by BLMorticia
Truth be told, Malakei had every intention of keeping the focus on business, but the more he stared at Seth’s sea-blue eyes and lanky body, the more he desired to shift those thoughts. How could he be so caught up in a man when they hadn’t met?
Was he that desperate for someone, or did Seth’s confession make him even more attractive?
Malakei believed Seth’s admission made him sexier. It proved the man was bold, unafraid about what anyone would say about him. At the same time, it made things scary. If he pursued the singer, how long would it take before the news spread about his sexual identity?
Chapter Ten
SETH GRABBED his mother’s suitcase and plopped it inside the trunk of the fancy car Malakei sent to pick them up. He hadn’t ridden in anything this nice since his grandfather’s funeral, three years ago.
“Wow, what a car! Where ya goin’, mate?”
Seth looked up at his best friend Johnno and removed the cigarette from his mouth. “Mom won an all-expense paid vacation. How’s things goin’ with you?”
“Good. My new mates are killa. We’re playing Debris on Friday. Got extra tickets if you wanna see us.”
Seth shook his head and turned away from Johnno. “Nah, can’t. We won’t be back in time.” He slammed the trunk down.
Johnno sighed. “Look, mate, I’m sorry things ended the way they did. Maybe it’s better this way. I heard you played General Order the other night. Packed house?”
“Yeah. People say we sound better as a three-piece.”
“Mhm. Well, the band I’m in, Devil Scar, we’re doin’ good too.”
“Great.”
Johnno sighed again. “Anyway, I was thinkin’ maybe this was for the best. We’re still buds, right?”
“Yeah. That hasn’t….” Seth gazed at Johnno again and froze. He stepped closer to him, noticing the heavy bags under Johnno’s eyes, which were red and tearing. “Mate, what’cha been on?”
“What’dya mean?”
“You been druggin’ again? You don’t look so good.”
“I’m al’right. Had a little stuff, that’s all.”
“What stuff?” Seth cocked an eyebrow.
Johnno leaned in and whispered. “Got a hold of some heroin. The shit’s awesome. I’m playing even better with that in my system.”
Seth shook his head. Although he loved a good high like anyone else, he stayed away from drugs like crack and heroin. Cigarettes and alcohol were the only way for him. Even those had their setbacks, but he figured if he cut down on both, he’d be okay. “I highly doubt that. Your guys know about it?”
“Fuck yeah. They supply it.” He smiled. Johnno’s cheeks appeared sunken in, and a few red bumps were forming on his forehead.
Seth frowned. “Dude, get off that stuff, or it’ll kill ya. You know that’s what it did to my uncle. ’Sides, your last episode with it wasn’t fun. You recall you needed to go to hospital? Caused your mom a lot of worry.”
“Ah, cut it. I’m not addicted,” Johnno yelled at him. “’M fine, all right? I don’t need you or anyone telling me what to do!”
Seth put his hands up. “’Kay, mate. Then, I guess I’ll see you around. Let me know when you guys play again, and I’ll check ya out.”
Johnno rubbed his nose and scratched his face. “Brill, man. I’ll see you around. Have a good trip.”
“Right.” Seth turned his back on Johnno and walked around to the car door. The driver waved him inside, and he hopped in.
“Mom, can Derrick come over and watch the house?” Derrick was Seth’s cousin, who was a bodybuilder and smart as shit.
“Seth, you been readin’ my mind again? I asked him to come by and check on the place. Auntie Martha picked up a key to give to him.”
Seth nodded. “I think he should stay over. I’m sure he’d like a quiet place to hang for a few days. He could study there, sleep in my bed if he likes.”
“Why are you saying this, Seth? Is there a reason?”
The car pulled off, and Seth plucked his cell out of his pocket. “Just got hunches, is all. Want to make sure the little run-down hut is safe while we’re away.”
Seth’s mom harrumphed. “That little hut is the place you were born, son. And it’s all we got.”
Seth put the phone up to his ear. “Yeah, I know. That’s why I want Derrick to stay over to keep an eye on it.”
