m glad you feel that way, ’cause I’m falling hard for you too. Like a fucking stone in water, Kei. I can’t stay above the surface. I’m drowning in it.”
Malakei laughed. “You’ve got quite a way with words. That’s why you’re the singer.”
“It is. Part of it anyway. I also wri
te some poetry. It was kinda some dark, moody shit. Now, I got a little something to be happy for.” Seth waggled his eyebrows.
“I see. Will you share some of your lovely words with me someday?”
“I can do it now. I’m writing a couple of songs for us. Perhaps I’ll record it for shits and giggles.”
“Okay. Let me hear it.”
Seth slapped his other hand on his leg and tapped his foot. “I guess you’re the one for me, the one that completes me. You’re my treasure, my everything, sooooo sweet.” Seth hummed and continued a couple more lyrics. He looked over at Malakei, who had his eyes on the road.
“You’re mine too,” he said in response. “It sounds great so far. Who would have thought the lead singer of High Stakes had a soft side?”
“He does, but he doesn’t show it until he’s with his man.” Seth grinned and gripped Malakei’s hand inside his own. He toyed with his fingers and eyed him while he parked the car.
Malakei turned off the engine. “So that soft spot is only for me?”
“Only for you. I got a different one for Mom, but… ah, you know what I mean.”
Malakei leaned in and pressed a single kiss to his lips. “I do. Let’s get out this car before I take you right here.”
Seth kissed him back. “You know I wouldn’t be opposed to that at all.”
“Mhmm. That’s why we’re getting out before you make me do something rash.” Malakei turned and hopped out.
“One day, we must follow through on that.”
“Sure. Not around here, though. Sometimes the photogs camp out to watch my every move.”
“Fuck, seriously? That has to be annoying.” Seth closed the door and joined Malakei in front of the car, taking his hand again.
“It is and it’ll be worse after I come out, but I wanna tell everyone my good news. About us.”
Seth turned to him and ran his hands around Malakei’s waist. He yanked him close and leaned on his shoulder. “I’ll be here to help you through it. I promise you.”
Malakei lightly kissed him on the head. “You sure? Last chance to tell me to fuck off.”
Seth snorted. “I am rubbing off on you! That’s like the fourth time you’ve used that word!”
“So it is. It just seemed to fit the mood of the moment.”
Seth glanced up at Malakei. “Really?”
Malakei pecked his forehead again.
Seth matched him step for step, still eyeing him curiously. “Kei? Really?”
“Yes. I want to tell everyone that and let me be who I am without—” Malakei stopped immediately.
“What?”
“Hey! Leave my car alone!” Malakei sprinted across the street.
Seth eyed the man wearing a ski mask trying to get away, and he ran past Malakei to catch up with him. Footsteps trailed Seth as he ran after the guy who tried to jump a fence. Seth was quicker, however, and grabbed him from behind, pulling him down to the concrete. He patted his pockets, then quickly took hold of his arms.
“Seth!”
Seth noticed the sharp object the guy was holding. To restrain him, he had him in a wrestling hold, squeezing the guy’s neck tightly with his forearm while he held the knife close to the man’s face. “Don’t you dare move or I will cut you!”
“Seth….” Malakei came into view, breathing hard. “I just called the police. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Let’s see who this douche is, hmm?” Seth pulled off the man’s ski mask and tossed it aside. He had brown hair and blue eyes. “Anybody you recognize, Malakei?”
“Nope. Who are you?”
“I’m… I’m not telling you. They paid me to mess with your car.”
“You better fucking talk, arsehole! Who paid you?” Seth asked him.
“The old man!”
“What bloody old man?” He squeezed the guy’s throat tighter.
“The Mustang guy, Les? He just wanted me to scare you. I need the money so….”
Malakei gasped. “Les paid you to scare me? Why?”
“He didn’t tell me. He just….”
As the guy tried to finish, sirens sounded behind them. Two policemen walked up and stood on either side of Malakei.
Seth dropped the knife.
“Sir, is everything okay?” one asked.
“Yes. This guy tried to break into my car.”
“Mister, they tried to attack me. I swear, I didn’t….”
“No one attacked you. Mr. Oakley already filled us in!” One officer pulled him up by his arms while the other grabbed the knife. They cuffed him and dragged him along.
“Sir, are you pressing charges?”
“I am. I’m assuming this might be connected with the same person who cut up my car and the note I was sent last week.”
“They paid us to do it all! Les put us up to this!” The guy sounded frantic as they took him away.
“Sir, you must come to the station and make a statement,” the other officer said.
