A job? At the shelter? Working with Robert and helping him to help others? To maybe redeem himself one day? “Okay, but….”
“But? Why does that sound so ominous?”
“My father won’t take this lying down. If he wants to hurt me, he’ll find a way to do it. That will include retaliating against the shelter if I got hired here. How about if I volunteer my time? That way he can’t say you’ve got to fire me. I guess he could tell you I’m not allowed to work here, though. This whole thing could blow up in my face.”
Galen scratched the back of his head. He wanted this job, more than he’d ever wanted to work at Primal. His dream had somehow changed in the last few months. Where once he wanted to run a Fortune 500 company, now he wanted to work side by side with Robert. The passion Robert expressed when talking about the place was infectious, and while he was printing up his lists, Galen had thought of a number of ideas to make things run more efficiently.
“Excellent! Thank you for volunteering. But just know, as soon as your father gets out of your—our—lives, this job, and perks, are yours.”
Galen grinned. “Perks?”
His cheeks flushed, Robert stared into Galen’s eyes. “I hear the boss is very good to those he works with.”
“Oh God. That’s cheesy.”
Robert groaned. “I’m tired and hungover, so that’s the best you’re going to get. Anyway, your first official act as our office manager will be to go home, take care of Mouse, and then get ready for me to come pick you up for the date I missed last night. And I am so very sorry about that. I was in an ugly place and let the bottle talk me into taking what I thought was the easy way out. I’ve told people over and over that the problems will still be there in the morning, but I didn’t listen.”
“You need to call your mom. She reached out to me last night and said she was worried about you. Andy and Marco were concerned too.”
Robert winced. “God, when I screw up, I tend to go overboard.”
“Don’t worry. I called them all to let them know I was here and taking care of you.”
He grinned. “Taking care of me? I like how that sounds.”
Once he had the papers filed away again, Galen got up and moved closer to Robert. “Do we have a date?”
“We do. I intend on buying you the biggest, spiciest bowl of chili they have there.”
“Will it come with bread?”
Robert gave a dramatic roll of his eyes. “You just want everything.” He nipped at Galen’s lips. “Tell you what. If you stay here Sunday night, there could be dessert too.”
“Let me check in with Andy. I think he and Marco were planning to get away for a few days, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Robert licked a strip along Galen’s neck, which sent shivers of delight coursing through his body.
“I should go….”
But he didn’t want to. He wanted to know what sex with Robert was like. Was he forceful? Sweet? Demanding? No, Robert would be a considerate lover, Galen was certain. He would never leave Galen unfulfilled, like so many other guys had. Even if the sex got rough, Robert would still take care of Galen.
“I love you.”
The breathy words tickled Galen’s ear. “I love you too.”
God, how good did it feel to say it aloud? Galen never believed he’d hear the words or say them to anyone. It filled him with fear but, at the same time, made him strong enough to stand against it.
Robert patted Galen on the ass. “Go take care of Mouse and we’ll pick this up later. I’m going to lock myself in here for a while and go through this paperwork.” He kissed Galen. “Thank you for this.”
Heat rushed through Galen. “Should a boss be kissing his employees? What would the others say if…?”
Why had he never thought of this before? The whole scene unfolded in his head, and each step along the way solidified the vision Galen was having.
“Galen? What’s wrong? You’ve gone white as a sheet.”
It couldn’t be that simple… could it? Oh, holy shit. The answer had been staring Galen in the face the whole time, and he’d never really noticed it before. Or, maybe, he’d chosen to ignore it.
“I have to go.” He kissed Robert. “And thank you. I promise I won’t let you down. In fact, I think my life is going to start turning around for the better very soon.”
And before Robert could reply, Galen was out the door. He called for an Uber, then scrolled through his contact list. As soon as he found the number he needed, he dialed and waited for the one person who could help him finally take back control of his life to answer.
“Galen? I’m surprised to hear from you.”
“I’m sorry, Olivia, I should have kept in touch. I’ve been spending a lot of time feeling sorry for myself, but if you heard a really loud pop today, that was me getting my head out of my ass.”
She chortled. “I didn’t hear it, but I’m glad to know the surgery was a success. What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you had time to meet for a cup of coffee? I’ve got a proposition for you, and I think it’s going to help us both in the long run.”
“That sounds intriguing. Do I get a hint?”
“Can we wait until we’re sitting down? I’ve got a feeling this might take a while. I have to go home and feed my cat, but then I’m free to meet you whenever.”
“Okay. I’ve got my lunch break in about an hour. We could meet at the Starbucks down from Primal if you want.”
The Starbucks down from Primal. What a delicious irony that would be.
“Yeah, I think that’s the perfect spot. I’ll see you soon.”
God, if this worked out, it was going to go a long way to making things right.
He hoped.
Chapter Twenty-One
GALEN PUT two cups of coffee on the table, then took a seat opposite Olivia. She gave him a grateful smile as she took hers.
“Thank you.”
“You’re looking good. How’s the new job?”
