Page 9 of Julian Shared
I have my identification ready as I pull up to the checkpoint. Doesn’t matter that it’s the end of the day and I’m leaving. Everybody, no matter their rank, gets checked in and logged out of headquarters. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Manuel’s on checkpoint duty today. “Hey man,” I greet with a grin while he scans my badge. “We never got your RSVP for tonight. You’ll be there, yeah?”
I didn’t exactly pull any strings to get Manuel assigned out here…but I might have done some nudging. Being with my husband and having my best friend on the same post? I’d brag about being the luckiest son of a bitch to ever live, but luck had nothing to do with it.
Julian’s unfailing love and never-ending support got me, gotus, where we are today. Without him, I never would have started climbing the promotional ladder. From E-5 to E-8 in ten years.
Manuel hands back my badge and fully slides open the checkpoint window. He leans out so we can talk face to face instead of speaker to face. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there, but why the fuck are you guys hosting some big party for your wedding anniversary?
I shrug. “Julian wants to celebrate with all our friends and neighbors.”
Besides, it’s a great opportunity to do some networking…and a little ass kissing.
Manuel shakes his head. “If I had a husband, I’d be taking him into the city for a very different sort of celebration, you know what I mean?”
“If you had a husband, he wouldn’t have anything to celebrate.”
“Asshole,” Manuel laughs.
“I’ll see you later,” I tell him, “and you better not to be late.”
“Sure thing, Command Sergeant Major,” Manuel says with a cheeky salute.
“Knock that shit off. I ain’t been promoted yet,” I warn him before driving off.
I leave my windows rolled down and the AC turned off, enjoying the wind and bopping along to the Latin jazz on my favorite station, as I drive right past the barracks and head toward the outskirts of post. That’s where all the family housing has been constructed. A series of quaint lanes meant to mimic a picturesque slice of suburbia. Row after row of houses surrounded by white-picket fences and perfectly parceled green front yards with gardens that’d never survive in the natural desert landscape without man’s pride.
Our house is way in the back and nestled right along the perimeter. Private and quiet too. All our neighbors are gay and child-free, so there are no screams of play to be heard. Our house is the prettiest on the block. The hedges trimmed, bushes blooming with color, and flowers sprouting everywhere, whether in the ground or a pot.
All Julian’s doing, mostly.
I do my part and keep the lawn mowed.
I pull the jeep into the garage. Before I get out, I take a moment to smooth the lapels of my uniform and slip my cap back onto my head. “Love?” I call out while dropping my keys into the key tray and setting down my briefcase.
Julian’s usually right at the door to greet me when I get home, but not today. I follow the techno beat down the hall and find Julian in the guest bathroom.
What a pretty picture he makes. I let out a low wolf whistle as I lean against the door frame. "If you wanna welcome me home down on your hands and knees, we've got more comfortable rooms for that.”
“Joel!” Julian pokes his head up and starts to peel off his rubber gloves. The fan is on and the window is open, but the artificial smell of sanitizing lemon still creeps up my nose. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you get home,” he shouts over the music.
I stop leaning, but don’t stop smiling as I offer a hand to help Julian out of the bathtub. He taps at his phone screen to silence the music.
“What’re you doing scrubbing that?” I ask as I slip my arm around his slender waist and pull him in for a kiss. “Nobody gonna be using it tonight.” Julian and I don’t throw those types of parties. No over-nighters. Nothing that leaves anyone…messy.
“No, don’t,” Julian protests as he tries to resist my affection and laughs, “I’m all sweaty.”
I directly kiss his sweat-soaked brow and only barely stop myself from licking him.
“It looks nice,” I tell him as I squeeze his waist and take a gander around the guest bathroom. Looks more than nice, really. Looks like something out of a showroom or a television set. Everything shiny clean and thoughtfully decorated. Our whole house looks like that. “Though I still don’t understandwhy we had to renovate it to include the shower and bathtub combo.”
When we moved in, it was just a toilet and sink with extra storage space.
“Because half-baths are quitters,” Julian puffs out his cheeks while slotting his rubber gloves into the portable plastic organizer that he keeps all the household cleaning products in. Julian has more pride in that thing than most guys have with their tool belt. “Might as well just have our guests use an outhouse.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I shake my head with a renewed grin. “Go on and get your picky ass upstairs. Pick out your party outfit.”
He’ll need more time to get ready than me. All I’m going to do is wash my face and throw on jeans and a short-sleeve button-down shirt.
