"Why did you take a valium?" Steve cupped
Mark's head against his, sitting on the stair beside him. "Didn't
you get to ride Piccadilly?"
"I can't buy him."
"Too much money?"
"Too gay." Mark watched Billy try to touch
Alex. Alex shoved him away with both hands to his chest and snarl,
"Get away from me."
"Too gay?" Steve brushed Mark's hair back
from his forehead.
"I am gay. So? I can't buy the horse."
Billy followed Alex out of the living room
and soon all Mark could hear was Jack and Adam discussing the terms
of the contract from another room, probably the kitchen.
"I don't get it." Steve used his hand to
physically turn Mark's jaw so he could look him in the eye.
"The owner." Mark no longer felt sad. He felt
numb. "He was a good friend of my father's."
Steve's expression darkened.
"He…he sold Dad horses. Believe it, Steven?
Believe it?"
"Oh no."
"Yes. He asked me…he…" Mark bit his lip. "He
asked me if I was a fairy-boy and would marry the horse."
A choking sound of disbelief came from
Steve.
Mark smiled at his expression. "So, since I
married you, I am capable of bestiality. That is the argument, you
know. If we love and marry each other, we must be capable of other
monstrosities."
"I can't believe I am hearing this." Steve's
eyes welled up and then he appeared resigned.
"How many battles must we fight, love? Hmm?
How many? Now you and Billy mucking it up for Alex? Oh, yes, make
no mistake. I told my ex-cop lover to go check on him. I did
indeed."
"Mark, stop blaming yourself. When I got to
Randy's place, Billy was there as well. So if I didn't go in, he
would have."
"Aren't we all clever?" Mark asked, smiling
still, knowing how high he was now from the drug. "So bloody
clever. Yes, let's go intimidate the mega star. Shall we? Let's
tell him to keep away from our baby. Sure. Why not?" Mark laughed
sadly. "So clever. We are all so flamin' clever."
"Come to bed. Rest."
"No. I need to sort this mess out with
Randy." Mark tried to stand.
"You're too high to do anything." Steve held
onto him.
"I have to do one fucking thing today to keep
my fucking sanity!" Mark snapped. He used the wall to make his way
to his feet. "Now give me his fucking phone number, Steven, or I
shall drive to his home now."
Steve made sure Mark was steady on the
stairs, then opened his wallet, handing him a piece of paper with
the address and a phone number written on it.
Mark used the railing to make his way back to
the bedroom. Hearing Steve approaching behind him, Mark said, "Go
away. I made this mess. I shall fix it."
"Mark, no more valium, right?"
"Go." Mark closed the door.
~
Billy kept silent as Jack and Adam read over
the contract. Alex was shooting daggers at him, but Billy knew he
deserved it. Steve entered the room and didn't say a word, only
exchanging glances with Billy.
"Where's Mark?" Jack asked, looking up over
his reading glasses.
"Resting."
Alex crossed his arms and let out a 'huff'
sound.
Jack continued to read, Adam leaning over him
as he did.
"I think we're fucked, Adam," Jack said, "It
states; production company shall have the right to terminate this
agreement at any time and for any reason whatsoever."
"Fuck!" Alex yelled. "What did you guys say
to him?"
Adam crossed his arms. "That's exactly what I
want to know."
"Look," Steve gestured for calm. "It was
civil. Okay? We just told him we very much wanted Alex to be
treated well."
Alex spun around to confront Steve. "You
fucked me! You both fucked me out of my first movie offer! You did
this to me!"
Billy let out a low moan and rubbed his face.
"I'm sorry. God. I am so sorry."
"Sorry?" Alex got into Billy's face. "Oh,
honey, you don't know what sorry means."
"Alex, calm down." Adam reached for him.
"Get the fuck away from me!" Alex pushed Adam
aside and left, slamming the front door.
"Alex!" Billy raced after him.
Steve met with Jack's glare. "We didn't mean
to fuck it up."
Jack tossed his glasses on the contract and
gave Steve a look of complete exasperation. "You two are a piece of
work, ya know that? I expect it from Billy, not you!"
"Mark wanted me to make sure Randy was a
decent guy!"
"Oh?" Adam narrowed his eyes at Steve. "So
this is all Mark's fault?"
