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." Alfred turned his back, pulling on a pair of navy slacksthat were lying on the end of the bed.Like the underwear, they were far roomier than tailoredslacks had a right to be.Alfred entered his closet still talking, leaving Alex no choice but to follow.When he steppedinside the door, however, an iron fist seized his heart and squeezed.The closet was neatlydivided down the middle and Byron's clothes still hung where they always had, his shoeshaphazardly lining the walls, all mocking reminders of Alex's cowardice.He brushed tentative fingers over the sweater he'd sent for Christmas, the cardboard tag on thecuff a silent condemnation for making excuses rather than being a part of Byron's last Christmas.Byron had died three shorts weeks later, never having worn the gift.Alex squeezed his eyes shut,fighting burning tears.Instead of creating a memory that might have provided some comfort,he'd had gone skiing instead, each and every night taking a different man to his bed in an effortto bury his guilt.It hadn't worked very well.As painful as it was for him to be surrounded by all these memories, how much harder would itbe for Paul, who'd been in this closet, surrounded by all Byron's personal effects, only momentsago? "What about Paul?" he asked, suddenly feeling sorry for the young man who, by allThe Wish - 75 appearances, was playing second fiddle, facing constant reminders that another owned Alfred'sheart.Could any financial gain make up for being with someone who was in love -- and foreverwould be -- with a ghost?Back turned, Alfred couldn't see the tears and misunderstood the question."You're alone bychoice, Alex.Paul is different.He was never meant to be a solitary creature.I'm afraid beingaround me and Byron made him want what we had."Was that the reason Paul had chased after a man old enough to be his grandfather? The desire fora solid relationship? "That's not a bad thing," Alex conceded, seeing the situation in a new light.Paul's rejection was finally making sense, especially if he wanted long term.Until now, Alexhadn't believed in long term, a well-known fact in this house.Finally, he admitted, "If I couldhave what the two of you had, I wouldn't be alone, either.""Really?" his uncle asked as he donned a light blue shirt, turning to look at Alex with a strangelyhopeful expression.Dismissing such foolish ideas with a shake of his head, Alex replied, "It's not going to happen.No one can see past the money, the houses, or the cars.No one sees me."Alfred chuckled softly and said, "Oh, I don't know about that.I think if you let someone actuallysee the real you, you'd be surprised at their reaction." With a quick glance toward the door,Alfred lowered his voice and murmured, "I need to hurry and tell you this before Paul comesback."Though curious, Alex remained silent.Was his uncle about to confess? The invisible fist grippedhis heart once more.Alfred winced as he lowered himself onto a low stool and Alex stepped forward, offering his armfor support.When had the man become so frail? Even more shocking, his staunchly independentuncle allowed his help, using the offered arm as leverage to ease himself down, taking deep,panting breaths."Thank you, Alex.No matter what you might think, I'm not getting older.Unfortunately, my body is.It just won't seem to do what I tell it to.Anyway, I want to talk to youabout Paul.Like I said, he's not used to being alone.Promise me that, if something happens tome, you'll look out for him," Alfred pleaded.So, it was a confession after all.After weeks of speculation, he'd expected to feel triumph atbeing proven right.Why, then, did he feel like he'd just lost something valuable? "He seemsperfectly capable of looking after himself," Alex said, remembering the seductive predator fromthe night before.Alfred continued, unknowing that he was, in essence, asking the fox to guard the henhouse."He'snot as strong as you are, and he has the tendency to believe the best about people.Someonecould easily take advantage of him."The Wish - 76 Prudently remaining silent, Alex wondered just what Paul had said about their night together.Ifhis uncle knew, surely he would just say so, wouldn't he? Andersons weren't exactly known fortheir subtlety, or for sharing what was theirs.Instead of accusations, Alfred said, "I love you both like sons and worry about you, but you're anAnderson at heart.Many have tried to take advantage of you, and all have failed.You'd never letit happen.Paul, on the other hand, already knows what it feels like to be used."Words sparking possessive outrage, Alex growled, "Who? Who took advantage of him?" Nomatter what place he held in the household, Paul was a part of it, and Andersons took care oftheir own."I really shouldn't be telling you this." Once again, Alfred's eyes shifted toward the door."About three years ago, before Byron fell ill, Paul met someone.He was young, witty andhandsome." Eyes narrowing in annoyance, Alfred scoffed, "Unfortunately, he was exactly whatyou described, seeing only the money."As he pulled on socks and shoes, Alfred continued
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