Fraternizing f-1

by C. C. Brown

  “No other motherfucker is ever going to see this prize package the way I do. I’d beat their fucking eyes out.”

  For a second, I thought he was serious, but he finally allowed a trace of playfulness to seep into him, making me smile.

  “I’m going to miss the fuck out of you,” he said, moving into a more romantic zone.

  “Me too. Hurry up and get back so I can have you again.”

  “That’s my plan.” He used his teeth and skimmed my bottom lip, then kissed me hard. “You need to lay low while I’m gone.”

  “Why? I thought I’d occupy your bed for the weekend. Hang with Riley and Natasha.” The look he gave me didn’t seem like he picked up on my little joke.

  “Not fucking funny, Cassie.”

  “It was a joke.”

  “Keep it that way. I wish I could pack your ass up and take you with me, but since I can’t, you need to lay low and avoid confrontation. Your little friend, Dalton, he’s a loyal one. Either that or well coached because he wouldn’t give up shit. And I threatened to make his last few weeks here an absolute fucking nightmare.”

  “There’s nothing to tell, Alex.”

  “Right. I know you and Allen have had words, I just don’t know what was said. It’s all good. I’m still digging.”

  I sighed. It didn’t seem like he was going to give up on this.

  He took his fingers and ran it over my lips and down my chest, stopping in between my breasts.

  “Where are the dog tags?”

  “Locked up in my wall locker. I didn’t want anyone to see me with them.”

  He nodded his head. We lay silent for a few minutes, cuddled up against one another, staring at the stars twinkling millions of miles away.

  “Shouldn’t we be getting our orders soon? What happens if we get separated?” I asked, breaking the silence.

  “We’ll figure it out and make it work.”

  “Is it really that easy?”

  “Yes. I haven’t worked this hard to get you just to let you go a few weeks later. It’s not ideal, but if we have to, I’ll fly out wherever you are once a month, and we’ll take turns on holidays. But stop worrying about it. I don’t even want to think about shit like that right now.”

  The heaviness of the reality that the Marine Corps could tear us apart in another way weighed down on me, making me feel completely powerless. All of this time we had been worried about our relationship being found out and the Corps destroying it, when the real threat staring us in the face was the likelihood of me being sent away and the distance making our relationship nearly impossible.

  I tried to take his approach and mindset, but the more I thought about it, the more the sadness of it all began to fill me. I tried hard to push it out of my mind for the duration of our night. Alex would be leaving for the next few days, and I wanted to enjoy the little bit of time I had left with him before he had to do so.

  Chapter 27

  Alex

  Stepping onto the plane first thing in the morning, after only two hours or so of sleep, had me craving the headrest. But I wouldn’t have traded my night for anything.

  Cassie meant too much to me, and I knew these next few days would fucking drag without her. I made her picture my screensaver on my phone, her beautiful fucking face, those pouty lips, and emerald green eyes looking seductively into my camera. No one out in Florida would know who she was, so I could have her there, look at it, and not have to hide it in case anyone took a peek.

  On the other hand, my mind wouldn’t rest with this bad feeling I had about Allen. No one was really telling me much, but I did find out that she’d had an argument or something with him. I wasn’t fucking stupid. There was more to it than that. The way she froze in the classroom when he approached had me smelling blood. I was ready to attack. The kid rubbed me wrong, and her demeanor solidified things for me. I couldn’t wait to get him out and on his way, and hopefully that wouldn’t include sending him wherever Cassie would be headed.

  When I touched down in Florida, there was a young Lance Corporal waiting there for me. He looked a hell of a lot like Dalton, and as soon as I saw him, Cassie came popping back into my head.

  “Welcome to Florida, Sergeant.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you have any bags we need to get?”

  “No. I have my bags with me.”

  “Alright. Well, I have the car parked over here.”

  “Good to go.”

  I placed my bags into the back of the small SUV he was driving. Once I was seated in the car, I pulled out my phone and texted Cassie.

