“What’s up with Galen?”
Andy leaned in. “He’s in a mood. I told him that Marco asked me to go away for a few weeks, and he’s all bent out of shape about it.”
Well, great. They’d just gotten here, and Galen already looked ready to bolt.
“Come on in. My mom and dad are in the living room. I expect Tom and Brian to get here shortly.” Robert ushered them inside, pointed in the direction they needed to go, then turned and went back out to where Galen stood pouting. He got close, leaned in, and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. It took a few moments, but Galen eventually sighed and kissed back.
When Robert stepped away, he was happy to see Galen chasing the kiss. He looked a lot less upset now too.
“What’s going on?”
“He’s leaving me.”
The he had to be Andy. “It’s just for a few weeks. Why is that so hard?”
Galen blew out a breath. “You don’t understand. It’s a few weeks now, but if they continue to hit it off, Andy will eventually live with Marco. So either he’ll move out or Marco will come live in Andy’s place, which means I’ll have to go.” He closed his eyes. “Everyone always leaves.”
That statement was very telling as far as Robert was concerned. In his years at the shelter, he’d learned to hear the subtext of a conversation, and Galen wasn’t angry that Andy was going—he was hurt he was being left behind.
Robert slipped his hand into Galen’s. “Come on. I’d like you to meet my parents.”
Galen balked. “I think I’d rather go home.”
Robert had promised if Galen was uncomfortable, he would take him home, but….
“Please, I’d like it if you’d stay. It would mean a lot to me.”
The conflict in Galen’s eyes had Robert aching to pull him close again, but Galen needed to make the decision on his own.
“If you want to go, I’ll take you.”
“Why are you so nice?” Galen kicked at the dirt. “If you were smart, you’d just let me go home.”
“I’ll tell you right now, I have never been accused of being smart.”
Galen grinned, and that made Robert relax a little bit.
“Ready to meet the family?”
“What do they know about me?”
Okay, now was the time for honesty. “They know who you are. They know about the check. But, and please listen to me very carefully, my parents never, ever accept one side of a story. When Tom and I were growing up, if we had a fight, they sat us both down and listened as we each gave our version of why we were pissed at each other. Only once they’d heard both would they render their judgment.”
“You make them sound like judge and jury.”
Robert snorted. “Believe me, quite often they were the executioners too. I can’t tell you the number of times we were grounded or had our games taken away. One thing I will admit, though, is that they were fair. Back then I would have sworn they weren’t, but they were. No punishment was ever too light or too severe. They had this knack of looking at each other and, without even discussing it, doling out the perfect thing to fit the crime.”
“They’re going to hate me.”
Robert kissed him again. “They’re not. They don’t even know you. Give them a chance to see in you what I do. I know there’s compassion in your heart, Galen. You’re a kind soul who just needs to let it out.”
“Fine.” Galen blew out a breath. “Let’s go.”
As they headed for the house, a car pulled up. When the driver’s side opened, Robert broke into a huge grin.
“Tom! I’m glad you made it.” Robert tightened his grip on Galen’s hand and pulled him along. When they got to where Tom stood, he stopped. “Tom, this is Galen. Galen, my brother, Tom.”
Tom held out a hand. “Good to meet you, Galen.”
“Thank you.” He shook with Tom. “It’s my pleasure.”
The passenger door opened, and this time it was Brian. It tore at Robert to see how thin Brian had gotten.
“Brian. It’s nice to see you.”
He dipped his chin. “It’s good to see you as well. May I have the honor of meeting your guest?”
“Of course. This is Galen, and that’s Tom’s husband, Brian. He’s definitely the better half of the duo.”
Brian grinned, but it was more a pained grimace.
“You doing okay?” Robert let go of Galen’s hand and moved around the car. “Need some help?”
Tom was there in a heartbeat. “I’ve got him.” He hefted Brian up and cradled him to his chest. “I specifically told you to wait for me to come get you.”
“I can walk.”
“No, the doctor said you should be in a wheelchair. Your bones are fragile, and until the treatments start working, you need to be careful.”
Brian gave a loving smile. “They’re trying to make me comfortable. That’s all. We already know they said it wasn’t going to help in the long run.”
Tom turned his head away, and Robert could see the sheen of tears. He hated that they were going through this. He went back to Galen and put an arm around his waist.
“Come on. Let’s go inside.” Robert turned to Tom. “Do you want us to wait for you?”
“No, we—”
“Yes, please.” Brian glared at Tom. “Please don’t treat me like a baby. I don’t want to ruin tonight.”
“You won’t. I promise. You know good and well Mom is going to—”
“That’s your mother. She’s allowed. You’re not.” He put his head on Tom’s chest. “I need you to be strong, okay? Do it for me.”
There was no doubt Tom was holding back tears. Robert had never in his life seen anyone more deeply in love than Tom and Brian. Knowing the end of the road was coming up fast had to be terrifying for both of them, but Brian leaned on Tom, trusting him to be there when the time came to let go.
No one spoke as they headed up the walkway and toward the house.
