They were also the only two guys at the barbecue on the same SEAL team, from what he gathered. Apollo and Dustin used to be on the same team, but Apollo recently took a post with SEAL operations, overseeing something to do with training, and Dustin had taken a promotion to XO, second-in-command for his new team. Zack, the young blond guy with eyes only for his boyfriend, was on a team due to ship out in a few weeks, which explained why the two of them appeared superglued together. Meanwhile, Ben and Maddox were just back from overseas, and as far as Dylan could guess, they were both into guys but not a couple despite the way they sniped at each other. And after Apollo’s blatant denial that he’d ogled Dylan, Ben’s open appreciation was a nice little ego boost.
“So you work out, right?” Ben asked after returning from getting another giant burger. These SEALs could pack away the food even better than Dylan’s soccer team. “Play any sports?”
“Soccer all four years at U of O. Softball and basketball in the campus rec league too. And I was in a rock climbing club. I’ll pretty much try any sport once.”
“My kind of guy.” Ben clipped him on the biceps. Shorter than the other SEALs but taller than Dylan, the guy was seriously built with massive arms and a chest that stretched a shirt advertising a first-person shooting game. “Too bad you’re going to be here over the summer. Spring and fall I play soccer with the LGBT team here when I’m in town. There’s also a huge LGBT softball league. I’d love to introduce you to some people.”
“Oh, that does sound fun.” Dylan smiled at him. Across from him Dustin gave him a warning look that Dylan ignored. What? He wasn’t supposed to have fun? Or perhaps it was that Ben wanted in Dylan’s shorts and wasn’t hiding that, and Dustin felt the need to be all cave-big-brother. Dylan didn’t need Dustin’s glower to figure out that Ben was a player. Dylan was a grown guy and could take care of himself.
“Do you surf? Or want to learn?” Maddox asked. He was quieter than Ben, but more sincere in his presentation with a deep, soothing voice.
“I’d be down with learning, but this summer I’m probably going to be mainly focused on my job.”
Trill. Trill. Dustin’s phone went off with the most obnoxious chirping ringtone ever.
“F—shoot.” Dustin glanced down at the screen. He swept his plate full of half-eaten seconds into the trash. “Gotta get to base.”
“Wheels up?” Dylan had picked up enough of the military jargon over the years. He stood, trying to still his racing heart. Even after all these years, it never got any easier knowing that his brother was about to go into a dangerous situation.
“Won’t know for sure until I get there, but yeah, that’s what it looks like. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m flying back tomorrow. It’s all good.” Dylan kept his voice upbeat, knowing that the last thing Dustin needed was a clingy little brother.
“I’ve got no way of knowing if I’ll be back when you come back to start the summer.” Dustin ruffled Dylan’s hair, and this time he let him without complaining or flinching away.
“It’s okay—”
“We’ll work it out.” Apollo’s voice was firm. “I’ll handle him.”
Oh no you won’t. This was not how Dylan’s summer was going to go down with Apollo assuming some kind of parental role. Dylan was not some favor Apollo owed Dustin.
“I can handle myself.” He glared at both of them. So much for light and upbeat.
“Sure you can.” Dustin didn’t sound like he believed him and both Apollo’s eyebrows were up too. This was going to be an uphill battle, but Dylan would win this war before the summer was over.
“Take care.” Dylan’s voice was thick. “Always do.” Dustin gave him a quick hug, then traded some fist bumps with the other guys before heading out. Dustin had been at this well over a decade now, and Dylan still didn’t know how to handle goodbye.
Ben and Maddox talked to him some more, but Dylan couldn’t recall what was said. His mind roared like engines on the transport plane that would take Dustin away, deposit him somewhere full of conflict and uncertainty.
Eventually, the other guys drifted away, making their goodbyes and pressing phone numbers on him before returning to their own lives.
“I know two girls who are ready for their beds,” Mrs. Floros announced, looking at the girls who were draped over Apollo, half-asleep. Damn but it was still unnerving, seeing the big bad warrior cradling two tiny kids.
“Could I clean the kitchen for you while you get the girls settled?” he asked.
Mrs. Floros laughed and patted Dylan’s shoulder. “I like you already. Apollo, you better keep this one around.”