Galen couldn’t believe he was actually going to do this. He knew less about cats than he did about people.
“If you see someone you want to look at, let me know and I’ll open their door so the two of you can meet.”
With Robert behind him, Galen walked the halls of the enclosure, doing his best not to be swayed by the plaintive meowing coming from the cats, who each seemed to be vying for his attention. Every one of the cats looked sweet and adorable, and there was no way he would be able to make up his mind, but then they got to one enclosure that held a tiny gold-and-white kitten with startlingly blue eyes that looked far too young to be by herself. He tapped on the window, wanting to get its attention.
“Sir, please don’t tap on the glass.”
Galen’s cheeks heated. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. We just ask people not to do that so it doesn’t disturb the animals.”
“I understand.” He stepped back a little and checked out the information about the kitten, whose name was listed as Berty. The sign said she was a special needs kitten. She lifted her head and peeked up at him with deep, soulful eyes, then lay back down and went to sleep. Galen turned to Amanda. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She was found in a parking lot, snuggled into her mother’s body. We think the mama got hit by a car. There weren’t any other kittens around, so we don’t know what happened, but someone found her and brought her to us. She’s been in isolation, getting bottle-fed and being checked by the vets. I’ll be honest, we weren’t sure she was going to make it. She’s a fighter, though. Today is her first day out.”
“What do you mean, she’s a special needs cat?”
“Physically she’s much smaller than she should be, but she’s healthy and, occasionally, active. She tires easily, and whoever adopts her will have to make sure she follows up on her vet appointments to keep an eye on her. She might not have anything wrong, but we want people to be aware that adopting her could end up being costly in the long run. And they need to remember that adoption is a lifetime responsibility. She’s going to entrust herself to your care, and we hope that no one lets her down.”
Galen stood there and stared at the tiny gold-and-white puffball. Of all the cats he’d seen, this one called to him. How could he adopt her, though? He had no money. Still….
“Can I see her?”
“Of course.” Amanda stepped up and unlocked the door.
Robert and Galen entered, and the kitten looked up at them. Then she opened her mouth and the most adorable squeak came out. “Oh my God, that’s precious.”
“Feel free to pick her up. Just be gentle.”
Galen turned to Robert. “Should I?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
Galen reached out and picked the kitten up. She was barely bigger than his hand, but he cradled her gently in his palms.
“Why not sit down on the floor and let her get to know you?”
Galen sat and put the kitten down. She stood on shaky legs and stumbled over to him. With tiny claws, she climbed his pant leg, pulled herself up his shirt, and made her way onto his chest, where she snuggled in, purring loudly.
“Oh, damn.” He reached a hand up and rubbed it over the tiny creature that now resided on him. “She’s so cute.” He leaned in closer to the kitten. “You know you’re adorable, right?”
She turned sleepy eyes in his direction and squeaked again, which sent Galen into peals of laughter.
“I think he likes her.”
Galen looked up at Robert, who gazed down at him with affection in his eyes. “Is that okay?”
When Robert knelt down beside him and ran a hand over the kitten, then down to Galen’s stomach, warmth rushed through him. Who was this guy who was willing to look past the awful things Galen had done and still gaze at him like he mattered?
“It’s perfect. Is this the one you want?”
Galen leaned in. “I don’t have money.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. But I want visitation rights to the both of you.”
The chance to keep Robert in their lives? Yes. Hell, yes. “Okay.”
“Then talk to the nice lady and tell her what you want.”
Galen looked up to find Amanda smiling down on them.
“I take it you’re in love?”
He wasn’t sure if she meant with Robert or the kitten, and he was glad he didn’t have to answer that question. “She’s beautiful.”
“Then let’s get you together with someone who’ll get the paperwork taken care of so you can take your new family member home with you.”
When Amanda reached down to take the kitten, Galen’s first reaction was to hold fast and never let her go. He’d had very little in his life that mattered to him, but this puffball in his arms had already wound her way around his heart.
“I’m just going to get her checked out so she’s ready. I promise to get her back to you by the time you’re done.”
He picked up the kitten and handed her to Amanda, but when the kitten opened her eyes, she squeaked at him, and his heart broke. She didn’t want to leave him, and he didn’t want to give her up. Only Robert’s hand on his shoulder stopped Galen from saying something.
“Come on. The faster we get through the paperwork, the quicker we can take her home. Have you decided what you’re going to name her?”
“The sign on the door said her name was Berty.” And if it made him think of Robert, well, that was okay too.
“But what do you want to name her?”
The name came so quickly, it shocked Galen. “Mouse.”
Robert chuckled. “You want to name a cat Mouse?” He stood and helped Galen to his feet.
“She squeaks like a mouse. I don’t know. Is it stupid?”
“No, not at all. It’s clever. And I think it suits her.”
Amanda led them to the counter where Andy and Marco stood, bags of goodies in hand.
“Did you buy out the store?”
“No, only necessities.”
Robert lifted his head, trying to peek into the bags. “Somehow I don’t think all those toys are necessities.”