GALEN WANTED to cry. His emotions were a jumble, and he didn’t know how to handle them. First Andy saying he was going away for a few weeks, and then meeting Robert’s brother and husband, who was dying? He wasn’t sure what to do. What he’d said to Robert was the truth. Everyone always left, no matter if it was walking away or dying. Why would anyone want to put themselves through this kind of pain?
When Robert opened the door, the scents of a Mexican restaurant assailed Galen’s nose. Spiced beef, corn tortillas, beans, salsa, and so many other smells mingled together. Marco sat on the couch, with Andy at his side. As soon as Andy saw Galen, he started to get up, but Galen shook his head. He sat once more, obviously displeased.
The moment Tom and Brian came around the corner, the room erupted into a cacophony of greetings. An older woman, who Galen assumed was Robert’s mother, rushed over to them and kissed Brian on the cheek. He leaned against Tom, chatting to them both. Where Tom’s expression was one of pain, his mother’s was one of compassion. She looked up and spotted Galen, whispered a few words to Tom, then glided across the room toward him and Robert.
“Oh, good. Almost everyone is here.” She kissed Robert on the cheek. “Your father’s working on a project in the garage, but he should be along any minute. Now, who have you brought with you?”
“I’m guessing you already met Marco and Andy.”
She nodded.
“This is Galen Merriweather, and this is my mother, Rachel Kotke.”
“Thank you for having me in your home, ma’am.”
“I’m glad you were able to come. It’s a great pleasure to meet you.”
He held out his hand, but she frowned when she saw it. He half expected her to push him out of her house, but instead she stepped closer and smiled.
“I’m not so big on shaking hands. Would it be okay if I gave you a hug instead?”
Galen’s gaze shifted over to Robert, who winked at him.
“Up to you, Galen.”
He tentatively opened his arms. She moved into them and encircled him around the
waist.
“It’s nice to have you in our home.”
She directed him to an empty chair. Robert sat on the arm, close enough that Galen could smell his cologne. The house was warm and inviting. He let his gaze drift around the room, stopping at each of the photos that dotted the wall. Young Robert and Tom, standing there, gap-toothed, mugging for the camera. Robert holding up an award of some kind. Tom and Brian, obviously so much in love.
What must it be like, growing up in a house like this? Surrounded by parents who cared about you? Who didn’t play favorites? Who actually loved you?
A pit settled in Galen’s stomach as he thought about what his father had said and how he’d come to be desperate to please the man. He shook his head. He didn’t want to think about that now. He needed to focus on getting through this dinner.
“Okay, I think everything is done. If you’ll all come into the kitchen and help yourself. Since this isn’t a formal meal, we’ll eat in the living room.”
“You’re going to love my mother’s cooking.” Robert stood, then turned to Galen. “Come on.”
Galen shook his head. “I’m not hungry. Maybe later.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Go get some food.”
“Galen—”
“Really, eat.”
“Okay.” Robert strode to the kitchen but turned back to look at Galen. Then he went inside for a few minutes before returning with a plate heaped with all the delicious things Galen had smelled when entering. They chatted while they ate, laughing and having a good time. Even Brian seemed to find an appetite.
Rachel came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a tea towel. She picked up a few plates and took them back into the kitchen. After that, she was a dervish! Everywhere Galen looked, she was there, fussing over Brian, filling up Tom’s plate, asking Galen if he was sure he didn’t want something. She never seemed to tire of it. When she passed by Andy, she ruffled his hair and patted Marco on the shoulder. She seemed to thrive on making her family happy. It was such an odd feeling for Galen, who had never known such a thing.
Pounding footsteps sounded through the house, and Galen jerked his head around. A man—more a mountain—stepped into the room. Deep red hair and some of the bluest eyes Galen had ever seen had him staring in awe of the man he could only assume was Robert’s father. He headed straight over to Brian and knelt down by his side.
“How you feeling, son?”
“I’m okay, Dad.”
“Tell me the truth, Brian. How are you feeling?”
“It hurts.” Brian sniffled, and the man reached out and wrapped burly arms around him. They murmured words to each other, with the guy stroking his hand down Brian’s back.
Galen’s stomach churned at being privy to such a scene. He didn’t feel worthy at all to witness it. Hell, he didn’t even belong in this house.
His gaze roamed the room, stopping at each person in it. Marco was taking care of Andy, Tom was caring for Brian, as was his father. His mother was taking care of them all. Robert took care of all kinds of people. And Galen? He’d never taken care of anyone but himself before. Why would he think he could fit in among all this love?
“Robert?”
“Yeah?” He came over to where Galen stood. “What’s up?”
“I think I’d like to go home now.” He went to the door. When he got there, he stopped and turned around. “Mr. and Mrs. Kotke, thank you for having me in your home. It’s an honor to have met you both.”
Before she could protest, Galen pushed open the door and rushed outside. This wasn’t his world, and he didn’t belong among decent people like Robert’s family. There was too much of his father inside him, and that tainted everything.
Hands on his shoulders startled him. He hadn’t heard anyone approaching. He turned, expecting to see Robert, but instead found Robert’s father towering over him.
“Hi. I’m sorry for my rudeness.” He held out a beefy hand. “Dwight Kotke.”
