Push

by BLMorticia

  “Sure, but I can’t help but think of the past and wish… ah fuck. Let me stop. Anyway, I am happy for you, M. I always will be. Let’s catch up when you get back to New York.”

  “Okay, will do. Talk with you later.”

  “Okay, bye, M.”

  “Bye, Peter.” Malakei clicked disconnect and sat back, still amazed by what he’d heard.

  Peter had left Mustang behind and bought another company on his own. Something Malakei didn’t think would ever be possible, but then again, he didn’t think coming out would become a reality for himself either.

  TO ENSURE that Ethel would be moved, Malakei and Seth made the trip into town to help. Morty and Gio also offered, which meant they could get everything done and ready for the movers in two days or less.

  “Ethel, where do you want me to put these pictures?” Malakei asked her.

  “Oh, right over there is fine.” Ethel pointed to the box in the corner marked mementos and keepsakes. “Malakei, you didn’t have to do all this.”

  “Why not? Seth is at Myrna’s helping her clean Johnno’s room now. We’ve moved most of the big things. It’s time to label the small ones.”

  “But you’re….” She sighed and smiled. “Why are you so modest? You’re a multimillionaire doing hard work.”

  “So I am. I’m not allergic to it. Besides, I told you we’d help before we left. I wanted to make sure mostly everything was done before we hopped on the plane tomorrow.”

  “And I appreciate it. Just sometimes I’m still shocked about how everything has changed. In the blink of an eye, really.”

  Malakei returned the smile. “For the better. Seth is very special to me, and you are too.”

  “Ah, you are a sweet one. I’m so glad you and my babby got together. Do me a favor and try convincing him to do the band, all right? I’m sure you’d enjoy the love songs more….”

  “No, actually I’d like to see Seth do it again too. I can’t force him, Ethel, but I’ll definitely make sure it stays on his mind. How’s that?”

  “That’s all I can ask for, then.” Ethel pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. I’m so happy for the two of you, and I’ve got to say, I’m excited to be retiring.”

  Malakei chuckled and patted her hand. “Nothing like saying goodbye to the workforce, I’m sure. You should enjoy your life, and I’ll see to it that you’re well cared for.”

  SETH CONTINUED to go through Johnno’s things. In all honesty, he’d hesitated to do it, but Myrna insisted he do it before she sold or gave them away.

  “Fuck.” Seth picked up a picture of him and Johnno at middle school, wearing their uniforms. Attached to it was an old failure notice. Seth had his own matching ones somewhere at his mother’s.

  “Hey, did you find anything you like?”

  Myrna’s voice disrupted his fog. “Erm, yeah, he’s got some Dallian’s records I wanna take and an old cassette recording of—” Seth stopped himself and dropped the picture. He stepped back and hugged himself. “I still can’t believe it, you know?”

  “Of course I do. How do you think I feel?” Myrna rubbed his shoulder.

  “’M sorry. I’m such a conceited bastard at times. This affects you more, but…. Gods, I never thought I’d lose him so soon. Yeah, we argued all the time, but after that, we usually kissed and made up. Well, not in a literal sense, but….”

  Myrna snickered. “I know. He loved you like a brother, Seth. It didn’t matter to him that you were gay.”

  “Yeah. He never teased me. He had my back when I came out to our other friends. He… fuck! He’s gone, and it’s because of me.”

  “Will you stop that? It isn’t your fault. He did a stupid thing and took drugs. No one made him do it.”

  “I did.” Seth turned to face her. Her delicate face was full of moisture, eyes red from crying. He placed both hands on her cheeks. “I pushed him, didn’t I? I drove him to those fuckin’ idiots who gave him drugs.”

  “You did no such thing, all right? He had a mind of his own! He made a bad decision, but it wasn’t on you. Now, listen to me.” Myrna held the hands cradling her face. “You’re a good man, Seth. And now that Johnno is gone, I’m adopting you as my boy. I’m telling you again, this wasn’t your doing. He’d want you to continue on with your life. Love Malakei and live out your ultimate dream. Dammit, Seth. Don’t disappoint me. Don’t give up on the band because you’re feeling guilt. You’re bigger than that! You’re Seth fucking Davies, and you can handle it!”