After the hired car picked up Morty and his girlfriend, along with Gio and his mother, it continued driving to Birmingham International where they boarded a private jet. Seth could hardly contain himself, but when his mother scolded him to behave, he settled in and napped instead.
About ten hours later, they arrived at JFK, and the stewardess escorted them off. She led them through a corridor to the main area to meet the driver. All of them followed him to the car right in front, put their bags inside, and drove off.
“Wow, Seth… I’m… I swear, this is amazing. New York is bigger in person, right?’
“Yep. We haven’t seen much yet, though, Mom. We got five days to sightsee.”
“I know. I heard that wouldn’t be enough time to check out everything.”
Seth snorted. “Yeah, but we’ll try our best.”
Seth continued looking out the window, staring at the tall skyscrapers. The amount of cars leaving the airport was twice or triple the amount in Birmingham. He was glad he wasn’t driving himself.
“Ooh, I wonder are there drinks in here like in the last one,” Morty said.
“I’m sure there are. Seems like Malakei spared no expense on us. Real nice of him, too,” Gio added.
“Yeah. Can you imagine having all this at your disposal, gents? He’s rolling in the dough.”
Ethel laughed. “Of course, he is. I hear he owns part of a sports team and doesn’t he have his own shoe?”
“Everyone’s got their own shoe these days. The fact he is one of the top one hundred richest in the world is a lot more impressive. Forbes says the man is worth over six hundred million,” Seth told them.
Everyone gasped at Seth’s information.
“Seriously? What does he do with all that money?” Gio asked, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
“I don’t know, but I’d love to find out,” Morty answered.
“I don’t even need that much. Give me enough to buy Mom a house, me a car, and live on for the rest of my life. That’s all I need. Six hundred million seems like too much.”
“Are you daft, mate? You could buy her several houses with that kind of cash,” Morty said, frowning.
“I only need one,” Seth’s mom said. “And maybe a car so I can get to the market.”
Seth patted her arm and continued to look out the window. Since it was spring, the trees were coming into full bloom, but there was a chill in the air. Perfect for Seth because he hated hot weather.
Cars lined both sides of the streets along with overflowing bins. Seth couldn’t believe that in a city this big, they didn’t have better rubbish pickup.
More than that, people appeared to be in a hurry. In the time they’d been riding in the car, Seth saw two or three almost accidents as well as a couple of people who didn’t care about getting hit by automobiles. He wondered why New Yorkers were so careless. Were they always like this? He was sure if he drove here, he’d be getting into plenty of arguments with pedestrians and motorists.
“All right, ladies and gents, we’re here. 315East Studios,” the driver said over the intercom.
Seth heard the door close, then the back one open. The driver held his hand out for Morty’s girlfriend, then Gio’s mom, and lastly Seth’s mother.
“Thank you, sir.”
The guys followed, and Seth climbed out last. They all looked up at the tall gray building with many windows and the numbers 315 East on the front.
“Bloody bostin!” Morty exclaimed.
“Hello. Which one of you is Seth?”
When Seth heard his name called, an attractive woman wearing a pink overcoat and ma
tching gloves waved to them.
“Well, hello,” Morty said with a smile. His girlfriend quickly slapped his bicep.
“I am. Allo.” Seth walked ahead and shook her hand. “Are you Lena?”
“I am. Welcome to New York. It’s good to put a face with the voice I spoke to. Would you all follow me? It’s kind of chilly out here.”
“Sure.” Seth waved his mother ahead as well as the other ladies, and they all followed Lena inside. When they ambled in, all of them looked around in amazement at the marble floors, the crown molding, and the wall that read 315East, with plenty of names in the directory.
“Geez. How do we know where we’re going?” Seth asked.
Lena laughed. “The studio is on the top. That should be easy to remember, right?”
Seth nodded, and they continued on through the hallway until they got to a set of gold lifts.
“Wow. This is what six hundred million will buy you, hmm? The whole building,” Seth’s mother whispered to him.
