Page 68 of Galen's Redemption
“Are you kidding? I’m all in on Andy’s life. His friends, his family, his job. There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t ask to hear what’s up with all of them. Did you know he’s the first boyfriend I had?My mom took one look at us and said Andy was perfect, and I agree with her.”
“Shut up.” Andy’s cheeks had to be burning. “I’m not sure how it happened so fast, but I’m glad it did.”
“Mr. Merriweather? We’re ready for you.”
Galen took a deep breath. “Okay, once more unto the breach.” He turned to Robert. “Are you coming with me?”
“Of course.” He slipped his hand into Galen’s. “I brought you,so it would be bad form for me to leave you alone. Besides, I kinda like watching you with your kitty.”
Robert chuckled and led Galen into the back room, where they sat down with a counselor. It was a good thing that Robert went with him, because if anyone had later asked Galen what he signed, he wouldn’t have been able to tell them. All he could think of was Robert and Mouse, and Andy and Marco.They cared for him. Were his friends. The words Noel had spat at him as they stood in the middle of Lincoln’s diner came back with startling clarity:This is what family is about. It’s not trying to stab people in the back to get what you want. It’s about standing together to make each other stronger. You don’t get it now, but maybe one day you will.Could that have been what he meant? None ofthese men got anything out of being nice to Galen. He and Andy had nothing to give, but Robert and Marco were still there, caring for them.
What the hell was that about? How could they care for Galen when his own family didn’t? It made no sense at all. But one look at Marco when he was with Andy and Galen could see the truth. They might not have said the words yet, but Marco loved Andy, and afteryears of friendship, Galen could see Andy’s heart belonged to Marco.
As they walked out of the shelter, with Mouse asleep in the carrying case they were given, Galen turned to Robert. “Are we family?”
If Robert was startled by the question, he covered it well. “Yeah, we are. The families we build are sometimes more important than the ones we’re born into. Noel found that out, and he’s strongerfor it. Why do you ask?”
Galen shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I just never had anyone who cared for me who wasn’t hoping they could get something from the rich guy. It made it hard to know who was genuine and who wasn’t. Andy was the only person who stayed true and steady. Even when I offered, he rarely took me up on it.”
“That’s because Andy doesn’t care about material things. He cares aboutyou. You’re like a brother to him.”
Galen turned toward Robert. “How do you know?”
“We’ve talked. He helped me to learn more about you and encouraged me to talk with you if I wanted to find out things like your favorite color, the season you like best, what makes you laugh and cry. And I have to admit, I want to know all those things.”
Galen couldn’t come up with a thing to say, so he stayedquiet. When they got into the car, Mouse woke up and stuck her nose out of one of the holes in the box, squeaking at Galen.
“I’m sorry, but you need to stay there until we get you home.”
Robert turned around. “Why? You can hold her. It might help her stay calm if you start the bonding process now.”
“You think so?” Galen knew nothing about pets. “Okay.”
He opened the box, grinning when Mousestood on her back legs and stretched up, her gaze locked on Galen. As soon as Galen reached in and hefted her out, she went for Galen’s chest. If Galen thought he would need to hold the kitten to him, he was mistaken. Mouse curled up into a ball and lay there, purring.
“What’s she doing?”
Robert reached over and stroked Mouse’s head. “If I had to guess, I think she’s listening to your heartbeat.If she lost her mother, maybe she’s looking for you to be a surrogate.”
A surrogate? Galen could scarcely believe he had anything that needed him, but the kitten on his chest apparently had other ideas. She seemed to have claimed Galen as hers, and instead of being the unfeeling bastard he’d always believed he was, Galen was… happy.
