This might be a little rough to read since I haven't had an editor look it over BUT, I wanted to give you guys a peak at what's in store in the next book. Sooo, here ya go!




“Phillip?”
 
Phillip stood against the side of the building still trying to catch his breath. He knew he probably had broken ribs, but he damn sure wasn't going to admit it. “What?”
 
“You okay?”
 
“Let's see, I just had my ass handed to me by a guy I SHOULD have been able to handle with one hand tied behind my back. My boyfriend feels the need to defend my honor like I'm some ninety pound weakling. I'm embarrassed to be seen by my friends because they're all going to know that guy is right. What part of that should I be okay with, Ryan?”
 
Ryan took a deep breath. He couldn't get pissed at Phillip. The Phillip he knew would have never NEEDED help in the bar. This Phillip had limitations that were Forced on him. Phillip was a proud man. He had never taken the short cut. No matter how hard the road got Phillip just plowed through it like a bull. “I won't say I'm sorry. You'd do the same for me.”
 
“But I don't have to now do I?”
 
“You have in the past.”
 
“Not the goddamn point, Ry.” Phillip bit out. “I'm pretty much well useless.”
 
Ryan saw red at that statement. “You're useless? Are you fucking kidding me?”
 
Phillip didn't say anything.
 
“Fuck, Phil, I came home because of YOU. Everything I did over there EVERY fucking time was because of YOU. When I was a snot nosed newbie I took every lesson you taught me and put it into play. The reason I never got hurt over there was because YOU trained me. Then after you got hurt, coming home to you got me through all of it. And you fucking say your useless? Have you lost your goddamn mind as well as your fucking spine?”
 
“Don't fucking start with me, Ryan.” Phillip growled pushing off the wall.
 
“You started it, dick. You want to have a pity party then do it. Don't think I'm coming because I have seen the guys who lost more than YOU lost. And you know what's funny? They haven't let their pride dictate what they should or shouldn't be able to do! It hasn't been a fucking year yet, Phil. You're still mending. Get the fuck over yourself!”
 
Phillip recoiled like he'd been shot. “Fuck off. Just fuck the hell off.” The brunette winced as he turned and left Ryan standing there.
 
Sandy came out and found Ryan standing in the parking lot alone.
 
“Phil take off?”
 
“Yeah, he's being a jackass.”
 
“Ryan, I could have told you he would.” Sandy quipped. “It's hard seeing him like that isn't it?”
 
The blond nodded. “Back during training, I thought he was the man of steel. Nothing could have changed my mind,” he smiled at her slightly, “it hasn't changed. He's still the man of steel.”
 
“He's always been proud, Ry. He's always done things his way and damned everything else. He's not use to having limitations. When we were in high school I never saw a person who could pick up practically anything thrown his way the way Phil could. Every class we took, or sport he decided to try within weeks it was almost like he was born to do what ever it may have been,” she said softly. “when he joined the Army I knew that he would be good at it. I don't think he's ever failed at anything if he puts his mind to it.”
 
“That's not the point, Sandy,” Ryan started only to be interrupted.
 
“It is, Ry. In his backwards way his honor was damaged tonight, and his pride was crushed. He's feeling like half a man. He has always been the teachers and defender. Now he can't be like he THINKS he should-- Ryan you KNOW Phil. That has to be killing him.”
 
“We all need to be carried once in awhile.” Ryan returned.
 
“Ry, it doesn't matter. He's never asked anyone for their help. Phillip isn't perfect. His pride and honor are taking a whipping right now. His boyfriend had to defend him. How would you feel stuck in a chair and not being able to defend yourself like you are use to? He's just not dealing well,” she asked.
 
“When his father got hurt and lost his job Phillip is the one that everyone went to. HE was the one that had to put everything on hold. Everyone goes to Phil when they have a problem but he never goes to anyone,” Sandy explained “He's been going to his PT appointments alone. He won't let anyone go with him. The first week after you left he was so depressed Kenneth ended up sleeping in the same room with him every night.”
 
Ryan blinked in surprise.
 
“Yeah, he's not dealing well with this and is pushing himself hard to get back to pre-injury days.”
 
Ryan leaned against Alexander's car and let out a sigh. “It's not all fun and games now is it?”

“Not even close.”