Steve looked from Adam to Jack. "No. We
fucked up. I'm sorry. We fucked up."
"How heavy handed were you?" Jack asked in
shock.
"Not…well. A little." Steve looked up at the
second level of the house. "Mark's going to try and straighten it
out."
"Mark?" Jack stood up, about to get violent.
"You know the kind of fucking day Mark has had?"
"Yes." Steve showed his teeth in a snarl. "I
do."
"What?" Adam threw up his hands. "What the
hell happened to Mark? I thought you two were going to look at
horses?"
Steve gestured for Jack to answer and walked
to the sliding doors, staring out of the glass window, wishing he'd
never looked up Randy, and knowing Billy felt the same way.
~
"Alex!" Billy tried to get his hand on the
passenger's door handle of Alex's Mustang as he backed up. Alex
locked all the doors, gave Billy the finger, and burned rubber
going in reverse.
Billy held his breath as he was nearly
dragged under the tires. A car driving by had to squeal the brakes
to stop from hitting Alex as he backed up into the street, and took
off at a high rate of speed.
Billy looked at his pickup truck in
helplessness and rubbed his face in agony.
~
"Yes, I know he doesn't take personal calls,"
Mark said to an answering service, "But please, this is urgent.
Tell him its Mark Richfield calling. Can you at least do that?"
"The Mark Richfield?" the woman asked.
"Yes, The Mark Richfield. Please. Just tell
him I'm on the line, will you do that?"
"One moment, Mr Richfield."
Mark almost made a comment but shut up and
said it in his head instead. One more person calls me Mr Richfield
and I shall scream.
After what felt like a long pause, Mark was
connected to another line. He sat on the bed, tugging on his hair
nervously.
"Well, Mark Richfield. Is it your turn to
warn me to not go near your son?"
"Randy, love. I am so sorry. You must accept
my apology."
"Your son has quite the hit squad."
"Please. They were incredibly rude. I beg of
you to not take their behavior out on Alexander."
"It's not often I get a captain of the LAPD
wearing his gun and badge, with backup, coming to warn me away from
a co-star."
"I do hope you are laughing. Please, tell me
you are laughing." Mark shook as he spoke.
"I have to admit, my kneejerk reaction wasn't
good, Mark."
"Please. Did you ring Mr Ford? Did you?"
"No. I didn't. I had a few more mimosas
first."
"Oh, thank heaven." Mark closed his eyes.
"Randy, please. They meant well, but they are so overprotective of
my son they sometimes don't think straight."
"That's an understatement. That kind of act
can get a young man out of a contract quickly."
"Let me make it up to you. Please. I feel
miserable. Alex is beside himself with worry."
"Is their marriage that unstable that Alex
will be tempted?"
"No. Well. It wasn't." Mark looked at the
closed door. "After this?" He blew out a breath. "I don't know what
to think."
"The tabloids rip those two up
regularly."
"They do. Yes. That's quite true." Mark tried
to unwind his tight muscles, hoping that talking to Randy would
ease the situation. "Billy is slightly insecure at letting Alex go
off without him. You have to understand. He's thinking he is doing
what's best, when really he's mucking it up."
Randy chuckled. "They should let you do the
talking. Not only are you more sensible, I love your accent."
"Bloody accent. It comes out more when I'm
stressed or intoxicated." Mark smiled. "You wouldn't believe I've
lived in the states nearly all my life."
"Don't lose it. It's sexy."
Mark blinked. He was about to ask if Randy
was gay but didn't dare. "I don't think I have a choice. My mum
made sure I was surrounded by British nannies."
"Mark Richfield…well. I guess one good thing
may come out of co-starring with your son."
"And what would that be?"
"I get to meet you. In person."
"I'm flattered. I should be saying that about
you." Mark had no interest in this man's career, nor did he watch
his films, but now was not a good time to be honest.
"We should have coffee."
"Absolutely." Mark began to feel calmer. "I
am at your disposal."
"Really? I don't know about that. I figure if
the two of us meet face to face, I'll have to wrestle through two
police bodyguards."
"No. No need." Mark smiled but began to feel
a slight twinge in his gut. An unpleasant one.
"Coffee sounds fabulous."
Mark ran his hand through his hair nervously.
"Yes. Of course. So, no need for me to worry about Alex? I mean,
bygones and all that?"
