by BLMorticia
Seth appeared misty eyed and smiled. He inched away and took both of their glasses. Seth set them down on the table. When he moved back, Seth took Malakei’s hand into his and planted several kisses on his knuckles. “I feel the same, Kei.”
“So does that mean we’re going steady?” Malakei asked him with a smile.
Seth snickered. “Steady? As in courting? All those old terms mean we are exclusive, right? Then yes. I am yours, Malakei Oakley. All yours.”
Malakei ran his hands around Seth’s waist and pulled him onto his lap. Seth was only wearing his jeans, but he had them unbuttoned, ready to be taken off at any time.
“I want to remove these. You can’t very well do me if I still have ’em on.” Seth laughed as he stood.
Malakei nodded and unzipped his slacks. When his cock sprung free, he gasped at the sensation and tugged them from his hips. Still watching Seth, Malakei shoved them down along with his underwear. Malakei pressed his lips onto Seth’s navel.
Seth had placed his phone on the table and tossed his jeans aside. “Mmph. Don’t start that. I’m gonna blow right now.”
Seth reached inside the side table for the supplies he’d stashed for them. The many times they’d made love, it started here and, Seth explained, he didn’t want to ruin the moment by looking for things when they were ready.
Malakei continued to circle his navel. He then dropped down, rubbing his nose against Seth’s hard shaft and balls, smelling the man he was quickly falling in love with. He smelled of a popular commercial body wash, very airy with a hint of peppermint mixed in with his own musk. Malakei loved to lick him on a daily basis. Seth obliged him by using more of the body wash before they got together.
“Oh fuck, Kei… oh….” Seth grabbed his head, forcing him deeper into his crotch.
Just as Malakei was getting into it, Seth’s phone rang with a tone Malakei immediately recognized.
Sonofabit….
“Ah fuck, Mom!” Seth grimaced and moved back, pushing his hair out of his face. “What time is it there? About ten in the morning?”
“Yes. You better answer it just in case it’s an emergency.” Malakei leaned back on the couch and massaged his erection.
“Then you’re gonna have to stop that—” Seth laughed. “—so I can talk to her with a straight face.”
Malakei shrugged and stopped immediately. Although he hated to stop, mothers always came first. “How about I just meet you in the bedroom, then?”
He got up, kissed him, and walked off while Seth picked up the phone. Perhaps she just missed him and needed to hear his voice. Regardless, Malakei understood the need and wouldn’t stand in the way. They still had a few hours before they left, and as Seth suggested, they could always finish on the plane.
“HEY, MOM. Is everything okay? ’M sorry I took so long to answer. We were….” Seth smiled to himself, embarrassed to be talking to his mother about how he was about to have sex. He pulled his T-shirt off the floor and covered himself because it felt really weird chatting with her in the nude.
“You were sleeping? I’m sorry, but I felt you’d want to know because it’s very important. And I wish I didn’t have to tell you over the phone, but—”
Seth’s smile turned down. “What? What don’t you wish you had to tell me on the phone?”
Silence.
“Mom. Is everything all right? I’m coming home in the next few hours, but if there’s something deathly wrong with you, I’ll be on the earliest flight.”
“No, Seth, nothing with me. It’s…. It’s Johnno.”
Seth sighed in relief, glad that his mother was fine. “What about him? Is his mother okay? Is he?”
She sobbed. “Johnno’s dead, babby. He overdosed late last night, and they couldn’t revive him.”
Seth fell back on the couch, unable to speak. His breath caught in his throat, and he closed his eyes to process what he’d heard. When he did, tears formed and his throat tightened. “Johnno’s gone? He… he can’t be. He….” Seth ran his hands through his hair and shook his head. “Not my friend, no, it can’t be true.”
“It is, love. I’m sorry I had to tell you like this, but I knew you’d be even more upset if I kept it from you.”
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Oh, Mom, I’ll be home. I’ll catch a flight straightaway.”
“Seth, are you okay?” Malakei’s voice and footsteps sounded from the background. He sat next to Seth and rubbed his shoulders.
“Baby?”
“Honey, you don’t have to….”
