Page 33 of Unmade

“Uh, I don’t wanna be on a list,” Leighton replied.

Riggs snorted softly, and I smirked.

“It’s a mental list,” Tanner assured. “I was promised a Pride fest when I arrived, but so far, I’ve only encountered two others who are gay.”

What the fuck? Had the kid walked around and asked if people were gay?

We had plenty of those at Hillcroft. Our boss had once been assaulted for his sexuality, so when he took over Hillcroft with TJ, they made sure recruits knew we were all for inclusivity. And considering how sexuality was treated in the military, it was safe to say we were overrepresented in that area. If Hillcroft had approximately three hundred employees, about twenty percent of them fell under the LGBTQ umbrella.

Rough estimate. It wasn’t like we asked. You just picked up on stuff over the years.

“I’m guessing I’m not wrong about you,” Tanner hedged. “You did call Coach hot the other day in the showers.”

I frowned.

“So is a Hot Pocket,” Leighton responded. “Where are you going with this?”

“You know…it’s good to have guys you can blow off steam with,” Tanner said. “Let’s face it, I’m never gonna be able to flirt the pants off Operator Riggs, so…”

I lifted my brows and grinned at Riggs, who scowled and bit a chunk off his disgusting sandwich.

“That fuckin’ kid,” he muttered with his mouth full.

“I might as well get used to having fuck buddies instead,” Tanner finished. “Are you interested?”

Jesus. The kid was shameless.

“No. I’m not here to fuck around,” Leighton replied.

Attaboy. Focus on work. Focus on training.

The two were almost at the vending machine room, and I heard Tanner sigh heavily.

“You’re off the list, man.”

A couple beats later, they appeared in the doorway, and Tanner widened his eyes in surprise. Leighton’s expression was always schooled, even when he didn’t know who he’d find waiting in a room, so I was looking forward to a day that changed. Something was definitely off with that boy.

Riggs flicked a glance at the doorway but said nothing.

“Heh. Hi, gorgeous.” Tanner gave him a chin-nod.

I furrowed my brow. “That’s not how you address your superiors, recruit.”

“My bad.” The kid turned to contrition, realizing this wasn’t a good time to push the envelope. “Even off the clock? Training’s over.”

“Even then,” I confirmed. “You should also know that voices carry in these hallways.”

Tanner chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. “Noted. I’ll, uh…I’ll just go fuck myself. Bye!” With that, he hightailed it out of here.

Riggs shook his head to himself and finished his sandwich.

Leighton smiled faintly down the hall before turning back to me, and by then, his pinch of mirth was wiped from his face.

“The others asked me to let you know they’re waiting in the lobby, sir,” he said.

Fair enough. I nodded with a dip of my chin and rose from my seat. “See you tomorrow, buddy.” I threw away my coffee cup, and Riggs nodded once before I walked out with Leighton.

He threw his duffel over his shoulder.

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