“I'll even let you lead, Freckles.”
Ryan laughed, because Phillip was alreadyleading them into the dance. He felt Phillip's arm tighten aroundhim and he sighed. They hadn't really ever gotten to dance. It wasdepressing that just dancing with the man made Ryan ridiculouslyhappy.
Phillip leaned down and kissed the side ofRyan's throat. “You smell really good,” he whispered.
“Do I?” Ryan leaned into Phillip's lips. “Youfeelreally good.”
Phillip chuckled and sighed.
“Good lord y'all stop that. You're making mehot!” Sandy laughed, hugging Kenneth tightly.
Mark and Patrick even joined them.
“If'n y'all get naked on this dance floor I'llkill ya both,” Mark warned. “You two have a thing about making outin public.”
“Public indecency laws are in effect, guys, butkeep on doing that. Tory likes it.” Alexander offered. “It willmake getting laid tonight so much easier.” He let out a breath whenhis wife hit him on the arm.
Ryan laughed and pulled Phillip tighter. “Don'tlook! I'm gonna kiss him.” He leaned up and kissed Phillip softly.Yeah, things were progressing slowly but Ryan was pleased - reallypleased with the results. At least until he saw Phillip in hisdress blues and decided that they were moving too damn slow.
The song ended and something faster came on. Allthe couples left and went to get another drink. Phillip and Ryanwere both sporting rosy cheeks. Patrick's nose was rosy as well.They leaned back in their chairs and sighed happily.
“Ya know this may be our lastget-together...before the going 'way party,” Patrick said. Helifted his drink and toasted the men at the table. “Dude!” Hescrambled up and ran to the front.
A few minutes later they saw him jump onto thestage holding a microphone. “Alright..Alright. Everyone get yacup'o'grog. It's time for a sing-a-long.” He looked toward theothers and motioned them forward. “Ryan, Mark, Phillip..Alexander,get up here!”
The guys knew it was a bad idea but wentanyway.
“This is for our esteemed Airborne gentlemen andfor all of us Troopers. If ya know it sing along!”
The band stepped back and grinned. Glasses werepassed around to the rest of the guys as they climbed onto thestage.
Patrick's voice deepened as he began to sing.“He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shook withfrightHe checked off his equipment and made sure his packwas tight;He had to sit and listen to those awful enginesroar,'You ain't gonna jump no more!'”
Phillip's face broke into a grin as soon as heheard the first note. He held up his cup and the rest followedsuit. All four began to sing the chorus: “Gory, gory, what ahelluva way to die.Gory, gory, what a helluva way todie.Gory, gory, what a helluva way to die.He ain'tgonna jump no more!”
Cheers filled the hall. Old Paratroopers jumpedup to sing with the guys. Arms were tossed around shoulders and itseemed the whole hall was swaying to the song. Ryan thought it wasfitting that Patrick sang “Blood on the Risers.” Phillip thought itwas a gutsy song choice given it was about Paratroopers.
But Patrick made up for his choice by startinghis second song.
“Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon.She wore it in the springtime. In the merry month of May. And ifyou ask her why the heck she wore it. She wore it for her soldierwho was far, far away.”
The other four sang the chorus. “Far away,far away. She wore it for her soldier who was far, faraway”
By the end of Patrick's impromptu sing-a-longeveryone was smiling. The guys jumped down and sauntered off towardtheir table. Kenneth was holding Sandy loosely in his arms, andTory was laughing at a joke he was telling.
“WE have returned. I sounded awesome, didn't Ibaby?” Alexander giggled, snuggling in close to his wife.
“You did...you did. Very sexy, baby. If you'renot too drunk it will totally get you laid.” Tory laughed.
Alexander cheered and the other guyslaughed.
“When are you two going to put each other out ofyour misery and get it on?” Sandy asked, watching Phillip and Ryanrub against each other.
“I dunno. Ryan is all 'bout takin’ it allsloooow,” Phillip complained.
“Bullshit. Phillip said 'Ryan, I wanna do thisright.'” Ryan giggled when Sandy snorted.
Phillip rolled his eyes and cupped the back ofRyan's head. He pulled Ryan against him and laid a kiss on his lipsthat had everyone hooting and hollering.
