34. Chapter 34
Chapter thirty-four
Galen
Galen sat alone in the dark, enjoying the campfire. So much had happened in his life of late, and he’d hardly had time to catch his breath since leaving the hospital. Maybe it was his brush with death, but he needed to get his priorities in order. Then there was Alex; he was never far from Galen’s thoughts. Alex was focused and tenacious in his struggle to get Danyal back. Galen admired Alex’s devotion and wished someone would feel that way about him. Galen dared not dream it could be Alex. OK, maybe in his dreams.
Galen was so deep in thought he didn’t hear Andrea sneak up behind him.
“Gotcha!” she yelled, grabbing him around his neck.
“Real mature,” said Galen as he jumped. “Ya know, sitting alone means stay away.”
“Thought you needed the company. From the look on your face, the demons were winning the battle.”
“Ya can stay if ya sit in silence,” he said.
Andrea nodded and sat next to Galen, leaning her head on his shoulder and wrapping his blanket around her.
After a few moments of silence, she said, “Are we going to talk about you and Love God, Galen?”
“That’s not silence.”
“It needs to be said.”
“Nothin’ to say,” said Galen.
Andrea locked eyes with him. “You can’t lie to me, Galen. I see the way you look at him. You get a spark in your eye when he’s around. You used to look at me that way once.”
“Making me regret it. Leave the past dead and buried.”
“We had fun until we didn’t. You ran away; it’s your way of coping. Maybe you’ve found someone that will make you want to stay.”
“Didn’t run far enough if yu’re still beside me.”
“You know, Michael and Alex were strutting around like rams in the heat for you.”
“All in yur head,” said Galen.
“No, it’s not. You shared your past with Alex. How many people know about your life?”
“Ya and Michael.”
“You’ve fucked both of us. Is…”
“Don’t let those words come out yur mouth. Might throw ya in the fire.”
“No, you won’t. You don’t want to talk about Alex. If things go bad tomorrow, you might get a chance…”
Galen shoved Andrea off the side of the bench with his arm. “That’s a terrible thing to say. Why would ya even think that?”
“Jesus Murphy,” said Andrea as she picked herself up off the ground. “I’m joking. You’re unlucky in love, and I’d like to see you happy.”
“I’m happy.”
“No, you’re not. How stable are Alex and Danyal?”
“Solid.”
“Even solid stone can break, Galen. Life is about taking risks. You color too much inside the lines. Live a little.” Andrea looked up at the gymnasium, where Alex walked toward the campfire.
“Speaking of Cupid…,” said Andrea.
Galen smiled. “Not Cupid, the Unicorn.”
“Great, a horny stallion. I’ll leave you with your unicorn,” said Andrea as she kissed Galen on his forehead. “Anyone want some pizza?” she said as she started to walk away. “If I have to lie in my cold bed alone, I can at least ensure I have a full stomach.”
“I’m chocka,” said Galen as she walked away.
“No, thanks,” replied Alex, “I’m watching my carbs.” Once Andrea was out of earshot, Alex said, “She’s a badass, Galen. Where have you been hiding her? She scares me a little. I don’t want to be on her shit list.”
Galen laughed, “Don’t let her hear ya. Would only feed her ego.”
“She cares about you…and from where I’m sitting, she’d like to care for you again.”
“Ya using yur god mojo, mate?”
“No, I’m respecting her privacy. I’m using my eyes for this deduction.”
“Yu’re talking about ancient history. Don’t dredge it up.”
“Understood. Speaking of ego, how’s Michael’s nose?”
“He’ll live,” said Galen.
“Should I offer to try to heal it?”
Galen shook his head no. “He’s too proud. Let him wear his badge of honor. He’s not a bad bloke once ya get to know him.”
“I’ll take your word for that. I’ve dealt with plenty of guys like him at the gym. Give me one decent quality Michael has, and I’ll drop the subject.”
Galen took a deep breath. Should I say it? What if it changes things? Already fucked things up too much. Take a risk for once. Tell him.
“He’s…he’s…he’s a passionate kisser.” Galen sat back from the fire and tilted his head to gauge Alex’s reaction better.
Alex’s eyes grew wide. “Did you just come out to me, Galen? Are you bisexual?”
“Don’t like labels, mate. Sayin, in the past, was involved with Andrea and Michael in the military.”
“OK, I have to ask,” said Alex, “were you involved with them simultaneously or at separate times?”
Galen rolled his eyes and shook his head. “At different times, ya pervert.”
“How did it end?”
“Both helped fill an emotional void at a dark time in mah life. Andrea doesn’t like to share her playthings. Michael can get intense. When mah sentence in the military ended, left and didn’t look back.”
“So, this is the first time since you’ve seen them since?”
“Aye.”
“Are you OK? You’ve seen me with my ex. We can’t even be in the same ZIP code.”
“Won’t lie. Opening heaps of old wounds.”
“So why would you reach out to them for this operation?”
“Cause we needed a team we could trust. When the shite hits the fan, they’re the people ya want beside ya in combat.”
