Page 105 of Galen's Redemption
“I love you too.” Robert drew in a breath. “You could come with me.”
Galen pushed Robert back a step. “What?”
“Come with me. Let them see you’re not the person they think. Stand there by my side. You know it’s only a matter of time before someone here mentions you to Noel. The only thing that’s kept it from happening already is Cassie hasn’t been here. She has to telleveryoneabout Uncle Galen. Wouldn’t you rather do this on your terms, instead of dealing with the fallout later?”
Panic welled up insideGalen. His heart hammered, and his palms grew damp. “No. I can’t. I…. No.”
“Hey, stop. Listen to me. You’re afraid, and I get that. Do you want to live with this over your head for the rest of your life? I know I don’t. I can’t. I need you to be my partner fully, and that means standing up to Lincoln and Noel and telling them how much I love you.”
Galen backed up a few steps and glared at Robert.“Or what? Huh? Is this an ultimatum? Are you saying if I don’t, we’re through?”
Robert grinned, the bastard. “Nicely played. Ten out of ten for execution.” He followed Galen, then pulled him in again. “You’re not getting away with it that easily. I told you to take the time you need, but I’m also letting you know I want to be with you in public. I’m not ashamed, and you shouldn’t be either. Whathappened wasn’t your fault, and you’re not that person anymore. I truly believe that Lincoln and Noel would forgive you.”
How could they? Every time that Galen thought about the asshole he’d been, his stomach churned. He remembered the look on Noel’s face when Galen had cut him off while Noel tried to apologize about the wait for his food. Worse? He got a sick satisfaction from seeing his expression,because it made him feel powerful. And the rage on Lincoln’s face. Galen had never seen that before.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Robert kissed the tip of Galen’s nose. “Let’s get you home.”
“Yeah, I should go.”
Robert grabbed his chin and tilted his head back so they were looking at each other. “Whatever’s in your head, you can forget it. My mother would castrate me if I hurt you.”
“Oh, she would, huh?”
“She loves you so much, you don’t even know. The problem with this family you’ve gotten dragged into? They’re going to keep pulling you in, deeper and deeper. Soon you’ll forget you were ever a Merriweather, and you’ll swear you’d always been a Kotke.”
Oh, damn. How nice would that be? To put his whole history behind him and become the person he was actually enjoying.
“I don’t see the problem with that.”
Robert leaned down and brushed their lips together. “Yeah, me either.”
“I’m afraid.”
Robert peered at him intently. “About what?”
“If Lincoln and Noel find out we’re together and they react badly, what happens? I don’t want you to regret being with me, and I don’t want you to lose your friends because of me.”
“Hey, no, stop right there.” Robert took hishand. “If they’re my friends, they’ll be happy for me. But they’re never going to have the chance if we can’t stand up to them and say we’re in love.”
“And what if they don’t agree? What if they make you choose?”
Robert cupped Galen’s face. “Then I choose you.”
No way had he just said that. Robert had told Galen he thought of Noel as a son.
Galen jerked away. “What kind of father walks awayfrom his son?”
“Sweetheart, I’m not walking away from anyone. If I walk, I want them to walk with me. If they choose to take a different path, then that’s a choice they have to make. Will it hurt? Yeah, it’ll suck. But I can’t live my life for them.” Robert opened his arms. “Come here.”
“No.”
Robert grinned. “We both know how this is going to end.” He waggled his fingers. “Come on.”
Galensqueezed his eyes shut. Why would Robert choose him? It made no sense.
“Because you’re loving and kind. And you’re my family.” Robert embraced him, holding him tight, and Galen, so close to tears, couldn’t hold them back.