“Yes, I do. Oh my God! I can’t believe I didn’t—” Seth’s hands shook as he realized what his mother had told him. Their last formal goodbye had been terse and shouldn’t have occurred between two people who were best friends. “Mom, I fucked up! This is all my fault!” Seth dropped the phone.
Malakei plucked it from his lap. “Hello? Yes, hi, Ethel.”
Seth fell forward, putting his face in his hands. He cried openly and continued to curse under his breath.
“I’m so sorry. Please give his family my condolences. Okay. Bye. Seth? Baby, I’m here for you.”
“My… my guy, my friend, he’s gone. He’s really…. Kei, he’s gone. Johnno overdosed.”
“She told me. I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry….”
“It’s my fault! I pushed him away. I told him he wasn’t good enough, and… I was so cruel to him. If I had just worked with him and not allowed him to join that other band, he might still be here.”
Malakei yanked him into his own body and caressed his head. He pressed a light kiss to his temple. “It’s not. He was grown and able to make his own decisions.”
“But I pushed him into a bad one. I….” Seth grabbed Malakei’s arm tightly as if it was a lifeline. “Oh God, I can’t believe it! Say it ain’t so.”
Seth leaned on Malakei’s shoulder and cried harder, thinking of his best friend who he’d known almost his whole life. They went to the same school, sung in the church choir, got into trouble together. Until recently they were joined at the hip, and now, there wouldn’t be any more banter between them. No more arguments, no more running to the pub and drowning their sorrows together in countless amounts of beer. Johnno wouldn’t be around to celebrate with Seth, and he felt he was the reason for it.
“Seth.”
“Just hold me,” Seth said in between sobs and hampered breaths. “Please, Malakei. Please.”
“I will, and then we need to try getting you home sooner.”
“Malakei, I can’t face this alone. Please come with me.”
“I am.”
“Good. I want my lover there at my side. I can’t face this without you. I just can’t.” Seth held on tighter to Malakei, not bothering to wipe away the tears.
“Okay. Let me see if I can contact our pilot. It’s late, but maybe by some off chance, he’ll answer his phone.”
“All right.” Seth leaned on his shoulder, still having a hard time processing the information. His best friend, the one he’d given the finger to before he’d come to New York, was no more. And Seth took the blame for Johnno falling into the tailspin of drugs. He’d treated him like shit, and he’d never be able to forgive himself for Johnno losing his life.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
MALAKEI WASN’T able to get in touch with the pilot, so they settled with leaving first thing in the morning. Seth talked with his bandmates, encouraging them to be ready for a very early flight out. Hearing Seth cry along with his friends broke Malakei’s heart. He wished there was something he could do for him to ease his pain.
Within ten hours, they were back in England. Malakei had a hired car waiting for them at the airport, and it immediately drove them to Seth’s house. With the turn of events, Malakei was sure Seth didn’t even want to think about things with High Stakes, so he’d informed his secretary he might be out of town longer than he’d expected.
As they drove to the house, Malakei held Seth tightly. He heard Seth whimpering on and off while he slept
. Seth didn’t get any rest after hearing the news, and Malakei was sure Seth would be not only jet-lagged but exhausted. He hoped he could rest at some point, but that might be unlikely after they met Johnno’s family.
After about a half an hour, they arrived at Seth’s home. His was squeezed in between others. Nearly every single family house on this block was a carbon copy of the other. When the car came to a complete stop, the driver got out and quickly jogged around to the passenger side to let everyone out.
“Thanks, man. If you want to go back to the estate, that’ll be fine. I can call you or catch a ride back home,” Malakei told him.
“It’s no problem, sir. Whatever you decide,” the driver said and tipped his cap.
The car drove off, and Malakei watched Seth amble along the small pathway up to his house. Seth looked to the left and sobbed immediately.
“Oh God. Johnno lived next door?” Malakei asked Gio.
“Yeah. He was a good guy, but like you said, it wasn’t Seth’s fault he did something stupid.”
Malakei patted Gio’s shoulder and walked up to Seth, pulling him in for a hug. When he had him, he turned him around and stroked his hair. “Shh, baby. Let it all out.”
