Galen's Redemption

by Parker Williams

  “Okay, did you ask him?”

  Galen gave a sharp nod. “Of course. He said, ‘Oh, I’m not mad at you, Galen. I know you didn’t want to do it.’”

  “And did you?”

  He blew out a breath. “No, but that’s not the point.”

  Andy picked up Galen’s container and spoon, walked them to the sink, and dumped the empties in the recycle bin, then slid the spoons into the dishwasher before he returned to the couch and took a seat.

  “I think it’s exactly the point. Why don’t you trust him? Take him at face value, until such time as he proves he’s not worthy of you.”

  That set Galen to cackling. “Him not worthy of me? You’re kidding, right?”

  The set of Andy’s lips said he wasn’t before they even opened to speak. “No, I’m not.”

  “He’s way out of my league.”

  “How do you figure? Not too long ago, you complained he worked with the homeless. Now somehow he’s out of your league? Explain to me how that works.”

  Galen wished he had an answer that made sense. He stood and took a step away from the couch, doing his best not to look at Andy’s no doubt reproachful expression. “It’s because he’s done something with his life. He’s given. My job was to take and keep taking until there was nothing left. One day he’d figure that out, and I’d be left high and dry.”

  Andy threw his hands in the air. “Oh God, I want to slap you so bad right now.” He grabbed Galen’s arm and yanked him down on the couch. “Stop talking crap about yourself. You are a good person. Did you make mistakes? Maybe. Do they define you? No.”

  Wait. What? “What the hell do you mean, no?”

  “You trusted in your father. You did things that you regret, but were any of them on your own? You did the job you were expected to. You found companies that would fit in with Primal, and when you did, you took those to your father. He made the ultimate decision about whether or not to buy the place. Now, am I right?”

  He was, but that didn’t make things any easier. “I guess.”

  “No, don’t guess, Gale. Know. You told me that you tried to keep those people from losing their jobs. What did your father do?”

  “He made me fire them.”

  “And did you agree with that?”

  He and Father had argued bitterly over one in particular. Galen had shown him the projections, told him that if he got rid of so many key people, the company would fail. He insisted that if they kept the staff at the levels they were and shifted production into a more cost-effective mode, the company would not only make money, it would need to hire more staff. All the numbers seemed to bear out what he was saying, but in the end, Father had rejected it outright. It seemed he always….

  “Oh, holy shit.”

  Andy leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “What?”

  “I don’t know why I didn’t see it before! He wanted to demoralize me. He didn’t make me fire them because the company was failing—he did it because wanted me to fail. He couldn’t stand the thought that I would have been able to get the business to turn around.”

  Okay, maybe it was a lot of supposition, but it made sense. It was why Father hadn’t sat in on the meeting where Galen had effectively closed the company. He had claimed he had too many things going on and that he trusted Galen to handle it.

  “Can I ask a question?”

  Galen nodded.

  “If your father made it a habit of taking over companies, then dumping them, how did he not lose a ton of money?”

  “Because he’s shrewd. You pay next to nothing for a failing company, then you turn around, fire the staff, sell off the equipment and property, and make a killing.

  “What an asshole.”

  The truth was there in Andy’s words, and Galen knew it. Still, it wasn’t easy to turn around and start hating his father, even if he was a jerk.

  But maybe it was okay to start liking himself, just a little.

  NOEL WAS in the middle of a yawn when Robert stepped in the shelter’s back door. “I am so sorry.”

  “Why? We told you to go take a walk. Did it help?”

  He thought about Galen, the vulnerability and uncertainty. They spoke to Robert, who wanted to help him. Not fix him, because there wasn’t anything wrong with Galen that Robert could see. The way he felt when he pressed up against Robert, though? That Robert understood. He was solid, real. Robert hadn’t had that in too many years. Galen’s presence in Robert’s life was unexpected, but not unwelcome. Just holding Galen had been the closest he’d come to touching another man in… God, six years?

