Page 57 of Galen's Redemption
A twinge in Galen’s chest.“Oh.”
“It’s just for a while. We’d be back the last week in August. He said you could come with if you wanted to.”
The way Andy’s voice rose, Galen knew he hadn’t been invited.
“I hope you have fun.”
“Gale, really, come with us. It’ll be fun. We can sleep under the stars, roast marshmallows, sing campfire songs.” Andy blinked twice. “Please?”
The plaintive please wasn’t a question of askingGalen to come along; it was more Andy begging him not to be angry.
“You don’t need me to come with you. It sounds like you’re going to have a great time.”
“But—”
Galen wrapped his arms around Andy’s shoulders and pulled him in tight. “Shut up. Go. Have a good time. I’m going to be here when you get back.”
As he pulled back, Andy gripped Galen’s hand. “Promise me that. You don’t go anywherewithout me. Swear to me.”
“Where would I go?” Galen chuckled as he ran a hand over Andy’s. “I’ll be here. You have my word.”
Still, Andy stood there, biting his lip. “Am I making a mistake?”
“What? Hell no. Why would he ask you to go with him and his family if he didn’t want to get to know you better?”
“Gee, I don’t know. Fifty acres leaves a lot of room to bury the body.” Andy blanched. “Ididn’t mean that.”
“No, you didn’t. You’re nervous, and I get it. It’s your first time away with someone you’re calling your boyfriend. Not just a fuck but a guy you might want to spend your life with. And listen to me. He cares for you. Even I can see it, and I’m pretty clueless about things like that.”
What started out as a laugh turned into a sob as Andy threw himself into Galen’s arms. “Iwant him to like me. He makes me feel special, like I actually matter.”
“You listen to me, damn it. You fucking matter. The world is a better place with you in it, and I don’t want to hear you talking bad about yourself, do you get me?” Galen squeezed Andy hard. “Marco isn’t a fool. You’ve said he was a genius, so trust him to know what he’s doing, okay? And while you’re at it, trust yourself.Now come on. We have to get going.” Stepping back, Galen wiped a finger to get rid of the smear under Andy’s eye. “Fix yourself. Your face is running.”
“Oh God. He’s going to think I’m a raccoon or something.”
“No, I doubt it. He’s going to think how lucky he is to have you in his life. Go on. I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Andy turned and trotted back to the apartment. Galen descended thestaircase slowly, wondering why it hurt so much that he was being left behind. Again. When he got to the car, he slid into the back seat.
Marco met his gaze in the mirror. “Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he needs a moment.”
“You know, you’re more than welcome to come with us. It’s a big place, so there’s plenty of room. Might do you some good to get away from the city for a while.”
Galen’s hackles wentup. “Excuse me?”
“Out in the country, you can have a chance to rest and think about what you want to do.”
Oh, fuck him if he thought he knew Galen. A month ago he could have bought their shops and crushed them beneath his heel, and he would have laughed about it as they took their shit from the buildings. He took a deep breath. No, he was never that guy, and Andy didn’t belong to Galen. He hadevery right to pursue something with Marco. That didn’t stop Galen from feeling cast aside, though.
The door opened and Andy slid into the car. “Sorry.”
Marco leaned in and kissed him. “No problem. You look amazing.”
Anger surged inside Galen as he threw himself against the seat and fumed.
“Gale, you okay?”
Andy reached back for his hand, but Galen pulled away. He turned and glared out thewindow. “Fine.”
“What’s wrong? Marco?”
As he started the car, Marco glanced in the mirror again. “I think he’s upset with me. I invited him to come with us, but guess I said something wrong. Galen, I do apologize for upsetting you. That wasn’t my intention at all. If you don’t want to come, you don’t have to.”
No, of course not. They never wanted Galen along anyway.
One big shoulder shrugand a whispered apology to Andy, and Marco pulled into traffic.