Though he hesitated for a moment, Galen shook with him. “Galen Merriweather. I’m sorry I’ve ruined everything.”
“Hey, you didn’t ruin anything at all.” Dwight put a hand on Galen’s back and directed him to a swing on the porch. “Have a seat.”
“I should really go.”
“Not until I have a chance to get to know you, okay? I don’t want you thinking badly of us.”
Of them? “I don’t understand, sir.”
“There are no sirs here, Galen. Not ever. Everyone in this house has a name. We’re no better than anyone and don’t deserve to be treated like we are.”
But they were. Robert’s entire family had more class and dignity than Galen’s father had ever shown. They were together; they showed love and compassion. Hell, Dwight had walked away from a dying man to comfort Galen.
“I really do need to go.”
“Okay, can you tell me why?”
There were so many reasons. Where to start? “I’m not a good person. I’ve done some very bad things and hurt people who didn’t deserve it.”
“And do you regret those things?”
Did he? “Yes, sir… I mean, Mr. Kotke.”
“Dwight.” The voice was soft, lilting. Hard to believe it came from such a big man. “And if you regret it, then you can start making things right. Maybe not with the people you’ve hurt before but the people you’ll come to know in the future.”
“But what if I can’t? What if I’m just not a good person?”
Dwight slid an arm around Galen’s shoulder and pulled him in. There was a woodsy smell to him, and it tickled Galen’s nose. He buried his face into the broad chest and sighed.
“I’m going to tell you something, and I need you to listen good. Robert? He is an excellent judge of character. He knows when people are genuine and when they’re trying to scam him. He’s coming to care for you, and that tells me everything about you I need to know.” He leaned back and looked Galen in the eye. “Don’t sell yourself short. I know who your father is. He’s mean and ruthless. If you were anything like him, you’d never have come here in the first place. So tell me, why did you come?”
Thoughts bounced around in his head, but there was only one answer he could give. “Because Robert asked me to.”
“See, now, I don’t think that’s why.”
The words were so soft, Galen couldn’t even register them enough to get angry about it. “Why, then?” He desperately wanted to know, because he wasn’t really sure himself.
“I think you came because you want Robert to tell you you’re not broken. You need someone to see you—not the man who you think you are, but the one you want to believe you can become. And I’ll be honest with you. Robert is that person.”
Tears pricked at Galen’s eyes. Before he met Robert, he rarely cried. Now? It was like he couldn’t stop.
“Now, do you still want to go home, or would you like to come in and let us love on you for a while?”
“Love on me?”
“When you stepped through that door, you became family. And in our family, we look after one another. Today it’s our turn to look after you.”
“Oh, but Brian—”
“Is the one who sent me out here. He saw how hurt you looked when you walked out the door, and he told me I had to come and check on you. That’s how it is here. We are always there for one another. Face it, Galen. You’re stuck with us.”
They thought of him as family? Who the hell did that when they first met?
“But you don’t know anything about me.”
“Are you sure? Who do you think has been calling his mother to tell her about you? Robert wants her to know you because he cares for you. And Rachel wants the chance to find out about you on her terms. We can’t do that if you leave now.”
Dwight gave such an earnest look, Galen’s hesitancy faded. “Okay.”
“Good. Now come on, there are tamales with my name on them.”
Galen followed behind him, but his stomach was still churnin
g. He hoped Robert still thought Galen was worth talking to when the night ended.
Chapter Sixteen
THE AWKWARDNESS hadn’t faded as the evening progressed. Galen’s pained gaze kept shifting toward Tom and Brian. Robert wished he could read minds right about now. He had no idea what was going on with Galen, and his dad was being cryptic, just saying that what they discussed was private until Galen decided he was ready to share. The one thing about his father that always irritated Robert was how he kept so many damn secrets.
“Galen, did you want some more soda?”
“No, but thank you, Mrs. Kotke. Everything was delicious.”
Mom wasn’t fooled. Galen had barely done more than move the food around on his plate, only stopping to take a bite when he noticed someone was looking at him.
“I’ll have some more soda, Mom.”
She smiled. “That’s good, sweetheart. You know where it’s at. Bring me some, too, would you?”
The people spread around the room chuckled, including Robert. His mom had outdone herself with this spread. She pulled out all the stops to impress Galen, but it didn’t seem like it was helping.
Marco, seeming to sense some tension in the room, turned to Mom. “This is wonderful, Rachel. If it’s not too much trouble, could I ask for the recipe? My mom will kill me if I don’t get it.”
“Of course. If you give me her email address, I can send it to her so she can write me back if she has questions.”
“That would be great. I’ll write it down before we leave.” He reached out and put a hand on Andy’s arm. “But we appreciate you inviting us.”
She waved him off. “Nonsense. The two of you will always be welcome at our table.” Her gaze shifted to me. “Robert? The soda?”
He got up and took a step toward the kitchen. Mom caught his eye and tilted her head in Galen’s direction.
“Galen, why don’t you help me?”
His head snapped up. “What? Oh. Okay.” He got up and trudged into the kitchen. When the door closed, Robert spun and pressed him against the wall and held him there.
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