“Well, we got a water bowl, a food bowl with a five-pound bag of kitty chow, two litter boxes, a collar, a leash, a scratching post, a bed, a few toys, and—”
Galen was stunned. “Wait. All of this is essential?”
“Well, no, not really.” Andy’s cheeks flushed. “But I saw you looking at the kitten, and I knew you were going to get her, so I wanted to make her feel at home.”
“How much did you spend?”
“This is a gift, and it’s not polite to ask how much it cost.” Marco slipped an arm around Andy’s waist. “Besides, boyfriend here likes shopping, and it was fun to watch. You should have seen the clerk’s eyes when he started piling stuff on the counter.”
“Shut up. You’re the one who paid for it.”
“It made you happy, so it made me happy to do it.” Marco kissed Andy on the lips. “Besides, Galen is my friend too.”
He was? “I am?”
Marco frowned. “Well, I thought you were.”
“Oh, no, I’d like to be!” God, how desperately he wanted to be friends with the man Andy loved. “I just didn’t know you felt that way.”
“Are you kidding? I’m all in on Andy’s life. His friends, his family, his job. There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t ask to hear what’s up with all of them. Did you know he’s the first boyfriend I had? My mom took one look at us and said Andy was perfect, and I agree with her.”
“Shut up.” Andy’s cheeks had to be burning. “I’m not sure how it happened so fast, but I’m glad it did.”
“Mr. Merriweather? We’re ready for you.”
Galen took a deep breath. “Okay, once more unto the breach.” He turned to Robert. “Are you coming with me?”
“Of course.” He slipped his hand into Galen’s. “I brought you, so it would be bad form for me to leave you alone. Besides, I kinda like watching you wi
th your kitty.”
Robert chuckled and led Galen into the back room, where they sat down with a counselor. It was a good thing that Robert went with him, because if anyone had later asked Galen what he signed, he wouldn’t have been able to tell them. All he could think of was Robert and Mouse, and Andy and Marco. They cared for him. Were his friends. The words Noel had spat at him as they stood in the middle of Lincoln’s diner came back with startling clarity: This is what family is about. It’s not trying to stab people in the back to get what you want. It’s about standing together to make each other stronger. You don’t get it now, but maybe one day you will. Could that have been what he meant? None of these men got anything out of being nice to Galen. He and Andy had nothing to give, but Robert and Marco were still there, caring for them.
What the hell was that about? How could they care for Galen when his own family didn’t? It made no sense at all. But one look at Marco when he was with Andy and Galen could see the truth. They might not have said the words yet, but Marco loved Andy, and after years of friendship, Galen could see Andy’s heart belonged to Marco.
As they walked out of the shelter, with Mouse asleep in the carrying case they were given, Galen turned to Robert. “Are we family?”
If Robert was startled by the question, he covered it well. “Yeah, we are. The families we build are sometimes more important than the ones we’re born into. Noel found that out, and he’s stronger for it. Why do you ask?”
Galen shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I just never had anyone who cared for me who wasn’t hoping they could get something from the rich guy. It made it hard to know who was genuine and who wasn’t. Andy was the only person who stayed true and steady. Even when I offered, he rarely took me up on it.”
“That’s because Andy doesn’t care about material things. He cares about you. You’re like a brother to him.”
Galen turned toward Robert. “How do you know?”
“We’ve talked. He helped me to learn more about you and encouraged me to talk with you if I wanted to find out things like your favorite color, the season you like best, what makes you laugh and cry. And I have to admit, I want to know all those things.”
Galen couldn’t come up with a thing to say, so he stayed quiet. When they got into the car, Mouse woke up and stuck her nose out of one of the holes in the box, squeaking at Galen.
“I’m sorry, but you need to stay there until we get you home.”
Robert turned around. “Why? You can hold her. It might help her stay calm if you start the bonding process now.”
“You think so?” Galen knew nothing about pets. “Okay.”
He opened the box, grinning when Mouse stood on her back legs and stretched up, her gaze locked on Galen. As soon as Galen reached in and hefted her out, she went for Galen’s chest. If Galen thought he would need to hold the kitten to him, he was mistaken. Mouse curled up into a ball and lay there, purring.
“What’s she doing?”
Robert reached over and stroked Mouse’s head. “If I had to guess, I think she’s listening to your heartbeat. If she lost her mother, maybe she’s looking for you to be a surrogate.”
A surrogate? Galen could scarcely believe he had anything that needed him, but the kitten on his chest apparently had other ideas. She seemed to have claimed Galen as hers, and instead of being the unfeeling bastard he’d always believed he was, Galen was… happy.
Chapter Eighteen
MOUSE BOUNDED off the couch and right into Galen’s lap the moment he sat down. She was still a lot smaller than she should be, but the vet said she was healthy. In the three months she’d been with him, Mouse had taken over the apartment—and Galen’s life. Surprisingly, he didn’t mind a bit. She made him laugh, even when he trudged back home after yet another rejection.
His father—or the people he’d hired—had well and truly blocked any path he tried to take in order to get a job. He didn’t want to be a leech and have Andy pay for everything, so he even tried to get a job working the window at McDonald’s. When they’d told him he was overqualified to be a cashier, he had to bite his tongue to keep from snapping that he’d worked there once ages ago. Instead he asked about a managerial position, and of course, they balked. They eventually came back to tell him that he wasn’t the right fit for the job.
