Page 3 of Secret

Alec spoke. "D, hold your phone up and show Tyler what the place looks like. I know it's not the same but he's curious."

Demarco did a slow three-sixty with his phone. The music changed again, this time something much more upbeat—Dance: Ten; Looks: ThreefromA Chorus Line. Demarco lingered on some of the men he thought were hot, for Tyler's benefit... then slowly panned past a couple making out... past a man who looked way too uptight... past the singing mailman... and finally, over to Chad who had drifted back down the bar to wait on other customers.

"Whoa," Tyler said. "He's a cutie."

Demarco brought the phone back to his face. "Uh, oh."

Alec popped back into frame. "Hey, what did I miss?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

"No... no. Show me."

Demarco, gave Alec an admonishing grin, mother-like, and pointed the phone back at Chad.

"Oh, I see. Is Mac there too?"

"Nope. They ain't together no more."

"Big surprise."

"I'm sorry, Alec. I didn't mean to open up that mess."

"Nope," said Alec. "It's all good. No mess. I'm happy and you know it—clap your hands. Look who I'm sitting next to, D. As a matter-of-fact... I want to speak with Chad."

"Really? Because I don't want no DC house-gays brawl on my phone. It's almost paid for."

"No, D. I mean it. Get him to come down."

Demarco gestured for Chad and the handsome blond sauntered back down. He held the phone and earbud out to him "He wants to talk to you."

Chad looked at the phone as if it were radioactive. "I don't know."

"Is' cool. He's in Montana. And he's not the type to yank your weave."

Chad looked at the screen and on Alec's face for the first time since that night he'd been discovered in the most compromising of positions with Mac. "Uh, hello," he said. "Please don't hate me."

Demarco watched the two, wishing he could hear the conversation.

"I don't hate you, Chad," Alec said, his voice clear and sincere in the tiny earpiece. "I wanted to thank you. I know that may surprise you but, had you not been screwing around with my ex, I wouldn't be here... with him."

Alec held the phone out. Tyler gave another wave... and a devastating grin.

"Oh," Chad said. "I think I may understand now."

"I just wanted you to know—even if you don't care—that it's all good between us. No bad blood. I owe you one. I don't even think about Mac anymore."

"He works at The Green Lantern now."

"Well... that's a step down from B.J.s, but at least it's not The Hole."

"I'm sure that's next."

Alec laughed. "So, are you running the place? Mac seemed to think you would be."

"I moved up when he got fired. But I'm not running the place." His eyes were lured by something off-screen. "Just... enjoying."

"Good. You should be. You're young and in the city. I know how that is. I was you at one time."