  He hadn’t been kidding when he said he didn’t do casual sex. He’d been around the people at the shelter enough to know that many people would willingly give their body for a warm place to sleep at night. Brady was living proof of that. But he was also one of the success stories. He was fitting in well with Craig and Melinda’s family. They said he was sweet, respectful, and still in awe over his good fortune.

  Robert wanted to tell Noel about Galen. God, he wished he could share with him how wrong he and Lincoln were. Yeah, he was prickly and prone to mood swings, but there was a tender heart under there, waiting for the right person to cradle it in their hands and never let it go.

  “I talked with someone who asked me to rethink my priorities. Maybe next week we can talk it through, but I’m guessing Lincoln is waiting for you to call.”

  Noel chuckled. “He’s asleep on the couch in the group room. He said he kept checking his phone to make sure he didn’t miss my call and finally decided it was better to wait here.”

  It was obvious how much Lincoln loved Noel. The way his gaze stayed locked on him, no matter where he went. But he also trusted Noel. “You two are good together.”

  Noel’s cheeks pinked. “I’ve never felt like this before. I know it’s only July, but I’m already thinking about our first Christmas. I want to get him something special.”

  “Well, if I can help, let me know.”

  “You know I will.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “I’d better get him home. He’s got to be up in a few hours.”

  “God, I’m sorry.” When Noel chuckled, Robert was shocked. “What’s so funny?”

  “Lincoln insisted I do it, and believe me when I say the choice was his. So you have nothing to be sorry for. He’s quite… demanding. Anyway, I’ll see you next Sunday, okay?”

  “Sounds good. And Noel? Thank you again. Those few hours off meant a lot to me.”

  “Let me talk to Lincoln. Maybe we can schedule this to happen more often.”

  God, the idea was tempting. What would it be like to have off one Sunday a month? He could call Galen and they could—

  Wow. A jolt swept through Robert as he realized he was about to say they could go out. Maybe hold hands. Do the things couples do, and then afterward, they could go home together and make love.

  Yes, it would be making love, because, despite Galen thinking casual sex was okay, Robert couldn’t see only having one night with Galen. He imagined the two of them in bed, Galen lying on his back, his lips parted slightly. When Robert slid into him, Galen’s mouth would form an O, and there would be love and affection in his eyes.

  “Why are your cheeks so red?”

  Because I’m having dirty thoughts about someone you don’t like. He wished Noel knew Galen like Robert did. Not to say he really knew him all that well, but despite their initial meeting, something about Galen called to Robert.

  “Just overtired, I think.”

  “Okay, go get some sleep. I’m going to do the same.”

  Noel wrapped his arms around Robert’s shoulders and squeezed him. “Thank you. Have a good night.”

  “Will do.”

  He stayed back as Noel woke Lincoln. The fact that he woke up so quickly surprised Robert, considering how much Lincoln worked. He stood, took Noel’s hand, and started for the door. When they got there, he turned and gave Robert a wave, and then they stepped outside.

  It was t
oo late to drink something, so Robert went to his room and stripped down. He would worry about showering in the morning. Tonight he wanted to crawl into bed and sleep.

  When his phone chimed, he groaned, until he saw who it was.

  Just want to make sure everything is okay.

  Galen might be fooling himself, but he wasn’t putting one over on Robert.

  Everything is great. I had a wonderful night with an amazing man.

  Oh? Anyone I know?

  Robert laughed, and it felt good. He enjoyed Galen’s quirks so much. In fact, he liked Galen so much, he wanted to do something he’d never even considered before.

  I was just thinking about you, you know.

  Oh?

  Robert lay down on the bed. What are you wearing?

  What?

  It was a simple question. What do you have on?

  The same clothes I was wearing when I saw you an hour ago.

  Good. Take them off.

  ?????

  You heard me. Take off your clothes.

  Why?

