Leaving Home by Chase, A. (life books to read .txt) 📗

pulled it out to check the ID. An

international number showed up, and Chaz frowned. He was pretty sure it would be

Matthew calling. Did he want to talk to his brother? Did he have the strength to lie?

Without conscious thought, he answered the phone. “Matthew, how are you?”

“How did you know it was me?”

“You’re the only one I know who would be calling from an out-of-country number.”

“Right. I’m better now that I’m talking to you. You missed my last call, and that’s not

like you.”

He grunted, but knew Matthew wouldn’t take that as an answer. “I got caught up in

some stuff. Sorry you had to waste a call.”

“It’s all right. Just glad to know you’re okay.” There were voices in the background

wherever Matthew was.

Chaz had learnt not to ask Matthew anything about his service, since most of it was

classified. He tended just to ask if his brother was healthy, and Matthew honoured his need not to know the whole truth by saying he was.

He’d never told Matthew about the injury that had started him on the slippery slope of

addiction. With his brother being overseas, Chaz had chosen not to burden him with his

problems.

“When’s your next event?”

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 40

He flopped back on the bed to stare up at the ceiling. “It’s in a couple of weeks, in

Tulsa.”

“Are you still in Cheyenne?” Matthew sounded surprised.

Chaz nodded, even though Matthew couldn’t see him. “Yeah.”

“I thought you wanted to be out of there before that rodeo started. Said you weren’t in

the mood to hang out with your fellow rodeo people.”

It seemed like Matthew was settling in for a nice long chat, which was nice in a way,

since Chaz rarely got to talk to his brother, but he wasn’t in the mood. He needed to dig out his meds, and take some.

“I got distracted and lost track of the days. I plan on checking out today, and going

somewhere else for the next two weeks. I’d like to be as rested as possible for when the tour starts back up, and hanging out with my friends isn’t restful at all.”

Matthew laughed. “I’ve hung out with you all before, and you’re right. About this

distraction… Was he cute?”

While he loved the fact that his brother was so accepting of his sexual orientation, at

times Chaz wished he’d never said anything to Matthew about it. Should he say something

about Peter? It wasn’t like they were dating or anything. It’d only been one kiss, but Chaz had found he wanted to go further, and take Peter to bed.

It was a strange feeling, since Chaz hadn’t really been attracted to anyone in several

months. He’d been working hard, and trying to make sure no one found out how bad his

injuries still were.

“Should you be talking about this around your unit?” he asked, hoping his question

would distract Matthew.

Matthew snorted. “Man, haven’t you paid any attention to politics? ‘Don’t ask, don’t

tell’ was repealed and it doesn’t matter who anyone in the military sleeps with. Well, unless they’re underage or it’s rape. Plus, you’re my brother, so even if it was still enforced, I’m talking about you. Not me.”

“I did meet someone, but he’s not what distracted me. I had some other issues to deal

with.”

“Ah, but I bet you wish he’d help you lose track of time. Is he hot?” Matthew’s curiosity seemed more inquisitive than usual.

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 41

“Is there something you want to tell me, Matthew? Why all this sudden interest in who

I sleep with and how he looks?” Chaz rolled over on his side to study the painting on the wall across from him.

“My reasons for asking aren’t important at the moment. I simply want to know how my

big brother is doing and if he’s met someone.” Matthew’s innocent tone didn’t hide a hint of seriousness, and Chaz wanted to dig deeper.

He decided to let it go. Matthew was right, and this moment wasn’t the time for them to

talk about personal things, mostly because he wasn’t ready to talk about his own issues.

“I think he’s gorgeous, yet he doesn’t know it, which makes it even better. We met

yesterday actually, and he invited me to stay at his ranch before I head down to Tulsa. I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to or not.”

“Seriously? Some cute guy asks you to stay with him and you have to think about it?

You could probably have all the sex you want without any strings because he knows you’re

going to be gone in a couple of weeks. Best kind of sex, in my opinion.”

Chaz grunted. “Truly? No wonder you’ve never found anyone to stick around longer

than a few days with that kind of attitude.”

He could almost see Matthew shrug. “I spend most of my time overseas with my unit. I

can’t ask someone to hang around waiting for me to come back.”

“I guess not.”

“Hey, O’Brien, time’s up. We need to head out.” Chaz heard another voice speak to his

brother.

“Okay. As you’ve heard, I have to go, but I plan on calling you at the usual time two

weeks from now. I expect you to answer your phone, and have something interesting to tell me.”

“I’ll try.”

They said goodbye, then Chaz hung up. He tucked his phone away, making a decision.

He figured he probably had enough pills to last until he had to leave, and he usually cut back on them leading up to events any way. Peter had told him to come and stay, so he would.

He’d explore what might be possible between them, not expecting anything except maybe

having a good time for a little while.

He pulled his phone out, and brought Peter’s number up on his screen. He dialled it,

then waited.

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 42

“Hey, Chaz, how can I help you?” Peter answered.

“I was wondering if that offer of a room is still open? I’m done packing up, and I still

have a couple of weeks free before I have to go anywhere.”

Peter sighed. “Sure you can come and stay. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it.”

He sounded tired,