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I groaned, grossed out, but also amused as hell because I’d accidentally set myself up for that one. If being around men non-stop for so many years teaches you anything, it’s to watch your words and phrasing or get prepared to be buried in ‘that’s what she said’.
You know what it also taught me? To give as good as I got.
“Wow, you’re offering real quick. Does someone have some kind of inner fantasy they’ve been fostering?”
An adorable blush pinkened his cheeks, which was basically his version of a white flag of surrender. When he got embarrassed, he took the L and moved on.
“Shut the fuck up,” he mumbled, reaching for a fifth beer.
I chuckled, still nursing my third.
“I don’t know. I guess what I’m trying to say is, over the past couple years, you’ve been broken down to the boney, bloody nubs. Even before the Marines, your dad broke you down. I don’t honestly think that you’ve ever experienced what it’s like to create something for yourself because first at home, then in the Marines, they told you who and what you were. And you took that wholeheartedly. Now, you’re on your own and you’ve got every opportunity in front of you to be whoever you want to be. I’d put big money down on the fact that that scares the shit out of you.”
He wasn’t wrong; about any of it.
“So? I’ve been figuring it out. You’re not the first person to tell me that, you know? My therapist dug that up a long time ago.”
“Of course he did,” Yamin snorted. “But does it mean shit to you? Does it change anything?”
I shrugged.
“Anyway, I’m not your boss or your psych, but I care about you. We’ve been buddies for years, and I’d like to see you succeed. I think a garage is a great idea. The money you got for being medically discharged will probably help you set it up, right?”
“I’ve been saving everything for years. I’ve got plenty to start it up.”
“That’s right, you’ve been mooching off me for two fucking years, and then the dorms before that. I’m sure you’re rolling in it.”
He gave me a lopsided grin, letting me know he wasn’t mad about the fact at all, though I did pay half his mortgage, even though I was usually the only one using the house.
“Well, looks like I’ll be mooching off my girlfriend here pretty soon, so you’re off the hook.”
We both laughed, because we both knew that I would never in a million years mooch off my girlfriend.
“Besides, I paid you rent. And I bought the food. And I cooked occasionally.”
He nodded, holding his beer out to cheers.
“That’s true. You only know how to cook three things, but I tell you, I’ll miss your steak and eggs.”
I dipped my head in agreement, grateful my meager cooking skills were going with me.
“How long are you back for?” I asked him, changing the subject.
He sighed and peeled at the paper label on his bottle.
“I only have a few days. Figured I’d spend some time with my folks before I head back to California.”
“Need me to do anything while I’m here? I’ll make sure the place is clean before I leave.”
“Nah. I make sure Mom has six months of my mortgage before I go off, and you know there’s someone who comes in and cleans while I’m gone. Besides, I’m sure you’ll take off before me. Nobody can stand between Sergeant Kane and the love of his life.”
“I’m no Sergeant anymore.” I frowned.
“Oh, give me a break. You’ll always be a Sergeant. They can kick you out of the Marines, but that doesn’t take the Marine out of the soldier.”
Instantly triggered, I leaned forward, ready to tackle him.
“Call me a soldier one more time, Kiwi.”
