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

Peter’s family wasn’t closed. Chaz probably had a lot more to say on it, though Peter didn’t know why the man thought he was an expert. Just because he seemed to have a rather well-adjusted family didn’t mean he knew anything about Peter’s circumstances.

“Maybe tomorrow. I have to work.” Peter waved away the money Chaz held out to

him. “Lunch is on me. You can buy dinner some other time.”

“At least there will be another date. I’ll look on that as a good thing.”

Peter blushed again as Chaz leered at him. Damn it! Peter wished his face wouldn’t do that. It was hard to act casual or experienced when he turned red every time Chaz said

something suggestive.

Well, he didn’t actually have to act like he’d done it before. Chaz had quickly got that

confession out of him, and he didn’t really like that he’d admitted to being a virgin. It made him feel like a child.

There’s nothing wrong with being innocent, Peter. Max’s voice drifted into his memories. It was a conversation they’d had before Max had quit working for Tony and moved down to

Texas to be with Derek.

As he pulled out cash to pay, he remembered how embarrassed he’d been when Max

had asked him about dating. Max had felt like he needed to talk to Peter about being careful and not being taken advantage of by men who were only looking for a good time. Of course, Max had drunk several beers by then, so his advice had slowly slid into more intimate

things, and while Peter had thought he would die from embarrassment, he’d also been

curious about some of the things Max had spoken about.

“Now I want to know what thought brought that particular look to your face,” Chaz

murmured.

Peter jerked when he realised he’d drifted off into trying to imagine some of Max’s

descriptions. He coughed softly and wiggled in his seat.

“There wasn’t any thought. Let’s head out. Do you have to stop for anything before we

leave?”

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He tossed the money on the table before standing. Chaz followed him as he strolled

through the restaurant towards the front door.

“Hey, Chaz and Peter. I didn’t know you guys knew each other.”

Peter turned to see Cody Harwood, one of Tony’s riding buddies, standing by the

hostess stand. Peter pasted on a smile before offering his hand for Cody to shake.

“Cody, I didn’t know you were going to be riding during Frontier Days.”

Cody grimaced as he shook Peter’s hand. “I thought I’d give it a try, but unfortunately I don’t have the strength I used to have. That second back injury ruined it for me. I’m going to have to retire.”

Peter knew how much that decision had to have hurt Cody. Like most of the rodeo

riders, bull riding was in Cody’s blood, and finding something to take its place would be very difficult.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Cody. Have you decided what you’re going to do?” Peter asked.

Cody turned to look at him after greeting Chaz. “Not sure. Guess I’ll start looking for

jobs at ranches. They’re about the only places that’ll take on a busted-up old bull rider.”

“I feel for you, man. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing when I decide to hang up my vest.”

Chaz gently slapped Cody on his shoulder.

“It was hard to do, but I finally had to face the truth. Plus the doctors keep telling me that every time I ride I run the risk of dislodging something and being paralysed. I can’t have that happen to me. I need to help my parents, though I’m not good at farm work.”

Peter gasped. “Cody, do you remember Max Furlo? He was Tony’s foreman.”

Cody nodded. “Yeah. I heard he quit to go live in Austin with Derek St Martin. Man,

when St Martin came out, women’s hearts broke all over the world.”

Laughing, Peter agreed. “Yes, but they’re both happy. Anyway, Max and Derek own a

ranch outside of Austin. Derek’s music studio is there, but they also run a large herd of Black Angus cattle along with a herd of horses. Max is considering breeding Appaloosas. He’s

already got some fine stock.”

“And what does that have to do with me? I can ride, if I’m careful, and I’m pretty good

with horses,” Cody informed them.

“That’s good. Max told me the other day they were looking to hire some more guys.

Business is going really well for them. The only downside is you might have to deal with

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some snobby music types. Derek’s recording company is getting bigger every day, and he

brings the musicians to the ranch to record their albums.”

Cody’s expression was far happier than it had been when they’d started talking. “Do

you think Max would take me on?”

“I can’t guarantee he will, but it never hurts to ask. Plus you’re a friend, so if he doesn’t have anything for you, I’m sure Max will do what he can to find you a job.” Peter pulled out his phone. “Tell you what. Give me your phone number, and I’ll give Max a call. If he’s

interested, he’ll contact you. Does that work?”

Cody gave him a quick hug. “Yes, Peter. That works perfectly. I should’ve thought of

talking to Tony. How he’s doing?”

Peter punched in Cody’s number, then said, “He’s doing well. Took advantage of the

break to head to Germany with the others to watch Juan compete in some horse shows.”

Chaz spoke up. “We need to head out, Peter.”

“Right. It was great seeing you, Cody, and Max should be getting a hold of you in the

next day or so.”

“Awesome. Catch you in Tulsa, Chaz. I’m going to try and ride there, and if it doesn’t

work, I’ll be announcing my retirement.”

“Have a safe trip there. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” Chaz smiled before he left the restaurant.

Peter started to follow, but Cody laid his hand on his arm to stop him. “What’s up,

Cody? Do you need something else?”

Cody shook his head. “Sorry, Peter. It’s just I didn’t know you were friends with Chaz.”

“We’re recent friends. He’s