  As Myrna sobbed, Seth took her into his arms and hugged her close. He stroked her hair and closed his eyes, replaying those words repeatedly in his brain.

  Not your fault!

  Honor his memory!

  Don’t disappoint me, Seth!

  Seth gritted his teeth and nodded to himself. He had to do this for Myrna, for the boys, and more importantly for Mom and Malakei.

  Seth had to do it for himself too. Although his mother was well taken care of, he still had a duty to fulfill. Now, he just had a different reason to do so.

  After Seth and Malakei finished moving Ethel and Myrna, they hopped on the flight back to New York. Malakei figured a night flight in would give them less of a chance to be spotted, so they left Birmingham Airport at 2:00 a.m. and arrived early morning, jumping in the limo as soon as they landed.

  Once the sun rose, Malakei needed to go in to the studio. He wanted Seth to stay in the condo, but Seth begged to come along because he wanted to talk over things with Barry. After the two had breakfast and made love in the shower, Malakei drove his beloved Micah into an underground parking garage at 315East. When they arrived, several reporters had set up camp, but security held them back as they entered.

  Though Malakei didn’t say a word, Seth actually found the questions they shouted at them very amusing. One reporter asked how they met, to which Seth had replied, “He’s my sugar daddy.”

  That got everyone laughing, including Malakei, who whisked them into his private elevator. When the doors closed, he pressed the button and pinned Seth to the back paneling.

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  “I am. Now that everyone’s seen me, I’m gonna play it for all it’s worth.”

  Malakei chuckled. “You’ll be playing right into their hands too. You’ll give them fodder, and they’ll run with it.”

  Seth shrugged. “So they will. I’m not the least bit worried, and neither should you be. They can say what they want, but as long as they don’t bother Myrna and Mom, I don’t care.”

  “You’re right, but these fools are vicious, that’s all. They’ll smile in your face and write dirty things behind your back.”

  “I’ll give ’em my best side, then,” Seth sneered, then pulled Malakei in for a kiss.

  The minute their lips touched, Malakei responded by crushing his body against Seth’s.

  Feeling heady from the lip-lock, Seth groaned and wrapped both arms and one leg around Malakei. With them so close, Seth wished they were back at home. Their home on Park Avenue, writhing under the covers while they switched positions, fucking one another.

  “Gods, Malakei.” Seth spoke against his lips and covered them again.

  When the elevator dinged, cheers and whistles erupted.

  Malakei pulled away and ambled off the elevator. His staff, which included Lena, Claire, and Barry, stood there at the receptionist’s desk, with a cake and a congratulations sign hanging on the wall.

  “What the heck?” Malakei let go of Seth.

  “Congrats on coming out, boss!” Lena hugged him, as did Claire.

  Seth hung back, watching the scene unfold.

  “Hey, you get hugs too,” Claire said, smiling at Seth. She hugged him and kissed Seth on the cheek.

  “Thanks, love.”

  “Welcome back, hon,” Lena told him, also giving him a hug.

  Once Malakei met other members of the staff, Barry walked in and playfully punched his chest. He put out his
hand, and the two of them hugged like long-lost brothers.

  “Thanks for bringing him out the closet.”

  “I didn’t do it, man. He did it himself.”

  Barry let go and nodded. “Hey, I heard about your friend, man. I’m really sorry.”

  Seth sighed and bowed his head. “Thanks. I’m trying to wrap my head around it every day, but… I guess I never will.”

  “I know what you mean. So Malakei tells me you want to write love songs? C’mon, Seth. You showed me a couple of good ones, but you’d be wasting some good talent on that, man. Your voice needs to be in front of that microphone with a guitar.”

  “I know. And I will be singing….” Seth stopped.

  Malakei turned around and eyed him to see what he’d say next.

  Seth sighed and smiled wide. “I’ll be singing the love songs and ‘Finders’ for sure.”

  Malakei yelled and ran up to Seth, lifting him off the ground. He swung him around, and everyone clapped.

