When Cooper walked out to the checkout desk, Rick glanced up, as if they were physically connected. Coop waved with his previously casted hand, wiggling his fingers, which made Rick smile. “Hey, nice. I’m glad that worked out.” Rick took Coop’s hand and held it gently. “All healed up then?”
“Yes and no. I’m going to need PT, right?” Cooper sat in a chair and, yep, waited again. Then he was called up to the desk. “Mr. Cooper, you owe nothing today.” That was due to the accident policy the Bandy Tires team had on him. “You don’t need a follow-up unless you have problems. Call and make an appointment if you need to. In the meantime, the physical therapist's office will contact you to schedule your first session. They will have your records and orders from Doctor Bremmer. Any questions?”
“Nope.” He figured he would have questions for the physical therapist but nothing the checkout desk would know. He took his paperwork. “Let’s get out of here.” Coop nodded to the exterior door.
The ride back was quiet. Cooper couldn’t believe how tired he was. Emotional shit was more exhausting than riding. But he hadn’t been doing much lately. “Do you think I’m out of shape?” he asked.
“What? No. Come on. It would take more than a few weeks to get out of shape. You’re sexy as hell.”
“Thanks, but I think you’re biased.”
“No, I’m not. I always thought you were sexy as hell. Even before I knew you. That means no bias. You just are.”
“Whatever, goofball.” Coop rolled his eyes, pretending to not be affected by Rick’s words, but he was. And his cock was. “Well, since I’m so sexy, when we get home, maybe I can get a celebratory blow job?”
“Hmm…or since you’re not out of shape yet, you can give me a celebratory blow job.”
“What are you celebrating?” Coop thumped Rick’s thigh.
“Stop that. And I’m celebrating you. And maybe that it won’t be long before I can see you in your gear again. Nowthat’ssexy.” He even wiggled his eyebrows.
Coop burst out laughing and Rick laughed too, but when they settled down, Coop gave a little sigh. “Well, I think celebrations all around will work.”
“Me too, Hot Wheels. Me too.”
Chapter Nineteen – Rick
Rick looked around The Road House and approved. Drew had been telling him that they needed to try out the place. Guess Drew had eaten here a few times when visiting his uncles. Now, if the steak he ordered lived up to the smells wafting their way? Oh yeah, new place for Coop and him to eat out.
Tonight was for celebrating. Coop had been out of the cast for a couple of weeks. PT seemed to be kicking his ass. And Rick now had his second set of jumpwings. Thank God he hadn’t had a lot of time between finishing officer basic and going to Air Assault.
The obstacle course had almost killed him, and Rick considered himself to be in pretty good shape. If he’d had a bigger gap of time, he’d be dead. He’d heard that it was one of the toughest days soldiers could go through. Yeah, he believed that. When Staff Sergeant Goodman had pinned his air assault wings above his jumpwings and said, “Congratulations, Lieutenant Stanton. Job well done,” was going to be a memory that wouldn’t fade for quite a while. Rick could tell he’d impressed the NCO. He hadn’t fallen back on theI’m the officermentality that others pulled out and flaunted. If Rick even thought about doing that, Drew and his family would show up on his doorstep and kick his ass.
“You’re preening,” Coop teased as he raised his glass in a silent toast.
Rick felt his cheeks heat. “Possibly. But I did it.” Rick clinked his glass against Coop’s before taking a sip. “How did PT go today? Almost time to try a bike’s weight?” He thought he remembered Coop saying that his therapist was surprised he hadn’t lost more strength in his arm.
“Nah, if I even thought about holding a bike’s weight right now, Steve would kick my ass. Yes, I didn’t lose as much strength as they thought I would have, but I still have a bit to go before they’ll let me hold a bike upright.” Coop looked over Rick’s shoulder and frowned. Before Rick could turn around and see what caught Coop’s attention, a man spoke from behind Rick.
“Rick?” The voice was familiar. Turning quick, Rick jumped to his feet. No way was he going to address Drew’s uncles while sitting on his ass.
“Sergeant Major MacNamara,” Rick said as he offered his hand.
“I told you to call me Jeff or Mackey,” Jeff said as he shook Rick’s hand. “Did you meet my husband, Scott, at the graduation?” He motioned to the striking man standing next to him.
“I don’t know that I had the pleasure.” Rick hoped he’d been successful in holding his tongue in his mouth. The couple standing in front of him was stunning. Both of them separately were attractive; there was something that caught your eye when they were standing side-by-side.
“It’s nice to meet you, Rick. I know you’ve heard it before but I’m going to say it again, thank you for being by Drew’s side and in his corner at ECU,” Scott said as he put his hand in Rick’s and placed his other on top of their joined hands. Not really shaking Rick’s hand, more holding on.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Drew would’ve done fine without me. We helped each other.” Rick wasn’t being modest, just telling the truth.
“The two of you formed a bond that strengthened both of you,” Coop interjected as he stepped up next to Rick. “Lucas Cooper.” Coop held his hand out to each of the men.
“Don’t let us interrupt your dinner. Jeff saw you as we were heading to the bar to wait for our table,” Scott told them as he wrapped his arm around Jeff’s waist. “We’ll get out of your hair.”
“Remember to give me a call if you have any questions, Rick.” Jeff leaned into his husband and took a step away.
“Would you like to join us?” Rick asked. There was room at their table and why should they wait? Rick was sure the discussion at the table would be informative.
