Alec leaned back against the counter. “This is news to me.”
Tyler had mentioned he’d dated a guy in college. From Tyler’s expression now, Alec knew the relationship must have been serious. But why was he just learning this now?
“Memphis Haines and I were together for a year and a half before he broke it off without warning,” Tyler said.
Alec almost laughed at the bitter irony until he recognized the name. “Memphis Haines the stunt guy?”
“He wasn’t famous back then. But that’s not the point I’m trying to make.”
Alec held his ex’s gaze, struggling to control the resentment that had been festering for over two months. “What is your reason for being here?”
“To say that I should have given you a little warning. But we’d grown too comfortable, I think. I knew you’d talk me out of leaving.” The hint of a smile lacked any real humor. “The path of least resistance and all,” he said. “But tonight I—”
Something flashed in Tyler’s eyes just before he shifted his gaze to one of the large bay windows. Alec remained silent and studied Tyler’s profile as the source of that brief emotion finally connected, an emotion Alec had never seen on Tyler’s face before.
Jealousy.
Tyler was jealous.
Alec swept a hand down his face, hoping to hide his surprise. Christ, Dylan should be here to witness the sight. And Alec wasn’t above admitting a small part of him—the side permanently stuck in adolescence, no doubt—took some satisfaction from the knowledge. Since the split, Alec had experienced a whole host of emotions, from shock to disbelief to anger.
But the self-satisfied, junior high schooler thoughts were definitely new.
The sound of someone clearing his throat interrupted the moment. Alec looked over to where Dylan stood in the doorway, studying them both with a guarded expression.
Finally, Dylan’s gaze settled on Alec. “You okay?”
Shit. He couldn’t answer that question until after this conversation with Tyler.
“Yeah.” Alec’s gaze flicked back to Tyler. “We were just setting a few things straight.”
Dylan hesitated before giving a sharp nod. “I’ll let you two get back to it then.” With one more questioning look in Alec’s direction, he turned and headed back toward the party.
Tyler watched Dylan go. “He’s a little…”
Smart-mouthed? Insane? Too beautiful for words? No sense in adding the excellent-kisser label. Alec pushed the memory of the moment from his mind.
“Rough around the edges,” Tyler finished.
Alec stared at the doorway, remembering the feel of Dylan’s calluses against his skin. Just the thought sent goose bumps popping up along his spine. Why the sudden fixation with rough hands?
“I have to admit the man is definitely good looking.” Tyler’s gaze steadily met Alec’s. “But he doesn’t fit your usual MO.”
You mean my attraction to men who are actually gay?
This time the bitter laugh escaped. No need to share the tidbit about Dylan’s orientation with Tyler just yet.
“Is this the new you?” Tyler leaned against the far counter. “A man into sex swings and no-strings-attached fucking?”
Anger flared higher.
You made your choice. And it wasn’t me.
“That’s none of your business anymore,” Alec said.
“You’re right. But I still don’t think he’s what you want.”
After all those months of Alec attending every gay marriage demonstration he could, Tyler had known what Alec wanted. He’d thought the fight worthy of his dedication, every moment of his day taken up by either the clinic or the next demonstration.
When Noah called to discuss the clinic—which he did, frequently—Alec made a point of being available. When his mother informed him of another demonstration, Alec had stepped up and participated.
He’d believed the time a wise investment in the future. Their future.
“What should I want?” Alec said.
“What you’ve always wanted,” Tyler replied. “A committed relationship.”
“Commitment didn’t work out so well for me.”
“So you’ve decided to change your priorities now?”
“Maybe,” Alec said, struggling to maintain a cool tone. “Maybe not.”
Tyler held his gaze, and Alec read a whole host of emotions contained in the single crease in Tyler’s forehead. Anger. Genuine puzzlement. Even a hint of concern.
“I think you’re making a big mistake,” Tyler said.
This seemed particularly damning coming from a man who didn’t know Dylan’s true orientation.
“If so,” Alec said evenly, “it’s my mistake to make.”
Alec pushed up from the counter and left to go in search of more alcohol…and Dylan.
Chapter Six
Crap, this wasn’t going at all like he’d planned.