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Ryan's face was pale and tears had dried earlier on his face. Brendon and Patrick
both looked the same. It didn't take a genius to realize that they were all shaken to their
core. Ryan's hand shook as he reached for a cup of coffee.
Phillip slipped an arm around him, not asking what happened. He knew that
was between the four of them, but he could support Ryan now.
 He's sleeping, Ryan said. His voice wobbled ever so slightly.
Patrick burrowed into Mark's chest, sobbing silently.
And Brendon just sat on the edge of Ryan's sofa staring at nothing.
 He's moving in with me. I need to see if I can take a week s leave. I'm going to
go help him pack.
Mark shook his head.  Doesn't matter if you don't. I'll go with him, he said.
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Ryan looked around the room. Every time he felt a wave of sadness at not
having a family he remembered this one. Now Phillip and Mark were part of it too. It
made him thankful for joining the Army.
Brendon sniffled.  You know...When I left home...I was scared. I hated my dad,
but he was the known evil. But I wouldn't trade y'all for anything.
Patrick snorted in agreement.
Mark chuckled.  Are you sure we're the gay ones?  Cause, Furry, man...that was
kinda gay.
All of them let out breathless chuckles.
***
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A few days later they all said good bye to Brendon. Kenneth hugged Brendon
tightly and then stood off on the side.
 Let us know when you get home, Ryan ordered.
 Always do. Brendon said. He walked toward the gates and turned around.
 Ryan?
 Yeah?
 I'm calling your sister when I get home. With that said he took off down the
hallway before Ryan could go after him.
 Dude! I'm gonna kill him.
 No, you're not, Kenneth said softly.
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 You can't. He's family. Patrick said.
 My sister! he wailed, to general laughter.
***
Over the next two months things slid into a routine. Ryan would go to PT and
flirt with Phillip, who would flirt with him. Alexander would tease them both. They
would go out after work. Dinner. Hang out with the guys. Phillip had started to spend a
lot of time with Kenneth. They would go for runs. Then Phillip would take him onto
post.
Ryan never asked what they did and they never told him.
Mark took Kenneth home and they packed his stuff up. Two weeks later
Kenneth was a permanent fixture in Ryan's home.
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It was two weeks before the start of the spring that they got the news. In August
they were headed back over to Iraq.
***
In between training and going to NTC in California they spent time with each
other. Phillip and Ryan went out a few more times but spent a lot of time at his house
or Ryan's apartment. Ryan met Katie, who loved him. Sandy had become a fixture in
his life as well as Phillip. He was as likely to find her in his apartment as Kenneth.
He had just gotten off work and into his apartment when Sandy came bursting
in.
 Katie wants you and Phillip to take her to see  John Cena , she said.
 Uh huh, and you came here why? Ryan said, as he pulled off his boots.
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 Because she's driving me insane. She has her first crush-- she's with Phillip
telling him about it. I thought I should warn you. Sandy grinned and walked into his
kitchen. She grabbed a soda as Kenneth came out of the shower.
 Hey ya, Kenny. Still on for tonight? she asked.
Ryan blinked and wondered if he was in the right apartment.
 Yep, I just have to clean up my car. Kenneth was doing better but still wasn't
'fixed'. Ryan knew he probably wouldn't ever be fixed. But he was functioning a lot
better. He still drank, but it was only at  FUBAR and only when all of them could keep
an eye out on him. He was going to AA meetings and talking to other Combat Medics.
All in All Ryan was happy with what was going on-- except for the part where it
sounded like Kenneth had a date with Phillip's ex-wife.
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 So, anyone tell Phillip about this? he asked.  I don't wanna piss on anyone's
parade but...seriously...
Sandy burst into laughter and Kenneth sent Ryan a cocky smile.
 We're going to the Ball. Phillip's 'taking' me and you're 'taking' Kenny. She
smiled.  But Kenneth and I are arriving together.
Ryan felt relief. He wasn't sure how Phillip would take Kenny and Sandy dating.
***
That evening Ryan got dressed in his dress blues. He was slipping the cuffs on
when he heard the bell ring. He cursed when he stubbed his toe on his way to open the
door. Phillip stood behind it, looking like home-made sin.
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His uniform was fitted flawlessly to his body. The black stetson on his head just
made him look like perfection. Ryan felt his mouth watering. He had always thought
Phillip was hot but in dress blues, he looked...like sex personified.
 See something you like?
Ryan slowly nodded his head.  We could always not go...
 No way. Sandy will be pissed. She's got the hots for Kenny. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]