Chapter Twenty

Galen

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I glanced at the clock on the mantle of the study and sighed. I’d been gone for well over an hour, and I could only imagine how Blaze was faring being at the party alone.

“I don’t understand why you didn’t get Arthur to look over this.” I turned my gaze to my mother as she sat on the chair opposite my seat at the desk.

We were in my father’s office and I was going over the pre-nup Devon’s lawyer had drawn up. Charisma’s family lawyer had made a few amendments and Mom had asked me to look over it. Normally my parent’s attorney handled all their personal affairs, but Mom had insisted I look at it now.

“Arthur is away for the rest of the month. He and Jeanette have gone to Spain and your brother really wants to put this behind him so they can firm up the dates and details of the wedding.”

“And we needed to do this during the party?”

“We never see you.”

I didn’t point out that wasn’t my fault and instead looked back down at the agreement. It was pretty standard, the only thing I could see that had been drastically changed was a clause regarding infidelity. If Charisma was caught cheating she would forfeit all entitlements beyond what the basic laws gave her. If Devon was found guilty he would now have to divide the shared assets seventy-five, twenty-five in Charisma’s favor, whereas before there had been no penalty for him.

“Everything looks good.”

“Even the change about the division of assets?”

“Considering the penalty on her, it’s only fair there’s a penalty put on him too.” I pointed out.

“It seems a bit harsh.”

“It’s legally sound. It won’t be a problem if Dev keeps it in his marriage bed and doesn’t cheat.”

Or get caught cheating, I wanted to add but kept my mouth shut. I had no doubt my father had had multiple affairs over the years, and I knew for a fact that Christopher had cheated on Lauren. It looked like young Charisma was more than just a pretty face, or at least her family lawyers were.

“Can you check one more time, just to be thorough?”

I looked at the clock and sighed. It was almost quarter to seven. Even if I cut out now, found Blaze and booted it home, we wouldn’t have enough time to put our ties to use.

“Don’t worry about your friend. Your father said he’d keep him company.”

I didn’t correct Mom’s use of the word ‘friend’ since she and Dad had handled everything pretty well so far. It would take her some time to get used to the fact that I was gay.

“So, this friend—”

“Boyfriend,” I corrected this time as I looked back down at the pages in front of me.

“Of course, boyfriend. Is he the first man you’ve...dated?”

“He’s the first person I’ve dated.”

“But you always had women with you before—”

“One time dates. No relationships.” I neglected to tell her most of them had been bought and paid for through PayPal.

“So this means you’re interested in both?”

“I’m not bi.” I shook my head and looked up at her. “I’m gay, mom.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” I nodded, smiling as I pictured Blaze lying on my bed, sleeping soundly with me tucked up against his strong body. I was definitely gay.

“What are your plans?”

“What do you mean?” I looked back down at the pages.

“Family, the future.”

“Well, I’m not picking out a ring just yet, but I can see myself settling down with him.” I wanted to be honest with her, and let her know how serious I hoped things were.

“What about children?”

“Science is a pretty cool thing. There are lots of options, plus adoption, so being gay doesn’t mean I can’t have a family.” I gave her a wry smile. “But we’re not there yet, so it’ll be awhile before we look at options, if ever.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted children. I liked the idea of being a dad, but I was terrified of ending up like my own father and playing favorites because it’s all I’d ever known. I had no idea what Blaze wanted, but I could see him being an amazing father. He was just so caring and fun, he’d be a natural.

Shaking my head I concentrated on the words in front of me. I needed to get this done so I could get back to my man.

* * * * *

At twenty after seven I handed Mom the papers and told her I needed to go find Blaze so I could get him to work. I’d texted him a few times but hadn’t gotten an answer. That was strange, but I tried not to worry about it. He was probably trying to be polite and not answer his phone while he was with my dad.

Everyone had cleared out of the house and the only person around as my dad and the staff, and he was alone.

“Where’s Blaze?” I asked as I came up to my father.

“He left.”

“He what? When?”

“He and I had a little chat and he decided it would be best if he left.”

“You what?” Alarm bells went off in my head, and when I looked at my mother she was standing there with a serene smile on her lips. “What did you do?” I demanded as I swung my gaze back to my father.

“He’s not the one for you. He sees that now.”

My jaw dropped as the severity of my father’s words washed over me.

“What did you say to him?”

“That you are a Wells and your place in this family doesn’t include him. You’ll get whatever this is out of your system and then settle down with a wife. It’s best that he hears it now before any real damage is done.”

“You had no right—”

“I did it for you, for your own good—”

“When have you ever given a shit about me?” I demanded, my voice echoing in the empty room. “When have you ever cared one way or another what I did? Nothing I’ve ever done has been good enough, and now you tried to drive away the man I love because he doesn’t fit what you want for me?”

“Don’t talk to me in that tone of voice, son—”

“If you can’t accept me for who I am then I’m not your son.” I spun on my heel and gave my mother a hard look. “Either of yours.”