  Me: Made it. Still hungry… It’ll be days before I am properly fed again.

  Cassie: Glad you made it safely. You are insatiable. Enjoy Florida.

  Me: You aren’t here. But I’ll try.

  When we reached the base, I was led to my barracks room for the next few days. It had been such a long time since I had lived in the barracks, and the cold cement brick walls, painted over with gaudy white paint, made me remember exactly why I was so thankful to have my own house, even in a shithole town like Twentynine. I finished unloading all of my things when my phone started ringing. I answered it without looking at the screen.

  “Hello,” I answered, fully expecting to hear Cassie’s sweet voice on the other end. Instead, I got fucking Riley.

  “Hey, man. Just wanted to see if you’d made it. How’s Florida treating you?”

  I sighed. “I’m here, in a shitty ass barracks room. It’s humid as fuck. I’ll take that blazing desert heat any day over this.”

  “Sounds about right. Well enjoy it. It’s always nice to get away for a change.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Hey, man. Someone’s at the door, I gotta go.”

  I hung up the phone then swung the door open. A tall guy stood before me, dressed in khaki shorts, a polo shirt, and sandals.

  “Sergeant Cruz, I’m Staff Sergeant Bilkens. I’m here to show you around the base.”

  “Nice to meet you, Staff Sergeant. Let me grab my sunglasses, and I’ll be right out.”

  The sun was just as deadly here as it was back home. Coupled with humidity, it was downright miserable. He took me around the base on a golf cart, pointing out the various buildings, the meeting room where the presentation would be held, the chow hall and other recreational areas. He said he and a few other guys would be heading to the driving range in a few, and asked if I wanted to come along. I wasn’t much of a golfer, in fact, I was downright terrible at it, but I went anyway, needing to stay busy and be social.

  When we got to the range, I met two Navy guys, Petty Officer Mike Douglas, and Petty Officer Aaron Miles. Miles was married, but said his weekends were his and his alone. He reminded me a hell of a lot like myself before I’d met Cassie. I had his mentality, but now that she was solidly planted in my life, I couldn’t imagine wanting to be away from her.

  Douglas was as single as they came, and said he liked it that way. He said he was making a career out of the Navy and wouldn’t marry while he was still active duty. Too much cheating and whatnot when deployment comes around had him afraid of settling down. His words struck true because that was exactly what I had gone through with Evelyn. After her, I couldn’t imagine being exclusive with anyone again, then that blonde hair, flowing down that sexy ass back of Cassie’s came into view and my world changed. I was happy about it.

  “So Cruz, there’s this club we’re hitting up tonight. You coming?”

  It was kind of weird that Miles was the one asking.

  “Yeah, sure. What time?”

  “Probably about nine. We’ll swing by and get ya.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Bilkens took me back to my room where I crashed down on the bed and took out my phone, finding a missed call from Cassie. I immediately called her back.

  “Hey,” she answered, her voice soft and soothing.

  “Hey. What are you up to?”
r />   “Just hanging with Dalton. I’ve got nothing else to do.”

  “Good. Stay away from everyone else.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Cassie—“

  “I know. I know. Anyway, what are you doing?”

  “Nothing. I just got back from the driving range with some of the guys here. It’s humid as hell. Makes me miss the desert.”

  She laughed, the sound like music to my ears.

  “You only miss the desert. Nothing else? You’re a tough one, Cruz.”

  “We both know I miss a hell of a lot more than just that piece of shit desert. But if I get into that, my balls will be fucking purple by the time I get back to you.”

  She laughed again, seemingly enjoying my torment.

  “Alright. Well, you enjoy your humidity. It’s hot here as well, so we’re off to the pool.”

  “The pool? “

  “Yes, that big rectangular thing filled with water.”

  “I know what it is. Tell Dalton to keep his fucking hands to himself and his eyes in his goddamned head.”

  She laughed again, but I didn’t find the humor in it.

