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"I think. I don't know. He left a note."

"What's it say?"

Alec reached beyond the laptop with one hand. He slid his steaming cup out of the way with the

other. Demarco saw a piece of paper come into frame. "Dear Alec, I'm sorry I hurt you again. Iknow I'm nothing but a sorry excuse for a man. It's not fair of me to ask for forgiveness from youagain. I've lost count how many times I've done it before—"

"Two," Demarco interjected.

"Three. But who's counting?" Alec corrected, and then continued: "But I do hope that you findit in your heart to eventually do so. We had some good times and that's what I hope you remember.

I know I will. Love you always, Mac."

"Wow. That's good. How guilty did you feel?"

"A little at first, I admit. Then I remembered Chad from last night… and the drugs... and the times before."

"So, he's gone." Demarco's tone was still one of lingering doubt.

Alec held up a key for him to see. "This was with the note."

"So all this went down in what… two hours?"

"Pretty much. He wrote the note while I was in the shower."

"What about his stuff?"

"I took a quick look around. He grabbed most of his clothes and his laptop, but there's still stuff here. You know… books, toiletries… odds and ends. I'm going to pack everything up before I leave."

"So you'll have to see him again."

"That's where you come in."

"Oh, no. I knew there was a catch."

"Nothing major. I'll text him that I'm away, to call you. I'll leave the boxes in plain sight. If he calls, you can let him in."

"I could do that."

"You probably won't have to. He's embarrassed… and ashamed… and—"

"—guilty."

"Yeah," said Alec, drifting. "Anyway, when I get back some time will have passed. I'll make sure he gets the stuff then if he hasn't already."

"Speaking of which. Whenwillyou be back?"

"I don't know. I haven't booked a return flight."

"Iknewit. You're not coming back. You're leaving me forever. Hasta la vista, baby."

Alec chuckled. "Don't be so dramatic. I just want to give myself enough time to get a first draft done. Four or five weeks. I promise I'll be home for Christmas."

"Where the love light gleams."

"You're on a roll."

"I can't believe you're leaving."