Page 16 of Galen's Redemption
“How much do you want to keep your mouth shut about seeing me? I can wire five thousand to your bank right now.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“How much fucking money do you want? It’s not a difficult question!”
At the bar, eyes turned in their direction, but Galen couldn’thelp himself. He was about to be outed by this man if he couldn’t keep a lid on it.
“I don’t want your money, Mr. Merriweather.”
“Bullshit. I took back the check, and now you’re in a perfect position to get even with me for that.”
Robert stepped closer and leaned in. “Mr. Merriweather, I don’t know what life is like for you, but most people are pretty decent at the core. I get that you don’tknow me, but I can assure you that I have no intention of telling anyone that I saw you here.”
The news rocked Galen. “Why?”
Robert smiled. “Because I have no reason to. You could be here with friends showing support. You could be here because you’re staying nearby and wanted a drink. You might even be here because you’re gay but in the closet about it. Regardless of why you’re here, I haveno desire to out you, no matter what you seem to think. Like I told you before, I fully expected someone to come for that check. It happened to be you, and I hold no grudge or animosity toward you for doing your job.” He pulled out his phone. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a shelter to run. I hope you enjoy your night.”
And with those words, Robert stepped out the door and into the night.
“Ooh, he was hot. Who was that?”
Galen ignored Andy as he continued to stare at the door Robert had left from. Could he have been serious? He had leverage over Galen, and Galen hated that fact. But he’d seemed so genuine when he’d said he had no intention of telling people they’d seen each other.
“I have to go, Andy. Give me a call next week and we’ll see what we can do, okay?”
“But….”
“Lookat it this way—now you can go out and find someone for a quickie before bed.”
At the moment Galen didn’t care what Andy did; he just needed to do it elsewhere. He rushed out the door, looking around for Robert. He was heading down an alley near the Pfister, and Galen hurried after him. He didn’t know why, but he needed to find out more about this irritating man.
“Mr. Kotke!”
Robert stoppedand turned around. “Mr. Merriweather. What can I do for you?”
“I… I wanted to know….” Galen reached up and rubbed a hand over his chest. “Were you serious?”
A soft chuckle. “In regard to what, Mr. Merriweather? I’m rarely not serious, you see, but I have been known to tell a joke now and again. Of course, they always tell me they’re not funny. For example, and stop me if you’ve heard this, ifyou see a robbery at an Apple store does that make you an iWitness?”
Robert grinned at Galen, and Galen’s confusion got even more pronounced. Why wasn’t this man ranting at him? Why wouldn’t he blame him for taking back the check? Whowasthis guy?
“Okay, so maybe my jokesaren’tfunny.” Robert shrugged. “Was there something you wanted, Mr. Merriweather?”
“I…. Could you call me Galen, please?”It seemed stupid to keep having him say Mr. Merriweather. That was his father, and right now Galen didn’t want to think about him.
“Only if you call me Robert. Not Rob, not Bob, but Robert. Please.”
“Okay.”
“Was there something you needed, Galen? I have to get back. Noel’s doing dinner service tonight, and I don’t want to keep him there too long.”
“Noel?”
“Yes, Noel. The man who gave me thecheck.”
This whole conversation was so surreal. Of course he knew Noel. Galen should have remembered that. But Robert Kotke was nothing like Galen had expected.
“Could I…. Maybe we could….”
