Thwarted - 14. Chapter Fourteen

“This sucks.” Mark flopped back onto his bed clad only in his jeans, his gaze raking over Trey’s bare chest.

“I know, but it is what it is.” Trey pulled his t-shirt on before sitting on the bed and pulling on his socks. “You know I’d stay if I could.”

“Yeah, I know.” Mark did know. Trey occasionally stayed the night during the week, but for the most part, their sleepovers were confined to the weekends, when Trey didn’t typically need to be on base in the mornings.

“We still on for dinner tomorrow night?”

“Of course.” Mark forced a smile. They still planned to get together as much as possible throughout the week, but it still sucked. He had kind of gotten used to spending all day and all night with Trey. He was actually surprised at how quickly he’d gotten used to waking up next to Trey. Mark sat up and slid his hand under the back of Trey’s shirt, caressing the warm skin. “Wanna eat in or go out somewhere?”

“You actually expect me to think when you’re touching me?” Trey shivered as Mark slid his hand around him. “What was the question again?”

Mark chuckled and leaned in closer to press a kiss against the side of Trey’s neck. “Tomorrow night. Eat in or go out?”

“Being out in public or having you all to myself?” Trey turned his head and brought their lips together briefly. “Eat in, definitely.”

“Perfect, I’ll get us a couple of steaks.” Mark reluctantly moved away and offered a hand to Trey to pull him up from the bed. They needed to get out of the bedroom before Mark stripped Trey again and they found themselves back in bed. Not that Mark would complain, but he knew Trey needed to get back to base.

“What are you going to do tomorrow?” Trey followed him out of the bedroom and settled on the couch.

“Not sure. Was thinking about going to the VA and checking into my G.I. Bill; find out exactly what I need to do if I wanted to go to school and what all expenses they’ll cover.” Mark had given it some thought and since he still didn’t know what he wanted to do job wise, school seemed his best course of action. It also had the advantage of helping to keep him busy for the majority of the time that Trey would be gone overseas.

“That’s awesome. Have you decided what you’re going to focus on?” Trey’s enthusiasm was contagious and Mark immediately felt a little surer about the idea of going back to school.

“Honestly, I’m not sure.” It wasn’t that he didn’t have ideas, he did, he just wasn’t sure what would be the best degree to focus on. “Figure I’ll go talk to the VA and then start checking into some of the different degree programs, see if anything jumps out at me.”

“Sounds like you’re getting it figured out.” Trey leaned over and grabbed his shoes from where they were slid under the coffee table and stuffed his feet into them.

“I’ve gotta have something to keep me busy while you’re gone.” Something other than worry about Trey, but he didn’t say that part out loud. Besides, Mark figured it went without actually saying.

“I know, and I’m glad that you decided to go to school. Maybe when I get back I’ll join you.” Trey twisted on the couch until they were facing each other.

“Does that mean what I think it means?” Mark seriously hoped it did. He’d tried not to think about what would happen if Trey re-enlisted, but his mind still went there occasionally.

“I’m not sure yet, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about.” Trey sighed. “I was actually thinking maybe we could talk about it tomorrow night, if you don’t mind. I know that when we go to my parents next week they’ll be asking me if I’ve made a decision. It would be nice to have an answer for them.”

It would be nice to have an answer for Jackie as well. If Trey decided not to re-enlist then Jackie would maybe be a little bit warmer than she had been; once she knew that Trey wasn’t going to be taking Mark half-way across the country. Not that they were to that point yet, but Mark hoped they would be. They still had the next year to get through and a year apart, especially after so little time together, would be rough, but just the fact that Trey wanted to discuss it with him proved that Trey saw a possible future for them.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. He’d repeated that phrase in his mind so many times over the last few days that it had become his mantra. Trey was looking at him, a slight frown marring his lips, and it dawned on Mark that he was waiting for a reply.

“We can definitely talk about it.” Mark didn’t know what else to add and was relieved when the frown disappeared to be replaced by a smile.

“Great. It will be nice not having this hanging over our heads for the next couple of weeks.” Trey got to his feet. “Guess I’ve put it off as long as I can, I should probably get back to base.”

“Just let me grab a shirt and I’ll walk out with you.” Mark stood but before he could head back into the bedroom Trey grabbed him and pulled him into his arms and kissed him. When they broke apart Mark had to remind himself exactly why Trey had to leave.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Trey dropped one last kiss on his lips and disappeared out the front door before Mark could even form the words to tell him goodnight.