Galen raised his head to look at Alex directly seated across the fire. Galen wondered what Alex was thinking. Would things be the same between them?
“Not everyone is ya, Alex. Proud and don’t give a fuck about what the world thinks. Ya live yur truth. Deeply admire that bout ya. What ya have with Danyal is a gift. Ya will do anything to protect it.”
Leaning forward, Alex asked, “Is it OK if I move closer, Galen, to better support you?”
Galen nodded yes and offered a part of his blanket to put around Alex’s shoulders as he sat on the wooden bench. He leaned over and placed his head on Alex’s shoulder. The two men sat in silence, taking in the moment. Galen appreciated the company and could feel the heat from Alex’s body despite the roaring flames.
“Everyone’s path is different, Galen. Would you be willing to share your path with me?”
Galen said he’d always known he was different from an early age. When he played chase or kissing games in primary school, he wanted to chase both the boys and the gals. He knew to keep his feelings inside, because his father was a rural minister. Galen added he had a long and painful relationship with religion. He said he had girlfriends in high school, but didn’t have sex with a bloke until he was on the national rugby team. They both were so deep in the closet, and so scared. Relationship ended upon his being forced into the military. Galen indicated he never got to say goodbye to Bernard, and heard he left the team a couple of years later, and was now married to a woman and had two kids.
“The military’s pretty homophobic. Suppressed that side and eventually got involved with Andrea. But couldn’t suppress mah attraction to blokes, so got involved with Michael. Cared for them both, but needed a fresh start and so came to the States to work at PGC.”
“This puts our whole conversation about discrimination and homophobia after going to the police station in a completely different light. Have you dated anyone in the States?”
“Hooked up with Zoe. She wants more, but try to avoid office romances.”
Alex nodded. “So now I understand why you got so mad when I commented on Zoe liking you.”
“Zoe’s a great gal. Fishing off the company pier never works out.”
“So, how was it when we went to the club?”
“Like a pig in shit, finally letting loose. Shae is a great bloke. Envy yur friendship. Haven’t made any gay mates in mah life.”
“Hello, there’s one sitting beside you!”
“Present company excluded.”
“Shae would be delighted to be your friend. He calls you his future ex-husband.”
“Tell him ya already put a ring on it,” Galen said, waving his hand around.
Alex smiled and said that would kill Shae. Alex thanked Galen for trusting him enough to share his story with him and said he felt honored and would not share his sexuality with anyone. It was Galen’s story, and he was in control of it. Alex added he had been the university’s staff advisor at the LGBTQI+ group for a couple of years and always advised the students to refrain from saying or doing anything they were uncomfortable with. He said he’d always support Galen, but he did have one last question.
“Are you more attracted to the gender or the person?”
“Fall more for the person. The plumbing doesn’t matter.”
Alex giggled and said he’d never heard it put that way, and that he was stealing the line. He added that a couple of students in his group identified the same way; the new terminology was “pansexual.”
“Sounds like something outta Peter Pan. Students are lucky to have ya.”
Alex smiled. “I have to say this for my conscience; I hope I haven’t said or done anything, which made you feel uncomfortable.”
“Fun to watch ya squirm when ya embarrass yurself.”
“I do stick my foot in my mouth a lot. I think it may be another divine gift bestowed on me.” Alex took a deep breath and looked Galen directly in the eyes. “Is it OK if I hug you? I feel you need one.”
Galen nodded yes, tears glistening in his eyes. Alex and Galen hugged as the fire raged beside them.
Alex whispered gently to Galen, “You’re a beautiful soul, Galen Tucker, inside and out. Any person would be blessed to love you. If they give you any shit, send them my way, and I’ll turn them into a toad.” He gave Galen a gentle kiss on the forehead.
Galen sat, wiping the tears from his eyes. “What’s with this asking consent for a hug and already treating me differently?”
“I’m just trying to respect your boundaries in a highly emotional moment.”
“Like when ya stole a glance in the shower?”
“I’m deeply sorry, Galen. That was not my intention. I was shocked by the reflection.”
“So yu’re sayin’ I’m ugly. Cheers, mate.”
“Never!”
“No worries, Alex. Not afraid for people to see my body. Guess I learned it from rugby.”
“I guess it’s part of the 6’4 rugby god persona,” said Alex.
Galen laughed. “Caught a glimpse of ya first. Yu’re not as fast on the draw as ya think. When ya put yur towel around yur waist in the shower, ya flashed yur arse. It was a full moon last night.”
“You cheeky bastard.”
“Nope. They were yur cheeks, and Andrea is right.”
“Right about what?”
“Do recognize a nice arse when I see it.”
“OK, Galen. I’m walking away to get another slice of pizza, and I’m dialing HR as I do so,” said Alex, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t have any cell phones, Alex.”
“Screw you, Galen. I’ll write a memo on the pizza box. Enjoy your fire.”
“Will be in shortly. Don’t let Andrea eat all the pizza. And don’t spell mah name wrong in yur memo to HR.”