Chapter Eight
Killian took a steadying breath and nodded as he said, “That’s Eugene. I don’t know his last name.” They walked a few feet, and Killian nodded his head at the coroner a second time. “Yes, that’s Billy.” He turned away and let the police escort him out of the morgue. Killian felt safer knowing Billy could never hurt him again, but he grew dizzy as they walked down the hallway. Eugene had been shot, probably by Billy, though it was hard to say why. Eugene had been alive when a state trooper had stopped by the house based on a tip from a neighbor. The trooper had left without much information but had returned with backup when one of the kids in the woods had called 911 just a few hours later.
Billy had been found on the floor of the garage, bleeding and rambling nonsense. He’d struggled and even managed to injure an officer, but then he’d tripped and bashed his head against the cinderblock wall. He’d died just a few minutes away from the hospital.
Claude and Malcolm stood up when Killian came back up to the lobby. He nodded at them, and the three men headed out into the night.
“I’ve already checked us into a hotel. It’s that one two blocks down if you two want to walk and have some time alone,” Claude said, digging in his pocket. “We have connecting rooms. Here’s your key card. Flight home is at noon tomorrow.”
Killian moved toward Claude and took the card, then hugged him. “Thanks, man.”
Claude hugged him back. “Sure. I’m glad it’s all over, glad for both of you.”
Killian pulled back and turned to Malcolm. “It’s nice to feel safe again, but I’m almost not sure how to just get back to normal now.”
“Well,” Claude said, “you’ve got someone to help you there.”
“I do.” Killian said, slipping his hand into Malcolm’s. “You should come on a trip with us. You and Liam, after things settle down.”
Claude raised one eyebrow, and then he shook his head. “Frank and Will are bad enough. You two focus on each other and stop worrying about my lackluster love life.”
“Wouldn’t be so lackluster if you weren’t so stubborn,” Malcolm said as he started walking.
“Stubborn has nothing to do with it,” Claude called as he unlocked the rental car.
“Says you!” Killian called back.
They laughed softly as they watched Claude’s car go down the road and turn into the parking deck by the hotel.
“You okay, baby?” Malcolm asked softly.
“Not exactly, but I will be. But I’m worried about you as well.”
“Me?”
“I know you blame yourself for some of this.”
Malcolm stopped short, but Killian pulled on his hand.
“Liam told me what you said. And please don’t be mad at him for that. I get your logic, but I don’t want you thinking that. Billy was fucked up. His bad decisions were his fault, no one else’s. Mine were my fault as well. I dated him, fucked him, took him in, made him believe he was more than he was to me. He would’ve come after me again even if you’d never come back into my life. He was sick, and I won’t apologize for feeling a little sorry for him.”
“And I wouldn’t expect you to apologize, baby. Shows a compassion you didn’t have when you were younger, and I like it. It suits you, at least in those little moments when that elusive sweet side comes out.” He pulled Killian’s hand up and held it over his heart. “Yeah, it bothers me to hear you pity him, but I’m not going to deny you anything. Whatever you need, it’s yours. Say what’s on your mind. I promise we can talk about anything. We can do anything you need.”
Killian stopped in front of a gaudy sign. “Can we get some ice cream?” He smiled, and Malcolm smiled back at him.
“It’s been weeks since you did that.”
“I know.” Killian kissed Malcolm quickly. “Now come on. Buy your boyfriend some ice cream.”
“Oh, I’m paying, am I?”
“Of course you are. You’re the one with two jobs after all.”
Malcolm laughed, and Killian knew, given time, they were all going to all right.
****
Two Months Later
Malcolm straddled Killian and kissed him repeatedly until he stirred to life. “Wake up, baby. I’ve got news!” he whispered against Killian’s soft lips.
“What?” Killian said crankily.
Malcolm folded his arms on Killian’s chest and rested his chin there. “I had that conference call with my department chair and the dean. Starting in the fall semester, I’ll be teaching online. They don’t want to lose me, and they love the idea of having a prof who is actually experiencing success in the music industry.”
“What?” Killian said again, blinking and running his hands over Malcolm’s back.
“I’ll be teaching online, which means I don’t have to leave the band.” He kissed Killian slowly and sweetly, savoring the feel of Killian waking up and responding more. “We can both have our dreams. I’ll be teaching, but I’ll still be here with you all the time. No time apart. No long-distance relationship. We’ll never be apart again.”
Killian stared up at him and finally smiled. “You really want to do it? Stay with me?”
“Of course I do. So many upper level classes are leaning toward online instruction these days, the department was happy to have someone willing to take on several of them. It works out perfectly.” Malcolm stroked Killian’s cheek. “But honestly, as much as I love teaching, I love you more. I would have done anything to stay with you.”
