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"What do you mean?"

"You didn't come here to just write a book. There's something else going on with you."

Alec gave a small, acknowledging smile, though Tyler couldn't see it. "Yeah… there is," he said. "But my story is nowhere near as poignant."

"We all have baggage we hate—Brett used to say—but we still get upset when the airportloses it."

Alec sat up and turned so that they were facing each other. He took a large pull from his beer.

"OK," he said. "You asked for it."

Tyler nodded.

"I've dated…a lot.I've been in three long-term relationships—well, more than a couple of years in length anyway. I guess that's long-term for me."

Tyler listened. There was no judgment in his expression, only sincerity.

"I just broke up with the most recent. His name was Mac… and I thought he was the one. My

friend, Demarco, would scoff at that. And he'd be right. He usually is."

"You mention him a lot."

"Demarco? He's my best friend."

Tyler raised his eyebrows.

"No. It's not like that. Strictly platonic. He's like family."

Tyler smiled, accepting.

"Mac cheated on me at least twice that I know of, probably more. He's an addict, always falling back into the same patterns. I guess I do too."

"What do you mean?"

Alec paused, took a breath, and then began. "Demarco thinks I have some kind of nurturing

complex. That I fall in love with needy men… guys that can't make it on their own. Guys that need a

—"

"Father figure?"

"Sugar Daddy is probably closer. That's what D would say, anyway."

"He cares about you."

"We look out for each other. Remind me to tell you about his line of work later."

Tyler nodded. "Back to Mac… are you in love with him?"

Alec looked at Tyler a little surprised—coaxed and then gut-punched. "I was. Now… I don't

know."

Both men were quiet as if the conversation had just blown a tire and was coasting to the side of

the road. The fire continued to crackle and pop. Ease drifted further into awkwardness. Finally, Tyler stood, "Let's lighten the mood a little."