Authors: Marguerite Labbe
“I hope the rest of your place is more like your kitchen and less like your living room,” Nick said. “I didn’t want to step on the carpet at first.”
Galen handed him his wine glass with a laugh. “I know. I was afraid to eat and drink in there for a long time. It’s not really my style at all.” He took a sip of his wine. “I’ve been trying to redecorate but been so busy with the museum that I’ve only gotten around to a few rooms. I need to do it, though. This place looks like I have multiple personalities.”
Nick had the impression that there was more to the story. He cocked his head, but Galen didn’t seem inclined to add to what he’d said. Nick watched him as he went to the fridge and rummaged around. Did it have anything to do with those pictures of Galen with another man, pictures where he’d seemed happy?
“Can I ask you a question?” Nick took the bowl and a bag of romaine lettuce that Galen gave him.
Galen hesitated and then shrugged. “Ask away.”
Nick dumped the bag in the bowl as Galen retrieved feta cheese, kalamata olives, a tomato, and a red onion. At this rate he was going to have to beg for leftovers at the end of the night. If Galen’s spanakopita was half as good as Nick’s aunt’s he’d be a happy man. “Back when we used to hook up, you seemed hell-bent on seducing every man who crossed your path.”
Two hot spots of color bloomed on Galen’s cheeks, and Nick paused in surprise. The Galen from six months ago wouldn’t have cared less what anyone thought of his behavior. If he’d been called out on it, and he had been a couple of times, he’d lifted one eyebrow with an expression of amused disdain and told them that if they didn’t like it they could go find someone else to play with.
“I was in a very bad place then, and after you, empty sex seemed pointless,” Galen said as he washed the vegetables, the set of his shoulders tense. “But that wasn’t the question you wanted to ask. So what is it?”
Nick remembered that Galen said he hadn’t been with anybody else since they’d parted. He had a hard time remembering the question, with his cock concentrating on the fact that Galen hadn’t been touched in six months. For a man as naturally sensual as he was…. Damn, Nick wanted a long, hot taste of all his pent-up passion.
“Nick?” Nick looked up from the package of feta he was clutching to find Galen watching him, his brown eyes warm with a teasing look. “I think it wouldn’t take much imagination to know where your thoughts went.”
Nick gave him an unabashed grin. “Very naked thoughts. You drove me crazy enough when you were a glutton. I’m not sure I could handle you after a dry spell, but I’d be more than willing to try.”
Galen laughed and turned away from the sink to lay a quick, hard kiss on his lips. “You’ll get your chance. Now what was it you wanted to ask me?”
“This is what I wanted to talk to you about tonight. I’m trying to get a handle on your mindset.” Galen said he wanted to date, and other times he still seemed distant. If he knew what was going on in Galen’s head, he could prepare better. He hoped Galen wouldn’t take this the wrong way; still, he had to know before he let himself fall any further. “Why is it you seem so reluctant to be in a committed relationship? Is it just not your thing? Or were you burned at some point?”
The amusement fled from Galen’s face, and his gaze reflected an old pain. Why hadn’t Nick realized that maybe Galen’s heart had been crushed? He was such an ass for not considering that. He would bet his trip to Santorini that the man in the photos was behind Galen’s hurt.
Galen brought the tomato and onion to the cutting board and began dicing the tomato. “I wasn’t always like that. Actually, I preferred being in a relationship over casual dating.”
Nick walked over to him and laid his hand on Galen’s shoulder. Galen tensed, then relaxed, reaching up to touch his hand. “What changed? Talk to me.”
Galen looked at him, and he seemed so lost that Nick leaned in and brushed his lips across Galen’s. He cupped Galen’s face, coaxing and tender, and Galen sighed against his lips, taking the offering. This new vulnerable side to Galen had Nick aching to discover more about him, to peel back all the layers until he discovered all those parts that Galen hid away.
“I was with someone for quite a few years, and he died,” Galen said. “There was an accident with a drunk driver, and he was gone so damned fast.” He pulled back and returned to his dicing. “So yeah, after that I didn’t feel much like risking my heart.”
“I’m so sorry.” Nick couldn’t imagine a loss like that or trying to fight to find some sense of normalcy afterward. Now the whole way Galen acted before, the distance he put up, it made sense. He ached for the pain that Galen must’ve gone through. “I wish I’d known.”
