Page 23 of Galen's Redemption
“The best things in life often take a lot of work. I think that’s somethingyou know well.”
He sighed. “When Noel brought the check, he went on about what Lincoln’s father did and said. But he also said Galen seemed uncomfortable about what was happening. Maybe because he was?”
She yawned, and Robert felt like crap for waking her in the first place.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll let you go get some sleep.”
“And what makes you think we were sleeping?”
“Hi, Robert!”
He groaned.“Tell Dad I said hi back. And no matter what you were doing, I’m sorry I bothered you.”
“Don’t be silly. Family is there for each other, and your father and I will always be here for you. Speaking of being here, Tom and Brian are coming for dinner on the twenty-seventh, if you can get away for a few hours. It would be nice to see you.”
“I’ll try.”
Noel had said he could help out more on Sundays,so maybe Robert could take a night off to see his family.
“And maybe you could bring Galen with you. Let him see how family should be. It might not be what he thinks it is.”
No way. He couldn’t see bringing Galen into his parents’ home. And with Brian being sick? “Not sure that’s a good idea. Tom already has enough on his plate, and bringing Galen in could backfire.”
“That’s why I’m suggestingit. You know how Brian and Tom are together. Seeing Tom do things for Brian? That’s commitment. Having Brian as part of our family? That’s love. Maybe Galen needs a dose of reality.”
“Well, I don’t think I’ll be seeing him again. After he had his fit, I left.”
“If you don’t, you don’t. But do me a favor, okay? Try to keep an open mind. Maybe Galen needs that more than anything else.” She yawnedagain. “Okay, I’m going to go to bed. Give me a call later in the week if you can.”
“Will do. Say good night to Dad for me. And thank you.”
Her voice softened. “Any time, you know that.”
She hung up, and Robert was left with his jumbled thoughts.
As prickly as Galen could be, Robert truly had enjoyed his company. There were moments, like how his dubious expression morphed into one of purejoy at his first mouthful of chili. Robert wondered if Galen even realized how unguarded he was at that time. But then he closed up tight once more, and Robert had no idea what he could do or say to get Galen to unclench. He figured it would be best if he left Galen to his thoughts, because the only person who could get through to him—for now—would be Galen himself.
As he put his phone back intohis pocket, Robert realized it was already getting close to four. He berated himself for calling his parents so late and promised to make it up to them. Time to start breakfast for the people who would be coming in to get a hot meal.
When he was up to his elbows in pans of eggs and bacon, all thoughts of Galen were pushed to the back of Robert’s mind.
Except for the one where Galen had smiledat him, his eyes not cold in the least. That one he’d keep for now.
IT TOOKsix days for Galen to work up the nerve to make his phone calls. First he checked in with Olivia, not bothering to tell her that he no longer worked at Primal. She assured him that she was okay, and then confirmed, yes, Father had propositioned her. She turned him down flat, and in a pique of childish fit, he’dfired her. He said he would give her an hour to clear her things out, and she grinned at him and said she didn’t need it. She stood up, head high, and walked away. Galen wished he could be as strong as she was.
After he hung up with Olivia, he called Andy and asked him to come over. He spent that time fretting over what steps his father was going to take against him. He’d seen it when Fatherhad gone after Lincoln. When Andy showed up, Galen laid out the whole story for him, and Andy sat there, mouth open, until he finished. Then, like a true friend, he pulled Galen in for a hug.
“What are you going to do, Gale?”
Though he didn’t want to, Galen pulled away and leaned against the couch. “Don’t know yet. I’m waiting for a call from the lawyers so I can see how bad the fallout of thisis going to be. I’ve already contacted the bank and moved the bulk of my money so he can’t do to me what he did to Lincoln. No matter what happens, I’ll be okay.”
That seemed to settle Andy’s nerves. Galen wanted to chuckle because he thought Andy was a lot more nervous than he was.
“I’m going to make some lunch. What do you think about chili?”
Andy’s eyes went wide. “Chili? God, what are yougoing to say next? Hot dogs?”
“Do they go with chili?”
