Chapter 94
Galaxy’s cell phone rang a couple of times and he started to worry he’d end up having to leave a message.
“Hello, Leo.”
“Oh, great. I didn’t want to get your voice mail. I need a favor.”
His brother laughed. “What favor?”
Leo looked in the direction of the bathroom, but he could still hear the shower running. He lowered his voice anyway. “It’s about a guy staying here.”
“I already told you I don’t care if you have guys over.”
“Yeah, well, this is more than that. Remember I told you I was sort of involved with Nolan Young.”
“The mayor’s son?”
At the mention of Nolan’s father, Leo felt anger spike through him. “Right, that bastard. I fucking hate that prick.”
There was a long pause on the other end and for a moment Leo thought Galaxy had lost the signal on his cell phone. “Has he done something to you?”
“No, I’ve never met the fucker.”
“Then—”
“He abuses Nolan.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m certain.”
Galaxy blew out a breath. “Sexual?”
“No, Nolan says he hasn’t. It’s physical. I’ve seen the evidence myself. We’ve…he spent the night last night.” He found himself blushing even though he knew Galaxy couldn’t see him. Talking to his brother about having sex was not exactly cool. “Galaxy, I can’t have him going back to his father’s house. He’s already got Nolan’s brain fucked up. I don’t want him doing any more damage.”
“What does he think about staying at the house?”
“He’s reluctant, but I told him he can stay in the spare room for now,” Leo admitted. “He doesn’t want to impose. But, I know he’s scared of his dad. He hasn’t said the words, but I see it in his eyes. And it’s only going to get worse. I need to get him out of there.”
Another long pause. “You need to be careful, Leo. I know because of your own abuse you want to help everyone.”
“What that son of a bitch did to me has nothing to do with this.” Leo paced around the living room, feeling his anger build. “I like Nolan. He’s important to me and I want to help him. What the fuck is wrong with that?”
His brother sighed. “There’s nothing wrong with it. All right. It’s fine. He can stay.”
Leo glanced down the hall toward the bathroom. The shower had stopped but the door was still closed. “I think we have to come up with some monetary arrangement for him.”
“I don’t need his money.”
“I know, but I think that’s the only way he’s going to agree to this. We can put it aside for him later or something.”
“Okay. But let me think about how much. I’ll talk to you later about that.”
Leo smiled, his anger fading. He knew he could count on his brother. “Thanks. I owe you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I know. Right back at you. Adam’s waving at me like some kind of lunatic so I’d better go. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.”
“Bye.” Leo ended the call and returned his cell phone to the back pocket of his jeans. He walked to the linen closet at the end of the hall and opened the doors, looking for fresh sheets. He would like it better if Nolan just stayed in his bedroom, but he understood that seemed like some sort of commitment to Nolan, one probably neither of them was ready for. Leo could take things as slow as he needed.
* * * *
Leo drove Nolan to his father’s house on the back of his motorcycle since Nolan had walked to the salon the night before. He loved the feel of Nolan’s arms wrapped around his middle for the short distance it took to reach Nolan’s neighborhood.
“He’s often gone during the day,” Nolan said as he got off the bike and stood in front of the home, looking very nauseous. “I don’t know about today.”
He nodded. “It’s all right either way. If he’s here, so what? I’m here, too. He can’t keep you here; you aren’t a minor.”
“Yes,” Nolan agreed. “Let’s get it over with then. We can put my stuff in my car. I don’t have a lot.”
They had discussed it before they left home and decided they wouldn’t try to take any furniture. There was a bed and chest of drawers in the spare room Nolan could use. It would be faster and easier just to get his clothes and personal belongings like his laptop and schoolbooks.
The two of them started across the lawn to the front door when the front door opened with a bang and a balding man probably somewhere in his late fifties walked out.