She pursed her lips. “It’s a job. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s okay. I like my boss, but…. Well, he’s not you. I really enjoyed working for you, being in the thick of all the action. Seeing you in your glory as you tried to balance two worlds on a knife’s edge.” She sighed. “And now I’m in the glamorous world of sorting and collating. It’s a different life, but it still lets me take care of Aiden, so I’m happy to have it.”
“And how’s Aiden doing?” He didn’t want to ask the question, since Father had fired her and taken away the good health insurance Primal provided.
“He’s okay. His legs ache quite often, especially if he overdoes trying to walk. The little shit refuses to slow down and is constantly working on an art project or going to class, or…. He’s a whirlwind, and he’s determined to milk every drop from life that he can.”
“Art project?”
She practically shone when she talked about Aiden, and it was a joy to see that much love in her expression.
“He goes to a stained-glass studio downtown for their classes.” She sighed and took a sip of her coffee. “He wants to live an independent life, and he’s hoping to make money from his works. I think they’re excellent, but he insists that since I’m his sister, I’ve got a responsibility to say that. He can be a little shit. He keeps talking about wanting to move out, and I’ve told him he can stay with me as long as he wants, but he thinks I need to get out and find a boyfriend or girlfriend or multiple people.” She snickered. “He’s very open-minded about things.”
“He sounds amazing.”
“He is. I think you’d like him.” She drained the rest of her coffee. “He goes to that diner Lincoln owns on occasion. He and Noel had some classes together, or they did until Aiden finished his courses.”
“Please tell me Noel’s not one of the people giving him a hard time.” Galen had already come to terms with how horrid he was to Noel, and he hated the idea that he wasn’t all he seemed.
Her eyes wen
t wide. “What? No! Noel is probably one of the best friends Aiden has. He’s worked projects with him at school, and when he goes into the diner, Noel’s very attentive and always gives him a hug when he leaves.” She gave a wistful sigh. “I think those hugs mean a lot to Aiden. He’s under the impression that no one is going to want someone who already gets around like an old man.”
Another thing his father had to answer for. How many other people had he propositioned and then fired? How many lives had he ruined, and he’d done it without a shred of regret. Galen wished he could take away all the pain his family had caused.
“I’m sorry for everything. The fact that Aiden’s hurting, that my father is a dick.” He squeezed his cup. “I guess I’m just sorry for everything.”
She waved him off. “Don’t be. This is on Jonathan Merriweather, not his son. I have to say, how you and Lincoln were born from that…. Ugh, I can’t even think of words vile enough to describe him.” She winced. “I’m sorry. That was wrong.”
“Oh, hell no. Call the bastard what he is. I’ve moved past him.”
She cocked her head. “You have. I can see the determination in your face, and it looks good on you.”
Galen grinned. “There’ve been some changes. I have a new job. A boyfriend. A cat. Oh, and an idea.”
She leaned forward, her elbows on the table. “Boyfriend?”
Galen preened. He would happily talk about Robert all day. “Yes’m. His name is Robert Kotke, and he runs the shelter on Tenth.”
“Well, all right!” She reached out and cuffed him on the arm. “I’m proud of you. So what’s this job?”
“I’m going to be the office manager for the shelter. I’m helping Robert put together a plan to get a larger inflow of money to bolster their reserves. I’m… I’m going to help him find the money that I took from them.”
She clucked her tongue. “That was money your father took.”
He frowned and fiddled with his coffee cup. “I’m the one who did it. If I’d had the balls to refuse—”
“He would have had someone else do it. Listen to me, Galen. You’re a good man. You got dealt a shitty hand in the parent department, but you’ve come out of it a better person. Don’t beat yourself up over the past—use it to make a better future.”
And that was why he had loved working with Olivia. She tempered his irrationality and kept him on a more even keel.
“So what’s this idea you had?”
Oh, he was so glad she got him back on topic. He’d been buzzing ever since he’d thought of it. In careful detail, he laid it out for her, watching as her eyes grew larger and larger. A few times she gasped and asked if he was sure, but Galen simply smiled and said he was totally certain.
When he finished outlining it, he leaned forward. “I need your help on this. If you’re willing. It’s going to raise a lot of hell, and you’ve got your brother—”
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Oh, I am so in. This is genius, Galen. Pure and simple. I don’t know why no one else thought of it.” She grinned, and it kind of scared Galen. “When do we start?”
He held out a hand, which she shook enthusiastically. “We just did.”
“HOW’S YOUR chili?”
Galen looked up, his gray eyes twinkling in the fluorescent lights. Robert had done his best to be patient, to give Galen time to open his mind—and heart—to a new way of life. Now that they’d both professed their love, he could finally set about claiming what he wanted.
“It’s delicious.”
Robert laughed when Galen grabbed a roll and swiped it through his bowl, then shoved it in his mouth. He’d come a long way from pampered rich boy to someone who found the joy in bread and chili.
Galen narrowed his gaze. “Why are you staring at me?” he asked around a mouthful of food.
“Just thinking.” Robert smiled. “You know, I never thought I’d have the chance to tell you I love you. I mean, you’re from a rich, powerful family, and I’m…. Well, I’m not.”
