Page 18 of Leave

“My question,” Steve said, “is what happens if the Navy finds out about you two?” He shook his head. “You’ve worked hard for your career, son. I’m guessing both of you have. Do you really want to wreck that over… this?”

“Dad.” Riley’s expression darkened. “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealedyearsago.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s kosher for the gays to serve,” his father countered. “You can’t prove they’re denying you promotions or commendations because you’re gay.”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem for me,” I said dryly. “My sergeant major is a woman with a wife, so…” I shrugged.

Steve huffed a humorless laugh. “Figures. The Navy’s always been gay, and the Marines are turning into lesbians.”

“Dad,” Riley growled. “Seriously?”

“Well, am I wrong?” His dad waved a hand. “The gay Sailor stereotype has been around forever. One minute they’re saying it’s wrong because it’s a stereotype, and the next, my Sailor son is bringing home hisboyfriend.”

I was genuinely surprised I couldn’t hear Riley’s teeth grinding as he worked his jaw. Unsure what else to do, I released his hand and wrapped my arm around his shoulders. That earned me scowls from his parents, but whatever; the breath he released made me think this was the right move. The muscles beneath my hand and arm were cable tight, but he closed hiseyes and pushed out another breath, and little by little, the tension eased.

“We’re just concerned,” Mary insisted. “It’s wonderful that you’re happy together, but how much trouble are you bringing on yourselves by dating men instead of women?”

Those muscles started tightening again.

“It’s no trouble most of the time,” I said casually. “All the Marines I work with know about me, and the only time anyone’s ever had a problem with it, they shut him down on day one.”

Steve frowned. “So the people who aren’t sure about it get beaten down and told to shut up. Some freedom.”

For fuck’s sake.

“No,” I said evenly, “but if they start making threats against another Marine—foranyreason—no one’s going to put up with it. It’s always been that way.”

Steve harumphed but let it go.

Mary grabbed the conversational reins. “Now, you boys are here for Easter.” She looked at each of us. “Will you be coming to church too?”

“Yes,” Riley gritted out. “We were planning to come to church with the family.” He paused, and there was an undeniable dare in his voice as he added, “Unless you’d rather we didn’t.”

I held my breath. The room was suddenly dead silent as Riley and his parents exchanged uncomfortable looks.

“We’d love to have you at Easter service,” Mary said in that overly apologetic way that said some bullshit was coming. Probably something passive aggressive. “It… might not be the right place to bring your boyfriend, though.”

“Why not?” Riley asked coldly. “Last I heard, there’s been three same-sex weddings there.”

Neither of his parents could hide their distaste. Ugh. Forget Riley’s teeth—minewere going to be ground to dust by the time this was over.

“There have been,” Steve acknowledged. “But that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for a gay couple to be all over each other in church.”

“All over—” Riley sputtered. “Who said we’d be all over each other?”

Mary stared down at her wringing hands, her lips pulled tight.

Steve sighed. “Church is just not the appropriate venue for a couple of men.”

Riley rubbed the bridge of his nose, defeat and irritation coming off him in waves.

Mary patted her thighs, then rose. “I should make everyone some lunch. Your brother will be here soon, Riley.”

“Awesome,” came the flat reply.

The rest of the day proceeded in that vein. Most of the time, no one talked about us or our relationship, but any time we brushed up against it—like mentioning a place we’d eaten together on Okinawa, or something about our apartment—the discomfort was plain to see. They didn’t even have to say anything. Their faces would say it all, and then they’d school their expressions as conversation continued as if nothing happened while their unspoken reactions hung in the air like a bad fart.

Riley’s brother, Kevin, and his wife, Laura, were nice enough. They even made some feeble attempts to take our side, but as Riley had predicted, they seemed more interested in keeping the peace than anything.

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