54. Chapter 54
Chapter fifty-four
Galen
“Enough, Galen,” said Andrea. “I’ve let you wallow in your self-pity for two weeks. It’s time you get off my couch, shower because you reek, and take control of your fucking life.”
The bright sunlight streaming through the window burned Galen’s eyes as Andrea opened the curtains and blinds to let in the blazing midday sun.
Galen covered his head with his pillow, but Andrea quickly snatched it out of his hands.
“Fuckin’ leave me alone,” he said as he threw his other pillow at her.
“No,” she said, “you’re about to make one of the biggest mistakes of your miserable life, and now I’m kicking some sense into your ass.”
Galen covered his head with the blanket until Andrea yanked it away.
Andrea asked why he was on her couch, hungover and depressed, instead of being in Boston. She commented Alex had been blowing up their phones, so he knew the situation with Danyal. Alex needed him, and here he was lying on her couch in his underwear, stinking of whiskey.
“Fuck off, Andrea. Ya don’t know anything,” said Galen.
“You’ve been whining for two weeks about your feelings for Alex. He’s ignited a passion in you I’ve never seen before. Can you live with that regret?”
Galen sat up on the couch with his hand on his forehead.
“What would Amara think?” said Andrea.
“Don’t go fuckin’ go there!” yelled Galen as angry veins popped on his forehead and neck.
Andrea waited patiently for Galen to calm down before sitting on the couch beside him. She placed her hand on his bare back and started making gentle circles.
“Was a low blow,” he said without looking up.
Andrea sat silently before speaking. “You didn’t answer the question,” she said softly. “What would Amara say?”
Galen was silent for several moments before responding. “She’d slap me on the back of my head and tell me to stop being daft. Probably quote something from Alice in Wonderland.”
Andrea smiled and asked which quote.
“Oh, ‘‘tis love, ‘tis love, that makes the world go round!’” he said as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Andrea said she thought Amara was wise. “You have two choices, Galen. You can either find somewhere else to take your pity party, or you choose to take back control of your life.”
“Can’t compete with Danyal,” he said.
“Then don’t compete,” replied Andrea. “Put the ball in the Unicorn’s court. He might be a god, but he cares about you and needs you with him.”
“I can still feel his pain, even with my ring on,” said Galen.
Andera asked what was the source of his pain.
“Danyal.”
“That’s all that hurts him?” she asked.
“And grieving that I left. Feels abandoned.”
Andrea said, “You don’t feel that deeply for an employee, Galen. Hell, you don’t care that deeply as a casual friend. You obviously meant more to Alex than that. Half his thoughts and pain were focused on you in the darkest moment of his life. You share a profound connection. Be honest with me; what’s your biggest fear?”
“Being rejected,” said Galen.
Andrea replied, “But so what if he does? You’ll survive. Alex would still be your friend. And, if I recall correctly, Galen promised a goddess he would protect Alex with his life. That sounds like a divine purpose to me.”
“What if Ryo is right? Was only a distraction.”
Andrea gently slapped Galen on the back of his skull and asked why he was giving Ryo space in his head. What the fuck did Ryo know? She said if the goddess of love, a freaking universal force of nature, put Galen and Alex on the same path, who cared about her reasoning.
“The rest of the world isn’t so lucky; you won’t get any sympathy from me after this heavenly matchmaking,” she said with a smile. “If Alex was here right now, what would you do?”
“I’d hold him till his pain goes away,” said Galen.
“That’s it? I bet you’d want to kiss him,” said Andrea, teasing Galen as she kissed him gently on the cheek.
“Alex kissed me once by accident after the raid.”
Andrea rolled her eyes. She said she didn’t believe the bullshit it was an accident and asked how Galen responded.
“Pushed him away.”
“Well, that was no fun. Close your eyes, Galen, and think about that kiss. Can you still feel it?”
Galen closed his eyes before responding, “With every fiber of my being.” He twirled the ring Alex gave him on his finger. Should he run, or should he go back? Could he live with himself if he walked away from his feelings and obligations? Fuck it, take a leap of faith. He took a deep breath and picked up his phone from the coffee table. He scrolled for several minutes, reading through Alex’s texts before opening the British Airways app.
“Will ya do me a favor?” said Galen.
“Anything, within reason,” said Andrea with a knowing smile.
“Can ya give me a ride to Heathrow tonight?”
Andrea laid her head on his shoulder and said of course.
“Going to Boston,” said Galen. “Have some promises to keep. Will blame ya if mah heart gets trampled.”
“Oh, Galen. If Alex breaks your heart, he’ll have to answer to me––and he knows I can kick his ass again.”
Galen laughed as he hugged Andrea.
“I’d pay good scratch to see that rematch,” he said.
She pushed him away and told him to get in the shower. “You smell like a distillery.”
“Thanks, Andrea.”
“For what, Galen?”
“For kicking mah arse when I need it.”
“Don’t think it comes for free, Galen; the Unicorn owes me a vacation with a hot man. My services don’t come for free.”
Galen laughed before heading off to shower and pack.