"Absolutely. Now that I've spoken to you,
well…I wouldn't jeopardize Alex's career."
"Good. Lovely."
"So…when are you free?"
"When…" Mark thought the idea was just talk.
"For coffee?"
"Yes. I imagine anyplace we would go in
public would be a paparazzi nightmare."
"Well, that does happen from time to time
but—"
"Would you be comfortable meeting me at one
of my beach houses?"
Mark would not. He heard a light tap at the
door and knew it was either Steve or Jack.
"Well, I've got quite a grueling schedule.
But…" Mark stalled for time.
Steve poked his head in. Mark waved
frantically for him to get out. Steve nodded and shut the door.
"But?"
"Well, the car company is gearing up for my
winter/spring shoot and—"
"How about tomorrow?"
"To-tomorrow?"
"Yes. It's Sunday. I have the afternoon free.
Can you stop by?"
"Sstop…stop by? Stop by one of your beach
houses?" Mark felt his mouth go dry.
"Yes. I can have my chauffeur pick you
up."
"Well, I—"
"For Alex. You know."
Mark began to feel pale. "You…you mean for a
chat. Correct?"
"A chat, a laugh. You know."
"What…what time?" Mark felt as if he had
boxed himself into a corner.
"How about noon?"
"Noon. Right. Uh."
"What's your address? Or should I have my
spies look you up?"
"Oh, no need." Mark tried to laugh. He gave
Randy his address.
"Bel Air. I looked at a home in that area.
Nice."
"Yes. Steven and I are happy here." Steven
and I! Do you hear me?
"He's a lucky man."
"Well, not really. I'm quite the
handful."
"Now. That. I know."
Unsavory chills washed over Mark's spine.
"Expect my chauffeur at your place at noon.
And tell Alex no need to worry now. No need at all."
"Yes. Right." Mark began to feel slightly
dizzy again.
"See you tomorrow, Mark."
"See you." Mark disconnected the call and
stared into space. "What have I just done?"
Alex flew over the city streets, barely
stopping for stop signs, and running through yellow signals that
were changing to red.
He cruised down Santa Monica Boulevard,
lowering his windows and gazing through his sunglasses at the boys.
And the men.
The mild November air felt refreshing on his
hot skin. Alex spotted a bar he had been to, oh so long ago…well
before he and Billy had begun dating.
Harleys were lined up in front of it, and men
with shaven heads and tattoos were drinking beer on an open,
fenced-in deck.
He parked in a retail store lot, ignoring the
tow-away signs, and chirped his alarm, pointing the fob at the car
behind his back. Alex opened his shirt buttons down to his naval
and shook out his long hair.
He strutted like a runway model down the
sidewalk to the main boulevard, licking his lips hungrily. As he
walked, he twisted the two wedding bands off his finger, and
stuffed them into the tiny pocket of his tight jeans.
His phone vibrated. He shut it off.
Alex stopped, standing in front of the bar.
Rough gods. Older, tough, masculine. Immediately men noticed him,
turning around to stare.
Alex, feeling like a predatory cat, entered
the premise. He walked up to a bouncer, touched the man's goatee
and purred. "Ya wanna card me?"
"I wanna fuck you." The man grinned, showing
a gold tooth.
Alex smiled and walked into the dim interior,
packed with men, and music playing so loud Alex couldn't hear
himself think. And that was just fine.
He lowered his sunglasses and peered over
them at every man who stared back as he approached the bar. An
older man tapped the fellow beside him and they both backed up,
allowing Alex access to the bar. Immediately the bartender
approached him. "What can I get you, gorgeous?"
Alex took off his sunglasses and sucked the
earpiece before answering, seeing if any of the men were his
taste.
"Aren't you Alexander Richfield?" someone
asked.
"Nope. My name is Blaze." Alex smiled. "Who
wants to buy me a drink?"
Offers, hands holding cash immediately
appeared. Alex smirked happily and said, "Whatever is cold on tap,
oh, and tequila. Keep it coming. I mean…" He held his crotch and
made a face of ecstasy. "Coming."
"You got it, hot stuff!" the bartender said,
pouring a pint.
~
Steve sat in the living room with Adam and
Jack. When Mark walked down the stairs, they stopped talking.