Chapter 7
Amonth later, Walker smiled at the letter Fernando had sent. It was fun to hear about his life on campus with his two friends. He could still see the sadness beneath the stories of lunches and study sessions, but his omega was working through it.
He chuckled at the picture of Fernando and Beans. Their faces were smooshed together and smiling for a selfie.
“Hey, man. That’s your omega?” Pug leaned over his shoulder. “Nice. I like his smile.”
“Don’t look at him.” Walker covered the picture. “Somehow you’ll corrupt him.”
Sliding down on Walker’s bunk, Pug lounged back on his elbows, looking exhausted. Still, he made an effort and wiggled his brows up and down. “Fuck, yeah.”
After a day of training, they were all tired. That was their days – training and waiting, then training more and waiting again. Over and over. Muscles sore and nerves slightly strained. However, this was Walker’s favorite time of the day. Everyone together, despite being worn out.
“Dessie started a prison store,” Pug said. “A bag of chips costs five ciggies and a pod.”
“A pod?”
“A Tide pod.” Pug shrugged. “All she has are barbecue chips, though.”
“Why a prison store?” Walker asked, laughing.
“She’s bored.” Pug grabbed Walker’s picture. “This guy really is cute. How much do you like him?”
Walker snatched the picture back and tucked it under his pillow. “Too much too soon, that’s for sure.”
Pug snorted. “For a fucker that will do just about anything on a dare, you don’t usually risk shit when it comes to relationships. What’s different about him?”
“What relationships?” Walker asked, dodging the question. “All anyone wants from me is a quick fuck.”
“You never push for more.” Pug’s eyes narrowed. “This omega is different.”
Walker shifted, uncomfortable under his friend’s gaze. “Yeah. He’s different.”
“Thentoo much too soondoesn’t matter.” Pug grinned. “I like this for you.”
Walker flushed. He liked it too. Fernando made him think of building a life outside the military. Of having someone to grow old with. A person of his very own. Being with Fernando in person was a heady experience, and Walker could see the future so clearly, but being away from his omega had given him the space to clear his head. Doubts flooded him, and he began to second-guess every choice he had made. Was he really good enough for a man like Fernando? The omega was so smart, and Walker… well, he was smart in his own way, maybe. Not like Fernando, though.
Pug stuck his finger in Walker’s ear, making the man jump. “Hey, get out of your head. I swear, you’re worse than my angsty little brother. He’s sixteen, so he has an excuse. What’s yours?”
Walker made a face. “I’m not angsty. It’s just that Ferdie is really smart and going places. Is it right for me to hold him back? You know military spouses have it hard. Meyers has been divorced how many times now?”
Pug sighed, looking put upon. “Fuck, okay, so first, your Ferdie is lucky to have you. You aren’t holding him back. He wanted a relationship, too, right? Respect the man’s decision. Second, you’re not marrying the man. The two of you are just giving it a try. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t.” He paused and smirked. “But what if it does?”
Walker smiled, thinking about that future he could almost taste. “Fair enough.”
“Now, forget that shit.” Pug kicked his leg. “For tonight’s entertainment you can choose one of two things. Meyers and Steve are running a game of spades or Dessie and her boys are starting a D&D campaign.”
“I thought they didn’t let you play D&D anymore since all you do is roll charisma to try to fuck everything.”
“I promised I wouldn’t.”
“Dessie believed you?”
Pug smirked. “That’s on her. So, what will it be?”
“D&D,” he said, after a moment of thought. “I want to see Dessie kick your ass when you fuck up the game.”
A few nights later,Walker was finally able to video call Fernando. Just seeing the man made every doubt and worry disappear. He wanted a future with the omega. At the moment, though, his omega looked tired. His black hair was tousled, and his eyes had dark circles under them. All Walker wanted to do was pull the man into his arms and hold him until he fell asleep.