“I guess so.” Seth stepped on after everyone else. The minute the door closed, the lift took off at lightning speed. It didn’t take long for the bell to ring, signaling them to get off.
“Express lift. Now that is amazing,” Seth said.
“Not so good on the ears, but, yes. In a hurry, it’ll do,” she added. Lena looked back at them. “Have you guys ever been to New York?”
“No, ma’am,” they all answered in unison.
“Well, we have to give you guys a grand tour. There’s a lot to see.”
“I’m sure.”
Lena removed her coat and laid it over a chair that Seth assumed to be hers. She removed her gloves. “Let’s go to the studio. Malakei is there waiting on you.”
Seth let everyone else pass by while he tried to collect himself. He inhaled deeply, then released. Seth wished he could smoke a cigarette now, but he didn’t know if that was allowed.
I’m meeting M. Prophet in person.
Seth did a mental headshake and scurried to catch up with the group.
The man was way out of his league. Then again, he also wasn’t gay.
Too bad, because he would’ve loved to experience something with the famous hip-hopper, even if only for one evening.
MALAKEI HAD gotten a text from Lena that she’d be coming in with High Stakes and family soon. He could barely hold in his excitement about seeing Seth Davies up close. Dang.
“Focus, M.” Malakei mentally checked himself and stood up when he heard the door open. He had to keep this as business because he wasn’t sure what to expect. However, Malakei had a hard time, knowing the fine guitarist was only feet away from his grasp.
“Malakei? We’re here.”
Malakei took another deep breath, then stood up. Making his way toward them, he glanced at everyone who appeared to be starstruck.
“Hello there. High Stakes and family, I presume. It’s so good to meet you.”
Lena cleared her throat. “Um, Malakei, from the left is Morty, the bassist, his girlfriend, Gina. Gio, and his mother, Theresa, and Seth along with his mother, Ethel.”
All of them said hi, and Malakei made sure he started with Morty, before greeting Seth and his mother. He kissed all the ladies’ hands and shook the band members’ hands as a gentlemanly display. The women blushed, apparently in awe.
Though Malakei didn’t spend that much time holding Seth’s hand, the feel of it wasn’t lost on him. As expected, it was rough, calloused, prickly around the tips from playing his guitar without a pick or even tape. He was a hard rocker through and through, not concerned with protecting the skin. Seth exuded rock and roll because in the minds of people like him, hard music meant sacrifice.
Other than the texture of Seth’s palms, Malakei couldn’t help but notice the outfit. Seth wore black jeans again and this time a classic Metallica T-shirt. Both hugged his lanky body like a glove, and as with most metal musicians he’d known of, they didn’t care for heavy coats. Seth wore a small leather jacket full of buttons on both lapels. Yes, he looked every bit of the part of the quintessential metalhead.
“Gods, you are even more handsome in person.” Ethel smiled at him.
“Um, thank you.” He chuckled. “And you, young lady have a very talented son. Along with his friends, I think we could help them be something special.” Malakei tried keeping his tone even. Out the corner of his eye, he could see Seth was actually at a loss for words.
“Um, yeah, Malakei,” Seth said. He held out his hand again and bowed his head slightly. “Thanks again for this opportunity. I’m totally gobsmacked you’ve asked us to play for you.”
Malakei accepted it again and gripped it firmly. “No, it is my honor. Can we offer you all something to drink? Coffee, tea, water, or soda?”
“Water for me, thank you.” Ethel spoke up first.
“Same with me,” Gina said, as did Gio’s mother.
“I’ll take soda,” Morty said.
“Me too,” added Gio.
Seth grinned at Malakei again. “Do you mind if I be different and ask for coffee? I’m a little drained and need to wake up.”
Malakei wished to follow that up with a snide remark, but he kept it to himself. “Of course. Lena, please grab refreshments while I show the ladies and gentlemen around the studio.”
Lena smiled at Malakei and walked out.
