“Let’s go! Rise and shine, gentlemen!”
I bang on each bedroom door with a vengeance. It’s five a.m. and we promised to help a local organization rebuild a veteran’s home who was injured in the line of duty. He’s wheelchair-bound and his home is no longer conducive to his way of life. His wife is a homemaker, raising their four children, and doesn’t have the means to do the remodel herself. I feel for my fallen brother. Losing both legs and going home, unable to be the man you once were, is rough. If we can alleviate their struggle, even slightly, I will rest easier.
Anniston thought it was a great idea and encouraged me to take all the guys. She’s big on giving back. I’m not saying I’m not, I just don’t like crowds or socialization in general.
After a restful night with the blue pill, I’m alert and energetic, ready to get the morning going. It’s an odd sensation for me but it feels good. Really good, actually. I bang once more on Hayes’ door. He hasn’t made a sound.
“Hayes! Get the fuck up or I’m coming in there!”
Some days I feel like a parent with these guys. I would never admit that to Theo, since he already tells jokes about Ans and me playing house, but most days it really does feel like it.
Hayes is still silent as I fish for my master key. I don’t have time for this shit.
“I’m coming in,” I warn as I slide the key in.
I hear rustling and give it another second. The last thing I want to do is walk in on him playing with his dick. “You’re working my nerves, Sergeant.”
Finally, the door cracks open revealing a wide-eyed Hayes. “Is the Commander up?”
I give him a what-the-fuck-do-you-think look. She and Theo went for a run first thing this morning. I hung back, giving them some space, and used our home gym for my morning workout. “Yeah, what’s the problem?”
“I, uh, have a rash…”
What the fuck? Really? Am I really going to counsel a grown-ass man on safe sex?
“Where’s the rash?” I’m already disgusted thinking about having to ask Anniston for some antibiotics or whatever the fuck clears this shit up. If it can be cleared up. Oh hell, I am not in the mood for this.
“It’s, uh… on my sack, sir.” He at least seems embarrassed. His face is bloodred as he tries hard to hold my scathing look.
“For fuck’s sake. I am not about to take a look at your balls. You’re going to have to man up and face the Commander.”
“But…”
“No, you aren’t going with us, spreading who knows what. Go see the Commander.” I slam the door in his face, his mouth open in shock. I can’t do this, not today. I have a schedule and I don’t have time to sit here and inspect Hayes’ balls.
“Let’s go, assholes,” I shout as I head down the hallway, my mood tanking by the second.
Mason and Vic round the corner, pulling on their shirts. I promised the association we could get most of the work done today. I need more man power now that Hayes is out of commission.
For a second, I think about asking Theo and then pinch myself for having such a stupid idea. I would rather do double work than ask that asshole for anything. “Where’s Tim?”
Vic and Mason look behind them like Tim will magically appear. “We don’t know, sir.”
Great, just great.
“Commander!” I’m bellowing down the hall, my patience all but gone. I need to get out of here. I’m almost to the kitchen when she appears, maize-colored hair pulled tight into her trademark bun, her tiny shorts riding high on her hips.
“What’s wrong?” She looks me over, concerned. I guess it’s out of character for me to scream for her in broad daylight. Nighttime is a different story.
I shake off my frustration so it won’t project into my words. I don’t want her to think I’m upset with her. “I need help. Hayes has some kind of rash on his junk that you need to look at. I don’t know what it is, but I am not taking a chance and taking him with me.”
Mason and Vic choke out a laugh before masking it. If I wasn’t so pissed myself, I would laugh, too.
“A rashwhere?” Anniston’s lips are struggling to hold straight. I give her thirty seconds before she’s hysterical.
“His junk, Commander.”
Her chest is starting to shake. “And, how do you know it’s on his junk?”
