Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE CHOSEN OFFERING: Kabanata 161 - Kabanata 170

By the time he got to Steven's house, his brother and Holly had already started feeding branches into the small fire pit on the back patio. Given the size of the burn pile and the size of the fire area, this was going to take a while."Hey, bro," Steven called. "Perfect timing. Can you start breaking up some of those larger branches into burnable lengths? I need to go get the saw to work on the thickest ones.""On your way inside, you can put these in the fridge." Paul handed Steven a six-pack of Boulevard beer, his standard hostess gift."Ah, that's my big brother." Steven patted him on the back in a manly fashion and headed inside.Paul bent down to pick up some branches, and he felt a light smack on his butt."Hey cutie," Holly grinned."Hey yourself," he smiled. "You're smacking the wrong brother's ass, you know.""Well, you guys share some DNA, so my hand must have gotten you confused.""I can't tell you how many girls have told me that.""How many girls tell you what?" Steven re

He was equally eager and terrified of the thought of seeing Paul there. From the short time he'd known these brothers, it was clear that wherever he saw Steven, he would see Paul. But after the disastrous morning after a week ago, Ace didn't know if he'd ever see Paul again – except in his fevered dreams.He managed pretty well to keep thoughts of Paul out of his head during his waking hours – well, managed to yell at his brain every time those rogue thoughts popped up. Which was pretty damn often.But at night, his subconscious seized control and let him live out every impossible fantasy, hear every sweet word Paul would never say out loud. At least not in front of people.Still, as he pulled off the highway and navigated to Steven's house, Ace was looking forward to seeing Holly and her fiancé. It hadn't taken long at all for Holly to make herself comfortable in his life, and Ace found he welcomed the intrusion. Even after a year in his new town, he didn't really hang out with many

"Somebody's house is better than mine? Blasphemy." Steven slid into the seat next to Holly and gave her a loud, wet kiss on the cheek."Obviously, Ace's is going to be better than everybody's," Holly explained."Well, I'll grant you that."John appeared with a steaming plate of thick-cut fries loaded with sour cream, chives and cheese, as well as a glass of Guinness for Steven."Mr. McDonnell, how are you my boy?" John asked."Better now," Steven said. "Always better in here.""Ace, I'm going to be rude and order for you," Holly announced. "You have to try the shepherd's pie. It's required.""Ah, she's right at that, lad," John said. "It's the best in Kansas City or I'll eat my hat.""Let's do three pies then, John," Steven said.Ace sat back, content to let his new friends initiate him into the ways of the Gaf without much input from him. It reminded him of the early days of his friendship with Olive and Vince back in Baltimore - the way they acted with him, the light teasing, the co

"After college. Went to Baltimore for my first job. Moved to Atlanta for another job. Moved to Lawrence a little over a year ago.""But not for a job offer this time," Paul said. "What made you leave Atlanta if it wasn't for a new company?"He felt Ace stiffen in the seat next to him. Paul kept brushing against the landmines."None of my business?" Paul guessed quietly."Just a story for another time," Ace said. "Gotta leave something for the sequel.""Fair enough.""Your turn now," Ace said. "Tell me your fairy tale.""Awww," Paul complained. "But I had so many clever follow-up questions.""We'll save Q-and-A for later.""Fine. Once upon a time-""That won't be necessary, doc," Ace laughed."Let's see, what do you already know?""You're a chiropractor. You have a brother. You take, um, interesting vacations.""Right. Well, you're about caught up, then.""Nice try, McDonnell. Where are you from?""We McDonnells are Kansas City natives, actually. Mom and Dad moved to South Carolina a f

Paul didn't say anything. He let the silence prompt Ace to continue."He was beautiful. He was wonderful when we were alone. I couldn't believe my luck when he turned my way that first night. He was everything I could have hoped for."Paul stomach turned in disappointment. He wanted to be everything for Ace, but what if he was still hung up on an ex?"But he was also a Southern Baptist who loved his momma, and he's never ever going to come out of the closet." Paul saw pain flash across Ace's face, and it made his chest hurt. "It took me more than two years of hoping and disappointment to figure that out.""You loved him," Paul said sadly.Ace frowned. "I don't know if you can call it love when you're the only one in it. But I thought I did. Love him, that is. It felt like love.""But he didn't?""If he loved me, he wouldn't have treated me that way," Ace said with a note of bitterness.A bolt of anger shot through Paul. "What did he do to you?""It wasn't like he abused me or anything