  Because I’m going to video call you, and I want you naked when I do.

  But…. You said nothing casual.

  I know, and you don’t have to if you would rather not. It’s just… I want to see you. With or without clothes, I just want to see your face.

  When Galen didn’t reply, Robert thought he might have pressed too hard, but then his phone rang. He answered, smiling when Galen’s face came into focus.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself. I’m glad you called.”

  When Galen bit his lip, it was one of the most adorable things Robert had ever seen.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “Only if you are. Like I said, I want you to be comfortable with this. And for your information, I’ve never done anything like this either.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. It’s just… I like you, Galen.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Why?”

  “You’re funny, smart, sweet, sexy. Should I go on?”

  “But….”

  “No. We’re not talking about that check anymore. That’s in the past, and I told you, I don’t blame you in the least for what happened. Now, calm down and talk to me.”

  Galen set the phone down and stepped back. Holy shit! He had taken his clothes off, and for the first time, Robert could see the pale skin, the wisps of light hair on Galen’s chest and stomach. If he stepped back just a bit more….

  “Is this what you wanted to see?”

  Oh, he sounded so uncertain. “Most of it. Still, it’s sexy as hell.”

  Galen’s breaths were coming faster, and his skin had taken on a flush. “I… I can’t do this.” He lurched forward and grabbed his phone, then disconnected the call.

  “Damn. Damn, damn, damn.”

  Robert went to reconnect the video call, then thought better. If he’d upset Galen that badly, maybe a voice call would be better. He dialed, praying that Galen would pick up. When he did, Robert breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I’m sorry. I just… I can’t.”

  “No, there’s nothing to be sorry for. I apologize for making you uncomfortable. I didn’t intend for that to happen. Can you tell me what was going on in your head?”

  Galen’s voice grew softer. “You said you don’t do casual, and then you wanted… I’m confused.”

  Oh God. “I’m an idiot. I wanted to show you that I could be fun and spontaneous too. I didn’t want you thinking I wasn’t capable of keeping up with you.”

  “But I never thought that!” He blew out a breath. “I tried to understand that things change so quickly, but… I mean, casual is the only thing I know. I just thought I wasn’t good enough for you.”

  “Why don’t you sit down and talk to me?”

  A soft creak, maybe Galen sitting on the bed? “I don’t understand what you want.”

  Robert thought carefully about his next words. He didn’t want any mixed signals now. “Do you really want to know? I’ll tell you. I want us to get to know each other. I don’t want to rush into sex, because there has to be more between us than that. Or, at least, I want more than that. I want to take you places to eat. I want to order ice cream, and then wipe whipped cream on your nose. I want to go to a carnival and win you the biggest, fluffiest stuffed animal they have. I want to learn what makes your eyes light up and what will make you smile. Do I think about sex between us? Yeah, I won’t deny it. But I want it to be because it’s something that will help bring us closer together. My parents instilled some very old-fashioned sensibilities in me. I want what they have. A lifetime of love and caring, being devoted to one person. I admit, we’re still getting to know one another, and I don’t want to rush into something we might not be ready for, but I would like the chance.”

  “What about Noel and Lincoln?”

  “What about them? They’re my friends, but I won’t let them make me choose between you and them. If I’m honest, I believe that if you went to them and told them what happened, they’d understand and forgive you.”

  “Maybe. I’m not sure. All things considered, after what I said to Noel, I wouldn’t blame him if he never forgave me.”

  There was undisguised pain in Galen’s voice, and Robert wanted to comfort him in the worst way.

  What is it about you, Galen? It goes beyond my wanting to fix your problems. I want to be the one you come to with them, to be there for you in ways no one else was.

  “Tell me a story.”

  Galen gulped. “What?”

  “A story. You know, once upon a time, Galen…. And then you fill in the blank.”

  “You should sleep.”

  “And you should stop avoiding the question. I want to know all about who Galen Merriweather is.”

