Page 26 of Galen's Redemption
“Andy, I—” Galen swallowedhard. “I want you to know how much your friendship means to me.”
Andy smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ve always known. I get you’re… reluctant to show it, but that’s just part of who you are. Believe me, I understand.”
An insane jealousy zipped through Galen. Lincoln was so together. He never let what their father did bother him. He picked himself up and went on with life, making a brand-newone for himself that, against all odds, he seemed happy with. Galen wished he knew what had driven him to the point where he’d turned his whole life around.
“Why did you put up with me? I’ve always been such a selfish bastard.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Gale. Remember when Richie dumped me?”
“You mean, when you came back from your conference and walked in to find him in the middleof a writhing mass of bodies, which included your brother, who was balls-deep in Richie’s ass? Yeah, I vaguely recall it.”
Andy chuckled. “Yeah, I can tell it’s a distant memory for you. The point is, who came over with the quarts of Häagen-Dazs and sat with me while I cried? And then put me to bed while he cleaned up the mess they’d left?”
“Getting lube out of leather wasn’t a lot of fun. IfI was smart, I would have had a company come in to take care of it. I amnotmade for cleaning.”
Andy snorted. “Regardless, you’ve been there for me, so don’t think you haven’t.” He leaned in and brushed a quick kiss against Galen’s lips. “And I’m going to be there for you too.”
A soft sigh escaped from Galen. “Remind me again why it wouldn’t work for us.”
“One of us would have to top.”
Galenfrowned. “I top.”
“Being offered the opportunity when you were fifteen—and only because Quinn Westman said you could do him if he could do you—doesnotcount as topping.” Andy gave him a wink. “And if you remember, you said the whole idea was, and I quote, ‘icky and never to be talked about again.’”
When his cheeks heated, Galen turned away. “You weren’t supposed to remind me.”
That day hadcolossal disaster written all over it. Two horny teens, alone for the afternoon, looking at Quinn’s brother’s stash of porn. When Quinn started rubbing his crotch, Galen was mesmerized. As Quinn’s cock grew longer and thicker, he grinned at Galen and asked if he wanted to touch it. Galen didn’t even bother to answer. He just reached out and ran his hand over the bulge. Quinn lay back on the bed andunzipped his pants before he tucked his hands behind his head and stared at Galen. He looked so fucking hot, and Galen’s heart hammered to think he could touch this god of a man, but he was frozen in place. As Quinn reached in and tugged it out, Galen’s mouth watered. He would have done anything for Quinn, and by the end of the day, he had. They continued meeting in secret throughout the schoolyear, but then Quinn found a girlfriend and told Galen what had happened between themneverhappened.
Galen had been heartbroken, but not because he was in love with Quinn—he enjoyed their closeness. After sex, Quinn was even sweet on occasion, holding Galen against his football-player body.
Ah, memories of youth.
“He would never have let me top him, you know.”
“I know. But at least you learnedit wasn’t something you were interested in. Neither am I. So a relationship between us would probably be doomed. I mean, I love you and all, but like a friend. And I’m the friend who wants to help you out of this spot. So, what can I do?”
Unfortunately, there wasn’t an answer to that question forthcoming. Galen was screwed, and he knew it.
