Coop grumbled but didn’t really argue. He couldn’t because Rick was right. He needed some painkillers and a good nap. Food. And maybe not trying to squish into a single bunk with his man. So, he grabbed his duffel and followed Rick out to the car.
Forty-five minutes later, they had food and a hotel room. Rick carried their luggage in, and Coop brought the food, setting it on the table. He pulled out a chair and sat down to divvy it out.
“Great, thanks.” Rick dropped the bags on the far side of the room and joined Coop at the table. “So, you going to stay at the camp or what?”
“Don’t know, but it’s an option. I could also go to Vick’s.”
“I feel like you’re not excited about either of those.”
Coop made a raspberry. “No, not really. Especially if you’re about to leave. So, what’s that situation?”
“Well. I’ve put in my top three choices already. Did that when I got my branch assignment before pinning. I’ve been told I’m going to get what I want.”
“What do you want?”
“I want more wings.” For a second, his expression was blank, then a shy smile crept across his face.
They’d talked about him jumping and both of them having dangerous careers until they were sick of it. But Coop couldn’t ever tell Rick no when his face looked like that. Rick wanted to jump, and Coop didn’t blame him. “Okay, so what’s that mean?”
“It means Campbell.” When Coop didn’t say anything, he continued, “It’s in Kentucky.”
“Okay. What’re your other options?”
“Honestly, the only other option would be Liberty in North Carolina, unless I went overseas but…”
“But Campbell is better?”
“Yeah. But…”
“But what?”
“How long is it going to be before you can get back on a bike? Assuming you’re going to be back on a bike.”
“Well, yeah, I’ll be riding again. Probably like six to eight months. Depending on how this heals and PT and whatever.” He held his casted arm up.
“Uh-huh, four months.”
Coop snorted. “Probably.” He shoved a bite of salad in his mouth and smiled cheekily while he chewed.
“Okay. So you have four to six months before you get on a bike. And I’m moving to either Campbell or Liberty like any minute now. I’m just going to say it. Seems like the logical thing to do is for you to come with me. What do you think about that?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Like living with you, full-time? Won’t you be on base?”
“I’m not required to live on base. That’s only lower enlisted. I can get a place off base.” Rick held up a hand like that would be easy enough to do.
“Is it too soon?” Coop wanted it, but he was afraid. He didn’t want to mess things up with Rick by moving too fast.
“How do I know? I’ve never had a relationship like this. I think we have to do what’s right for us.”
“Okay, and that’s moving in together?”
Rick shrugged. “We hate being a part so much as it is, and when you do get to race again, it’ll be less time together. We should take advantage of this.”
Coop stood and walked around the table, then climbed up in Rick’s lap, straddling him and putting his hands behind Rick’s neck. “I think I like that idea.” He bent in and pecked a kiss on Rick’s lips. “A lot.”
