Songs of Love : Books 1-3

by M J Calabrese

  Christian leaned and whispered in Trevor’s ear, “He’s the real diva. The rest of us are just pains in the ass.”

  Trevor unfolded the paper and stared at the numbers before him. His hands began to shake. “Really? This is what you pay him?”

  David nodded, “You’d be doing us a favor taking us on without notice. I’ll have our tour accountant to give you a list of vendors and contacts in the cities we’re going to. You’ll have to get yourself up to speed pretty quick, but I do know most of the people you’ll have to deal with and I’ll help you. So what do you say?”

  Trevor glanced at Scott who grinned at him and nodded. “Baby bird needs to fly, Trev. You can do this.”

  Scott knew that the money would pay for the house Trevor had shown him in the Valley, but he knew that the place would be gone before the young man got back from tour. He made a mental note to go buy the property and surprise his assistant with it later. If Trevor insisted on paying him back, he’d take whatever the young man offered.

  A look of resolve filled Trevor’s eyes as he looked up to see everyone at the table watching him. “Yeah, I’ll take the job and this pay is fine. All I need is a contract. By the way, where is the tour going to start from?”

  “Vancouver, then on across Canada.” Muse laughed, “Eh.”

  Trevor smiled, “Hey! Don’t dis my people. I’m Canadian.”

  “Oh, no, we got ourselves a local. He’ll nice everyone to death.”

  “Alright, I’ll fire Larry tomorrow. Everyone agreed? Trevor, can you start tomorrow? Everything is set for this smaller gig we’re doing on Saturday here in Los Angeles, but you’ll need to contact every one and tell them Larry is out and that you are the man to contact. See if there are others Larry neglected to pay.”

  “Diversion of funds is illegal.” Trevor frowned, “You may want to press charges.”

  David looked at the other members, but the other three men were shaking their heads. “No, it doesn’t look like we’re going to do that. Larry needs to get help for his gambling and I’m going to tell him that tomorrow.”

  “He’s not going to go quietly, David,” Stitch said as he reached for the pasta bowl and sauce. “You may need the security guys to escort him out.”

  “If he gives me trouble, I’ll talk to security.” With a sigh, David looked at Trevor. “Glad to have you working with us.”

  “And may God have mercy on your soul.” Christian laughed and the others chimed in.

  Chapter Thirteen

  August 29, 2019

  Scott laid on the bed he’d shared with David over the years. He hadn’t bothered to undress or even get under the covers. It didn’t make any difference. He knew he wouldn’t sleep. Since the explosion, he’d only laid his head on this pillow a half dozen times. Over the past month, sleeping was something he did sitting up in a chair and one night the nurses took pity on him and put him in an empty bed next door to David. Every day he would talk to his husband, read to him, tell him jokes and he’d get nothing in return. David’s eyes didn’t open, his fingers never twitched or tried to grasp Scott’s hand. He was just…, there. After three weeks of no change, they did an EEG to determine if he had any significant brainwave activity and the results weren’t good.

  Scott held David’s mother as Oscar told her the results in sign. She’d broken down and Scott’s heart broke as she let go with the most mournful cry that only a mother can make when the pain of losing her only child strikes home. Until that day, they all had hoped he’d wake up, but each time they checked his EEG, it was worse. The doctors explained that David’s body could go on for years. He was young and healthy otherwise, but the chances of him waking up were getting smaller and smaller.

  Three days ago, David’s doctors came to them. They talked about David being an organ donor and how his passing would save so many other lives. Scott heard them, but the only thing that registered about that evening was how he watched a little spider trying to climb a slick part of the wall and he kept sliding back down. Over and over the spider would try and each time he’d fall back.

  At the end of the doctor’s plea to make David an organ donor, Scott had quietly asked that they let them discuss their options. Betty and Oscar had turned to him. Their eyes reddened with crying as they leaned on one another. In the end, legally, he would be the one to make the decision as to whether or not to end life support. Scott looked back at them wishing there was someone there for him to lean on, but David lay in a bed down the hall, silent and unaware that his fate would be decided very soon.

