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I’M STRAIGHT, RIGHT?

The army gave me grit, a brotherhood, and Dean—the best friend I’d kill for.

They didn’t teach me how to deal with my irrational, uncontrollable jealousy when Dean announces he’s seeing a guy.

I should be happy for him, butI’m not.It’s eating me alive. I’m even grumpier than usual, and all I can think of is how he should be mine.

Which isn’t fair to either of us since I’m absolutely, unequivocally straight.

At least, that’s what I thought. Until one drunken kiss flips my world.

Do I want things to return to how they were before that night?

Or am I finally going to admit I’m in love with my best friend?

DEAN

Taking a deep breath, Dean sucked in the sharp smell of disinfectant. It was a smell he still found difficult to adjust to after months of living and fighting in the desert, but the scent of safe civilization was comforting. It beat the smell of dust and sand by a long shot, and the quiet medical wing was preferable to the sounds of distant gunfire and the occasional moan from one of the occupied beds. And it was definitely better than huddling behind a crumbling wall trying to staunch the bleeding wounds of a dying man.

It didn’t hurt when the waves and wind could be heard in the distance through the open window. The ocean was only a few minutes from the clinic, and Dean was fond of walking there after his shift. The stretch of sand was far more pleasant, accompanied by the sight of water crashing against it. The ocean was the only thing that made the hauntingly familiar feel of sand under his feet bearable, and even then, he hated the gritty feel as he walked.

A shuffling sound nearby brought him out of his reverie. Turning in his chair, he looked to find another member of the medical staff poking about in one of the supply cabinets. Troy had only been stationed at Fort Dale for three months, half aslong as Dean. In the short time they’d spent working together, Dean had grown to like the man. He was a little odd but careful in his work and was good company during the long stretches the two men spent together in the clinic.

Troy looked up, catching Dean’s eyes. “What’s up?”

Dean cocked his head. “What are you doing?”

“Inventory.”

“Inventory was done this morning.”

Troy shrugged. “I’m doing it again.”

Dean snorted. “Bored?”

“If I don’t do something, I’ll go crazy.”

Dean almost wished he could say the same, but in reality, he’d learned to appreciate the peace and quiet. Sure, being assigned to a secure base wasn’t the most glamorous or exciting of positions, but at least he didn’t have to worry about being shot. The months he’d spent on deployment in the Middle East had taught him the value of serenity.

Dean leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. “Well, unless you’ve been pocketing things, you won’t find any difference. We haven’t had anyone come in today.”

Troy sighed. “I know. Hard to believe we don’t even have an exam scheduled. No fights to deal with…or anything.”

Dean chuckled. “Please, I don’t want another day dealing with the aftermath of fighting. Last Saturday was bad enough.”

A casual observer might think Friday night would bring out the fighting since many people stationed at the fort went out for the evening. In Dean’s time at the base, however, he’d discovered it was usually the morning or even the afternoon of the following day that brought the most issues. Only when everyone was hungover and grumpy did the issues start setting everyone off.

“I was almost convinced we’d been getting more fights,” Troy said.

Dean shrugged. “Goes in spurts. Some months, you can’t walk around here without tripping over someone fighting, other times, everyone seems to be behaving themselves.”

Troy wasn’t totally paranoid, though. Dean, too, had noticed an uptick in fights, both on and off the base. It wasn’t enough for Dean to wonder what might have got into the water, but it was enough to catch his attention.

“It’s no different out in the field,” Dean continued.

“You’d think people would get along better in the middle of a warzone,” Troy said, setting his tablet aside.

Dean chuckled. “And you’d be wrong. Sure, when you’re under fire and fighting for your life, everyone gets along. When you’re back at camp, though, all bets are off. Sometimes things happen out in the field that aren’t settled until you’re safe and sound.”