Page 21 of Galen's Redemption
Galen’s heart hammered. Now he understood why Lincoln walked out. Why had Galen always turned a blind eye to what his father was doing? He couldn’t—wouldn’t—do it this time. Olivia had his back when Galen was in a crunch, and there was no way he would just let it slide.
He leaned on the desk until he found himself close enough that he couldsmell his father’s rank cigar breath. “No.”
He trembled at the thought that he was going to stand up to his father, but he liked Olivia. He’d been touched when she told him she thought he was better than Galen ever believed he could be. To that end, he stepped up and did the one thing he thought he would never do.
“I quit.”
If he thought this would get his father to listen for a change, tomaybe—finally—pay attention his son, that hope vanished in a derisive laugh.
“Fine. Clear out your desk.” Father pushed a button on his phone. “Security, Galen Merriweather is no longer employed with us. I would like you to escort him to his office to remove any personal effects, and then I want you to take him off the premises.” Then he disconnected the call and turned a smug smile on Galen.
Galen sucked in a breath. He wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but he wouldn’t give Father the satisfaction.
“I can see in your eyes how angry you are, so let me set you straight about a few things. First, if Lincoln hadn’t walked away, you’d have been fired by now anyway. Second, you were never half as good as he was. Third, I’m glad this whole charade is over. I’m tired of pulling yourass out of the fire. You never would have been good enough to take over this company. I would have sold it rather than leave it in your hands.”
Anger burned in Galen’s stomach. He grinned at his father, then decided he might as well do what Lincoln did and torch his bridges behind him. He would throw it in the old man’s face, just to see his expression.
“I’m gay too.”
His father snorted. “Youthink I didn’t know that?” He sneered at Galen. “Do you want to know the difference between you and Lincoln? He at least had the balls to own up to it. You’ve done nothing but hide your predilections, sneaking out to bars and debasing yourself and this family’s name. If you could have been a man like your brother and stood up for yourself, maybe we wouldn’t be where we are now.” He looked up assecurity entered the room, then turned his gaze back at Galen. “By the way, the same rules apply here as they did with Lincoln. As you’ve decided to leave your employment, our lawyers will be in contact with you regarding your future.”
And with those words, he was dismissed.
“Be sure he doesn’t take anything that belongs to the company.”
The security guard snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.”
Everything else was a haze as Galen was led to his office. Years of accomplishments and memories were held here, and in an instant, they were gone. He now understood how the other people he and his father had fired over the years felt. Degraded, dejected, and forced to look toward an uncertain future.
But he didn’t regret his decision one bit. For the first time in his life, he’d stood up forsomeone else, and Galen Merriweather was happy.
At least for now.