  Chapter Fourteen

  December 4, 2018

  “Let’s go, people!” The assistant director shouted to the milling crowd. “Quiet on the set!” He nodded at Scott Newland as everyone went silent. Scott looked at his young stars, “Action.” The scene played out before him. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu as he watched the rock star and his lover as they spoke their words under blinding lights. Griffith Park was used to film crews taking over bits and pieces of their land, but this production had more headaches than most. Dylan Keene was America’s hottest new star. He had a following of millions on social media and the studio pampered him as if he were made of glass, so it followed the kid was a pain in Scott’s ass.

  He understood why the younger man continued the charade of being straight, but he tended to be careless concerning his private life. His high powered PR team had, more than once, covered up his gaffes, but when it affected Scott’s film, he drew the line. Twice, he’d threatened to replace their star, but Dylan knew they wouldn’t and he kept being reckless.

  The scene played out perfectly until a fangirl in the distance screamed out their star’s name. This was their fifteenth take and everyone’s patience was wearing thin.

  “Can’t we just do something in post to get rid of her? I’m tired of saying the same crap over and over again.” Dylan kicked at an electrical box on the ground until he got a look from Scott that told his lead actor he was not amused by his petulance. “I’m just saying…,” Dylan looked up, but Scott noted his eyes suddenly fixed on something over his shoulder. “What the fuck? Is that Dorian Gray?”

  Scott turned to look at the tall man walking toward him. Black jeans complemented with a tight black tee-shirt showed off his husband’s rock hard body. When he saw Scott, David pursed his lips into a pout. Despite his heavy work boots, David put a little swing into his hips as he walked toward his husband. Scott chuckled. Suddenly things didn’t seem quite so hideously bad. He broke out a smile and headed for his husband.

  “Hey, babe.” Opening his arms, Scott embraced David as he closed the distance between them. David tilted his head, placing one hand on his lover’s face, holding him steady as he kissed Scott passionately. Someone cleared their throat breaking the moment. David arched an eyebrow at their intruder.

  Dylan stuck out his hand to David, grinning with delight, “Oh man! I am such a huge fan of yours, Dylan Keene.”

  David cocked his head and a small smile tipped his lips. Eyes scanning the younger man from handsome face to groin then back up before he took the other man’s hand. “Oh, I’ve heard about you. You’re in my husband’s new film.” He deliberately emphasized the word husband.

  “Husband?” The younger man glanced over at Scott, who couldn’t keep the smirk off his face. “I didn’t know you were married.”

  “Six years this month.” He gave Dylan a dismissive look and turned back to Scott. Taking his husband’s arm, he started to walk toward the makeup and wardrobe trailers, but Dylan followed, voice low as he spoke.

  “Are you two into threesomes? Like a ménage? I mean,” He hesitated as he nervously glanced around to make sure no one was listening before looking right at David. “Letting Dorian Gray fuck me, well, it’s one of the top things on my bucket list. I mean, man, in certain circles, you’re like a legend.”

  Scott held his breath. He’d seen the look forming on David’s face before and it meant he wasn’t going to play nice. Sc
ott leaned into his husband and whispered, “Be good, Davey, I need him to finish this picture.”

  David’s tense jaw muscle twitched as he turned his head slightly toward his husband. Letting go of Scott’s arm, he backed into the space between the two trailers. Scott and Dylan followed. Scott knew David was used to being propositioned by fans so he knew how to handle them.

  “So, you want me to fuck you.” David turned to Dylan. His attitude had shifted completely to Alpha male. He took a step forward. Suddenly, his hand shot up and gripped the younger, shorter man’s chin, lifting it and forcing him to look him in the eye. “You’ve seen my show. You think that’s an act?” He leaned down and whispered in the other man’s ear. “It’s not.” He slipped the pad of his thumb into the young man’s mouth, pressing down hard to trap the tip of Dylan’s tongue. “Be a good boy. Do exactly what Scott tells you and I’ll think about fucking you just the way you’d like it, hard, rough, fast and bare. I’d paddle your bottom so hard you wouldn’t sit for a week, boy and when I get done working you over, boy.” He hissed into the now trembling man’s ear, “You’d get on your knees, suck my cock in the middle of a club and beg me to let you do it to me again. Now go away, boy. Maybe I’ll see you later.”

