Forever.
That was a big word for Coop. He was someone who lived from race to race. Ready to get all he could while he could as fast as he could. That had been him. Not anymore. Now he wanted Rick.But a lot went into that. Not only his racing, but Rick’s military career. What would this forever look like for them?
Chapter Nine - Rick
Standing off to the side, Rick watched as Drew’s uncles and father spread out. Rick had met Drew’s family before but not en masse. Nothing like what he just watched from Drew’s father, uncles, and brother. He could see why Drew would be hesitant to tell them that he didn’t want to stay in the military as a lifelong career. The military oozed from their pores. He could almost see it. The time. The commitment. The training. The deployments.
Was that in him? Did he want to leave Coop behind multiple times? Not come home to him? Shit. They really needed to talk. If Rick didn’t make it a career, what would he do? Shifting his weight from foot to foot, he didn’t know what he was doing.
“Rick, why are you standing over there? You know we don’t bite. Okay, Spook might since I don’t think Jeannine fed him today,” Drew’s dad said as he stopped in front of Rick. “Are you ready for all of this? Christ, we all planned on being in uniform but nothing like what your master sergeant seems to be planning now. Your family is here to pin your rank on?”
“Mr. Nolan, nice to see you again,” Rick said before correcting himself. “Fuck…oh shit…um, damn, forgive me, First Sergeant Nolan.” Look at him fucking this up. Drew’s dad threw his head back and laughed, causing everyone to turn toward them.
It took him a minute or so, but he got control of his laughter and said, “Christ, I needed that. It’s been a long time since I had someone trip over themselves talking to me. Junior ROTC cadets don’t understand it all yet. They get some of it but they’re teenagers. Please call me Kevin. You’ve kept Drew on the straight path for us for four years. I think you’ve earned calling me by my first name.”
Rick knew his face was beet red but he was going to push on. “My parents aren’t able to be here. The expense of travel…hotel, gas, food. Not in the budget.” He was done being ashamed of his family background. His parents did the best they could with what they had. Rick hadn’t had the name brands or all the electronics, but they supported him. One day, maybe, he would be able to give them something back.
“Okay, do you need Brittany or Julia to do that for you? You’ve got me for your first salute. Infantry–follow me.”
Rick shifted his weight again and pulled himself into the at-ease position, hands behind his back. He was about to be a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He needed to remember that.
“I’m good, Kevin. I’ve got someone to pin my rank on. He’s not sure he’s right for the job but I have faith.” In the quiet of the night, after Coop had taken second for the year, Rick had told Coop that his parents weren’t going to be at his pinning or graduation. That no one would be there for him. When he’d said something similar to Drew, he’d smacked Rick upside the head for thinking that Drew’s family wasn’t there for Rick. He’d asked Coop a big question. Notthequestion. Neither of them was ready forthatquestion. Maybe someday. Rick wanted Coop to pin his lieutenant bars on him. Coop had tried to bargain that he would absolutely be at the ceremony, but he didn’t think he was the right person to be on stage with Rick. He’d finally given in when he realized how important it was for Rick. Like Coop wanting Rick at the finals.
A buzzing from his back pocket made Rick jump. “Shit, I don’t think you and your friends will get me out of being in trouble with Master Sergeant Coffey if he sees me on my phone.” Another buzz jolted Rick.
“I’ve got you,” Kevin whispered as he turned his back to the stage. “Pull it out and check what it is. I know that you were all supposed to be out of here an hour ago. The heptad seems to throw schedules off sometimes.”
Taking the cover for what it was, Rick pulled his phone out and saw a text from Coop.
Hot Wheels: Waiting outside your apartment. Where are you?
Smiling, Rick texted back.
Me: Got delayed at rehearsal. You hungry?
“Cadets, Command Sergeant Majors, Sergeant Majors, First Sergeants, if you could join me one more time on stage?” Master Sergeant Coffey called out.
“Coffey, you’re going to hurt yourself trying to say that every time,” Drew’s uncle—Rick had no clue which one it was—said.
“Mackey, give the man a break. He’s just trying to show proper reverence,” another uncle corrected, pushing out his chest.
“Uncle Brian? Can’t you control yourself or the others?” Drew whined as he dropped his head against another uncle.
“How do you all not get confused?” Rick asked as he watched the playful banter.
“Lots and lots of practice,” Kevin responded. “Join us for dinner and you’ll see how our spouses handle us all. It’s a sight to behold.”
“Um, I’ve got—” Rick knew that Drew’s family wasn’t homophobic.
“Just an option for you and your person. We rented two airbnbs next to each other for all of us. I’ve stopped questioning how one of us finds these places. We left Scott and Liam barbequing with the others fixing sides. We always have waymore than we need, even with our numbers. You and Drew have been in each other’s pockets for four years; you’ll need a few more days and opportunities like this. Trust me on that. Everyone else here has family in town, right?”
Rick shrugged. He honestly didn’t know. Other than Drew, he didn’t socialize much with the other seniors. “I’ll check with—” Rick stopped again before saying Coop’s name. “—my person. If they’d like to attend, I’ll get the information from Drew.” He paused, looking across the stage where Drew stood with Brody and another uncle. A small smile crossed his face before he turned back to Kevin. “Thank you for sharing your son with me. He’s been there for me through it all. I don’t know that I would be where I am without him.”
Kevin’s eyes got a little watery as he nodded. “Mooney was right. The kids are going to kill us one day and it seems their friends will too.”
The apartment was so empty. They’d decided to donate all the furniture to the campus thrift store for students who needed it but couldn’t afford it. Drew’s boxes were on the right side of the living room; Rick’s on the left. He’d grab a storage area for now. He was at Fort Benning for a few months before either going to his first assignment or Air Assault training, which he was really hoping for. He had to wait until he was done IOBLC before he’d find out. He’d already attended officer basic, but needed to do branch-specific training now. Drew was headed to Fort Leonard Wood, aka Lost in Woods. Lord, please don’t let Rick end up stationed there. Give him Fort Campbell or Liberty, please and thank you.
“Ready for this?” a voice asked from behind Rick. One of Drew’s cousins was standing there. He’d been introduced to the woman but there was no way he knew her name. The confusion must have shown on his face. “Maggie Holt,” she said, holding out her hand. “I know there’s a lot of us to remember. I keep telling Mom that we need name tags or color-coordinated outfits when we’re all together and we bring in newbies.”