“I will.”
“All right. After we check your car for the damage, we’ll see you there.” The cop spun on his heel and left to join his partner in the car.
“You okay?” Malakei asked Seth.
“Yeah, told you I’m fine.”
“I’m glad that guy didn’t have a gun.”
“He had that knife, but he didn’t get to use it. I would’ve been able to take that guy out easy.”
Malakei smirked. “I can’t believe my former boss had him do this.”
“So Peter’s dad?”
“Yep. Les knows about me and Peter, I guess. Goddammit.”
“Well, at least we know who’s been doing all this to you. I suppose I owe ol’ Peter an apology.”
Malakei shrugged. “Later. We need to get to the station. Then perhaps we can salvage some of our evening, right?”
Seth nodded and kissed his lips quickly. “Yes, let’s make that happen.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ALTHOUGH THE damage to Malakei’s newly repaired car was minimal, he was still sore about it. The guy carved the words “suck ass faggot” on the door, which meant his beloved Porsche would need a paint job. Thankfully, that was all, but he wouldn’t be able to take Micah with him to Britain. The mechanic had put a special rush on it as a favor, but now that was all for naught.
On the positive side, the guy confessed that he and the other guy they caught last week for slashing his tires and interior were both paid off by Les Mustang. He swore that Les hadn’t asked for bodily harm, just something to scare the beejesus out of Malakei, which they succeeded in. Malakei couldn’t believe the man he used to look up to would do this, but after finding out that Les knew about him and Peter, he wasn’t sure of anything.
Once Malakei finished making his statement, he and Seth returned to his condo. This was all a relief because he could focus on getting High Stakes on tour and coming out to the world soon after. At least now, Malakei wouldn’t have to look over his shoulder for a stalker, which in a way was much more calming that anything he foresaw in the coming months.
“So when are you gonna confront him?” Seth asked as they lay on the couch.
Malakei finished pouring two glasses of wine, then handed one to Seth. “I’ll do it soon. He’ll figure out that his flunkies didn’t succeed.”
“So you think Darryl had anything to do with it too? I mean, he was at the restaurant.”
“I don’t know. Honestly I really don’t care. All I know is, everything can go back to normal, thanks to you.”
Seth waved his free hand. “Ah, it was nothing.”
“Nothing? You tackled the guy and restrained him until the police showed up. If you hadn’t been there, the jerk would’ve gotten away.”
“Maybe, but I did what I was s’posed to. Defending my lover.” Seth leaned over and nudged him. He took a sip from his glass. “Mhmm. That is great. I rarely drink wine, but I might do it more if it’s like this one.”
“I don’t drink it all the time, but I
love the taste. It’s a cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley.”
“In Cali, right?”
Malakei nodded in agreement. “It is. One of my favorite brands too. What would you say it tastes like?”
“A little like chocolate and, um….” Seth took another sip. “It might have a licorice taste as well.”
“Yes, it does.” Malakei smiled. “This is a bottle from 2013.”
“What does all that mean?”
“What, the year?”
“Yeah. Did they let it sit around before they bottled it?”
“They bottled it, then let it sit. Most wines are drunk within a year, but there’s something about this one in particular where it’s better after a couple of years.”
“Oh yeah? Does that make it more expensive?”
“Well, these are worth about twenty-five hundred dollars.”
Seth nearly spat out the wine and choked.
Malakei hit Seth’s back several times and rubbed it. “Are you okay?”
Seth shook his head and grimaced. “Did you say twenty-five hundred? Not twenty-five dollars?”
Malakei chuckled at that and yanked him in for a kiss. “Yes, twenty-five hundred. It’s very worth it. It’s from one of the oldest vineyards in California.”
“Um, this bottle should’ve opened itself for that price.” Seth cleared his throat. “You and your richy ways.”
“Hmm?”
“I mean….” Seth took another swallow. “You have the best of everything. Why in the hell do you want a common slag like me?”
Malakei shook his head and tugged Seth back on the couch with him. “You’re no slag, and you’re anything but common. I don’t give a crap about the money you have or anything, Seth. I care about you.”
Seth grinned at him and stared at his lips. He ran his hand over Malakei’s cheek. “I know it, but I’ve worried I won’t be good enough for you. You could have any man you want, and you want me?”
“Yes.” Malakei leaned in and softly kissed his lips. The minute their mouths connected again, his cock jolted. Feeling the fullness in his groin, he moaned into the kiss and caught Seth’s nape. “I want all of you. Every part of you, Seth Davies. I’m head-over-heels crazy for you, and I only want to be with you.”