Seth continued to cry, not saying anything. He gripped Malakei’s suit jacket tightly.
“It’s all right. I’m here. For as long as you want me to be.” Malakei reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief.
Seth leaned on Malakei’s shoulder. “He was such a good guy. He didn’t deserve how I treated ’im. Oh God, I’m so sorry, Johnno. I did you so wrong, mate.”
“Shhh. You were a good friend, Seth.”
“But I wasn’t here when he needed me most. I could’ve stopped him from taking those drugs.”
“He started before you left, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he tried them when he was still with us, but….” Seth moved back just enough to glance at Malakei’s face. He took the handkerchief Malakei offered. “If I wasn’t running off, and I don’t feel bad about meeting you, Kei, but just the timing sucked, ya know?” Seth sniffed and wiped his face. “I need you, babe.”
“You got me. I’m not going anywhere.” Malakei held him close and ran his hand through his hair.
Seth kissed his lips and stepped backward again. “C’mon, let’s all go inside before a crowd starts formin’.”
Malakei nodded and followed Seth to the house. Gio and Morty followed them. Once Seth turned the lock, they all walked in one after the other.
“Son. Oh, I’m so glad you’re home.” Ethel walked up to him and hugged him tight.
Seth hugged her back and kissed her head.
Malakei removed his shades and noticed another woman sitting at the table, appearing distraught. That had to be Johnno’s mother.
“Myrna? Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Seth walked up to the other woman, and they hugged, immediately breaking out in sobs together.
Malakei watched everything unfold. That’s why he hated drugs with a passion. He’d always said if he had one superpower, it would be to rid the world of harmful substances.
“And how are you, Malakei? I’m sorry it couldn’t be a happier homecoming,” Ethel said, wiping her tears.
Ethel’s voice disturbed his thoughts. He flashed a weary smile her way. “I’m fine, Ethel. I’m so sorry this happened. Is there anything I can do for her?”
“Maybe a kind word or two. I don’t think it’s sunk in quite yet for her.”
Malakei patted her shoulder, then walked over to where Seth was still holding Johnno’s mother. He stayed back to watch everything, feeling out of place. He knew Seth, the boys, and Ethel of course, but not well enough to be encroaching on this time of sorrow.
“Please sit down, Malakei. Thanks for getting the boys home so soon,” Ethel said as she let go of both Morty and Gio.
“Oh, we were scheduled to be home today anyway to plan the tour, but I know that’s on the back burner now.” Malakei had a seat on the sofa.
“Can I get you something to drink, Malakei? Gio, Morty?”
“No thank you,” Malakei said, as did Morty and Gio.
Ethel nodded at all three of them and walked over to Seth and Myrna, who still cried. All of them hugged a moment; then Seth pulled away from them, wiping his face with the handkerchief.
“I’m sorry, Myrna. Come meet my friend. He was helping us with the band. Malakei Oakley.”
Malakei got up and extended his hand. “Myrna? Is it okay to call you that?”
Myrna shook his hand. “Yes, yes, of course.”
“Thank you. I’m so sorry for your loss. I really am. Tell me, is there anything I can do?”
Myrna shrugged. “Other than bring me boy back, no.” She sobbed, and Seth caught her as she appeared to be unsteady on her feet.
Malakei helped Seth with bringing her to the sofa and then sat her down.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been a mess all morning. I…. When he didn’t wake up, I panicked. He was just lying there with his eyes wide open, drooling. Who knows how long he’d been dead!”
Gio took the seat next to her and hugged her tight.
Malakei shed a tear and looked at Seth who appeared as if he could barely stand himself. “Will you be okay?”
“I… I need some air. Come with me, hmm? Please?”
“Sure.” Malakei took Seth’s hand. “Myrna, I’ll be back, all right?” Seth told her and grasped Malakei’s palm tight. They walked outside, and Seth led Malakei to the backyard.
Once they got there, Seth pulled Malakei in and kissed him. Seth pulled away. “Thank you for being here. This means so much to me.”
