Homefront by Jaxon Altieri

Author:Jaxon Altieri [Altieri, Jaxon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, military, PTSD, veteran, hurt/comfort, coming out, grief
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2021-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Daniel groaned as the cold air of the diner’s air conditioning enveloped him when he entered. It relieved the humid heat of the day, and the aromas inside the diner made his stomach growl. He took a seat at a booth and caught his reflection in the mirrored surface of the napkin dispenser. I clean up pretty well if I say so myself.

He rubbed a hand over the smooth skin of his freshly shaven face. When was the last time I used a razor? Even without any facial hair, Daniel still looked a little rough—his past showed in the form of dark circles around his eyes. Getting through the days was hard and sleeping at night was difficult in the best of times, but the therapy was already a significant step to make it easier.

I hope Eric will like it. Now I’m trying to impress Eric? Blood rushed to Daniel’s face as he thought of Eric. He grew closer to him, but Daniel found it hard to admit he was in love with him. Infatuation maybe? Hell, I’m confused. I do believe I’m falling for him.

“What’ll it be, honey?”

Startled, Daniel turned. “Coffee for now. I’m meeting Eric.”

Jenny, already with a coffee pot, filled his cup before sitting opposite him. “You must be Daniel?”

He looked around, not sure what to say or do. “Um, yeah. Oh, I remember you from the other day.”

She stuck out her hand and smiled. “Jenny. Eric’s told me about you. You clean up nice, Daniel.”

“Thanks. But what do you want?”

She leaned back and shot him a smile. “Well, Danny boy, here’s the thing. My friend, Eric, likes you a little, but things have been rough on him the past few weeks. Take care of him, he’s fragile.”

He stared in shock. Eric has feelings for me? “Jenny, I’m here to talk, nothing more.”

“Talk? Yeah, you two need to do a lot of that. Everything is new, and it takes time to heal. Neither of you boys can do it alone and could use each other’s help. You both need to find closure so you two can move forward.”

Daniel sat there, wondering how if she was always this intrusive.

“Seriously, I’m not one to pry, but you threw Eric for a loop the first time you walked through those doors.”

Daniel added cream and sugar to his coffee. The heavy weight of Jenny’s stare bore into him. He shifted nervously in his seat. “You don’t think I know that? I didn’t intend to cause him problems. I never expected this visit to go this way.”

A slight touch on his hand brought his attention back to the moment. “I know, and Eric knows it on some level, even if he’s denying it. You get that through his thick head. Meeting him here and even shaving was a good start. I’ll admit, your scruffy look would’ve been as good too.”

Daniel blushed and shifted awkwardly in his seat. “I figured I needed a fresh start today. After beginning therapy, I needed a clean slate and a clean face.

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