Page 61 of Encounter

“Hey,” I greeted him, leaning against the heavy entrance door to keep it open for him.

As he walked to me, he had that little timid smile on his face.Cute. Already changed into his workout gear—all branded and luxurious—Galen looked ready for our little adventure, albeit as nervous as always.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” he asked, studying my face—making me feel like some kind of brittle senior.

“We’ll take a walk to the stadium I often run past. You can do some up and down stair runs there. It’s harder than it sounds. Gets excruciatingrealfast.”

Looking at him, I found myself genuinely surprised he was lasting so long. I expected him to fall off the face of the Earth weeks ago. To forget me, block my number, and return back to his comfortable, safe way of life.

But he kept coming back. And I... was glad.

“Alright?” Narrowing his eyes hesitantly, he probably repeated himself.

“Don’t worry ‘bout me. I’ll be as slow as a hip-replacement patient, but apparently taking a walk is good for the healin’ and preventing mucus building up and killin’ me, so—” Shrugging with a helpless smirk, I put my hands into the pocket of the leather jacket and started walking, with Galen catching up next to me.

?

Tired and in more pain that I dared to admit, I opened the door to the apartment, where Kitty already impatiently waited for us, sitting in the middle of the hallway.

Sighing and whining likehewas the one with broken ribs, Galen still inched up the stairs in the hallway. I had to admit I might’ve gone a little too hard on those spaghetti legs of his. “You’re alright. You’re alright—come on!” I encouraged him with a nitpicky frown.

“I think I should change,” he said, glancing at me hesitantly.

I shut the main door and opened the one leading to the bedroom, a few steps away. “Do it there.” The bed might have been a little messy, but at least I managed to clean not that long ago. With that shy smile on his lips, Galen nodded and walked in, leaving the door cracked open.

I clicked my tongue at Kitty as a greeting and went to the kitchen to get a cold drink. Grabbing a beer for myself, I also took a can of soda for Galen, and when I turned around, I got a peek of him as he stood back to me, taking his pants off.

Feels strange... Seeing someone in that room.

For some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Though his legs were skinny and almost hairless, I had to admit... his butt looked pretty nice. As he pulled his black trousers up and over it, it showed even more how plump and round it was.

Sighing deeply, I shook my head and headed to the couch.

What the fuck are you doing? Get your shit together.

“Who is that?” he asked when I was about to sit down.

Like my body figured out what he was asking about even before my mind did, it sent a jolt of electricity through my veins. Tightening the bottle in my hand, I made a few long, fast steps into the bedroom to see him holding the picture frame of me and Lydy.

I didn’t want him asking. I didn’t want him knowing.

“Was. My wife.” I tried to sound as firm and emotionless as possible for him to let it go.

“Oh, I— I’m sorry,” Galen blurted, quickly putting it back with a panicked expression on his face. “I didn’t know.”

God, now I’m startin’ to feel like a dick.“Yeah. Well, she died a long time ago,” I mumbled in a low voice and quickly pushed the soda can in his hand. “Let’s go sit down before you collapse.” Thankfully, he followed me back into the living room, where Kitty already sat next to the couch, ready for his pets.

“Hello,” he greeted her eagerly, and right after he sat down, she jumped up into his lap. “Good girl!” He was always so chipper around her—beaming and loud. “Thanks for this,” he said, glancing at the can in his hand.

Shrugging, I carefully leaned back into the couch and turned the TV on. “Figured I shouldn’t force you to drink alcohol—you know, since we’re proper citizens and all,” I said playfully.He really looks like a right rich kid in those fancy pants and a blazer.

Instead of an answer, he lowered his head with a bashful smile, looking down at Kitty.

“I can tell you’re tryin’ hard,” I noted calmly with my gaze focused on the TV screen. “You did well today. Try to keep up your motivation.” I was actually really impressed with him but kept it to myself for the time being.

“Thanks. I was a little nervous but... I’m getting used to it.”

Slowly getting his confidence. Good.

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