  “I don’t really think that’ll be an issue.”

  “I’m not kidding, Cassie.”

  “Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll talk to you later.”

  She hung up, and I slowly began to hate this fucking temporary assignment. Dalton or not, I hated the thought of her prancing around in a tiny bikini, and me not there to keep the vultures away. I turned on the fan and laid down, falling asleep full of tension and irritation.

  Standing outside of Shake, the nightclub these guys chose to go to, I felt a little better after my phone call with Cassie earlier in the day. The nightlife here was to be envied. The small bars in Twentynine were in no way comparable to this place. The line wrapped around the building to get in. Sharply dressed guys, and scantily clad women, a booming sound system--there was nothing better. I scanned the crowd, seeing that we’d be in line probably half of the night before we actually got to go inside. Much to my surprise, Miles walked right up to the bouncer at the door and handed him some money. They shook hands, and we were waved in.

  “How the fuck did you make that happen?” I asked, curious to know why more people didn’t do it.

  “That’s Big Pete. I’ve been coming here for a while, so as long as I hand over cash, he lets me in without having to wait in these shitty ass line. And this place always has that line.”

  I nodded my head, following the guys in. A tall, very thin, Latin girl, dressed in a mini skirt and bikini top greeted us, holding a serving tray. She was hot—that couldn’t be denied—but the second she started talking, with her helium filled fucking voice, I about shut down.

  “What’s up, boys? I’m Jossie, any particular seating you looking for?”

  The dark walls with neon signs plastered to them were filled with people. Some holding drinks in their hands and chatting, others making out, some even looking like they were two steps away from fucking. This wasn’t a classy establishment, but it was popular, and I was beginning to see why. Anything went here.

  “We’ll take the usual, Jossie,” Miles answered, winking at her. I had no idea what the usual was, but Jossie smiled and turned, all of us following right behind her. When we finally stopped, we were in an enclosed area, cut off by a wine colored, velvet curtain.

  “Four beers, please,” Belkins said. “Whatever is on tap. I’m paying tonight.”

  He reminded me a lot of Jensen, only he wasn’t as uptight.

  “So, Cruz. What is it that you do?”

  “I’m a radio communications instructor at the Comm School in Twentynine Palms.”

  “I went through Comm School at that place. It’s a piece of shit. Florida is so much better. I hope to never see the place again.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, it’s no fucking oasis like the signs say, but it’s home. And it isn’t so damn humid. This humidity out here can kiss my ass.”

  “I’m a Florida boy,” Douglas threw in. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  The waitress came back out, bringing four pitchers of beer with her. My eyebrows scrunched. I thought when Belkins ordered four beers, he meant four mugs.

  “Thanks,” he said, stuffing money into the waistband of her tiny miniskirt. “Drink up, man. Plenty more where that came from.”

  Free beer would never be passed up by me—ever. Before long, I was sucking down the last of it just as Jossie was bringing out four more pitchers.

  “Are pitchers the norm here? I thought she’d be bringing out mugs.”

  “I slipped her a little something extra,” Belkins said, smiling.

  These guys were definitely a little wilder than my crew back home. We sat around talking, Belkins stuffing large amounts of money in the form of tips into Jossie’s pants. The dreaded beer buzz was starting to hit me as I went to work on my third pitcher.

  “I’ve never tested this theory. I wonder if I can get an extra beer if I tip more back home?”

  “Don’t let this asshole fool you. Jossie is his girlfriend!” Douglas yelled out over the music, ribbing Belkins.

  “So we were going to get in here tonight regardless?”

  “No,” Miles answered. “Big Pete wants to be paid.”

  “Gotcha.”

  “Hey, Jossie’s friends are coming in to chill until she gets off,” Belkins said, nodding his head in the direction of the entrance to the VIP area.

