Page 18 of Galen's Redemption
Chapter Six
“SO WHATdo you think of it?”
Galen scooped the last bit of chili into his mouth. “This is amazing.”
Robert held up the basket of rolls. “Take the last one and use it to get the sauce in the bottom.”
A dubious stare was his answer.
“Trust me. You’ll like it.”
Galen took the offered piece and did as Robert suggested, running it along the bottom to sop up all the remainingtomato sauce, cheese, and meat. His eyes went wide and he happily hummed when he stuffed it in his mouth. Galen was like a kid in a candy store, eating things he’d always thought off-limits to them.
The clock on the wall said Real Chili would be closing soon, and Robert really did need to get back to the shelter, but he was having a surprisingly good time with Galen. From the moment he met theantagonistic man, Robert was certain he wouldn’t ever want to be alone in a room with him, but when he wasn’t working, Galen was much more subdued. Or maybe it was the company.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Robert wondered how long it would be before he did. “Sure, go ahead.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Well, I’ll tell you. My father once told me that if I expected to make it in thisworld, I had to learn how to treat people with respect, especially if I wanted them to treat me the same way. Does it always work? No, of course not, but that doesn’t stop me from trying. And believe it or not, you’re not a hard person to be nice to, once you let down your hair a little.”
Galen seemed to be mulling over what Robert had said. “My father would say you’re crazy. People only existif they can do something for you.”
“And is that what you think?”
Galen dropped his gaze to the table. “I always thought I was cut from the same cloth as him.”
“And now you doubt that?”
A deep sigh. Galen reached out and picked up his soda. He wasn’t really drinking, but Robert guessed he was using it as a defense mechanism.
“You don’t have to answer that, you know.”
“No, I know.” Galen blewout a breath. “My personal assistant said I was too good for my job. I didn’t understand what she meant. I’m a callous ass, driven to impress my father, but I’m starting to wonder if anything I do will impress him.”
“Okay, let me ask you something. Is it worth trying to impress someone who isn’t paying attention to you?”
Galen’s hackles went up. “What do you know about it?”
“Honestly? Nothing.My father always pays attention to me and my brother. Maybe a little too much sometimes. When Brian, my brother Tom’s husband, first met our father, Brian was terrified of him, but my dad wouldn’t let him be scared. He spoke to him in a soft, soothing voice, and for a man who’s six foot six inches and wide as a mountain and has a booming voice, that’s not as easy as you might think. Each timethey’d go to visit, Brian would be less and less hesitant. Now? He laughs when he comes in and my father scoops him up into a hug. That’s just the kind of man he is. My mom is the same way. She is a big nurturer. She can’t stand to see anyone hurting, and she’ll give you the shirt off her back if you need it.”
Galen sat quietly, staring into his bowl. “They sound too good to be true.”
“They’renot. It’s why Tom and I grew up with a good moral compass.”
All right, that was obviously the wrong thing to say. Galen pushed back from the table and stood, his eyes wide and his breathing ragged. “So you’re saying I don’t have a moral compass?”
Yep, he’d hit a button with that comment. “I never said any such thing, Galen. I was only talking about me and my brother. Why would you take offenseat that?”
“You don’t even know me or my family. Why would you think your moral compass, as you put it, is better than mine?”
Well, Robert had really put his foot in it this time. Whatever was eating away at Galen had hooks firmly latched in him, and getting them out would be very painful, if it was even possible.
“I’m going to head out. Thank you for dinner. It was really good.” Robert paused,wondering if he should say what was on his mind, then figured the hell with it. In for a penny and all that. “If you ever want to do it again, give me a call at the shelter. I had a nice time and wouldn’t mind going out if we can find time in our busy schedules.”
He left Galen standing at the table, gaping like a fish.
