17. Chapter 17
Chapter seventeen
Galen
Galen vigorously scrubbed his body in the shower, trying to remove the guilt permeating from every pore of his body. The shower door clicked as it opened and closed behind him. He didn’t turn but smiled as shower sex was his favorite. Chills spread over his body as his lover touched his shoulders and softly lathered the body wash down his back and buttocks.
“Easy,” he said, “both have to go to work soon. Round three will have to wait.”
As Galen turned around, he stepped back and banged his head on the showerhead.
“What’s wrong?” said Alex, wearing nothing but a smile.
“Alex!” yelled Galen as he sat up rapidly in bed, his pillow and sheets drenched in sweat.
“Easy, big guy. You’re having a nightmare,” said Zoe as she took her hand and rubbed his back.
Galen took three gasping breaths before trying to speak. “Yu’re right, a mare.”
“You know,” said Zoe as she rolled on her side, “most women would turn you away when you knock on their door at three a.m., especially after it took you six months to show up again on my doorstep. The sex was spectacular, but having you yell out a man’s name while sleeping might be a deal-breaker.”
“Told ya it was a mare. Alex is going through a lot of shite, which rolls downhill.”
“Oh, you’re on a first-name basis with the new love god. That’s not a red flag,” Zoe chuckled.
“Yu’re a riot,” said Galen, “don’t quit yur day job.” He knew he needed to get out of there and get ready for work. He would be showering at home with the bathroom door locked.
Zoe asked when Galen would bring Alex to the office so she could meet him. She said she’d heard the Unicorn had a hot college professor vibe.
“Sounds like a fantasy of yurs,” said Galen, leaning forward to kiss Zoe. “Can roleplay that sometime.”
“Don’t make promises you’re not prepared to keep, Galen,” said Zoe.
“Gotta go and be ready for work. Cheers for last night. Needed the company.”
“You know you can shower here,” said Zoe. “I can always join you.”
Galen’s skin reddened as the vision of Alex in his dream flashed vividly in his mind. He could feel himself getting aroused, so he turned and quickly pulled on his Calvin Klein black boxer briefs.
“You’re a man of mystery,” said Zoe. “I hope to see you on my doorstep again. Try not to take so long next time. Have a good day on the love god express.”
Galen finished dressing quickly and winked at Zoe lying in bed, as he closed the door behind him.
Sitting in the traffic, Galen couldn’t stop playing and replaying the evening in his mind. Seeking out comfort in Zoe’s bed hadn’t been part of the plan. Office relationships always ended badly, but he needed comfort amongst the shitshow his life had become, and he had nowhere else to turn. Zoe helped dull the guilt for a few hours, but who was he not deceiving in his life? He was caught in a tangled web. With one wrong step, it was only a matter of time before his house of cards came tumbling down. He couldn’t leave; he’d promised Ms. Dea to protect Alex with his life. But now Galen couldn’t fight the thought that Alex probably needed protection from him.
Galen rushed up the stairs and was startled by Alex and Templeton coming down the other end of the hallway, coffees in hand.
“There’s the man of the hour,” said Templeton. “Someone’s doing the walk of shame.”
Galen could see Alex trying to stifle a chuckle, which further stoked Galen’s anger. Templeton would pay for his public shaming, especially doing it in front of Alex.
“Out for some air,” said Galen.
“Maybe six hours ago,” said Templeton.
Galen shot Templeton a “shut the fuck up” look before Alex interjected, “OK, boys, we’ve all been there. How about some coffee? A flat white for the Kiwi?” said Alex.
“Cheers, mate,” said Galen as he swiped the coffee out of Alex’s hand. “Ready in fifteen. Today’s agenda?”
“PGC, Boston PD, and ending the day at the university.”
Galen nodded as he stepped into the security suite, with Templeton following behind. As soon as the door was closed, Galen turned to Templeton and released his fury.
“Ya got some fucking nerve, arsehole. Fronting me out in front of the boss.”
“Chill, Galen. Just some lighthearted ribbing. You’d do the same. Maybe you were getting some air; normally people are in a better mood after they get laid.”
“Ya was quick to get over yur fear of the Unicorn. Awful chummy with him. Ya fancy him now?”
“Screw you. You were right. He’s a decent guy and an excellent listener. He wanted to follow the rules and not go and get coffee alone, so he asked me to go with. We mostly talked about Joy’s due date. He was genuinely excited for us. Don’t worry, we weren’t discussing your lack of social skills.”
Galen huffed as he sat his coffee on the counter and entered his bedroom, slamming the door behind him. He locked the door as a precaution to prevent uninvited visitors in the shower. Galen showered quickly, dressed, and skulled his coffee before entering the hall where Alex was waiting.
“Sorry for the wait, sir,” said Galen.
“Oh, so I’m back to being ‘sir’? Last night I was Alex.”
Last night ya were many things, and ya were naked in my dreams this morning. Thank god he can’t read mah thoughts.
“I also want to thank you for last night,” said Alex.
Galen looked up, surprised. Can he read mah thoughts? Does he know about the dream?
“Doing mah job, mate,” said Galen nervously.
Alex stated it was more than the job. Alex added he was at rock bottom, and Galen helped him tie a knot and hold on for dear life. He said he wouldn’t forget it, and that he owed Galen.
If ya only knew Alex. Ya’d fucking hate me. Not yur savior, I’m yur Judas.
Galen watched Alex pull Danyal’s iPhone out of his pocket and enter the passcode. They must really trust each other to share phone passcodes, Galen thought. He acknowledged he’d never trusted another living soul to that degree, except Amara.
From Alex’s apparent dismay, Galen knew something was wrong and asked if Alex was having issues with his phone. Alex replied he tried to turn on Danyal’s phone, but the notification he received was “Service unavailable. SIM card failure issue.” Galen asked what he was trying to access. Alex explained he was trying to see Danyal’s social accounts, messages, and anything that might give them a clue to what happened the night he went missing.
After a momentary pause, Galen suggested Alex access Danyal’s accounts from his phone. Alex smiled and said that was an excellent idea, and that Galen had earned a gold star for the day. Galen continued observing. Alex pulled out his cell phone to check Instagram. Alex looked at his phone for several minutes.
“Ya right, mate?”
“No, Galen, everything isn’t OK—no luck with Instagram or social media.”
Galen impulsively responded, “If ya are having issues with yur phone, the technology team at PGC might be a good shot. Mah mate Zoe would be thrilled to help. Can make the introduction.” Galen regretted the words as soon as they crossed his lips, and he prayed Alex would decline the offer.
Alex thanked Galen, adding he might take him up on the offer if they had time today.
Although Zoe would be thrilled to meet the Unicorn, Galen knew it would be a mistake, and was more concerned about Alex picking up on his vibe with Zoe.