  Three tall, thin, Latinas strutted over to our table, wearing tight fitting dresses that left very little to the imagination and high heels that screamed, fuck me. Their thick, long, flowing hair draped their shoulders, hitting just right against the light caramel color of their skin.

  “Who’s the new guy?” one of the girls asked as they stopped just in front of us.

  “This is Sergeant. Alex Cruz. He’s in town for work.”

  “Another military guy. Love it,” the girl said, puckering her lips and smiling. She threw out her hand, introducing herself. “It’s nice to meet you, Sergeant. Alex. I’m Jazlene.”

  I took her hand and shook it, not trying to be rude. The other two girls immediately took to Douglas and Miles. I watched them for a bit, noticing that Miles was very comfortable with this girl who didn’t appear to be his wife. They all stood, making their way out to the dance floor where they easily mixed in with the crowd, groping and kissing much like I had done with Cassie the first time I ever saw her. Jossie dropped off more pitchers of beer, stopping to chat with Jazlene for a bit. I drank it, trying to hide my loneliness with drunkenness. Belkins followed Jossie off somewhere, leaving me alone with Jazlene.

  She moved to the chair directly beside me, her much too short dress riding up even further. I continued drinking, bobbing my head to the beat of Promiscuous Girl—how fucking fitting.

  “So how long are you in town for, Alex?”

  “Until Tuesday. I’m here for a work seminar.”

  “Ugh. That’s no fun.” Her eyes lowered as she sat her hand on my thigh. “I can show you a good time while you’re here.” Her hand slowly moved upwards. I looked down at my thigh, then back into her eyes; hunger and lust riddled in them. She bit her wine colored lips, silently begging me to take her off somewhere and fuck her senseless.

  “I need to go to the bathroom,” I said, removing her hand as I sat my pitcher down on the table. I got up and let the room stop spinning, then walked off in the direction of the bathroom. I wasn’t sure what I was thinking coming out to this club, but I quickly realized that this was not the scene I wanted to be in, especially not with Cassie clear across the country. I tossed some water on my face, feeling the heat begin to creep into my body with the settling of the overabundance of beer. I walked out, pushing my way through people as the club seemed to be filling up even more. When I reached the table, Jazlene was still sitting there, looking bored. Her eyes landed on me, instantly igniting the lust that filled them just before I stepped away.

  �
��You want to get out of here? My apartment would be so much more fun than this place.” The smile she gave was just as intoxicating as the beer I’d been drinking all night, but I wasn’t interested.

  “I’ll pass,” I said, standing up and walking out to Douglas. He was the only one of the three that I could find.

  “Hey, man. I’m gonna go.”

  “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah. I just want to get back and sleep. Long day.”

  “Alright. You need a ride?”

  “Naw. Stay and enjoy yourself. I’ll get a taxi.”

  He nodded his head, and I turned and walked out. I took a taxi back to the base, dragging myself to my room and crashing on the bed. I had every intention of calling Cassie, but the exhaustion from the day and the alcohol flowing through my veins inhibited that, leaving me passed out, still fully clothed.

  When I awoke the next morning, I had a headache from hell and a missed call from Cassie. I called her back, trying hard to lie still so as not to make my pounding head worse.

  “Hello,” she said. Her voice was enough to take a slice of the ache away.

  “Hey, good morning,” I said slowly with a hefty dose of grog.

  “Morning? It’s almost noon. I was wondering what was going on with you. When did you get in?”

  “Um….” I looked at the clock sitting on the nightstand. “I got back kind of early. I left the club.”

  “Then why the hell are you so tired?”

  “I drank way too much, and I didn’t get any sleep the night before.”

  She went silent. I could hear her breathing, but no words came out of her mouth.

  “You there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here,” she said, the anger in her voice easily distinguishable.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Did those guys have any females around?”

  I wasn’t going to lie to her. “Yeah. And that was when I checked out.” She went silent again. “Cassie, there were girls there, one hit on me, and I left. Honest to God. I made that fucking mistake once. I’m not making it again.”