“Hell yeah.”
“Wait untilafterthe ball, then.” Rick didn’t give Coop time to process that statement. He tugged Coop’s hand and led him inside the ballroom between two huge double doors. “Let’s find our seats.” Rick examined a poster that listed all the assignments. “Good, we’re with Drew.”
“Your roommate?”
“Yeah. We have the receiving line first.”
Coop looked around the room. Uniformed soldiers and their dates were everywhere. Some women were dressed much like he remembered from the country club days, in full-length gowns, others were shorter, even above the knees, but these were younger girls. He figured that would be okay, but what did he know? He was much more interested in all the men in uniforms. Some women were in uniform as well, but his gaze skipped right over them.
Before he knew it, he was walking down a line of people. A professor of military science with a high rank, whom Coop guessed was the guy in charge of the ROTC program, was introduced along with his wife. Then there were other men and a senior cadet with his date. He was told there would also be a guest speaker, but by the time they were done and standing on the edge of the dance floor, he couldn’t recall who was who. “This is kind of overwhelming.”
Rick rubbed his back. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
“I know.” And he did know. Maybe that was what was different between them. Coop trusted Rick. “What’s next?”
“We’re going to be announced, then we can sit.”
“There’s a lot of formal procedures.” He waved his hand toward the stage at the front of the room, but he meant the entire event.
The voice that answered from behind him was deep and not Rick’s. “Of course. It’s tradition.” Rick turned to the cadet. The guy was significantly taller than him and Rick and all arms and legs, even in that pristine uniform, with a high and tight cut that made his ears stick out. “I’m Drew.” He held out his hand. “I don’t think we’ve beenformallyintroduced.”
Coop’s face heated as he recalled his first night with Rick and Drew banging on the wall. He wasn’t sure what to say, but he shook Drew’s hand. Thankfully, Rick rescued him. “Drew, this is Lucas Cooper. Coop. This would be my roommate, Andrew Nolan.”
Andrew said, “Drew, please.”
While at the same time, Coop said, “Call me Coop.”
The tall blonde on his arm giggled. “I’m Julia, Drew’s sister.” She held her hand out to Coop and he shook it, but before any further introductions could be made, another cadet took the stage and spoke into the mic that they were going to announce the seniors.
A few names were called, and then “Andrew Nolan” sent Drew across the floor. Coop wondered how he didn’t trip himself up with those long legs. He reminded Coop of Bambi on the ice. His sister, Julia, stood beside Coop. Only a moment later, “Richard Stanton” was called. Rick’s back was straight, and he gave off a commanding air, so proud and strong. Coop wanted him for alot more than a bed partner. The thoughts he had for this man surprised the shit out of him. He never thought he wanted or needed anyone.
That part of the ceremony didn’t take too long; there were only a few seniors, apparently. Other people walked across the floor afterward, but Coop didn’t pay attention. He had zeroed in on where Rick stood and couldn’t peel his gaze off the man.
More announcements were made and then they were seated. Julia sat to Coop’s right with Drew on the other side of her, and Rick to his left. He slid his hand under the table and onto Rick’s leg. Rick put his hand on top of Coop’s. “They’re going to do toasts now. There will be a lot of them, so I recommend sipping rather than gulping.” Since everyone at the table was of age, wine was poured into their goblets. Rick indicated the underclassmen who were not twenty-one would have tea, soda, or water, not that Coop cared much. Rick made sure their glasses were full and then nodded to the back. “They’re bringing the colors in first.” He stood, motioning for Coop to stand as well.
“Colors?”
“The flag.”
“Right.” Arenacross events started with the National Anthem, so he wasn’t entirely surprised, but they didn’t play the music, only announced the colors, and everyone turned as a small group of cadets brought them in. It felt a lot like pomp and pageantry, and Coop supposed it was.Tradition, Drew had said. It impressed Coop in a way that he’d never thought of before and couldn’t quite name.
Then the toasts came. The first was to the United States of America. Coop lost track shortly after that. Rick wasn’t kidding when he said there were a lot, and his glass was empty by thetime they were finished. In fact, the last few were done with Coop’s glass empty. Hopefully, no one noticed.
The one thing that stuck with him was the presentation of the table reserved for the fallen soldiers. Coop had never thought about that. Men and women went to war and lost their lives to protect Coop’s freedom. He had known that, of course, but it had never hit him in such a real sense. He looked at the side of Rick’s beautiful face. Rick could very well be one of those men in the not-so-distant future. The thought had him wishing for another full glass of wine.
Afterward, they served dinner. Coop felt more in his element with that portion. He’d been to plenty of formal dinners, and he didn’t embarrass Rick with poor manners. Later, the announcer called out the seniors again and presented them with an award. Rick received one, so he hoped he’d explain it to him later. Then they retired the colors and opened the dance floor.
“Now you can relax some.” Rick kissed the top of Coop’s head when he sat back at the table. “The formalities are over.”
“You’re going to have to explain a lot of this to me later.” Coop shook his head. “I had no idea.”
Julia leaned in and bumped his shoulder. “It’s a lot to take in, right. I did this last year, too, but you did just fine.”
Coop appreciated her support. He turned to her and smiled. “Thanks. Hey, y’all need to come out to my race. We’ll be in Atlanta in two weeks, that’s not too far to drive, is it? I’ll get y’all tickets, and y’all can hang out with me in the pits.” He had never invited anyone to his races, not even his parents, since he’d turned eighteen. He’d always felt it would be too much pressure. That’s what he told himself, anyway. He was pretty sure his parents didn’t want to keep going after he was of age, and he’d never had any real friends. Except Vick. And he cameto the ones he wanted to attend, which weren’t many. Plus, Vick was more interested in girls and partying than the actual races. Drew and his friends agreed to come, and Coop felt lighter for having asked.
After a moment, Julia and Drew went to the dance floor, leaving Coop to sit at the table awkwardly. He felt Rick’s presence at his side like a warm but scratchy blanket. Did he want to dance? He snuck a glance at his date, watching the others on the floor in front of the stage. The DJ was playing a song Coop wasn’t familiar with, but when it ended andAmazedfrom Lonestar played, he couldn’t resist. He grabbed Rick’s hand. “Want to dance?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
