Together Box Set

Chapter 5-2

David was surprised at how tasty the meal was. He even asked Bud for the recipe, but the Marine remained tight-lipped.

“It’s a matter of national security.”

“Huh?”

“Aunt Gloria gave me the recipe once, and I promised never to share it with anyone.”

“Oh. I thought you didn’t have any family. Sorry, that was insensitive.”

“She’s not my real aunt. Gloria was a cook in one of the last group homes I was in. She’s the closest person I ever got to an adult relative. Least one that cared about me.”

David reached for and took Bud’s hand. He could have kicked himself for spoiling the happy mood they had been enjoying. “I’m sorry, Bud. Please let’s change the subject.”

“Thanks.”

“I don’t want you to get mad, worried or anything, but the reason why I was late home was because I was talking with a colleague of mine. He’s gay, too. I often go out for a drink to a local bar with some members of the faculty on a Friday, but when you came into my life, I—”

“Sorry, I could always come visit later.”

“Don’t you dare. No, what I was saying is I told a friend of mine that I had found a really wonderful, kind, awesome man and—”

“I told you never to say anything. Not to anyone!” Bud’s angry words took David by surprise.

“Sorry. I know you did, but Corey, he won’t say anything.”

“Jesus!” Bud got to his feet and began pacing. “I would be kicked out of the Corps with a dishonorable discharge at the least suggestion of—”

“I know that!” David surprised himself at how powerfully he’d spoken. He’d never stood up to Bud before. He’d remembered what Corey had said about not letting Bud make all the decisions. “I’m sorry.” Getting to his feet, David approached a surprised Bud. “Hon, I’d never ever do anything that would put your career at risk. I respect you way too much to do that. Corey is safe. I’ve known him for years. He won’t say anything. I promise, it’s okay.”

Bud put his arms around David and gave him a hug. “I’m sorry, babe. I shouldn’t have raised my voice like that. If you say he’s okay, then I trust your judgment.”

“Thanks. He said he wants to meet you, but I said I’d have to ask you first. We don’t have to, he need never know anything more about you, I didn’t even tell him your last name, where you were based. Nothing that could hurt you.”

Tightening his hold, Bud nuzzled the side of David’s neck. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Silly,” David said, turning to kiss Bud. “Now come on, the food’s getting cold.”

During the meal they agreed to pay Corey a visit the next day. David reassured Bud again that Corey was all right, he was a better cook even than David, and would relish the opportunity to show off his talents. “So you wouldn’t even be seen out in public.”

“That’s okay. You’ve convinced me that it’ll be all okay.”

“Can I make one tiny little request about tomorrow?”

The almost shy tone in David’s voice caused Bud to raise an eyebrow.

“Will you wear your fatigues?”

Bud laughed. “You really have a thing for me in uniform, don’t ya?”

“Yeah. It’s just I know I can’t show you off to many people, let ‘em know what a gorgeous stud I’ve got. But…sorry, it was a stupid idea. I—”

“Hey, just so happens I did laundry yesterday and brought a clean set of fatigues with me.”

* * * *

“You sure you don’t want me to come in and help you choose? Corey’s got a real thing about what wine should be served with a particular meat.”

The two had pulled into the parking lot of a grocery store to buy a bottle of wine on their way over to visit Corey.

“I might look like a dumb n****r who don’t know nothing about fine wines, but I’m perfectly capable of picking something out that will go with what Corey’s cooking.”

David paled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound as though you didn’t have any social skills or—”

“No, Dave, it’s me who’s sorry. I think I’m still on edge over meeting your friend.”

“We can turn back, Corey would understand, and—”

“David, look at me.”

Turning, David gazed lovingly at Bud.

“It’s all cool, honestly. I’m just gonna go into the store, pick something out that’ll go with the pork medallions Corey said he was gonna grill, then we’re going to drive over to his place and have a great afternoon. Okay?”

David nodded. “Sorry.”

Bud shook his head before getting out of the Jeep.

