21. Chapter 21
Chapter twenty-one
Alex
What the fuck was Galen’s problem? Alex thought they were building a rapport, but today, Galen acted like a raging knuckle-dragging stranger. He replayed the day’s events to identify any cause for Galen’s repeated bouts of anger towards him. He ruled out lack of sleep, since there had been plenty of late nights for Galen, so exhaustion couldn’t be the reason. Alex rehashed the events of the night before when Galen helped Alex pull himself up by his bootstraps and find the strength to hope. Galen didn’t have to help Alex or offer physical comfort in his time of need. Did he cross a line in some way? Did Galen feel threatened? Could Alex’s need for comfort have been perceived as sexual? It had to have been Galen who put him on the bed with Danyal’s pillow. Why would he make such a caring gesture in one moment and direct his anger at Alex the next? What had changed? He put his pen down, leaned on his desk, and breathed deeply. He ran his fingers through his hair before leaning back in his chair against the wall. His life had become like the desk chair—shaky, unbalanced, and ready to topple over and crash at any moment.
Alex admitted his behavior in the police precinct was not his finest hour. He lost control of his anger and was lucky no one got hurt. Although he only grudgingly admitted it, he was unsure what would have happened if Galen hadn’t been there to stop him. What if next time he actually hurt someone? This made Alex pause; it was one thing to think angry thoughts, but his emerging abilities could actually put them into practice. He needed to work more with Hoko and Diana to gain control of his abilities, or risk becoming too much of a threat to himself or others.
Why did Galen get so upset when Alex mentioned Zoe liked him? It was an innocent comment with no ill intent. It was merely an observation, since Alex couldn’t read any energy coming off Galen or Zoe because of their vaccinations. He had trusted his eyes to conclude Zoe was attracted to Galen. Honestly, who wouldn’t be? He does have the 6’4 rugby-god vibe working for him. Galen was a private man, and Alex didn’t push earlier that morning when Templeton teased him about his walk of shame. Alex placed his hand over his mouth and chuckled as he put two and two together.
Had Zoe been Galen’s late-night rendezvous?
It was only a theory, but it would certainly explain a lot. Alex had gotten too close to the truth, and Galen pushed back to cover his tracks. Alex didn’t mind Galen was out having sex, but it only heightened his longing for Danyal, whose absence had left a Grand Canyon-sized hole in Alex’s heart. All physical touch, comfort, and sexual energy had been stolen from him in one fell swoop. Galen’s innocent physical contact with Alex had been his only skin-to-skin contact with a man other than Danyal in over a year. He remembered the warmth of Galen’s skin, the pulsing core of energy in his chest, and the peace the moment had brought him. Galen had helped Alex recharge his spark.
OK, maybe Alex was jealous Galen was having sex when he was living in a dark hole deprived of love, sex, and desire. A brief flash of Galen and Zoe intertwined in an intimate embrace passed through Alex’s mind. The quick image sent a pulse of electricity through his body. He missed Danyal, and his soul longed for intimacy, which fed his sexual desires.
Alex thought back to the night on the dance floor, where he channeled the primal and sexual energy in the club through his body. He focused on breathing and pulling the Eros energy from around him on campus. He brazenly embraced more energy than he had ever dared before. His body tingled with pleasure from head to toe as he slowly levitated off his chair. He had never known such euphoria, which was his for the taking. The overwhelming sensation began to scare Alex as he felt his desires and urges before glimpsing images of people in Boston having sex. He abruptly stopped and sat back at his desk, gasping for air as sweat poured off his brow onto the papers he was grading. Ditta had been right; he could tap into the Eros force if he dropped his inhibitions and let his nature flow free with the universe. Now, he needed a cosmic cold shower.
Alex gathered his papers and placed them in his briefcase as he steadied his nerves to face Galen. He walked over to the bookcase and pulled out a copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles that he would give to Galen as a peace offering so he could prepare for tomorrow’s lecture. Sherlock Holmes had always made Alex feel better. He placed the book in his coat pocket and locked the office door behind him.
Walking down the sidewalk in the bitter cold towards the staff parking, Alex observed Galen sitting on a bench. He walked up to the bench and motioned to the space beside Galen with his hand. Galen nodded in agreement; Alex could sit. He smiled, pulled the book from his pocket, and gave it to Galen. Alex started to speak, but Galen shook his head. Alex could see the sorrow in Galen’s eyes, but didn’t want to push him. He took the risk of placing his hand on Galen’s shoulder. Galen turned to Alex and nodded yes. The two men sat together in silence in the frigid air.
Galen eventually turned to Alex and nodded as he motioned with his right hand to the parking lot. Alex stood and followed Galen through the snow and ice on the sidewalk. Galen approached the driver’s side door of the Uros, and Alex followed behind.
Just then, a blazing flash and intense wave of energy thrust Alex and Galen backward. Alex, disoriented and confused, pushed himself up from the ground. His vision was blurred, and smoke obscured the immediate area around him. He could not concentrate because of the ringing in his ears. The smell of burning fuel stung his nose.
“Galen! Galen! Galen, please speak to me! Someone help us; call 911!”