Galen sighed. “You know, you deserve to find someone who loves you with his whole heart. You’re far too good for one-night stands.”
Andy shrugged. “Had a boyfriend. That didn’t work out so well.”
“Not every guy cheats.” Except his father. But then again, Mother did her fair share too.
“Why do you always do that?”
Galen busied himself with his coffee, doing his best to ignore Andy.
“And there’s another thing you do. When we’re talking about you, there’s always this not-so-subtle shift in the conversation where suddenly we’re talking about something else. If that doesn’t work, you’ll do your best to ignore me. Why is it so hard for you to let people in?”
Oh, that question Galen knew the answer to. If he’d learned anything, it was people never failed to disappoint. They were like sharks, looking for any sign that it was feeding time. It was like they were programmed to seek out your weak spots, then exploit them until you were left a quivering mass in the corner of your room, crying your eyes out and repeating how you’d get better. It was like being an abused spouse, even if you were just friends. Far better to befriend them, exploit them, use them, and then discard them. At least that was Father’s creed.
That wasn’t Andy, though. He’d been there for Galen through thick and thin. He never wanted expensive gifts, vacations, or to “borrow” money. Andy was the one fly in his father’s assessment oil. He was a genuinely nice guy. It was the reason Andy never got to come to Galen’s house. He didn’t want Father to spoil anything.
“I’m waiting for an answer, Gale.”
When Galen looked up, he found Andy leaning against the sink, peering intently at him. “What do you want me to say?”
“Why don’t you like to talk about yourself?”
He had last night with Robert, and how did that work out? Now that he’d seen how spastic Galen was, he’d probably seen the last of Robert.
“People leave.”
“What?” Andy took his chair again. “What do you mean, people leave?”
“How many friends do I have, besides you?” He held up a hand and ticked each one off. “There’s you…. And then we have you…. Oh, and let’s not forget you.”
Andy’s forehead puckered. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Let me spell it out for you. Every person I ever thought was my friend? When they got what they wanted from me, they vanished from my life. Quinn Westman got my cherry, then found a girl, and I never heard from him again. When I did see him, he wouldn’t look at me. Every guy I’ve ever been with got some ass, then said they’d call. How many do you think did? Lincoln told me not to come around anymore. Father said he wanted Lincoln back so he could get rid of me.”
“And what about Robert?”
Galen’s hackles went up. “What about him?”
“Do you think he’s going to disappear? It seemed to me he was into you.”
There wouldn’t be any more Robert, of that Galen was certain. “Sometimes being into a person isn’t enough.”
The doorbell rang, and Andy was up and rushing for the door before the tone had even died away. As soon as he opened it, Galen could see a deliveryman standing there. He bit back a laugh as Andy stared up at the man, biting his lip.
“Hi, I’m from MacDale Floral, and I have a delivery.”
“Are you sure it’s for here?”
“Yep. Sign here, please.”
Andy signed on the electronic pad the man held. Galen couldn’t help but notice the way the deliveryman peered at Andy.
“Thank you. Here you go.” He handed Andy a long box tied with a blue silk ribbon.
“Thanks, cutie!”
The deliveryman grinned at Andy, who was clearly enthralled by him. It wasn’t hard to see why. He was a hulking brute of a man with red hair, a trimmed beard and mustache, and dazzling blue eyes, that had obviously put Andy under a spell.
“You’re welcome, hot stuff.” He turned to leave but stopped. “Oh! I almost forgot. I’m Marco.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card, which he handed to Andy. “In case you ever need it.”
Andy ogled as the man strode down the hall, then closed the door and gave a squeal. “I got his number!”
Galen chuckled. “I have no idea how you do that. So what’s in the box?”
“Oh, it’s not for me.” Andy handed it over. “Mr. Merriweather, I believe this belongs to you.”
“Are you sure?” There had to be a mistake. He took the ribbon off the package and opened it. Inside was a single fragrant red rose. “What the hell?”
“There’s a card!” Andy bounced on his heels. “What’s it say?”
Galen’s hands shook when he opened the small shiny red note. He read what was written inside, and his cheeks warmed. When Andy snatched it from him, Galen ducked his head as he read it out aloud.
“A rose can say what prose cannot.” Andy sniffed dramatically. “Oh, that’s so sweet.”
But that raised a new question. “How did he know where to send them?”
He’d seen Andy blush before, but not like he was now. His cheeks were a fire truck–red. “I… might have slipped him the address.”
“What? When?”
“When you were gawking at him while we were in Real Chili. I wrote a note with my name and phone number, and gave him the address. I might have also put a message on there saying if he hurt you, I’d kill him.”
“How’d you know he wasn’t a serial killer or something? How could you do something so stupid?”
Andy snickered. “You should see your face.” He scowled, trying to mimic Galen, then stopped. “Did I take an unnecessary risk? Yeah, probably. But, Gale, he’s the first man I have ever seen make you behave that way. For just a few minutes, he stripped away that polished exterior and showed the heart you have underneath. Stop treating it like a bad thing.”