  “Babe, do you mean it? You’re gonna do it?”

  “Yeah. I got to. I… I had a talk with Myrna yesterday. She threatened to maim me if I didn’t.”

  “Good ol’ Myrna.”

  “And I hafta do this for you, Mom, the boys, and Johnno too, as well as myself. I’m gonna do this because, fuck, this was what I was born to do, besides love you, Kei.”

  “I love you too.” Malakei smiled and kissed his lips quick. “Um, Lena, me and my man need a bit, okay? I know I have an eleven o’clock, but we need some alone time.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Everyone around them cheered and dispersed.

  “We need alone time?” Seth wrapped his arms around Malakei’s neck.

  “Yes we do, because we need to finish what we started in that elevator.”

  “Hey, we could’ve done so right there.”

  “Uh-uh. I’m not ready for that much exhibitionism.”

  “Why the fuck not, Kei? Jen and Lauren caught us more than once.”

  “But that was them.” Malakei lifted him off his feet and walked toward the pool room. “This would’ve been the whole office and Barry too. Ugh, I’d never be able to look him in the face if he saw anything.”

  Seth snickered. “Well, they’re gonna have to get used to it, because I plan on jumping you whenever I get the chance.”

  “Yeah?” Malakei cocked an eyebrow. “Is that a threat?”

  Seth grinned wickedly. “No, that’s a promise, love, and you best believe I will follow through.”

  Epilogue

  WITHIN A month after its release, High Stakes’s first EP, Finders Keepers, was a smash hit, selling almost a million copies worldwide. The EP was distributed by Peter Mustang’s own company Regulated Records in a distribution-only deal Seth and Malakei drew up over their first dinner with Peter. Although Seth was still a little jealous about Peter’s past with Malakei, he moved past it for the good of the band.

  After that, Seth and the boys went on tour, playing in sold-out venues all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. The group became an overnight sensation, and fans wanted a full album right away. They had six more songs ready and planned for the new disc to be released in the coming year.

  Once fans and press had figured out the history between Seth and Malakei, it was the talk of all the gossip papers and the internet. Seth took it in stride, saying quite plainly, “I was a musician before we started fucking.” As he’d promised Malakei, he wouldn’t be intimidated with all the attention, and gave reporters blunt answers about everything. Much to Malakei’s chagrin, Seth didn’t shy away from questions about their love life either. He lived for those and enjoyed shocking people with his answers.

  Seeing all of Seth’s success, it moved Malakei to rhyme again. His sixth disc, called Out, would be released on a fellow hip-hop mogul’s label in February of next year. He had eight tracks, even one where his best friend Greg appeared as a guest. Malakei hadn’t been so excited about an album in a while and was happy he’d felt the bug again.

  As for their relationship, it grew by leaps and bounds. Since becoming exclusive, they could barely keep their hands off one another, giving the paparazzi plenty of pictures to post on the net and in the papers.

  When New Year’s Eve rolled around, they were invited to a party by Malakei’s friend and fellow rapper who’d release his disc. He had a large mansion in the Hamptons, someplace Malakei wanted to buy a house for Seth and their kids someday.

  “Fuck, Malakei, this is gorgeous!” Seth exclaimed as they walked in arm in arm. Many of the people in attendance said hello, some even asking for autographs as they passed.

  “It is, but does it beat our castle?”

  “Not at all, sweetheart. Mom’s settling in nicely there too. She’s been wonderin’ when we’re coming back.”

  “Soon enough. Once Out is released, we can go back for a breather. I miss her too. She’s been getting along great with Lauren.”

  “I know. She says Lauren’s like the daughter she never had.” Seth snorted. “Hey, um, come on over here. I got something I want to give you.”

  “What?” Malakei was confused but allowed Seth to lead him through the fray, to the fireplace. When they stopped, Seth turned to him and flashed a wry grin.

  “Seth Davies, what are you up to?”

  Seth moistened his lips and quickly kissed Malakei. Malakei bit back a moan, feeling the loss when he pulled away.

  “Give me your hand, love.”

  When Malakei did, the room got quiet. People stopped what they were doing to watch.