  He whipped his hand away so fast, Dylan’s head snapped back. With a mischievous smirk, David, once again, took Scott’s arm and started to walk away.

  “You scared the shit out of him.”

  “Is that what I smelled?” David smiled, “I don’t think he’ll give you any more trouble on this shoot.”

  Scott stopped, then turned to stand in front of David. He studied his husband for a moment before he spoke. “Are you serious? Would you want to do him?”

  David shrugged, “Only if you wanted to do him with me. We haven’t had a playmate for a while. Could spice things up.”

  “But him?” Scott glanced over at the young man who was still staring at them.

  “I’d love to have Trevor as the creamy middle in our man cookie, but you told me that he was off-limits.”

  “Doing Trevor would be like fucking our son.”

  “Perv.” David laughed, “And speaking of Trevor, that’s why I’m here. I need him for this short tour we’re doing. Only a few shows and a couple of TV appearances. He did such a wonderful job on the last tour, so I was wondering….” He grinned as he grabbed Scott’s jacket and pulled him in for another kiss. “Can I borrow your boy toy?” David asked as he coyly batted his eyelashes and puckered his lips.

  Scott smiled. He loved the sparkling blue of David’s eyes when he was happy. It always amazed him how the shade would change depending on his husband’s mood. Today with guyliner and mascara, a bit of makeup to smooth his skin, his lover looked extraordinary.

  The last few years had been difficult. At various points, they’d threatened to split, but with counseling and work, they had stayed together. Life with a superstar and an in-demand Hollywood director wasn’t easy. Both of them were ambitious and had been totally focused on their individual careers for so long, they had to remind themselves from time to time, what was really important.

  Scott wrapped his arms around David’s waist making the embrace more intimate. “When will you need him?” He kissed David’s neck.

  “Uh…,” David tilted his head back allowing his lover to scatter more kisses along his stubbled jawline. “Soon, it’s just a few east coast venues, then we’ll end up here in LA around the first of August.”

  Scott reached up and pulled David’s head down, “Spread your legs.” He demanded. Scott could feel his husband’s smile against his cheek as he complied. Turning his body slightly to block the view of everyone except the young man still guarding the entry between the trailers, Scott reached down and began to stroke David’s hardening cock through his tight jeans. He caught Dylan’s eye, seeing the younger man blush, but Dylan didn’t turn away.

  Scott whispered in David’s ear. “He likes to watch.”

  With his best Dorian Gray leer, David lowered his lashes and looked at the other man. As Scott’s hand moved more aggressively against his lover’s entrapped cock, David held Dylan’s eyes. The younger man watched them intently, mesmerized by what he saw, then David wetted his lips. They could hear Dylan moan as he tried to adjust himself, pressing down on his burgeoning cock that was demanding his attention. The younger man stood there, transfixed by what he was watching the erotic vision the two men created.

  “Let’s make him come.” Scott motioned for the actor to approach.

  Dylan’s eyes widened as he glanced nervously side to side. Slowly, he approached the two men. When he was within reach, David wrapped his hand around the younger man’s neck, drawing him closer and forcing him to look down. “This is just a sample of what you have to look forward to if you’re a very good boy.”

  The hand Scott had covering David’s erection moved to Dylan’s. The caress was rough and commanding. Dylan moved closer, legs trembling and weak, eyes closed as his breathing quickened. “Are you going to be a good boy, Dylan?”

  The young man’s answer was barely a whisper, “Yes.” He hissed as Scott quickened his pace.

  “I want you to come for me now, Dylan. Now!” David drove his tongue deep into Dylan’s ear. The younger man gasped and jerked as he came in his jeans. Scott stroked him twice more, milking the cum from his now softening cock. Scott smiled. He knew he could use this to keep Dylan in line. It was obvious that the promise of sex with the two of them was Dylan Keene’s kryptonite.

