Thwarted - 23. Chapter Twenty-Three

Mark wasn’t sure what to say and was saved from answering by Trey.

“Dad! I can’t believe you said that!”

“What?” Gary looked at his son. “It’s the truth ain’t it? Unless you’re dating some other guy.” He turned his attention back to Mark and released his hand. “I can’t begin to tell you how relieved Diane and I were when he called and told us he wasn’t renewing his commitment.”

Mark released the breath he’d been holding.

“Glad I could help, Mr. Simpson.”

“Bah, call me Gary.” Gary started towards the house. “You boys already been up to the house?”

“Kind of.” Trey and Mark fell into step beside Trey’s dad. “We made it as far as the porch before Mom sent us back to the truck for our bags.”

Gary chuckled and pulled open the front door. He motioned Mark and Trey ahead of him.

“May as well drop your bags in your room and get settled in while I wash up.” Gary motioned towards the back of the house. “Then you can join us in the kitchen.”

“We’ll be there shortly.” Trey smiled at his dad before leading the way up the stairs and through the first door they came to.

Mark followed and dropped his bag at the foot of the bed and sat on the edge.

“Shit, I about died when your dad said about talking you into quitting the military.” Mark raked his fingers through his hair.

“Sorry,”—Trey shut the door–“I should have warned you.” He walked over and pushed Mark’s knees apart and stepped between them. “They really were happy about me deciding not to re-up. They may have supported my decision to join and did what they could to help, but they were never happy about it.”

“I think a lot of people were relieved when you decided not to stay in.”

“Yeah, but I appreciated that you didn’t try and talk me into anything.” Trey leaned down and brushed his lips against Mark’s. “You told me what you went through and let me make my decision from there.”

Mark shrugged.

“It wasn’t my decision to make.”

“Still.” Trey stepped back. “Think you’re ready for some more time with my parents?”

“Yep.” Mark stood and stretched before walking to the door and pulling it open. He motioned for Trey to precede him. “You lead, I’ll follow.”

Trey shook his head but walked out ahead of him and led the way down the stairs. Mark glanced briefly at the pictures that adorned the walls. He’d have to look at them more in depth later and see if there were any embarrassing ones of Trey. Mark grinned and followed Trey into the kitchen where Diane and Gary were seated at the kitchen table.

Diane glanced up when they walked in. She instantly pushed her chair up and started to stand but Trey motioned at her to sit back down.

“Mom, you don’t have to wait on us.” Trey paused by his mom’s chair and kissed her cheek. He moved to the fridge and grabbed a couple of bottles of water before coming back and handing one to Mark.

“Make yourself at home”–Gary motioned to the two chairs across from him and Diane–“and tell us what your plans are.”

“Plans?” Mark sat and twisted the cap off his water.

“Yes.” Diane glanced between Mark and Trey. “What are your plans for while you two are here?”

“Nothing really.” Trey set his bottle on the table. “I just wanted to come up and spend some time with you guys. Plus, I wanted you to meet Mark.”

“I have to say, that surprised me.” Gary lifted his coffee cup and took a sip.

“What do you mean, Dad?’ Trey frowned and stiffened.

“Now, don’t be like that, I didn’t mean anything bad by it.” Gary shook his head. “You should know me better than that.”

“Sorry.”

Mark could see Trey relax slightly, but there were still creases in his forehead.

“All your dad meant was that we only heard about Mark a few weeks ago. We just didn’t expect you to bring him to meet us so quickly.”

Mark bit back his grin. He’d been nervous about meeting Trey’s parents, but he was beginning to think that Trey was even more on edge than he was. He looked over and found himself the subject of Diane’s gaze and swallowed. He’d known it was going to happen, but apparently it was time for the inquisition to start.

“So, Trey told us you used to be in the military, but not what you’re doing now.” Diane took a sip from a glass of what looked like tea.

Mark tried not to squirm in his seat.

“Actually, I haven’t really decided what I’m going to do.” He glanced over and saw Gary watching him, his hands folded on the table and leaning slightly forward, listening. “Originally I’d thought about just using my G.I. Bill and going to school, but now I’m thinking about waiting for a year.”

“So, what are you going to do for that year?”

Mark sighed. He didn’t know Trey’s dad well enough to be able to guess at what he was thinking just by his tone of voice. He decided to just take the words for what they were and not try and inject any extra meaning behind them.

“I’ve started looking for something that I could keep as a part-time job while I’m going to school.” Mark glanced over at Diane and then back at Gary.

“It sounds like you’re getting it figured out, and I’m sure you’ll find something before too long.” Diane turned her attention to Trey. “Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do when you get out?”

“Actually”–Trey glanced at Mark–“I’m going to go to school.”

“So you’ll come home and go to school?” Diane smiled.

“Actually, if things work out like we hope”–Mark saw Trey swallow–“I’ll live with Mark.”