“I’m glad you can keep teaching. I mean, Claude thought you were great.” Killian sighed. “Mal, I’m sorry I didn’t get it back then, that I didn’t see teaching as the same kind of dream.”
Malcolm reached down between their bodies and rubbed his hand over Killian’s cock. “We’ve talked about this already. We have other things to address.”
Killian moaned and arched up. “Seems like we do.”
Malcolm backed down the bed and took his shirt and jeans off. He yanked Killian’s pajama bottoms down, taking Killian’s cock into his mouth right away. A startled cry ripped from Killian’s lips, but Malcolm didn’t let up. He took Killian’s cock deep and alternated between fondling Killian’s balls and massaging his hole.
“Glad you already … told me your news.” He moaned loudly. “Not gonna be able to think much … after this.”
Malcolm popped off of Killian’s cock. “I know, baby.” He pushed Killian’s knees against his chest and began rimming him. Malcolm adored the sounds Killian made whenever he did this. He lapped at Killian’s balls as well, alternating his actions every time Killian’s cries reached a new crescendo.
“Fuck me, Mal! Please,” Killian whispered.
Malcolm moved to his knees by Killian’s side. “Suck me. Love it when you’re horny like this.”
Killian complied right away and went down on Malcolm with enthusiasm, jerking himself off with slow, steady pumps.
Rubbing Killian’s head, Malcolm said, “So good, baby. Mmmm, your cock’s so pretty.” He forced himself to pull away and lube up. “On your knees,” he commanded.
Killian got into position, turning his head to watch Malcolm fist his cock. He leaned down and kissed Killian behind the ear before moving in behind him. He spread Killian wide and went deep right away, loving the friction and Killian’s gasp of pleasure. They fucked slowly, their balls thumping together just enough to really tease them both.
“Gonna spill, baby,” Malcolm said. He reached around to milk Killian’s cock.
“Mmmm, yes, Mal, yes.”
Killian came first, jetting his hot seed over Malcolm’s hand. Thrusting deep and grinding, Malcolm unleashed inside Killian. He held Killian close as they caught their breath. When they got off the bed, Malcolm stripped the sheets off.
Killian trailed kisses up Malcolm’s spine, sending a new surge of lust straight to his cock. “Round two in the shower?”
“Fire up the whirlpool. I wanna go slow.”
Killian’s lust-filled eyes softened. “Love you,” he said, nibbling on Malcolm’s lip.
“Love you, too.” He popped Killian on the ass. “Now go get that whirlpool filled.”
Malcolm tossed the sheets out into the hallway. He could put them in the hamper later. Right now, he had much more important things to do, now that he finally had his priorities straight.
****
Killian smiled as he watched from behind the grill as Claude and Liam sat at a picnic table about fifty feet away, looking very serious as they talked quietly.
“We should sabotage some of the gear and make them share a tent,” Malcolm said. “That would get things moving.”
Killian shook his head. “I can’t believe they’re still dancing around each other. They should be together.”
Malcolm moved in from behind and wrapped his arms around Killian. “Yeah. Not everyone gets a second chance like we did. I’m just psyched they agreed to still come camping with us after Frank and Will said they were gonna do that spa weekend with their wives.”
“Well, we did have the advantage. Laurel and Debra are great actresses. I think Liam and Claude really believed Laurel won that trip for four out of the blue.”
Malcolm laughed and kissed Killian on the cheek. “So, how are the steaks doing?”
“They are fine. I am the grill master here. My steaks are always perfect.”
Malcolm squeezed him tighter. “Everything about you is perfect.”
“Don’t distract me.” He swatted at Malcolm’s arms playfully with the tongs.
“I’m gonna do a lot to distract you later. We need to set the mood tonight.”
Killian snorted with laughter, but then he stopped when his eyes drifted up. “Dude, look,” he whispered back to Malcolm.
Malcolm looked up and saw what Killian was seeing: Liam reaching across the picnic table and stroking Claude’s arm. Malcolm shifted their bodies back to the grill.
“We’re being voyeurs. Let’s focus on the food,” Malcolm said.
“Oh, come on,” Killian said softly. “You know you want to see them go at it. It’d be so hot to see Liam grab Claude by the hair and really lay a kiss on him.”
“You’re a bad boy, Kill.” Malcolm pressed closer and kissed his shoulder.
Killian put his utensils down and turned in Malcolm’s arms. “I know I am. That’s why I need you to tame me and keep me in line.”
Malcolm smiled. “And it’s always my pleasure.”
Killian pulled Malcolm into a long kiss, thankful for second chances and for a love as strong and steadfast as Malcolm’s.
The End
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