Page 67

When he came to, the rain had stopped, and he'd been cleaned up.

Beside him, Alex lay naked, propped against the pillows, using his phone light to read from a journal.

There was power, as he'd installed solar in Alex's house after hearing the true reason he slept in the nude.

He must have not wanted the light disturbing him.

He wriggled out of the blanket and crawled up to lay his head on his chest. “Do you have to read this in front of me?”

Alex kissed his hair. “You're back. I had to check your breath to be sure I hadn't killed you.”

His sore hole clenched in remembrance. “I think I died briefly.”

“Was it that good? ”

“I'll do you next time then you can know for sure.”

Alex pulled him closer. “You were good. Your writing, I mean. Really good.”

Warmth suffused him. “Uncle thought so too. I discovered a letter.”

“A letter? Interesting. Then, maybe you should listen to us. Let the world read your words. They need it.”

Timi bit gently into the hard slab of Alex's chest. “Maybe. The beach house is the perfect environment for inspiration. Coupled with the presence of a man who bakes, and breaks men.”

Above him, Alex drew in a breath.

Timi raised his head. “Baby, would you come with me to Byron Bay?”

Alex's face softened unbearably. “Yes. I want to. Very much.”

Timi laughed, his heart swollen. “That was fast.”

“What part of I can't live without you don't you understand? I already spoke with the Fash's. They'll take care of Mum until we can bring her over. I also did something, uh, forward.”

“What's that?”

“I applied for a visiting visa after I found out you were Eyi. I should get it soon. Then later, we could push for something lasting or even permanent.”

Timi felt his heart would burst. Happiness sure was enduring, and only it, (not sadness, never sadness) could bring him this joy. “That's not a problem. Just marry me.”

Alex flicked his forehead. “If you must propose, do it well.” He rolled off the bed and soon returned with a wrist band.

He pointed at Timi's wrist. “Can I?” At Timi's nod, he pulled it off.

“I would have said you keep it, but it symbolises pain.

And that's unacceptable.” He slipped his own band into Timi's wrist. “This should be a reminder that no matter what life throws at you, you'll forever have this guy catching it right beside you. You're stuck with me, Timi Eyi Lawson.”

Timi raised the band to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to it. Then, he straddled Alex, cupping his face with both hands, heart overflowing. “And I love you, forever, Alex Kainye Iyke.”

The next morning, Alex was gone, along with the Camry. He'd left him a written message placed underneath his phone.

I'm responsible for this. I should make this right. I borrowed your car. Stay home, I'll be back soon.

Ify had also sent him a message.

In less than ten minutes, Timi was out of the shower and into his clothes. And Triple T, who thankfully was in the area, was already outside the gate waiting with his Corolla.

He took in Timi's face, and said, “Wear your seatbelt.”

It was a good thing Triple T owned street credibility and had all Lagos' backroads stored in his head. The interview had just begun when Timi burst through. Alex sat adjacent to Ify, looking casually breathtaking in his grey chinos, deep blue tees and white sneakers.

“Cancel everything he's said so far,” he panted. “I'm doing the interview.”

Ify swung a confused look between them.

Timi walked up to Alex and yanked him up. “Give us a minute.”

He dragged Alex into one of the rooms on the office floor that wasn't jam-packed with people, and asked for privacy from the two seated ladies, who were all too ready to give anything. Giggling incredulously at beholding the great Timi Lawson.

As soon as the door closed, he asked quietly. “How did you know?”

Alex folded his arms across his chest. “I also received a message from her. Watch him choose himself over you. I couldn't let you make that choice.”

Timi gripped his forehead. “Did she also send you the video? How did you know what I'd planned?”

“Ify called to confirm the time while you slept, so I snooped,” Alex said shamelessly.

This man. “What were you going to say exactly?”

“I watched the video, asides a glimpse of your side-profile, no one can be 100% sure it's you. I can tell them I'm gay and that was my boyfriend. But because I work for you, someone decided to manipulate a private moment and make it look like it was you.”

Timi stared at him, perplexed. “But that's…you’ll be exposed.”

“I have a feeling our neighbours at the beach won't give a fuck.”

Timi burst out in laughter, even though nothing he felt was close to funny.

He took a deep breath. “Baby, I want to do this.

I want to tell my story so no one can ever use it to harm us again.

I'm doing this for the future I want to build with you.” He moved closer to him, but all he could do was grip his hand even as his whole being yearned to hug him. “Let me do this, please?”

Alex gazed at him, disbelief and tenderness giving him a funny expression. “Everyone will know about you.”

“Yes.”

He swallowed. “Would you…talk about us?”

“Do you want me to?”

Alex closed his eyes, nodding. “Yes.”

“But I won't give a name. For Oyin and Mumsie’s sake.”

“Okay.”

Timi laced their fingers, smiling from the depth of his heart. “It's settled then. Everyone must know because of you; I reappeared in bits and met the last of me.”