  “Seth, what… um….” Malakei looked around at everyone smiling and pulling out their phones. “Seth?”

  “Malakei. Dude. Chill out, fam.” Greg came out of nowhere with a mic in his hand. He handed it to Seth.

  “Thanks, mate.” Seth accepted it and cleared his throat. “Now, I’m no rapper, but I’ve fallen in love with one. I will say, however, I’ll never back down from a challenge. Hit it, Greg.”

  Greg walked over to the sound system and played a melody that sounded almost like his own song Seth helped him with months ago.

  “Now, I’m no poet, just a man in love. You were sent to me from the God above. When everything seemed dark and walls closed in, you held me close and did a lot more to make me… grin.” Seth shrugged.

  Everyone laughed, as did Greg who took the microphone from Seth.

  “Dude, stick to singin’ and playin’ guitar.” Greg snickered.

  Malakei shook his head, chuckling. “You are a fool!”

  “I am, but….” Seth curled his hair around his ear, then knelt on one knee in front of Malakei. While not taking his eyes off him, he plucked a velvet box from his pocket.

  “Seth, you are not… no….” Malakei shook his head in disbelief and covered his mouth. “Seth.” Malakei’s throat tightened, and tears welled up in his eyes.

  The oohs and ahhs along with Greg’s rhymes faded into the background.

  “Yes, I am a fool. A fool that’s hopelessly in love with you. Malakei LaDarious Oakley, love of my life. Will you marry me?”

  Malakei rubbed his eyes, not able to see Seth’s face through the tears. He’d wanted to propose to Seth first, but his boyfriend had beat him to it. “Oh my God. Fuck, yes, I will. I will!”

  “Woohoo!” Seth rose up and hugged him. He lifted Malakei off his feet and spun him around as if he weighed nothing. After Seth placed the stunning diamond band on Malakei’s finger, everyone in attendance cheered and walked up to congratulate them.

  Later on, they set a fall date at the castle in England after the hoopla over their recordings had died down. They felt that to be best so they could enjoy their wedding and honeymoon without the pressure of work.

  Although Malakei was still a private person, he had to admit he enjoyed the attention too. Coming out with Seth seemed to boost his sales and popularity in music as well as business. Other than a couple of lost colleagues, he didn’t have too much fallout.

 
Companies were clamoring to sponsor and/or work with him, something he hadn’t expected.

  Perhaps the world was ready for its first gay hip-hop mogul and his rockstar fiancé to take it by storm.

  More from BLMorticia

  Wounded: Book One

  Zane Ashford’s stint in the NYPD comes to an abrupt halt when he is injured in the line of duty. After waking up partially blind in one eye, all he wants to do is crawl into a hole, but his friends and family won’t leave him alone. Reluctantly, he lets his best friend talk him into time away on a ranch in Montana. But the moment he gets there and meets Cyrus Abrams, Zane begins to contemplate murder.

  Cyrus Abrams is vulgar, ornery, stuck in his ways, and not about to change for anyone, no matter how good Zane Ashford looks in those jeans. The more they lock horns, the more Cyrus begins to see Zane in a whole new light. But Cyrus has a past, one that left him in big trouble and more broken than he cares to admit—a past no one told Zane about. Cyrus fears that when Zane finds out, everything will come to a screeching halt.

  Wounded: Book Two

  Renford Kline is straight… right? He got over his experimentation in college and moved on. Then how does he explain his blush-inducing fantasies about Brian Daystar? Fantasies he’s having when he should be focused on his career move from attorney to professor. When Brian comes to New York, Renford knows he’s in trouble. Everything about Brian attracts him—from his tight body to his beautiful, dark hair—but Renford is straight… right?

  Brian Daystar needs a break. He’s been working nonstop to turn his Montana ranch into a safe haven for at-risk youth—so much so that he can’t even bring himself to care when he finds out his partner, country star Corey, is cheating on him. Their relationship has been over for a long time, but it might take his feelings for Renford to make Brian accept it.

  Both men have decisions to make. Renford must come to terms with who he truly is, and Brian is going to have to decide if he will shun his happiness or embrace it.