The rose was beautiful. Galen lifted the box to his nose and inhaled deeply. He’d always loved roses. The bold colors, the gentle scent. He’d sent them to the women who went with him to functions, and if he happened to buy a few for himself? Well, that was just helping to keep the shop in business.
And Robert hadn’t been harsh the night before. He wanted to know things about Galen, who once again got his nose out of joint because of the embarrassment over what his life had been like growing up, and still continued being now. He would have to think on this thing with Robert.
Because Andy was right. He did make Galen feel a lot better about himself. Even if it still seemed wrong.
“WHAT DO you think the card should say today?”
The lady at the counter of the florist grinned at Robert. “Today’s eleven roses? How about, ‘Next to you, a perfect dozen’?”
“Oh, I like that!”
She grinned. “Would you believe I read it in a comic book about a million years ago?”
He scribbled the note on the card, then handed it back to her. “Thanks again.”
She took the card from him and slipped it into the tiny cream-colored envelope. “Don’t thank me. We appreciate your business. I think the only time we’ve sold so many roses in one week was during Valentine’s. This young man must be special.”
Robert really wanted him to be. Every day he’d stop at the florist to order some flowers, and each time he’d send an additional flower, hoping Galen would get the message and call back. The trip to visit with his family was coming up soon, and he wanted Galen and Andy to come along.
Robert handed the lady his credit card and waited while she did up the bouquet of eleven roses in the colors of the rainbow. Each one was swirled in blues, yellows, and reds, and tipped with white. They were the most beautiful flowers Robert had ever seen.
“Did you want to add a box of chocolates?”
After the first flower, Robert had been adding a little tchotchke to the gift. A little teddy bear, a tiny brass heart, and, his favorite, a sparkling string of stones.
“Sure. Let
’s change it up a little. No sense in letting him think he knows what’s coming.”
“I don’t know how he could resist you.” She opened the cooler and pulled out two boxes. “Did you want the heart-shaped one, or the square box?”
“Definitely the heart-shaped one.” He chuckled. Maybe he was being a little blatant, but he’d already made up his mind that the only way he was going to leave Galen alone was if he was specifically told to do it.
Earlier in the week, Andy had called the shelter and said that Galen had been going out and looking for jobs, but the field was very narrow with what he could do. Once again, his bastard father was controlling Galen’s life, and because he’d been blocking Galen at every turn, very little could be done about it. But, Andy said, it wasn’t weighing on him. Galen got excited every time the doorbell rang, and when he was handed the box, he rushed to his room to open it. When he came back out, his spine was a little straighter and his eyes were a bit brighter. He said he believed Galen was coming into his own.
That was what Robert wanted. He needed Galen to see that in Robert’s eyes, he was important. Even if it didn’t result in the two of them getting together, Galen had to come to terms with how he and Lincoln were treated by their father. He also had to forgive himself so he could decide what kind of relationship he wanted with his brother in the future.
How many times in the past had Robert given someone assignments in the shelter and then praised the person for doing them so well? It was the little things that strengthened a person’s resolve and showed them they weren’t what they were led to believe. Noel had been like that; Brady had as well. Now both men were happy. Noel was in a relationship with a man who continued doing as Robert had. He praised Noel, and it made Noel feel better about himself. And Brady had a family who had grown to love him. They gave him structure and discipline where he had none before. Yeah, it wasn’t without missteps, but Brady cared for his new family every bit as much as they did for him. He gripped it tight, afraid it might slip through his fingers otherwise.
With Andy’s help, Robert hoped those tiny cracks Andy had seen in Galen’s facade would work their way into something larger, as chunks of that brittle shell fell off. The problem with that, though? Someone had to be there to protect that soft, sensitive interior, lest a harder shell form over it. If Galen wouldn’t let him in, Robert was certain Andy would keep him from sliding back into the dark place his mind seemed to be dragging him. But before that could happen fully, Robert needed to pull him completely out of it. And he knew that for every step forward, there was a better than even chance of several steps back.
His thoughts turned to Andy. It surprised Robert how much he enjoyed hearing about Galen from his friend. While Galen was out, Andy would call and regale Robert with tales of Galen and the flowers. He wouldn’t go into anything more personal, and Robert certainly would never ask. He wanted to know all there was to learn about Galen, but it had to come from him, not an outside source. And Andy had been effusive in his praise for Robert’s efforts. The flowers, he said, were just one small thing. Andy would ask him questions, and Galen seemed to be opening up. He regretted his tone with Robert but wasn’t quite ready to make a call yet, and that was okay. Robert knew it would—or wouldn’t—come in time, but he had learned at an early age that patience helped in the long run.
“Okay, here’s your card back. Just need a signature, please.”
Robert jolted back to reality as he took his credit card and slipped it into his wallet, then used the stylus to write his name.
“Great. These will be there today about three. Okay?”
“That’s perfect. Thank you. For tomorrow’s order, would you put something… I don’t know, spectacular together? It’s the last one, so I want it to be epic. Just charge it to the card.”
She sighed. “One day I want a man who will do romantic things for me. And if he looks like you, all the better.” She cackled. “Have a great day, Mr. Kotke.”
“You too.”