Oh, no one came out and said his father had a hand in it, but from the way they wouldn’t meet Galen’s gaze, the stutter when he asked why, and the fact that the lawyers were dragging their feet on getting everything settled, Galen knew. Father’d done pretty much the same thing to Lincoln. If only Galen had the wherewithal to walk away and start his own business, but even there it seemed like Father had learned his lesson and blocked those avenues.
Still, things could be worse. At least he had a roof over his head and food in his stomach. Nights that he and Robert would talk, Galen would hear the sadness in his voice as he told about the number of people coming in, the lack of appropriate clothing, or any other thing on a list of stuff he was trying to contend with. Galen offered his help, but Robert assured him everything would be okay.
Mouse got up on her tiny legs and rushed to the edge of the sofa. She perched there, her tail whipping back and forth, while she was intently focusing on the counter.
“You’re not going to make it.”
It didn’t stop her from trying, though. She leaped into the air and dropped like a stone. When she hit the ground, she stood, shook her head, then rushed back to the safety of Galen’s lap. He loved their lives together and never regretted one day of having Mouse. Well, the occasional hairball and the sharp claws that kneaded on his chest notwithstanding.
When he went to bed, she would climb up and fall asleep on his pillow. When he woke to go to the bathroom, she followed him, then fell asleep in the sink. He went back to bed alone, and, against all rational thought, he missed having her next to him.
At five every morning, she’d get onto his bed and perch on his chest, purring until she woke him. He’d smile at her, and the tiny tail would start swishing back and forth. Galen couldn’t remember ever feeling so content before.
Andy had been spending more time with Marco, but the two often included him in their plans. He usually begged off, not wanting to be a third wheel, but the fact that they thought enough of him to ask was amazing. Seeing Andy fall deeper in love with Marco was a beautiful thing. Even with good parents, Andy still never dreamed love would be in his cards, but now that it was, he was holding on tight.
And speaking of caring about someone, there was Robert. If Galen hadn’t been in love with the man before, he sure as hell was now. It hit him so hard, he wasn’t prepared for the ferocity of it. Robert stood by him, despite their initial meeting. He made Galen believe he was more than his father ever saw. They always found time to talk, even if only for a few minutes, and that was always the highlight of Galen’s day.
Though they couldn’t see much of each other on the weekdays, they had dinner together every Sunday, then went back and cuddled on the couch to watch a movie. The last one, 2001: A Space Odyssey, had been one of the films Robert said was his favorite. Galen thought it was a little weird, but cool, and he loved it.
The realization that his life was becoming something better hit him one day as he washed dishes. Mouse climbed up his pant leg and sat on the counter, squeaking at him until Galen put everything down and picked her up, carried her to the couch, and sat there, holding her. Robert was right. Mouse gave love without wanting anything but to be loved in return. How had Galen never seen the simplicity of it?
He knew he had Noel to thank for opening his eyes, and he couldn’t put his appreciation into words. He believed one day he would be strong enough to go to Noel and Lincoln and apologize for the things he’d said and done. He could only hope that he’d earn their forgiveness.
And life had changed for Galen, in all the best ways. He’d gone with Robert to see his parents twice, and Rachel fussed over him just like she had Andy and Brian. When it was
time for them to leave, Galen was stunned when Rachel hugged him. He expected Dwight to shake his hand, but then he wrapped him in a bear hug and whispered in his ear how glad he was Galen had come. As much as Galen hated to admit it, in the short time he’d known the Kotkes, he felt closer to them than his own parents.
“So what are we doing tonight, Mouse? Should we clean house? Or maybe watch a movie?”
Mouse curled up on his chest and let out a little squeak.
“Okay, I guess we could stay here and snuggle.”
The chirp of Robert’s tone had Galen scrambling for his phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, baby. How you doin’?”
Galen laughed at whatever accent Robert was trying to pull off. He was such a weirdo. But he made Galen laugh and feel special, so he could go on being as weird as he wanted.
“I’m on the couch with a young lady curled up on my chest. She says hi, by the way.”
“Well, you tell her Uncle Robert says hi.” He paused. “You know what tomorrow is, right?”
Of course Galen knew. “No, I have no idea.”
“Liar. It’s four months to the day that we sat down together for chili. So tonight I was wondering what you thought about us going out, picking up an order, taking it back to your place, and watching a movie.”
A movie. God, Robert had to be made of steel. Four months they’d been kind-of dating, and the most he and Robert had done was make out. And while that was fine, it got old, especially when Robert left and Galen had to rush to the bathroom to jack off in the shower.
“Galen?”
“Sorry. I… uh, Mouse was demanding my undivided attention.”
He regretted the lie, but it was a lot simpler than whining and asking Robert if they were a couple or if they were just friends without the benefits. Sure, they made out with increasing frequency, but it never seemed to move beyond that. Galen had no reference point for what was right, since this was his first possible relationship, but even Andy had said he thought by now they’d have done more than first base.
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