  Galen barked a laugh. “Let’s talk about you instead. I’ve looked you up, you know. You’ve led an amazing life.”

  Deflection, self-deprecation, quick to anger, a father who says he prefers his brother to him. It was no wonder Galen had self-esteem issues and why he was so driven to get noticed.

  “Galen…. Please, don’t do that. I want to know about you.”

  “Why?” There was a plaintive edge to Galen’s voice. “There’s nothing special about me.”

  “Is that what you think? Tell me why, then.”

  A deep growl. “Fine! You want to know what’s wrong with me? Is that it?” His anger was palpable, even through the phone. “I graduated top of my class from the University of Chicago with a Masters of Business. Lincoln went into the business right after high school. I brokered my first deal for my father when I was twenty-three. Lincoln’s came a few days after his twenty-fourth birthday, but it was much smaller than the one I did. And you wanna know what happened? Father took Lincoln out to celebrate.”

  “Galen, I—”

  “No! You wanted to know, so shut the fuck up and listen. I hid my sexuality because my father was always going on about Lincoln’s, but who does he favor? Out-and-proud Lincoln, of course. No matter what I do, even when I’ve done it better than Lincoln, it’s never been good enough. So, what more do you want to know, Robert? How many other memories of my inadequacy do you want to dredge up? You know what, maybe you should just get to know Lincoln better.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “After all, he’s the favored son, and I’m… not.” Galen sniffled, and it broke Robert’s heart to know the part he played in Galen’s sadness. “Good night, Robert.”

  And then he hung up, leaving Robert to stare at his phone and wish to God he could beat Jonathan Merriweather down for what he’d done to his sons. He thought about calling Galen back but decided maybe he might need some time. And it wasn’t like Robert was going away, no matter how hard Galen pushed.

  The question was how to show Galen that he had worth. That he was special in his own right. That needed to take precedence. And it had to start right away.

  Chapter Twelve

  GALEN TOSSED and turned most of the night because the
conversation with Robert kept pinging through his mind. Why did he have to be so goddamn nice? Why couldn’t he just accept Galen wasn’t ever going to be more than he appeared?

  He got up and went into the kitchen, grabbed himself a mug of coffee, and sat down to drink it. A few moments later, Andy came strolling in, wearing his bright yellow pajama bottoms with some kind of rodent on them.

  “Can’t you dress like an adult?”

  Andy ignored the comment and went to get his own cup of coffee. As he doctored it with cream and sugar, he hummed. “Let’s see. Grumpier than usual. Doesn’t look like you slept. And now you have the nerve to disrespect Pikachu. Okay, who peed in your cornflakes?”

  “Drop it, Andy. Just leave it be.”

  Of course Andy wouldn’t listen. He never did. He sat down at the table and said, “Come on, tell Dr. Andy all about it.”

  “I said, drop it!” Galen regretted the harsh tone immediately. “I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, were you talking to me? Sorry, I don’t usually pay attention when you get in one of your grumps.” Andy smiled as his spoon clanked in the cup. “I’ve known you for the better part of a decade. Do you honestly think I haven’t seen every one of your moods? Remember when we had to pull all-nighters to study? How you’d get when you were terrified of not getting that A-plus? Or how about when you thought Kelly McGraw did better on a paper, and you went into a meltdown, certain you were stupid, and refused to listen when the professor explained to you that your paper was every bit as good and he made a mistake in grading. He adjusted your grade, but you spent the next week in the library, cramming so it wouldn’t happen again. And then we have the day you found out you were top of your class, and how excited you were. You called home to tell your father, and I took you out that night and we got hammered, because he said it might have meant something if you had gone to Harvard, but a degree from the University of Chicago amounted to less than nothing.”

  Even back then, Galen relied on Andy. Despite Andy being aware of the dynamic at play, he kept trying to tell Galen not to stress, that he was awesome. And when that didn’t work, it was Ben & Jerry’s or booze.