“You’re welcome. I feel so helpless right now. I want to help her. Do you know if she had life insurance for him?”
“No idea. His mum worked a dead-end job much like my mum. No benefits come from piss-poor-paying jobs,” Seth said ruefully.
“True. So most likely the answer is no. I’ll help out. No matter what it costs, I will pay for it.”
Seth smiled with tears in his eyes. “Thank you. Oh God, Kei. This is all my fault. I wanna go to that band’s place and tear those fuckers limb from limb! When he joined that band, he mentioned how they were supplying him with heroin. When we chatted that last time on the phone, he was so drugged, he could barely hold a conversation.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Look, Seth, this isn’t your fault, though. Johnno was grown. He made a dire mistake, but it wasn’t because of you.”
“It was, Malakei. I should’ve been more patient with him and had his back! I… I fucking can’t do this now. I can’t be the leader of this band knowing what I did killed my best friend.”
Malakei cocked an eyebrow and held both of Seth’s hands. “What are you saying, baby?”
Seth shook his head, dropping his gaze. After a second or two, he glanced back at Malakei. “I don’t think I can do High Stakes, Malakei.”
“Why? You love music.”
“I know, and I also loved my best friend. And, more importantly, I’m falling in love with you. All I want is to be with my man. Nothing more.”
“Seth, I’m in love with you too, but don’t give up your dreams. You were meant to perform on that stage.”
Seth let go of one of Malakei’s hands and ran it through his hair. “Maybe, but…. Johnno dying…. Gods, I can’t. I was prepared to do this without him still alive and well. Not dead. I’ll never forgive myself for leaving him behind. Every time I perform, that’ll be in the back of my mind. It’ll haunt me for the rest of my days.”
“Look, it might take some time, but….”
Seth kissed his lips. “If Gio and Morty really want High Stakes to continue, maybe they’ll wait for me to get my head on straight. Or they’ll get someone else to sing. If I’m not singing, perhaps I’ll do some songwriting, or I’ll do solo gigs to make money. Or I could be a producer. Barry will teach me what to do. I gots an ear for music, and I can help someone out. It might take me longer to get Mom that house I w
anna buy her, but… so what. I’ll be happy just being the guy who’s dating Malakei Oakley.” He grinned.
Though Malakei liked the sound of that, he didn’t wish for Seth to give up on his dream. “You’ll be that guy, regardless. I think you need sleep. Once you get used to the time difference and able to think clearly, you won’t remember what you said. You’re upset, so of course I understand how horrible you’re feeling right now. I’m fully okay with putting High Stakes off until you’re ready to do it again, but don’t give up on it for good. This is what you’ve always wanted to do.”
Seth leaned on his chest and wrapped both arms around Malakei. “Maybe. But I can’t think about that now.” Seth looked up at Malakei. “And I need a cigarette.”
Malakei snickered and pressed his lips to his temple. “All right. I’ll see about Myrna.”
Seth dislodged himself from Malakei and plucked his pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. “No, please don’t go. I know they smell, but stay with me, right? I don’t wanna be alone.”
“Okay. I’ll stand over here, then, because I really don’t want to inhale secondhand smoke.” Malakei moved back and placed his sunglasses on.
“Very well, love. I’ll be done soon.” Seth lit the cigarette and took a puff.
Malakei nodded. Just looking at Seth aroused him. He hated the way cigarettes smelled, how they ruined bodies, but something about Seth smoking made Malakei want to attack him right here and now.
Despite those feelings, Malakei would keep himself in check. Seth had just lost his friend, and this was hardly the time to be suggesting sex. Maybe he could convince Seth to have a nice quiet dinner at his estate, but for now, he’d settle for a long nap, spooning Seth from behind.
ONCE SETH finished, both ambled back inside. His mother was sitting on the couch with Myrna. They were looking through a photo album.
“Ah, Seth, we were just talking about that time you and Johnno got in trouble in church. Remember?”
Seth smirked and walked ahead of Malakei so Myrna wouldn’t suspect anything. “Yeah, don’t I? Sister Dinah was right brassed off at us for skipping practice that day.”