Chapter Twenty-Nine - Rick
Rick was one step from dropping. The unit had been in the field for the past two weeks, preparing for their pre-deployment training exercise in Louisiana.
He wasn’t looking forward to that mock deployment but at least they weren’t going in the summer.
There was no way, no how, that Fort Johnson was making his top three places to be stationed any time soon.
Now, if he was going to be one of the Observer/Controllers?
Helping to plan out the trainings? Now, that he could get behind.
He threw his rucksack into the back of his car and slammed the trunk.
He would worry about cleaning his gear tomorrow.
Tonight was for going home, showering, eating something, and loving on his man.
Coop was heading out in a few days to coach Nate and some new racers.
He’d gained a reputation for getting into the heads of those he was coaching and making them see how the track was going to change and how to take advantage of the inside corners and the whoops. Look at him having learned the lingo.
Collapsing into the driver’s seat, Rick turned on the car and started the air conditioning.
As he drove home, he couldn’t turn off his brain.
They had some things to ramp up their training on but this trip to Louisiana would highlight all their shortcomings.
He wanted his platoon to be the best that he could make them. Maybe he should talk to Emerson about—
Rick’s phone rang, derailing his thought process. “Rick Stanton,” he said, pushing the button on the steering wheel as he made the left into their complex.
“Hey, Ricky, you sound like shit,” Christopher pointed out.
“What? Isn’t Coop taking care of all your needs these days?
” He’d kept his promise to himself to strengthen their bond, and they’d done that in the six months since Mom had died.
Rick still talked with Drew more than Christopher but their conversations weren’t stilted anymore.
They teased each other. They’d even gone in on Dad’s Christmas gift.
He still thought that Dad was planning their deaths for spending that much on a 16-day trip to tour World War II Memorial sites through France, Austria, Belgium, and Germany.
He was going to be over there for the D-Day festivities this year.
“Coop is taking very good care of me. I’m just getting home after being in the field for two weeks. What’s up?” Rick asked, slowing to pull into his parking spot.
“Think you could get leave for a long weekend before you deploy? I need a best man.”
Rick was so stunned, he slammed on his brakes, stopping his car shortly. “J-Julia?” He needed his brain to kick back online.
Christopher’s laughter came through the speakers. “Yes, Julia. She would hunt me down and kill me slowly if I even thought about looking at another woman.”
“I know about fourteen men that would be at your door faster than you could run away if you hurt one hair on that woman’s head.
Not to mention the woman who would be after your ass.
Smarter and safer for you to marry Julia.
You did the proper thing and asked Kevin for her hand in marriage, right?
” Rick had strongly suggested that Christopher ask permission to marry Julia.
“When did you get to be such a mother hen? Yes, I asked Kevin and Brittany for their permission. I went down there to look at a house with Julia and we went out to dinner. When Julia went to the bathroom, I asked. Brittany started crying and I thought Kevin was going to kill me for that, but he had tears in his eyes too. They gave me their blessing right as she got back to the table. All she saw was her parents upset and…oh Lord, let me really never upset her like that again.” Christopher chuckled.
“I was sitting there with my hands in the air, trying to defend myself from whatever she thought I had done. Her parents were talking over each other, trying to calm her down. Finally, I reached over, put my hands on her cheeks and stopped her ranting with my mouth. Took a minute or so for her to melt. When I pulled back and then whispered, ‘Will you marry me?’ Never thought I’d see her speechless when we had all our clothes on but she got her voice back and said yes. ”
Rick couldn’t believe it. His brother was getting married and asked him to be his best man.
Rick cleared his throat, a little emotional himself.
When he could speak, he responded with the only answer, “Absolutely.” A rap on the window made Rick turn before he could say anything else.
Coop stood next to his car with a questioning look on his face.
“Send me the information and we’ll be there.
Let me know what you want me to wear. Correction, let me know what Julia wants me to wear.
Uniform. Tux. I know I can speak for Coop with this.
We are so happy for you. Love you, big brother,” Rick said, then ended the call.
“Hey, Soldier Boy, what’s got you sitting in your car instead of coming inside?” Coop asked as he pushed Rick back into the side of the car and took a hard kiss. Damn, his man could reduce him to a puddle in an instant.
When the kiss ended, Rick put his forehead against Coop’s and whispered, “Marry me?” He wasn’t sure where the words came from but the timing seemed right.
They had a long talk driving home from the funeral.
The pros and cons. When. If. Why. Did they really want to be married?
With Coop not riding anymore and coaching, he was free to move around with Rick.
With the deployment looming on the horizon, Rick wanted Coop to be protected.
To have the rights of being a military spouse.
To have the support of the other spouses and the military behind him.
Oh, Rick knew that Drew and his family would be there for Coop if something happened to Rick but he wanted—no, he needed to know that Coop would be taken care of.
Maybe Rick had been paying attention more when they’d had their briefing the other day than he realized.
Coop took so long answering that Rick began to fidget. Shit. Maybe he’d fucked up. “Never mi—”
“Don’t you fucking dare take that back. I am marrying you.
Whenever and wherever you say. I was startled that you asked me when we’re standing in the parking lot with you covered in dirt.
I’m not sure why I was. But I know that I love you with all that I have in me.
I might be traveling around with the circuit but you know that I will do everything I can to be there for you,” Coop said before placing a soft kiss on Rick’s lips.
“Now, let’s go inside. Get you a shower.
And then plan for the rest of our lives. ”
“Sounds like the best offer I’ve had in a long time,” Rick said as he twined his fingers with Coop’s and walked beside his fiancé into their home. “Want to help me get this dirt off? Even though I know dirt is one of your favorite things.”
Coop’s laughter echoed through their condo. Yup, going to watch that street race had been the right decision.