When the door opened, the sun shone bright, and there were birds flitting about. How long had it been since Robert noticed these things? His days were spent huddled in the shelter, doing his damnedest to find the money to cover the bills, buy food, get doctors on board for free or low-cost healthcare, or any other of a myriad of services his people needed. Maybe he did need an office manager. They could field phone calls, do some filing, and the like, giving Robert time to focus on other things.
“Do you have any change?”
He spun around at the familiar voice. Goddamn it! She was tripping again. Her hair was unkempt, her skin red and blotchy, and she smelled to high heaven.
“Bree, what are you doing?”
Her gaze narrowed, and then her bloodshot eyes went wide. She turned and tried to move, but Robert grabbed her hand.
“Oh, Bree. What did you do?”
She made an effort to jerk away, but there was no strength at all. “Nothing! Leave me alone.”
“You know I can’t do that, sweetheart. Come on. Let’s get you to the shelter. I’ll get you something to eat and some fresh clothes while you shower.”
If he thought she’d fight, he was wrong. She went limp, nearly falling to the ground. Only Robert’s grip on her arm kept her from hitting the pavement. He helped her down and knelt beside her. He pulled out his phone, poised to dial 911, but then stopped. A homeless kid wasn’t a priority to anyone, and who knew how long it would take for Robert to get help. Instead he dialed the one person he could think of who might be able to get them to a hospital quickly.
“Robert? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Bree. She approached me on the street asking for money, but I don’t think she knew who I was. She’s strung out, hasn’t showered, her hair is matted. She’s in bad shape.”
Noel called out to Lincoln. A moment later, he was back on the line. “I can be there in twenty.”
“I hate to ask, but can you pick us up? She’s laying on the pavement, and I’m holding her. People are starting to look.” He rattled off the address. “Please hurry.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in five.”
He hung up, and Robert turned his attention back to Bree. She was supposed to be in the treatment facility. Why the hell was she out on the streets panhandling? That would be something he’d have to address once he got her to the hospital. He cradled her to his chest, doing his best to ignore the whispers of people as they hurried by. If he thought even one of them would ask if Bree was okay, he was wrong.
A few minutes later, Noel pulled up to the curb. He hopped out of the car, his face a mask of concern. They didn’t talk; there was no need. He and Noel had done this before. Robert slipped his arms under Bree’s, and Noel grabbed her legs. They picked her up and got her into the car, doing their best not to jostle her. When she groaned, Robert turned her head in case she threw up.
The door in front slammed, and Noel turned. “Hospital?”
“Yeah.”
“I thought she was in rehab.”
“She was supposed to be. I’m going to be talking to someone about this.”
Noel gripped the wheel until his knuckles were white, then muttered something before he pulled out into traffic.
Bree groaned, and Robert’s heart cracked. He’d promised he would get her help. Swore to her. And now? They were in a worse place than before. He smoothed the wrinkles from her forehead and whispered to her that she’d be okay. He closed his eyes and sent up a silent entreaty to the universe, begging for them to spare this life.
He hoped someone was listening as he prayed.
Chapter Thirteen
WHEN THE doorbell rang, Galen rushed from his room to see if it was another delivery. He’d gotten a package each day for the last six, and there were progressively more flowers filling Andy’s place. But Galen wouldn’t deny he enjoyed the attention.
He stood at the table as Andy opened the door. Marco stood there, box in hand, smiling at Andy, who sighed and stared at him. Galen h
ad never seen him act this way with a man before. He actually giggled when the guy whispered something to him, and his fair skin grew a crimson red.
The desire to cry out for the box rode Galen hard, but he held it back. Why should he ruin Andy’s fun over some flowers? But they were just standing there, staring at each other. It was driving Galen mad. He wanted to shout for them to stop flirting and get on with his job.
Finally the driver said he had to go and handed the box to Andy, who clutched it to his chest, watching as the guy moved away from the door. Andy didn’t move, instead gazing longingly as the man strode down the hall. When he’d apparently lost sight of him, Andy turned and slumped against the door, heaving a weighty sigh.
“Marco is so adorable. And did you smell his cologne? It’s Cool Water, and every time I get a whiff, I pop a boner.”
“Andy? Can I have—”
“But why hasn’t he asked me out? I mean, he’s interested, right? Why would he stand at the door for twenty minutes if he wasn’t?” Andy pushed off the door and stalked around the room. When he got closer to the table, he bit his lip and leaned in closer. “Do you think he’s interested?”
Galen reached for the box, but Andy twirled away.
“Oh my God, what if I’m making a fool of myself? What if he’s straight? Oh shit, I’m flirting with a straight guy. I mean, they’re good for sex, but—”
“Andy? Could I have—”
“Why do I think I’m falling for a straight man?”
There was no use in trying to get the box from Andy. He was having a meltdown, and Galen had to be there for a friend.
“Why can’t you ask him out?”
His eyes wide, Andy gaped like a fish. “Ask him? Are you crazy?”
“Why not? He gave you his number, didn’t he?”
“He gave me a number. That might just have been a work thing.”
“Seriously?”
Andy shrugged. “If he’s straight, he might beat me to a pulp. I don’t look good with bruises.”
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