Malakei clapped his hands. “So, I was thinking we’d do a small tour of my space here; then I’ll listen to you guys play. I have a good friend of mine coming in that I’m working on a project with to help DIY bands like yourselves. He’s from my old label, Mustang.”
“Oh? May I ask why? We will not sign with a label.” Seth spoke up.
“Yes, I know, but if we come to some kind of agreement, Peter will help. Besides, he saw your video too. He was very impressed.”
“Al’right. Well, I s’pose that couldn’t hurt. Just reminding ya about what you said. No pressure.”
Malakei nodded. “That’s right. None. Follow me, please.”
When Malakei turned, he could hear the others whispering at Seth and berating him for questioning Malakei. In his mind, it wasn’t an issue because apparently Seth was in charge of everything. After all, he loved a challenge, and Seth would be that. Little did the up-and-comer know, Malakei was ready for anything. He’d learned everything he could from Les Mustang and others about dealing with people like Seth. Obviously those skills would be put to the test today.
Chapter Eleven
“YOU WON’T leave well enough alone, will you,” Morty barked at Seth.
“Shh… you two. Fight later. Malakei is showing us around,” Seth’s mother scolded them both.
Seth glared at Morty as if to tell him he would be in for a tussle later on at the hotel. For now, he would behave. Seth didn’t want to give Malakei the wrong impression about the band.
“And this is the inside of the studio. There’s the boards along with the actual place the magic’s made.”
“Wow. This is bostin,” Gio exclaimed.
“It is state of the art. I have many people coming through here, so I have to keep everything top-notch.”
“Fucking A,” Morty said, walking alongside Malakei. “When I make money, I will have a set up like this in my house.”
Malakei chuckled. “I have a smaller one like this at my condo. Since I barely record, I don’t really use it now.”
“Why did you stop, mate?” Seth asked him out of the blue. He figured he should ask to get a gage on where Malakei’s mind was.
“I’d rather spend the time helping others. There’s a lot of acts out there who want and need a shot. I won’t put my name to all of them, only the ones I feel that deserve it.”
“Hm. So, why us? I mean, we’re a metal band and….”
“And?”
Seth grinned and walked up to Malakei. He tried his best not to ogle the way his three-piece suit hugged every inch of his six-foot-plus frame.
“Well, I mean, I keep saying there’s
a difference in style. Genre.”
“So there is. And I’d like to get into more heavier music. I produced Lord Dice. Beggar’s Rebellion was in here last week. We’re talking about working together. Not to name-drop, but I do know a lot of metal bands. Just hadn’t really worked more in the genre until now.”
“Beggar’s Rebellion is good, but they aren’t the heavy I’m talking about. They’re more of the pop rock stuff I don’t too much care for.”
“Ah shut it, Seth,” Morty yelled at him.
Seth glared at Morty and picked up his guitar case.
“No, no, it’s okay. He has every right to question me. And since this might take a while….” Malakei shrugged. “Ladies, would you like to have a seat?” He walked away from Seth and gathered chairs for Seth’s and Gio’s mothers as well as Gina.
They all took the chairs offered while Lena gave them all their drinks.
Seth looked around at the setup, admiring all the boards and instruments. He put down his guitar again, then ambled closer to the glass separating the board from the actual performance space.
“Here you go. I wasn’t sure how you took it, so I brought extra cream and sugar,” Lena said to Seth. She had the coffee along with various other small fruits and snacks on a tray.
“Ah thank you, sweets. I don’t take cream, only sugar. Thank you again, love.”
Lena grinned and walked off, leaving everything there.
Seth grabbed a handful of the sugars and dumped them into the paper cup.
“You’re going to keep pushing until he gets brassed off, hmm?”
“Sod off, Morty. You heard the man….”
“Yeah, and you’re still pushing him. Do you want to ruin this opportunity for us?” Gio said to Seth.
“I’m not. I’m only making sure he isn’t changing his mind about what we talked about. That’s all.”
“So, Seth….”
Seth turned around and watched Malakei come into view.
