C. Brown - Fraternizing

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?”

“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.