Page 69 of True

He is so handsome, Alec though.

It's because he doesn't know it. Demarco added.

From Tyler's shiny black boots, Alec's eyes crept up, admiring every last detail and curve… the

faded denim snuggly fitting his round calves and thighs… the flannel Oxford of navy and green taught at the shoulders and arms, the sleeves rolled up slightly at the cuffs… his large hands—the acoustic guitar neck completely encompassed in one... his chiseled jaw with a couple day's scruff… the low

brim of his black cowboy hat shielding his eyes and partially obscuring his face.

He saw Alec from beneath that brim and gave him a brief, boyish grin

Alec was transported, lifted to a place where there was only he and Tyler, no one else… with

that one glance—that succinct smile—pure magic. He sensed—hoped—that Tyler had felt it too.

Tyler bowed his head and strummed a crisp clean chord.

He sang.

It was a simple song, unlike the others before, and Alec recognized it immediately:Remedyby Adele.

Tyler never raised his eyes during his performance of the song, concentrating on perfect strums

and nuance, as if purging something deep and private. The lyrics spoke to Alec, transcending as lyrics are wont to do. It was raw, intimate, and the epitome of grace.

He's singing that to Brett, Alec thought.That's real love.

Tyler finished the song and Alec clapped, a bit startled to only hear the sound of his applause.

He turned around and Buddy and Marge were waving, exiting the door, the other patrons long gone.

Hector scurried out behind them.

"Was it that bad?" Tyler asked, holding his hat up to shield his eyes.

Alec remained seated. "No. It was perfect."

"Well, I sure cleaned out the house."

"I think this was all planned."

Tyler nodded. "Yeah. They mean well."

"I'm certain."

"You do know that I wasn't responsible."

"Do youwantto be here?" Alec asked.

"I do."

"Then play me another song."

Tyler tossed his hat on one of the front tables. He strummed the guitar much more lively this

time, using his hand on the offbeat to smack the hollow body like a drum. This one Alec did not

recognize at first, but when he did, he grinned with pure giddiness. The song wasWonderfulby Annie Lennox… and again, every lyric captured how he felt. He suspected—nohoped—Tyler had chosen it for those exact reasons.