MUKE short stories

bad omens ♪ 12

"It was a story about a broken boy, dating his way through LA, to heal his broken heart."

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Luke listened. He tried not to follow news on Michael once they broke up but at one point he was everywhere. The boy from Australia making it big in the US.

"Well, you didn't actually have to date anyone?" Luke asked, not jealous, just curious.

"Yeah, the plan was just to get me on the covers, but the plan wasn't working," Michael said quietly.

"Why?" Luke asked.

Michael huffed. "Luke, you know me, better than anyone probably, imagine me, having to hang out with people I don't know."

Luke had to laugh because it was true. When they first met as teenagers in the pub, Luke thought Michael was the coolest person. And he was. But the most awkward person as well. For weeks he just stared at Luke and then claimed it was him flirting.

"But Kaya soon figured out that alcohol worked, so she'd always come over before my dates and have a drink or two with me. Obviously, I was stupid and didn't know what she was doing. I was going out with all these people, embarrassing myself most of the time but all that mattered was a photo on the socials. Broken boy out again with a new semi-important person."

Luke's jaw clenched.

"Then came the horrible hangovers. And there's not always time to do the famous hungover vitamin injections. So my hairdresser would slip me a pill for my headache. Do you know what uppers are?"

Luke felt sick. He nodded.

"I thought they were Aspirins, turns out it was Adderall."

Michael was quiet.

"After three months I ended up in the hospital. When my mum heard, she flew over and tried to help. But I said I was fine. Kaya said I was fine. I haven't really been fine since."

"That was the night I got the call."

"I know, Luke. I'm so sorry. I want you to know none of this is your fault. And I have no right telling you any of this."

"I want to know."

Michael blinked away the tears, Luke let them fall.

"Then for the next two years, I tried to get sober but it was hard. I love tour but it's hard. And it's fucking lonely. And I feel so empty when I get off the stage. All the adrenaline, the screaming. All I wanted was to play music and love you. That's all I wanted since I was fifteen. And then I had to choose and..."

"I'm sorry I didn't make it easier," Luke whispered.

"Shut up," Michael said but it wasn't harsh. "If you'd come with me, you'd hate me and I'd hate myself for making you come with me. If I'd stay I'd hate you. It was the right thing to do."

"I know," Luke whispered. "Cheers to therapy."

"I really am sorry, Luke. For hurting you."

Luke was quiet for a moment. "I thought loving someone would be easier. And it was, loving you was the easiest thing in the world. That's why I married you. Believing in you was even easier. You're so fucking talented Michael. I knew you'd make it. I know you'd be a star. I just never thought that you being mine and you being a star wasn't compatible."