“I wasn’t ready for you to know.” Galen shrugged and swept the diced tomato into the bowl. “The hurt of it is gone, but I’ll admit, the fear that it’ll happen again, that’s still there.”
“That’s understandable.” Nick sensed that there was quite a bit more that Galen wasn’t saying. There was still an open wound in him, maybe half-scabbed over, but it still seeped blood. “There’s more isn’t there, about the accident?”
Galen pressed his lips together and nodded. “Yeah, but can we not talk about it tonight? I’d rather relax and enjoy the evening with you than discuss something so damned depressing.”
Nick hesitated and wondered just what Galen was holding back—not that it mattered from Nick’s standpoint. Walking away now wasn’t an option, not when he was starting to get to know the real Galen. And Galen wasn’t saying he’d never tell him, just not now. He could respect that.
Nick turned back to his part of the salad and said the only thing he could think of. “It’s okay. The invitation is open for whenever you’re ready.”
Galen gave him a grateful smile. “I don’t know why you keep coming back for more when it seems like I keep slamming the door shut. I have to know why you came tonight when I didn’t give you the reassurances you were looking for.”
Nick sprinkled the feta over the salad greens and began tossing it with the olives. “I appreciate honesty. You played straight with me last time. You didn’t string me along, and you put an end to it when I told you how I felt. Another man might’ve played it out until he was bored, but you cared enough about my feelings to step back. I was pissed at first. Now I’m glad you did. And you were honest with me last night too. Just keep doing that.”
“I don’t want to give you false hope.” Galen checked Nick’s progress and started to slice thin slivers of onion. “I don’t want to hurt you again.”
“We’ll take it a day at a time. We don’t have to rush into anything. I’m not going to push you into giving me more than you can.” Nick added the dressing and red onion that Galen brought over. “The things you’ve said, the way you’ve acted these last couple days, has shown me that you’re at least willing to try, and if there’s a chance you’ll come to feel for me what I feel for you, I have to give it a try as well.”
Galen looked as if he were going to say something and instead reached down into the oven to pull out dinner. The top crust had turned a flaky golden brown, and Nick’s stomach rumbled at the scent, which reminded him of happier family gatherings when he was a boy. “Now that we’ve had our profound discussion, what do you say about risking my carpets, taking dinner into the living room, and finding a movie?”
Nick jumped on the chance to retreat onto less treacherous ground. No more talk about statues or relationships. He wanted to relax and have a little fun.
“I brought something that might grab your interest.” Nick pulled a couple of DVDs out and grinned at Galen. “How about a little of the Seventh Doctor? I have my two favorites,
The Silver Nemesis
and
The Curse of Fenric
.”
Galen snatched one of the DVDs out of his hand with a chuckle and shot Nick an amused glance. “You’re such a geek.”
“And yet, I don’t hear you saying no.” Nick waved the other DVD enticingly. “What do you say? Good food, a geek fest, and some snogging on that pristine couch of yours?”
Galen tossed the DVD back at him with a laugh. “I say yes to all three. And it just so happens you’ve picked my favorite Doctor. He was my first.”
“Mine’s Peter Davison. I love how he was always trying to take care of everyone and getting frustrated when they got into escapades anyway.”
Galen bit the corner of his lip as he transferred a steaming helping of spanakopita onto each plate. It was a little charming, the way he concentrated so hard on some tasks, and when he blew a lock of hair out of his eyes, Nick chuckled. This new side of Galen had him entranced. Galen glanced at him and grinned in return. “So it had nothing to do with him being young and blond?”
“That certainly didn’t hurt.” Nick scooped the salad into smaller bowls, and they made their way into the pristine living room, juggling food, wine, and DVDs. Galen set his load down and tugged the glass coffee table closer to the couch.
Five minutes later they were sitting back, shoulder to shoulder, with loaded plates on their laps and wine close at hand as the DVD started. Nick studied Galen’s profile as a little hope blossomed in his chest. He’d wished for nights like this: simple, homey nights where they shared their interests and enjoyed each other’s company. The reality was so much better.
