Page 56 of Galen's Redemption
Both of them cracked up.
“So now here we are, about to go meet your boyfriend’s parents.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”Galen didn’t like the way the words felt as they flew off his tongue. “We’re just… friends.”
Andy gave him an indulgent look as he patted Galen’s hand. “Oh, sweetheart, no. I love you, but I would never send you roses. I’m not sure why you’re so wigged about this.”
Galen was afraid to tell Andy the truth, because he didn’t want him to look at Galen differently. He opted for another potentialreason. “Because my parents cheat. They have for years. What makes you think that one day I won’t wake up and decide it’s not working for me, and go out and pick up some young meat at the bar and let him do me in the bathroom?”
Andy scoffed. “Do youwantto get done in the bathroom?”
Galen shrugged a single shoulder. “It’s pretty much the only real sex life I’ve had.”
“So you’re scared. That’sperfectly natural. But there comes a time when you have to ask yourself, is it worth losing something that might turn out to be the best thing I’ve ever had, because I’m scared?” Andy grinned. “You taught me that.”
“Me?”
“You were out looking for a job when Marco came over to deliver that last set of flowers. I took them and found myself tongue-tied. He smiled at me, and I knew that I had tolisten to what you’d said or I would probably regret it for the rest of my life. I asked him in for coffee, and I’ve never seen a wider, more beautiful smile. We talked for a good two hours about nothing, but every word from his lips fascinated me. I was already halfway set to jump his bones, until I remembered what it was I wanted. So, when we were done, I thanked him and asked if we could do itagain sometime. He said he’d like that. When we walked to the door, he put his hands on my shoulders, leaned in, and gave me the gentlest, sweetest kiss I’d ever gotten. He reminded me to put the chain on the door, because he wanted to be sure I was safe.” Andy sighed, deep and content. “You know, I’ve never had anyone worry for me like that. It felt good. After years of toads, I found a prince.”
The bell rang, and Andy took off like a shot. He yanked open the door to reveal Marco, decked out in a black suit and pressed white shirt. From delivery driver to fashion plate, Marco had it all covered.
“Hey, Andy.” He grinned and leaned in for a blistering kiss. Once they came up for air, Marco turned to Galen. “Hey, Galen. Are you guys ready to go?”
“Sure.”
Andy slipped his hand into Marco’sand followed him down the stairs, with Galen not too far behind. Marco whispered something, and Andy smacked his arm and gave a naughty giggle.
“Stop teasing me.”
“I’m serious.”
Andy’s eyes went wide. “No way.”
“Yup. Do you wanna?”
“Hell yes!”
Galen strode forward and pushed them apart. “No closets, no bathrooms, no…. Just no. Save it until you get back home.”
Andy turned, and his smilemorphed into a sad expression. “No, it’s not that.” He looked back at Marco. “Can you give us a second?”
Marco slid a hand over Andy’s cheek. “Sure. I’ll be in the car.” He went down the stairs and out the door, but only after casting a glance over his shoulder at Andy and giving him a wink. Andy’s cheeks pinked, and it was a good look on him.
As soon as the door closed, he whirled to face Galenonce more. His expression caused a knot to form in Galen’s stomach.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, really. Can we talk for a minute?”
That did not bode well. Galen leaned against the wall, hands tucked in his pockets. “Okay, go ahead and talk.”
When Andy blew out a breath, it became crystal clear to Galen he wasn’t going to like what Andy was about to say.
“So, listen….” He stared off into thedistance and swallowed hard. With his hands clenched at his sides, he seemed to be doing his best to avoid Galen’s gaze.
“Just say what you have to.”
Short, quick panted breaths, and his eyes squeezed tight. “Marco asked me to go away with him for a few weeks. His parents have a cabin in Gilman, and he wanted me to come with them to, you know, get to know his family.”
