Marcus Lopés

LGTBQIA2S+ Author, Blogger, Runner

Short Stories

The Game Changer

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the game changer

A continuation of “Follow the Rules.”

“Take this.” Michael held out the silver device. When Brian didn’t take it, he cut in front of him and forced it into his hand. “Is there a problem?”

“What do you expect me to do with it?” Brian asked.

Michael threw Brian a knowing look, then continued southward along Elgin Street. They were three blocks away from Agency HQ. When he stopped at the next intersection and waited for the light to change, this time Brian blocked his path. “What?”

“I’m not a mind reader,” Brian snapped. “You haven’t exactly been forthcoming with your plan. If you want me to do something, tell me.”

“You know I can’t go inside the Agency,” Michael said, restrained. “That means you have to insert the USB key I gave you into your father’s computers. The one in his office at headquarters, and the other one in his den at home.”

“Wait a minute…” Brian placed his hand to Michael’s chest to stop his from moving. “How am I supposed to do that?” [Read more…] about The Game Changer

Follow the Rules

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follow the rules

A continuation of “Is It Too Late for Us?“

“Are you clear on the rules?” Michael asked after setting his suitcase on the floor by the bed.

“Yes. But, Michael —”

Michael raised a hand. “My bedroom is off limits. You’ll stay in the guest bedroom until this is sorted out.” He pulled on a light blue jacket. “I’m going to find out who set you up. Pretty good chance they’re going to come after you again. And me. So, this time around, we’re doing things my way.”

“What do you want me to do?” Brian asked from the doorway.

Michael threw him a knowing look. “Stay out of my way.” [Read more…] about Follow the Rules

Stay With Me

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Stay With Me

“Goddammit, move!” Damien slammed his fist into the steering wheel. Traffic on the eastbound QEW hadn’t moved in twenty minutes. The worst part was that he could see the exit for Islington Avenue, and that meant he was almost home. He turned on the radio and, searching for a traffic update, kept switching channels. No one talked about an accident, just the usual heavy rush hour gridlock. “Fuck!”

He’d been dating Shane for eight months, living with him for almost half that time. Waking up to those mesmerizing coffee-brown eyes still made him smile. But the forty minutes added to his commute — most of that time spent parked on the highway — had him rethinking his decision. Well, not really. He loved Shane, the first guy to pry his heart open in years. Together, they’d been carving out a little piece of heaven on earth. And despite the frustration of his commute, he wouldn’t abandon Shane. Not when he needed him the most. [Read more…] about Stay With Me

How Do We Begin Again?

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how do we begin again

As the car sped down the long stretch of highway, James stared blindly out the window at the orange hue streaming high into the sky and bleeding into the midnight blue. With the seat belt strapped across his chest, he couldn’t outrun his fears or the man next to him. Trapped.

The whistling of the air conditioner blocked out everything—his thoughts, his breathing, who he thought he was. Swallowing hard to knock down the coffee edging up his throat, James turned to study the guy next to him. Barely a blink, gaze glued to the road, his bronze face expressionless. Blank. He, too, had retreated to his own world, cut himself off from…them. Together. Apart. Was there a difference?

James slouched down in his seat and took a deep breath, his focus back on the rolling landscape. This was the last place he wanted to be, on his way to his ‘in-laws,’ but he hadn’t been able to pull himself out. What was he afraid of? How long would fear hold him hostage to a life that was no longer his own? When they passed a sign that read, ‘Next Service Centre 11 km,’ he cleared his throat.

“Yes, we’re stopping,” broke the steely silence. [Read more…] about How Do We Begin Again?

The Last Thing I Need

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Yannick stared blindly into his drink. It was his third scotch, actually, and he still was waiting for the numbness to kick in. But he was keenly aware of his surroundings, of who he was. The laughter. The clanking of cutlery. The colliding aromas of curry, bacon, and grease. Chase’s had become his favourite drinking spot over the past three weeks. Not because of the relatively cheap drinks or the somewhat tasty food. But because, except for the staff, no one knew or paid attention to him. Left alone at the bar to commune with misery and the negative self-talk ruling his mind.

“How you doing there?” the gravelly voice asked.

Yannick picked up his glass, drained it, then levelled his gaze at the grinning brunette. It was Chase, the owner. “One more for the road.” Then his eyes dropped to Chase’s round bubble butt when he turned to grab the bottle of Macallan Gold. And, like always, he was the first to look away when Chase faced him again. [Read more…] about The Last Thing I Need