“Galen—”

I ignored my father and stormed out of the house. I had to get to Blaze and try to undo whatever my father said to him.

It took far too long to get my car, and the three texts and two phone calls I’d made to Blaze’s phone weren’t answered. I drove as fast as I could, but at eight o’clock I was still on the road.

Not caring about anything other than finding Blaze I used the voice controls on the car to call Blaze’s work.

“The Den, Tristan speaking.”

“Is Blaze there, please?”

“He’s taken a sick day. Is there a message?”

“No, thanks.”

I pushed the hang-up button on the steering wheel and tried not to panic. It had been hours since Blaze would have left my parents’ house. I had no idea where he was or what state he was in. I needed to find him, now.

I called my building and asked them to check the log. Blaze hadn’t used his key card to get in and there’d been no activity on my door since we’d left this afternoon.

“Fuck!” I slammed my hand against the steering wheel. I was furious at my family, and I’d meant what I’d said. I had no problem cutting them out of my life if they couldn’t accept me for who I was.

At the moment my fear for Blaze was stronger than my fury, and scenario after scenario of horrible things that could be happening to him went through my mind as I drove to Blaze’s apartment, praying he’d be home.

When I finally got to his place I pulled into the backlot and slammed my car into park. I barely remembered to lock the door before I jumped out and ran up his stairs.

“Blaze?” I knocked on his door. I could see light coming through the window so I knew he was in there, or at least had been. “Blaze! Come on, baby. Let me in if you’re home.”

When there was no answer I tested the doorknob and almost cried out in relief as it twisted in my hand.

“Blaze...”

Everything I was going to say to him died on my lips as I took in the scene in front of me.

Blaze was sitting on his futon with an open bottle of whiskey on the coffee table in front of him and a glass half-full of the amber liquid in his hand. Tears were streaming down his face and he looked broken.

“Baby?” I asked softly as I closed the door and came to sit on the other end of the futon. He looked so out of it I was afraid of spooking him.

“I didn’t even think when I bought it.”

I didn’t need him to indicate to the whiskey because I knew that’s what he was talking about. His words didn’t sound slurred, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t had a drink.

“I needed it.”

“Did you drink any?” I asked softly.

“No. I wanted to. I still want to, but I can’t.”

Relief washed over me and I slid closer so I could gently pull the glass out of his hand. He didn’t even look at me as I picked up the bottle and took both to the sink to pour them out.

Thank god he hadn’t broken his sobriety. Considering how hard he’d worked and all the progress he’d made, I didn’t know how he would have recovered from that.

When the bottle and glass were empty I went back to sit with him on the futon.

“Blaze?” I asked when the silence stretched on.

“I knew I wasn’t good enough for you.”

“Baby—”

“I’m tainted, Galen. Your dad saw it, everyone sees it. You deserve someone who—”

“I don’t give a fuck about what you or my parents think is best for me or what I deserve,” I cut him off. “I want you. I love you.”

Blaze’s eyes finally slid over to look at me.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I love you. I want you and only you. I don’t care about anything other than making a life with you. If my family can’t handle that then fuck them. I already told them I’m done with them. They don’t matter to me. You matter. You’re the only person who matters, Blaze.”

“Everything your dad said, it brought me back...”

“To when your dad kicked you out?” I asked softly, shifting closer to him.

He nodded, his haunted eyes finally meeting mine.

“I’m so sorry that happened. I wish I could take this pain away.”

“Can you love me? Can you really love me, Galen, knowing everything you do about me?”

“Everything you’ve been through has shaped you into the amazing, caring, compassionate, humble and gorgeous man that I’m madly in love with. I wish you hadn’t suffered, but none of that means shit to me. Your past has no bearing on how I feel about you.”

“Even though I—”

“You’re not tainted, Blaze.” I moved so we were close enough that my leg brushed his as I sat facing him. “I’ve never thought that, and you shouldn’t either. You’re a survivor.”

“Did you mean what you said, about building a life with me?” he asked, raking his hand over his eyes to wipe away his tears.

I caught his hands before he could do it again and leaned over him so I could kiss the few tears he’d missed away.

“Yes. I did.”

“And if your family doesn’t change their minds? If they can’t accept us, me?”

“You’re all the family I need. You and your friends are more than enough for me.”

A wobbly smile tugged at his full lips and a rush of happiness went through me. I knew I hadn’t fixed the damage my father’s words and actions had done, but at least Blaze knew the truth about how I felt.

“I love you too.” He reached out to grip one of my hands. “Was kinda hoping for a better way to say it, but I do. I love you.”

Heat and love spread out into my body from deep in my core and I felt lighter than I ever had. As I pulled Blaze closer so I could cover his lips with mine in a sweet kiss, I couldn’t stop myself from grinning against his mouth.

I was finally free to be myself, and I’d found the perfect partner in Blaze. I no longer cared about what my family thought about me, and I was ready to cut every toxic tie to them if they couldn’t change.

Life wasn’t perfect, but at the moment, it was pretty damn close.