Phillip just laughed. “It was probably theeasiest thing I have ever done. Sandy had just had Katie. We hadsex one time before we got married. It was the night before Ishipped out to basic. We were both young, and stupid. Anyway Ikinda knew where my likes and dislikes lay, but Sandy and I hadbeen dating since like seventh grade. It was common knowledge thatwe were gonna get married...anyway we had sex...nine months laterKatie was born. We got married when Sandy was two monthspregnant.”
Ryan nodded, waiting for Phillip tocontinue.
“Sandy always knew I was gay. I knew I was gay.Apparently everyone in my family knew I was gay. Finally they allgot sick of waiting for me to admit it. Our anniversary party wasturned into my ‘coming out’ party.” Phillip smiled softly at thememory.
“Sandy was okay with it?” Ryan blinked severaltimes. He couldn't believe that.
“Ryan, she spent those two years telling me thatwe could work it out, that Katie would never not know love, or me.Sandy is my best friend out of the Army.”
Ryan shook his head and wondered how Phillip hadfound such a great woman and family. “You got lucky.”
“Don't I know it? I thank God for them all.”
Ryan nodded. Phillip was that rare guy that hadfallen under a lucky sign. He had it all - good looks, good familyand damn good fortune.
“So, tell me about the Gracin family,” Phillipsaid gently.
Ryan chuckled darkly. “They didn't have a‘coming out’ party, that's for sure.” He took a drink of his beer,sighing because it was empty. Phillip held up his own bottle andnodded at the server, holding up two fingers.
“I figured out I was gay about the same time Ientered college. First frat party I went to a guy hit on me. Weended up making out in his dorm, and I realized that I was gay. Itried hard to ignore it because like I said, my father's a pastor.I was raised thinking it was a sin and I would burn in Hell,” hesaid grimly. “The guy ended up being my first and he took me to afew meetings and a new church. As I got settled into being me...Idecided I was going to tell my folks. When I did my father screamedat me about how I was going to burn in Hell unless I changed myways. I told them this was me and they could either love me or not.They both told me to leave. I was disowned, just like that.”
Phillip's face turned grim and he actuallylooked pissed off on Ryan's behalf.
“Two weeks later I was told I had to leaveschool if I couldn't find a way to pay for it. A week later Ijoined the Army. And the rest, they say, is history.”
“Fuck 'em. Ya know, Ryan, if they can't see theman you are, then fuck them. They don't deserve to know you. I takeit your siblings didn't see it that way.” Phillip rememberedGraduation Day, when Ryan had been shocked to see his brother andsister there.
That brought a smile to Ryan's face. He wassurprised to see Phillip lean forward. The man had a soft smile onhis face. It wasn't a smile Ryan had been aware of. He knew Phillipwas the man of many smiles, but this smile was something he hadnever seen. It was soft, warm and inviting.
“Ryan, I'm gonna kiss you. If you don't want meto do so in like five seconds you better tell me now.”
Ryan would have to be an idiot not to wantPhillip's kiss. He just smiled deeper.
Almost in slow motion Phillip leaned forward,took off his glasses and kissed Ryan tenderly. It was a sharpcontrast to their other kisses. This one was slow. It asked forpermission. Phillip didn't push his tongue between Ryan's lips;instead he traced them gently. He waited for Ryan to open hismouth. When permission was granted Phillip slipped his tongue intothe warm recess of Ryan's mouth, exploring slowly and then drawingaway. He smiled at the younger man and kissed his lips again.
“Ryan Ross Gracin. You're totally worth the blueballs you gave me all through BCT.” He smirked at Ryan and drewback. His cell phone rang and he cursed. “If it's Post I'm gonnakill someone,” he growled. “Yeah, Sergeant Grabowski.” He rolledhis eyes. “Yeah...no doubt...yeah can you...yeah I'll bethere...Austin? Yeah...I got them. No worries.” He slammed thephone shut.
“So, how do you feel about Austin?”
“Got a couple of dumbasses?” Ryan smirked.
“Oh yeah. They are going to hate me...”
“Oh-oh, does this mean Drill Sergeant Grabowskiis getting ready to make an appearance?”
“Nah, it's Phillip who was having a kick assdate, interrupted by a couple of knuckleheads. They wish they’dlucked out with Drill Sergeant Grabowski.” He grinned. “Wanna gowith me?”
Ryan smiled. “I guess I should stay behind.”
“I think you should come with me. After I putthem to bed, then we'll go dancing.”
Ryan adjusted his specs and laughed. “Dude...howabout we go get your privates and then we'll see afterwards?”
“You know, I think that's probably the best ideaever.” Phillip leered at Ryan.
“Come on, asshat. Let's go.” Ryan chucked him onthe shoulder and Phillip threw down a hundred.
“They are seriously fucked. I didn't get mysteak.” His phone rang again and he flipped it open. “Sgt.Grabowski,” he barked. They hadn't even made it out to the truckyet. “What? Shit. Is she okay? Yeah. Alright, fuck. Listen Sandy, Ineed to call Sgt. Almonz. Yeah. I'll be there. Just give me a halfan hour.” He flipped the phone shut and cursed. “Katie climbed atree and fell out.” He cursed again.
