That fucking smile sent Ryan back in his ownmind. That mouth should be illegal.
“NO!” came a roar from his left that brought himback to the present. He looked at Brendon who was staring wide-eyedat a letter in his hand. The paper fluttered from the blond'sfingers. He rushed out of the room, barreling into Grabowskiwithout even noticing it.
Both Drills looked startled but Grabowskirecovered first. He took off after Brendon.
Ryan rose.
“Sit down, pretty boy. Big Daddy will take careof your girlfriend,” Connelly ordered.
Ryan didn't want to follow that order but hedid. He sat back down and picked up the letter. He opened it whileConnelly began another story.
Dear Brendon,
I know this is a horrible way to do this butI don't have any other choice. I fell in love with someone else. Iknow I promised that I wouldn't do this but I couldn't help it.He's here and you’re not. I need someone here, Brendon. Not someonehundreds of miles away. I hope you understand.
Sophia
Ryan bit off a curse and looked at Patrick.
'Broke up?'Patrick mouthed.
Ryan confirmed it with a short nod of his head.Patrick frowned and nodded to Kenneth. They all wanted out of theroom so they could check on their friend.
Connelly sighed and grabbed Ryan's attention. Hethumbed his head toward the door. Ryan stood up and walked out ofthe door.
He slowed his gait and stood outside of theroom. He was surprised to hear Grabowski talking.
“Murray, this happens all the time. When we weredeployed to Iraq several guys had wives file for divorce. I can'ttell you how many guys had girls breaking up with them during themiddle of the tour claiming it was too hard to deal with.”Grabowski said. His voice was so soft and soothing. Ryan couldn’tbelieve he was the same man who barked orders at them all thetime.
“But why now? Why couldn't she wait?” Brendonasked. Ryan could hear tears in his voice.
“It's better now, Murray. Trust me. You don'twant to be out in the sandbox and get that sort of letter.” Therewas something tingeing Grabowski's voice that told Ryan thatPhillip had lived through that.
Ryan scooted closer to the door, just in time tohave a face full of Grabowski.
“Freckles,” he greeted him, a small smile on hislips.
It was the closest Ryan had been to the Drillsince 'the kiss'.
“Drill Sergeant Grabowski,” Ryan said. He knewhe should be in there with Brendon, and right after he memorizedthe brunette’s smell he would be.
The Drill left without another word. Ryan walkedin and looked at Brendon.
“Hey buddy,” he said softly. “Sorry about yourgirl.”
“I don't care,” Brendon said, the sound muffledby the pillow he was holding over his head.
“It sucks but after you get all buffed up she'llbe crying because she can't have you, dude,” Ryan said. He reallysucked at comforting anyone.
Patrick and Kenneth came into the room a fewminutes later.
Kenneth pushed Ryan aside and sat down. “Knowwhat? Fuck 'em. Girls like that chick are a dime a dozen. Brendon,we're gonna go out after basic and fuck the first girl we see. Thenwe're gonna toast to that bitch of an ex of yours,” he said,bitterly.
Ryan nodded his head.
Kenneth snorted at Ryan. “We'll find you aguy.”
Ryan flipped him off.
