“Good morning, assholes,” I crow, shooting Mason a little wink as I pass him and Vic at the breakfast table. After a phenomenal night, I am in one fantastic mood. Grabbing the coffeepot, I pour myself a healthy cup and chug, burning my tongue in the process.
Mason and Vic are hunched together, whispering, with huge-ass grins on their faces. What the fuck is up with that?
As if Mason can feel me staring daggers at him, he looks up from his conversation with Vic and meets my eyes. “What’s up, Von Bremen? You training with us today?” He’s taunting me with a snide look on his face.
Inclining my head, I frown. “Yeah, why?”
Without answering me, he doubles over, allowing his head to bang on the kitchen table. Short bursts of snorts and laughter are muffled with his head down but there is no denying that whatever he is about to throw at me, he finds it incredibly funny. Sucking in a big gulp of air, he steels himself and tries not to smile. “Well, we figured with all your screaming last night, Commander would keep you locked away in bed to rest.” He snorts again, laughing so hard he has to support his stomach.
“Hardy har har, dickhead. If you would have listened more closely, you would have heard that was, in fact, your precious Commander doing all the screaming.”
Both guys continue to give me shit and bust my balls for the wild sex Ans and I had out by the pond last night that was eventually moved to the patio, where discretion never occurred to us.
Exasperated and done with their bullshit, I snap, “Who the fuck is cooking? I’m starving.”
Just as the last word leaves my mouth, Hayes strolls in with a swagger and a grin that rivals Mason’s. Did they strategize on how to bust my balls this morning?
“I am, fuckwad. Come help me. You can be my little bitch since the Commander broke you in for me.” Hayes gives me an air kiss and a sly wink before he claps me on the back, guiding me to the stove. I hate Marines.
“Ha ha, everyone is a fucking comedian today.” I smile despite myself, because honestly, I would bust my balls, too, if I were in their shoes. I gave up my man card creating a romantic night for my girl. But I staked my fucking claim. Finally.
Following Hayes, I begin pulling out ingredients to help prepare breakfast. Everyone rotates breakfast, but we all starve on Vic’s mornings. It’s usually cereal and burnt toast.
Hayes is probably my favorite out of this rowdy bunch. He keeps to himself and we both share a love of video games and baseball. The conversation is light as we cook, Hayes asking about my upcoming game and the new pitcher the Dodgers have—he was brought from the minors and has been rumored to be a force. We’ll see.
We announce the food is ready about a half hour later, and like Pavlov’s dog, the whole house rushes the counter, piling food high on their plates, moaning about how good Hayes can cook. Seriously? I helped. But I have to admit it does taste pretty damn delicious.
We’re caught up talking about the new Marvel movie when a new face enters the kitchen and heads straight for the food. Everyone stops talking and watches intently as this newcomer piles his plate high with two omelets. He smiles ear to ear, like he hasn’t seen food in days. That may be true enough, his body is scary thin. Oh shit. He’s a new recruit. Fuck me.
I toss my fork down on the plate, its weight making a clanging noise. “Dammit.” I cross my arms, throwing my head back in frustration. Eyes closed, I try and focus on what’s important. Being with Anniston. No matter what bullshit I’ll have to endure.
I hear footsteps behind me before my chair is bumped intentionally.
“Suck it up, Von Bremen.” Cade. Fucking Cade.
The rest of the guys at the table groan and throw their silverware down, too. We all know what this means. The new guy, however, is clueless, taking a seat next to me, shoveling food down without an ounce of remorse. Hand over hand, he continues to clean his plate, not once looking up to see what the fuss is all about.
“Gentlemen,” Cade announces, looking at us over the rim of his coffee mug, a wide-ass smile displayed on his face, “This is Lawson. He’s our newest recruit.”
Cade points a meaty finger at me. “Lawson, the big mouth beside you is Von Bremen, Commander’s little plaything. He doesn’t live here. You don’t have to respect him, you just have to tolerate him until the Commander tires of him.”
I grin, undeterred by Cade’s negativity this morning. Extending my hand to Lawson, I give him my award-winning, panty-melting, sell-some-jerseys-for-the-media smile. He eyes me warily but eventually takes it with a firm shake.
“It’s Theo. And actually, I bang the shit out of your Commander so you don’t suffer her wrath any more than you have to.” I get up and look around the table. “Think of me as your savior of sorts. You’re welcome.” I take a dramatic bow.
Snorts and disguised “bullshits” come from every direction around the table. Unappreciative little bastards.
Cade rolls his eyes at my theatrics and continues as if I hadn’t interrupted, pointing around the table. “Hayes, Vic, Mason, and Tim.”
They all nod and say welcome or some shit. I don’t listen because I am still pouting about having my breakfast interrupted, and a little ADHD by this point. Now, I’m ready to get this morning over with.
Lawson continues to scoop food in his mouth, totally oblivious that no one else is eating. Even Cade has foregone breakfast. He knows we are getting our asses kicked.
A few more silent minutes tick by before Lawson looks up from his plate with a mouthful of food and asks, “What? What are you all staring at?”
When we all just continue to stare, Hayes speaks up. “You may want to go easy on the food.”
Lawson, confused, swallows loudly before he asks, “Why?”
