Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“Sgt. West, hello, I’m Griffin, the third Aide to the President of the United States. I’m here to go over a few things with you regarding the ceremony. The event will go exactly like this. We will exit through these doors. You will walk the runner, and then be escorted to the garden area. You will stand at the front of the podium to the left of the President. The Vice President is going to be in attendance today, along with the Majority Leader and Speaker of the House. Also the Lt. Honn of the Marine’s will be standing by your side. The President will say a few words, then read from the doctrine in the award. You will be handed the award and then you are to—”
“Excuse me,” Trevor stopped the little five foot nothing clerk in mid-sentence. Griffin looked up from his portfolio where he read from his notes. He looked irritated at the disruption. The Aide craned his neck to look at both Reed and Trevor, not sure who actually interrupted him. “Where in this will Reed be standing?”
“Mr. Kensington will be escorted to sit by his family in the audience in just a couple of minutes. They have front row seating. Now, as I was saying before I was interrupted, Sgt. West will be handed—”
“I’m sorry, but I would like Reed to stand beside me.” Trevor casually dropped his free hand in his pocket, looking the Aide in the eye waiting for his response.
“Well, Sgt. West, I’m sorry, but that will not be possible. Only spouses and fiancés can stand up at the front with—”
“We’re engaged,” Trevor replied, never removing his gaze from the Aide. He still kept his entire stance very casual, very easy going.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but this between you two is not a recognized union in—” It was then everything about Trevor changed. Reed began to speak, but Trevor lifted a finger silencing him as looked down at the little Aide again.
“I’m sorry, I’m not making myself clear. Reed will be beside me when I get this award. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him. He needs to be beside me.” Trevor’s voice turned harder with each word, his face grew fierce, and Trevor waited to give the Aide time to say nothing more than ‘yes, sir.’
“Sir—”
Trevor stopped Griffin by lifting his hand to the man’s face. Reed gave a little chuckle when the Aide stomped his foot, anger flashing in his eyes.
“No. I can see by the look in your eyes you’re going to try and tell me no again. Let me be absolutely clear. I don’t want the award unless Reed’s standing beside me when I receive it. If any part of what I just said is unclear, please ask questions.” Trevor released Reed’s hand, crossing his big brawny arms over his chest. His jaw clenched tightly shut.
“If you will excuse me for a minute, please,” the Aide said, spitting the words out. Completely exasperated, he turned quickly and aggressively, walking several feet away, before hitting his ear piece and talking. Griffin’s tones were hushed, but you could easily make out his anger with his hands going ninety to nothing, as he looked like he was talking to the air.
“Handsome, you know I appreciate this, but I want you to receive your award,” Reed said, leaning in to whisper into Trevor’s ear.
“No. I’m not giving. We can just go home where I would be so much more comfortable than here. And you’re not to say a word trying to distract me!” Trevor kept his eyes on the Aide, arms crossed over his chest and his feet firmly planted in his decision, never looking at Reed when he spoke.
“Babe, I love you and want to stand by you, but the world needs to see,” Reed tried again.
“I’m not getting it without you there. You agreed to marry me. You’re my future and you helped me build this future I’m living now. This is our award. Not just mine. And I ask you to please not say anything more until a decision is made.”
Reed chuckled at him, lifting his eye brows. Trevor never took that tone with him, and he wisely kept his mouth shut, only leaning in once to ask in a whisper if they could play hard-core soldier man tonight in bed.
“Sir, I’ve been asked to ask you again to reconsider your stand. It would not do to have this cancelled with so much publicity tied to this event, but it’s an election year which must be considered.” The Aide spoke to him in small little words, in an overly calm manner.
“Politics have nothing to do with my life. Do we need to call a cab? Reed, are your parents here to take us home?” Trevor asked, while looking at the Aide. The look of disgust radiating from the little man caused Reed to finally laugh out loud. The Aide hit his ear piece again, not even turning away from them now.
“He won’t budge. No, he is a brute of a man and completely unreasonable. Yes, yes, okay.” Taking a minute to gather himself, the Aide finally spoke. “All right, since your apparent cause is the most important thing to you, you can promote your homosexuality at the expense of others. He can stand by you. Mr. Kensington, you will stand in the back and to the side with your entire family. We will have Marines there as well—”
“No, I’m not doing this. Let’s go, Reed.” Trevor wrapped an arm around Reed, turning to leave in the direction they came.
“Okay!” the little man shrieked. “OKAY! HE CAN STAND BESIDE YOU! It’s all about you MR. West! What you want, FINE.” Turning on a huff, the little man stormed off.
“He’s a little high strung, but he really is harmless.” The President stepped out of his office, shrugging on his suit jacket, adjusting his tie. The grin on his face let Trevor know he overheard the entire exchange between the two of them.