“
L
OOK
at you, making such a mess.” Nick laughed at Rory’s antics as he rolled around in the water, splashing it all over the table. That was his favorite thing to do. Amy preferred it when Nick ran the water in the small fountain so she could duck her head under the spray. “Silly bird, you really love your baths, trying to get all pretty for your lady friend, huh?”
Amy stopped preening her damp feathers long enough to chirp an answer to that, and Nick grinned. “Yeah, you know what I’m talking about.”
His cell phone rang, the screen showing Galen’s name, and a flush of warmth struck him. Last night had been everything that Nick had dreamt of the first time he’d hooked up with Galen. They’d had fun, curled up on the couch together, watching the old
Doctor Who
episodes and stealing kisses.
“Hey there,” Nick answered as he got up to get some paper towels to sop up the mess. “How are things going at the museum today?”
“Let’s say… interesting. Do you have a minute? I don’t want to bother you if you’re busy.”
The hesitance in Galen’s voice sparked Nick’s curiosity. “I’m totally free. I have an appointment later, so I took off from work for a mental health day. Spring assessments are coming, and I’m not going to get another chance for a while. What’s up? Is it something with the statues?”
“I think so, but I don’t know if it’s a product of wishful thinking or not enough sleep. Nobody else can see it. Hold on, I’m e-mailing you a clip from the security footage. You take a look at it and tell me what you think.”
“Sure.” Nick dried his hands and flipped open his laptop in the living room. “I take it that means Lykon isn’t a part of the second statue yet.”
“I’m not saying a word until you see the clip. I’ve asked Suzane, Ella, and Heather to take a look at it, and they don’t see anything. If Knox shows up, I’ll have him take a look too, but I’m not holding my breath. These statues have been a mystery since they showed up, and there are some days when I worry I’ve lost my ever-loving mind.”
Nick opened his e-mail and clicked on the message from Galen. “Okay, hold on, I’m watching now.” The clip opened up, showing the exhibit room, the light dimmer from the rain that came down steadily outside. Ella was lying down on a scaffold, painting with an intent look on her face. The camera panned, revealing the statues, and Nick frowned. They looked exactly the same.
“I don’t see anything.”
“Dammit. I
am
losing it,” Galen said with a real note of worry in his voice.
The camera shifted, and a light shimmered out of the corner of Nick’s eye. “Wait.” He hit the rewind and watched again. Just as the camera moved out of view he saw it, a strange coalescing light around the second statue where Lykon should be. He hit pause and leaned closer. He could almost make out the image of Lykon, but as Galen said, he didn’t know if it was just because he wanted to see it. “Is that Lykon in the second statue?”
Galen let out an explosive breath of air. “Thank God, I’m not crazy. I don’t see it all the time, just sometimes. So something is going on with them. Maybe we triggered a change, but damned if I know what we did.”
Nick sat back, frowning as he watched the clip again. He was half tempted to stop by the museum to take a look at it for himself, but what he really should do was find those old journals that he’d packed away and see if there were any clues in them that he wasn’t remembering. Until now, those journals had been nothing more than a cool story and a link to the Dexios Collection. Now they might be just what they needed.
“We’ll figure it out,” Nick assured him. “Until then, you’re not crazy. I see it too.”
“At least I’m not alone in this insanity.” Galen laughed. “I’d better get back to work. It’s almost time for Heather’s lunch, and I’m covering the front for her. I’ll talk to you tonight.”
“See you.” Nick hung up the phone and watched the clip again. So weird. The sounds of splashing had stopped coming from the kitchen. “Are you two hooligans done?”
Rory had finished his bath and had settled on the terrycloth towel that Nick had laid out for him. He sometimes got soaked, though it didn’t seem to be too bad today. The towel let him get off the excess before he got a chill. Nick whistled at him as he cleaned up the mess and flipped on the radio for them.
The journals had to be in the apartment somewhere. Nick remembered packing them as he prepared to leave San Francisco. He also remembered his dad bitching about his dreaming ways and that it was time to put childish things in the past. He’d change his tune when Nick told him about the statues… he hoped.
Nick dug through the hallway closet, pulling out old scuba equipment, extra flippers; he really needed to pick up some new stuff before his trip to Santorini. Most of this could be tossed. He dragged out the box tucked in the back corner and stole a peek. The scent of old leather and the dry mustiness of yellowing paper hit him. A hot leap of excitement struck him and awakened a sense of anticipation.