  Dylan slumped between them as he and David placed a hand under each of Dylan’s arms. Gently they led him back to his dressing room so the younger man’s beautiful lips could finish the both of them and he could change his cum soaked jeans.

  *****

  David leaned against the outside of the catering trucks and smoked his only cigarette for the day. He’d quit for over a year, but a few months ago, he’d started again. Just one a day is all he allowed himself now. Scott strolled up followed by his faithful shadow, Trevor.

  “I’m sorry, David. I can’t manage your tour this time. I want to direct, not manage a band. I’ve been upgraded to second unit director and I don’t want to leave. You can understand, right?”

  David pushed away from the white painted aluminum and embraced the younger man. “I don’t have to like it, but I guess I understand. You like Scott more than me.”

  They hugged and laughed. Scott watched their easy affection, wondering again whether or not if something had happened between them when they were on tour, but he tucked away his jealousy and studied his husband for a moment. He frowned. David looked tired. He’d been working hard for a year and it was starting to wear him down, but when he mentioned it, David denied how he felt and pushed himself even harder. He worried that if David couldn’t find the energy to do everything he planned to do that he’d go back to cocaine. So far, he hadn’t, but for Scott, the idea still niggled at the back of his mind.

  “Do you know anyone who might help us?”

  Trevor nodded and pulled out his phone. “I used this guy as my assistant on your last tour. You know him and he’s really good at organizing people, equipment logistics, etc. I’ll airdrop his number to you.”

  David’s phone buzzed and when he pulled up his contacts, he nodded and confirmed he’d gotten it. “I’ll call him tonight. Thanks.” Once again, he reached out and wrapped Trevor in a hug and the younger man responded in kind. “Love you, Trev.”

  When he turned to Scott, he held out his arms and Scott walked into them. “I love you, babe. Dinner tonight?”

  “Eating in or eating out.”

  “I could just eat you out if you want.”

  Scott snorted, “You could and that might be on the agenda later tonight, but how about ordering Chinese. I’ll call when I’m leaving here.”

  Trevor grinned, “Aw, so cute. David’s become a house husband.” He couldn’t help the snicker that escaped when he saw David’s reaction.

  “I am not a hou
se husband, Trev.” He held his head up, jutted out his hip as he pursed his lips into a haughty pout. “I…,” He flipped his hand in a royal wave, “am a Queen, peasant. I don’t do domestic.” Placing a quick kiss on his husband’s lips, David pulled out his best fashion model stomp as he sashayed away.

  Chapter Fifteen

  August 1, 2019

  “Hey, sweetheart! You made it! Great.” David paused as he looked at the phone Scott was pointing at him, “Oh! Are you filming already?” He smiled and waved. The Dorian Gray makeup wasn’t complete, but well on its way as Lisa carefully worked the coverup under his eyes. His glam boy look bordering on the femme was startling. Every few years he’d change up his stage makeup, but Scott had to admit this made him hauntingly beautiful to either sex.

  “Hi, all. Dorian Gray here.” David smiled at the camera, cocking his head to play up his stage persona coyness. “These little IG vids are for my fans so they can see what it takes to pull a show like ours together. My husband, the famous Oscar award-winning director, Scott Newland…, say hello, Scotty.”

  Scott turned the focus on himself for an instant and waved, then turned it back to his main subject. Despite all his years behind the camera, he hated being in front of it.

  “This concert is the last of our worldwide tour. Not that we won’t play live from time to time, we will, but you’ll only catch Absinthe and Dorian Gray trying out new cuts from future albums at smaller venues and clubs from now on. We thought we’d show you this wonderful theatre built in the 1930’s art deco style and give you all some insight into what goes on behind the curtain, so to speak. Enjoy the interviews with me and my bandmates as well as follow me for the day on through to our soundcheck here at the Wiltern this evening. So go with Scotty while I finish getting made up. As Ms. Dolly says, It costs a lot to look this cheap. Later.” Then he blew the camera a kiss.

  “And cut!” Scott grinned.

  “Was that okay, Scott?”