Galen swallowed hard. “No, you’re wrong. You’re the one with the rich and powerful family. It was easy to see from the first time I walked in their house. Your mother treated me like I belonged, and your dad sat and talked with me. Those kinds of things never happened in my house.” He put his spoon down. “Your mom said that it wouldn’t be too long before I called her and your father Mom and Dad.”
“Good. I hope she’s right.”
“You… do?”
“Yep. Brian does it because he needed a family when his kicked him out. To this day he’s only shared that story with Tom and our mother. It’s why Mom works so hard to take care of him, because he needs her to mother him. When he first came home with Tom, he wanted to run away. My folks went to him like you would a scared animal. They were gentle, coaxing. They let him come to them at his own pace. Now? He calls them Mom and Dad because he’s our family.” Robert reached out and took Galen’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Just like you are. So if you want to call them Mom and Dad, I think you should.”
“O-okay.”
The fact that Galen didn’t argue said a lot. He needed a good family to take him in. One who could see past his mistakes and help him find a brighter future. In short, he needed Robert and his family.
“So… I did something today, and I probably should tell you about it.”
Robert pushed his bowl aside and leaned on the table. “Okay, shoot.”
“Remember me telling you about Olivia, my former assistant? I went to coffee with her today to discuss a project I have in mind. It might come back to bite me in the ass, so I’m going to let you know in case you’d rather not have me working at the shelter.”
“Nothing you say will have me taking back the offer of a job. I—no, we—need you.”
A flush ran up Galen’s neck into his face. “Okay. I might have an idea how to get my father off my back and, at the same time, get Olivia—and others my father has screwed over—some satisfaction.”
This sounded intriguing. “Lay it on me.”
“When I was teasing you in the office earlier, I asked what others would think if they saw you kissing someone on staff, and it came to me. What if the world knew what my father was doing? How he lied, threatened, and basically tarnished reputations to get what he wants? This whole MeToo movement? It was tailor-made for someone like him.”
“I agree. So what’s your idea?”
“Olivia and I are setting up a website. She’s contacting people who my father fired and getting their stories. We’re going to post them online so people can see what kind of man he is.”
“That’s…. Wow. Remind me never to piss you off.”
Galen chuckled. “We don’t have the money to win in court, but we can win in public opinion.”
“Can’t he sue for slander or defamation of character?”
“That’s assuming he has any character.” Galen grimaced. “Sorry. I told Olivia I wasn’t going to let my bitterness keep hold of me.”
“Hey, it’ll come when it comes. You’re not denying it, so that’s a good thing. Now, what about him suing you?”
“Olivia is signing an affidavit stating she was sexually harassed by him, and she’s telling the other women she’s doing it, so she can get them to share their stories. We’re going to publish Olivia’s and allow the women to post their own stories. They’re being told that they need to be willing to stand up for their own dignity.”
“You know this is going to piss him off.”
Galen grinned. “Yeah, I know. I’m keeping Olivia’s name out of it. When he wants to find out who did it, mine will be the only fingerprints to be found.” He took a bite of his roll. “The people we talk with are going to remain anonymous, but they’ll also be told that if we’re court ordered to give names, we’d have to do it. It’s their choice whether or not this is something they feel they can do.”
Robert didn’t like the idea that Galen could be in trouble. “Are you sure that�
�s a good idea?”
Galen shrugged. “Honestly, no. But he’s taken everything from me, so it’s not like I have a lot to lose. One of his idioms was that a man with nothing to lose was the most dangerous of people to deal with. Well, I’m going to show him how true it is. I don’t know if he’s expecting I won’t retaliate because I’m his son or because he thinks I’m afraid of him. He’s wrong on both counts.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
Galen’s lips thinned out into a grimace. “Yeah, I do. Not for me, but for Olivia and all the other women my father treated like dog shit on the bottom of his shoe. I knew about it but didn’t do anything. That’s another thing on me, and I’m going to do my best to atone for my mistakes. Your father said I couldn’t fix the past, but I’m going to make sure it doesn’t keep hold on my future.”
This Galen was completely different. He wasn’t nervous or twitchy at all. He sounded a lot more confident too. It was kind of a turn-on.
“So what can I do to help?”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is something I need to do on my own. Besides, I was wrong. I do have something to lose.”
“You won’t lose me.”
“Not you! Kinda self-important there, aren’t you? I’m talking about the shelter. I could lose my cool new job.” Galen laughed. “I couldn’t bear it if he tried to hurt the people there. So you’ve got to let me do this on my own.”
Robert hated the idea, but Galen needed to make his own peace, and Robert had to respect his decision. “Okay, but if you need me, you know where to find me.”
“Oh, I do.” He leered. “In about an hour, we’re going to be in your bed, and I’ll be riding you hard.”
That sounded like a great idea. “You’ve got two minutes to finish up, and then we’re out of here.”
Galen grabbed their dishes, stacked them on the tray, and took it up to the counter. “You’ve got some damned good chili.”
The young man behind the counter beamed. “Thank you.”
Galen snickered. “It’s almost an aphrodisiac.” He turned and went back to Robert, who stood there laughing his ass off at the confused look the young man was giving them.
Galen's Redemption Page 20