David had been overjoyed at the opportunity to be able to show Bud off to his friend. He knew Bud wasn’t comfortable with the idea of other people knowing about them, but he’d gone along with it just because David had asked him.

“I don’t deserve him,” he said, starting to sniff back the tears that were threatening to fall. “s**t, I’m such a f*****g crybaby.”

Reaching for the glove box, David hoped he’d find a tissue to dab at his eyes, not wanting Bud to know he’d been crying.

Pulling out a small box of Kleenex, David wiped his eyes and blew his nose. After replacing the box, he noticed an envelope had fallen to the floor, spilling its contents over the rubber mat. He knew he shouldn’t stick his nose into Bud’s business, but he couldn’t help seeing the title at the top of a sheet of paper. Suggested Palm Springs Itinerary.

A quick scan of the other documents revealed Bud had made reservations for two people at a hotel in Palm Springs. They were dated for two weeks’ time, David’s birthday.

Knowing Bud would be coming out of the store at any moment, David replaced the papers in their envelope and put it back in the glove box. He couldn’t remember telling Bud that his birthday was coming up, but realized he must have.

“s**t, if I’m not careful I’ll need more Kleenex,” David said, trying not to bust out crying again, but this time for totally different reasons.

“You okay?” Bud asked, startling David.

“Oh, uh, yeah. Miles away.”

“Right. I bought a Johannesburg Riesling. It’s not overly dry, but should be sweet enough to compliment the pork.” Bud handed over the wrapped bottle to a surprised David.

“I feel even worse about my comment of earlier.”

Bud gave David’s knee a quick squeeze before starting up the Jeep.

* * * *

David was relieved when the afternoon at Corey’s turned out to be a complete success. Bud was charming, even a little flirtatious with Corey, but he made it plain he belonged to David.

Once, when Bud had excused himself to visit the john, Corey turned to David. “Oh, my God! He’s gorgeous. You didn’t tell me he was African-American, though.”

“Does it matter?”

“No, not at all. s**t, does he have any brother Marines who he could introduce to me?”

David laughed. “Don’t think so.”

“Man, I’m jealous. And you can tell he’s, like, totally devoted to you.”

“And me to him.”

“Yeah. It’s about time you found someone, David. You’ve lived alone too long in that big house of yours.”

“I know.” David became more serious. “But I’m terrified he’ll get tired of me because of how clingy and needy I am. He could do a lot better than a plain boring old teacher.”

“Hey. Don’t you dare, David Grover. I’ll not have it, you hear?” Corey glared at his friend.

Bud chose that moment to come back out onto the deck. “What’s going on?!”

“Your boyfriend doesn’t feel worthy of you,” Corey said, giving David another hostile look.

“Corey!” David was horrified.

Bud shook his head before walking over to the lawn chair where David was sitting. “Come here.” Bud lifted David to a standing position before laying a soppy wet kiss on his lips. Stroking the side of David’s cheek, “You’re my man. Who else could put up with me with my crazy schedule, my need to keep us secret? You’re all I could ever ask for, and loads more beside.”

The semi-public show of affection was too much for David, who turned his face into Bud’s shoulder and began to cry softly. He felt Bud wrap his arms around him and rock him gently.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be such a crybaby. You deserve someone who doesn’t burst into tears at the least little thing.”

“Hush,” Bud soothed. “You’re a f*****g fantastic guy. Gentle, kind and generous. Now come on, dry those beautiful brown eyes of yours.”

“They’re not beautiful,” David said, moving himself out of Bud’s embrace and wiping his eyes.

“Hey!” Bud said, flexing his arms, “if I say they’re beautiful, then you believe it, buster!”

That was all David needed to get him laughing.

“Yup, I’m officially jealous,” Corey said, eyeing the two.

“Aww. By the way, Corey wants to know if you could line him up with a brother Marine.”

“David!” Corey put his hands on his hips and glowered at his friend.

“Payback’s a b***h, bitch.”