“Whoa, don’t do any permanent damage, Soldier Boy,” Coop said into the back of Rick’s neck. Rick felt Coop place a kiss at the base of his neck before he licked over to his ear. “I’ve got plans for later that do not include a trip to the emergency room.”
Recognizing his boyfriend, Rick turned in his arms and wrapped his own around Coop. “Hey, Hot Wheels, watch the greeting next time,” he murmured as he claimed Coop’s lips. He ran his tongue around the outside of Coop’s lips before demanding entrance. Sliding into Coop’s mouth, something came over Rick and he gentled the kiss. A slow swipe along Coop’s teeth preceded them twisting their tongues around eachother’s. It wasn’t long before Rick was grinding his hips against Coop’s, feeling the man’s hard cock against his. Rick pulled out of the kiss and dropped his head to Coop’s shoulder.
“Wow, missed you,” he whispered. He felt Coop’s breathing against his ear and, if it was a bit fast, he wasn’t going to point that out. “Should we try and be civilized? Get something to eat before jumping each other?” Rick felt Coop nod as he pulled out of Rick’s arms.
“I’m suddenly ravenous. Let’s feed one hunger, then review our options,” Coop said as he reached down to adjust himself. Rick mimicked Coop, pushing his dick into a semi-comfortable position.
Crossing the parking lot was a bit challenging but soon they were seated at a table looking over the menu. Rick didn’t remember silence between them being awkward; tonight, the tension was so thick it was like another person was at the table. Like they were trying to talk about their sex life in front of a preacher.
“Do you want to split an appetizer?” Rick asked cautiously. He wasn’t sure why Coop had tackled him, but he still seemed pissed.
“Need to skip all that fried food. I’ll order either the two-piece tuna salad or the salmon salad. The team has me on a strict diet now that we’re gearing up for the season,” Coop answered without even moving his menu. Rick was confused.
“Don’t remember that from other times we’ve eaten together but okay. Will it be strange for you if I order a steak?” Rick didn’t want to make it any more uncomfortable.
“What? Why would it matter to me if you got steak? You don’t have to be able to control a two-hundred-plus-pound bike on a dirt track. The body strength required to maneuver through thegrooves makes it necessary for me to eat a certain way. I work out at the gym five times a week for conditioning and cardio. It’s not just riding a bike in a circle,” Coop finished, then put his menu down, just shy of slamming it.
“Whoa, whoa. What gave you the impression that I thought your career was frivolous? Dangerous? Oh yeah, the danger is evident. I know damn well that I couldn’t do it. Am I an adrenaline junky? Maybe. Did we—” Rick stopped talking as their waiter approached the table.
“Gentlemen, welcome to The Station. Can I start you off with an appetizer or a drink from our bar?” the man asked, notepad at the ready.
Rick looked over at Coop who shrugged. “I think we’ll skip appetizers. Could I get a Coke?” He wasn’t sure about adding alcohol into his system when he had no idea if he’d be driving back to Benning tonight, nor did it seem that dulling his wits when trying to figure out the tension with Coop wasn’t the best decision either.
The waiter was nodding as he faced Coop. “And for you, sir?”
“I’ll take the same. I think we’re ready to order,” Coop informed the waiter, meeting Rick’s gaze. Rick didn’t see any issues with ordering now, so he nodded. Order now, then finish their discussion. “I’d like the Station Salmon, blackened on the classic. No blue cheese with the citrus vinaigrette.”
His head must have been in the fricking clouds, or at least trying to get in Coop’s pants, since he really didn’t remember Coop ordering so detailed a meal before. Christ, his gut was telling him to grab on and not let go but were they really even compatible? A throat clearing had Rick refocusing on his surroundings to see both the waiter and Coop looking at him expectantly. Oh yeah, food.
“Um, I’ll take the steakhouse salad, medium, with avocado ranch.” Eating a bit healthier wasn’t a bad thing.
“Very good, I’ll be back shortly with your drinks. If you need anything, I’m Jamie,” the waiter said before rushing off.
“You didn’t need to change your order because I’m having a salad,” Coop said softly. “I don’t mind if you get a full meal.”
Rick wasn’t sure what he heard in Coop’s tone. There was no way that he was going to let Coop think he thought less of him for any reason. “Hey, I’ve been eating for shit. Only reason I haven’t gained any weight would be all the PT they have us doing. Road marching for twelve miles in full pack one day. Running five the next. Add in all the water I lose from sweat? I need to eat healthier. Start now so when I’m in an apartment at Campbell or Liberty, it’ll be easier.”
Coop seemed to relax as Rick was talking, then his eyes flashed. “You know where you’re going? I thought we wer—” Coop snapped his mouth shut and looked down at the table.
“Thought we were what?” He really didn’t like all this uncertainty. Honestly, it sucked. He hadn’t been this on edge since trying to figure out college, knowing his parents couldn’t afford to send him to the store never mind a four-year college, even at in-state tuition.
Rick watched as Coop took a deep breath, then looked up. “I thought we were going to talk about where you were going to be stationed. Make a decision together. Guess I wanted my opinion to matter.”
Jamie came back right at that moment with their drinks. The waiter must have read the table since he quickly deposited the glasses and left without saying a word. Good thing since Rick was speechless. Felt like the time he’d been playing pirates orsome shit with his cousins and one of them whapped him upside the head with a branch they’d been using as some fake weapon.
He must have sat there too long without responding, since the next thing he noticed was Coop pushing his chair back. “I’ll catch the waiter and get my food to go.”
“Wait!” Rick yelled as he jumped up and grabbed Coop around the waist. “Why are you leaving? Please don’t go.” Coop froze in Rick’s arms, not saying anything. Rick needed to talk fast or he was going to lose Coop, right then and there. “I don’t know where I’m going. I haven’t heard anything. The colonel stopped me from punching Penston today and told me that he thought I’d have my choice of Campbell or Liberty because I’m at the top of the class. I want to add another set of wings to my chest.” Rick stopped and took a deep breath. Not sure what he was going to say next.
There was still some tension in Coop’s body, but Rick didn’t think he was fleeing anymore. “Please sit. It’s obvious that we need to talk. I can only speak for myself. I don’t want things to end between us. I would greatly appreciate your input on the choices ahead of me. Drew used to be my sounding board. He’s got his own issues to handle right now.” Rick took a deep breath. “You’re important to me and I value your opinion.”
Coop nodded so Rick let go of him and they both sat. Rick watched Coop play with his place setting. Guess he needed to man up and start the ball rolling.
“So I unexpectedly met with the commander today after last formation. Penston was being an ass and before I could lay him out, Lieutenant Colonel Williams stepped up and ‘suggested’,” Yes, he made air quotes as he saidsuggested. “That I join him in his office. I thought I was facing some discipline. I wasn’t sure what for but it seemed like I’d fucked up something. Turns out he was trying to win a bet with one of the captains. Captain Lewisthought he had the entire class convinced to go mechanized. Yeah, nope. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I’m not the most mechanically inclined. I will admit to having googled a few things so I understood exactly what you were saying.” Rick shrugged. It wasn’t like Coop wasn’t going to figure that out, even if he hadn’t already.
“I kinda thought I lost you the other night when I was talking about LCQ. It’s the Last Chance Qualifying race.” Coop chuckled. “It’s okay, you’re still pretty.”
That had Rick laughing. Okay, things might not be as bad as he thought. At least, he hoped. “So anyway, after Williams stopped laughing at me trying to gently turn down his recommendation…well, what I thought was his recommendation to go mechanized, he pointed out his own double set of wings on his—”
