“So, dipshit, where have you been the last few nights? I’ve called you a few times,” my brother, Pike, asked as I walked across base, hustling my ass to get a cup of coffee.
“Around,” I replied.
He grunted. “Already found a woman, didn’t you?”
“Maybe,” I drawled, hating that he knew me so well. “But she’s different from the others. We’re just friends.”
I could hear his eyes rolling through the phone. “I’ve heard that before.”
“No. No. I’ve never said that about anyone. Don’t lie and put words in my mouth.”
“You fall in love with every woman you sleep with.”
I laughed. “I haven’t slept with her. I told you, we’re just friends, Pike.”
He gasped. “Is your dick broken?”
“Ha-ha.” I lifted my chin toward a fellow sailor as he passed by.
“She must be something special if you haven’t fucked her yet.”
“I’m bringing her home this weekend as a friend.”
There was silence for a moment.
“Is that okay?”
“Austin’s bringing home a girl, darlin’. You okay with that?”
Gigi, Pike’s better half, squealed in the background. “Give me the phone. I need details.”
“Just put me on speaker so I don’t have to repeat this shit over and over again.”
“You’re on speaker,” Gigi said, her voice filled with excitement. “Tell me everything. Who is she? How long have you known her? What’s she do?”
I rubbed my temple, already getting a headache, knowing exactly how the weekend was going to go before we even pulled in the driveway. “We just met a few days ago, and we’re only friends, Gigi.”
“And you’re bringing her home?” Gigi asked.
“Well, I figured she could use a weekend away, and it’s such a long-ass drive. Besides, I’m always a third wheel.”
“You’ve never brought anyone home, though,” she reminded me.
“I know. I know. Don’t read too much into this. We’re not getting married or anything.”
“He hasn’t slept with her,” Pike told her as soon as I finished my sentence.
“This is a big deal,” Gigi said, speaking quickly. “A huge freaking deal!”
“It’s not a huge deal. She had the weekend off, and I had somewhere to be. I figured she could use a weekend away before she heads out on deployment.”
“Mm-hm,” Pike muttered. “A home-cooked meal.”
“Shut up. You know there’s nothing like Grandma Gallo’s food.”
“They’ll be excited to see you. Everyone will be. It’s been a long time since you’ve shown your ugly mug around here.”
After my mother died and my father was put away in prison, Gigi’s family embraced me during a time I felt completely lost. I was a complete douchebag too. I had a chip on my shoulder, dealing with so much baggage, guilt, and confusion, but they put up with my shit. Not only put up with my anger but made me feel like I was part of the family from the very first time I met them.
