Page 15 of Galen's Redemption
He sighed. Noel had found himself someone who made him happy. He had a job that fulfilled him. He made friends, built himself a family, and God help him, Robert was a little bit envious. He knew Noel would never take it for granted, though. Having lost everything once, he was sure to hold on tight to this.
The familiar ache settled into Robert’s chest once more. Hisbrother was married, and even though Brian was sick, Tom was happy being with him. Just seeing the two of them together would make even a hard-core homophobe question their stupidity. Tom doted on Brian, and Brian never gazed at Tom with anything less than ardent affection. Throw their parents into the mix, and everyone around Robert was happy and blissfully content with their lives.
And Roberthad always been too, but lately? Noel had asked him what he wanted for himself, and Robert thought his answer was good: A lover who understood that sometimes he wouldn’t always be Robert’s first priority.
That man didn’t exist, and Robert knew that from experience. How many people had he lost from his life who complained he didn’t have time for them? Matt? Jonah? Eli? All of them had spoken theL word, but Robert hadn’t been able to return it, because he knew what they had wouldn’t—couldn’t—last. They weren’t necessarily needy, but when things came up that they wanted Robert to attend, he’d begged off. Be it a concert or movie or dinner with the family, Robert simply couldn’t walk away from the shelter.
And that had cost him dearly.
No, it was easier to be alone. Smarter too. No hurtfeelings to soothe over, no it’s-me-not-you speeches. None of that. Just his work, and that would have to be enough.
ANDY POUTEDwhen they got out of the cab in front of the bar. “This isn’t where I thought we’d be going. Even if it’s Sunday, Kruz has a drink special going on. There’s going to be guys all over in there.”
“You can go if you want. I’m just here for a break.” And God, heneeded one. Olivia’s words kept rolling through his head, and though they weren’t a surprise by any means, Galen had wondered how many other people noticed the way his father treated him. “If you want to go to the club, go ahead. We’ll catch up later.”
Andy’s lip continued to jut out. He’d well earned the drama queen nickname. “No, I’ll come in with you. But next time we go out somewhere there’saction, agreed?”
“Sure. Next time we go out, we’ll hit Kruz or something.”
That perked Andy straight up. “Great. Let’s go in and get our drink on.”
When they walked into This Is It!, Galen sighed. No loud music, no gyrating twinks. Just a nice, solid-looking crowd. He nodded at Jason, who gave him a smile, and then pointed to a table set in the back. Jason dipped his chin in affirmation.
“We’re sitting in the back?”
Well, it didn’t take Andy long to get to pouting again.
“You can people watch. Maybe you’ll meet someone you can take home with you.”
Andy scanned the room, then turned back to Galen with a scowl on his face. “Yeah, no, thanks.”
Doing his best to bite back a retort, Galen took a seat, with Andy taking the one across from him. Jason came over with two beers and putthem down in front of them.
“Thanks, Jase. How’s it going tonight?”
Jason shrugged. “Not bad for a Sunday, but wish we had more. It’ll pick up in a while, though, so think of this as the calm before the storm.” He glanced down the hall where the bathrooms were located. “Had a new guy come in a while ago. He’s sexy as fuck. Dark hair that looks messy even when it’s not, big brown eyes, and thebest part? I don’t think he realizes how hot he is.”
Andy rolled his eyes. “Surprised you didn’t follow him into the bathroom.”
“If there was another guy here, I might have been tempted. He seems like he’s a decent guy too. Runs a homeless shelter downtown.”
As soon as the words left Jason’s lips, Galen stiffened. “He what?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said. I admit, I didn’t think a guy who lookedlike a more cuddly version of Harry Judd from McFly would be working with homeless people, but I think it’s awesome.”
Galen lurched up out of his seat. He needed to get the hell out of the bar if Robert Kotke was here. “I gotta go. Andy will pay for our drinks.”
“We just got here. Where are you going?”
Fear raced through Galen’s veins. He rushed for the door, needing to get far, far away fromthe bar, but just as he made it to the exit, a familiar voice called out.
“Why, Mr. Merriweather, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Galen froze in his tracks. This couldn’t be happening. He’d been so damned careful his whole life, and now it had all gone down the toilet because someone he’d taken money from had found him in a fucking gay bar. He turned and found Robert standing there, a widegrin on his face, and Galen knew he was royally fucked.
“How much?”
Robert’s face scrunched up. “Excuse me?”
