Page 73 of Galen's Redemption
Chapter Nineteen
WHEN SIXthirty rolled around, the familiar butterflies started swarming in Galen’s stomach like they always did when Robert was going to be showing up. He wanted to be ready to go as soon as he knocked, so he grabbed Andy’s favorite shower gel, the one that he bought online that claimed it attracted gay men. Galen had scoffed, but then again, Andy had met Marco, so whoknew?
A quick shower, ensuring he got all the areas of his body clean, and he was all set. He fed Mouse, who scarfed down the food in record time. After she’d finished, Galen took a seat on the couch to cuddle with her while he waited for Robert. He turned on the TV so he’d have a little bit of background noise. Mouse was on his chest, purring away, and Galen leaned back and closed his eyes,letting the gentle vibrations flow through him.
He jerked up when Mouse jumped off. He must have fallen asleep, because now he was tired as all get-out. He glanced at his phone, squinting because he was certain it couldn’t be nine already. Robert was late, and that wasn’t like him at all. He tried to call but got no answer. He sat on the couch, doing his best not to think about what might bewrong. Mouse jumped up and crouched by his side, kneading his leg. He reached over and pulled her to him, cradling her to his chest.
“Where is he? He’s always early. What if…? What if something happened?”
Panic welled up inside him. He’d never been in a situation like this before and had no goddamn frame of reference. This was why he did his best not to care, because no one could hurt him ifhis heart was hard, like his father’s. But he wasn’t his father. He’d tried it that way, and look how that turned out.
He called Andy, who answered on the first ring. “Hey, Gale. Decided to come out after all?”
“No. I know you and Robert talk. Have you heard from him tonight?”
“Robert? No. I haven’t spoken to him for a few days. What’s wrong?”
Galen blew out a long, slow exhale. “Probablynothing. I’m getting worked up for no reason, I’m sure.”
Marco’s voice drifted through the noise in the background. “Tell him we’re on our way.”
“Marco says—”
“No, don’t. If I need you, I’ll call. I’m just nervous. Give me a call if you hear from him, okay?”
A hushed exchange of words, the sounds of the phone being handed over, and then Marco came on the line. “Galen, what’s going on, man?”
“Robert invited me out tonight. Tomorrow is our anniversary, and we were going to grab something from Real Chili, then watch a movie. He was supposed to be here at seven, and I haven’t heard from him.”
“Then let us come over and keep you company.”
“No, it’s okay. I forgot you had a dinner date with your sister. I’m sorry I bothered—”
“If the next words out of your mouth are something stupid,I’m going to ask Andy for permission to beat your ass.”
Andy’s voice, loud and strident, came through perfectly clear: “And I’ll give it too.”
Galen chuckled. “Really, it’s okay. If I need you, I promise I’ll call. Okay?”
“Well…. Okay.” Marco didn’t sound at all convinced. “We’ll check in with you later. Andy’s spending the night at my place, so you know where we are.”
“Thank you. I appreciateit.”
As soon as he hung up with Marco, Galen’s phone rang. He fumbled with it for a moment before he was able to slide the bar to answer. “Hello?”
“Galen? It’s Rachel.”
A lead ball dropped into his stomach. “Oh. Hi.”
“Oh, honey, I know you were expecting Robert, and I’m sorry I’m not him, but that’s why I’m calling. Listen, I need a favor from you, okay?”
That grabbed his attention. “Sure,what can I do for you?”
“Robert called me earlier, and he was in tears. The police contacted him and said they arrested the guy who sold the drugs to Bree. One of the volunteers made a comment, and it’s got Robert upset.”
Images of Robert in anguish tore at Galen. “You don’t think….” No, he couldn’t imagine Robert sinking into a depression like that.
“No, I don’t think he’d do anything drastic.I just think he needs a friend.”
