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

his injury was so severe it actually killed him?

It had made an impression, since Matthew spent a majority of his time in the line of fire, and could die at any moment. Yet Chaz couldn’t see himself doing anything other than being a bullfighter. Maybe when it really did get to the point where he couldn’t walk or something like that, he’d find another job.

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His phone rang, and he picked it up to check the screen. This time it was Matthew’s cell

number.

“Matty, what are you calling me for?” Chaz sighed silently as his body slowly started to

unlock and his muscles relaxed.

“I wanted to let you know I’m back in the States. Just got released from duty a few

minutes ago.” Matthew sounded exhausted.

Chaz was happy to hear that. When he knew Matthew was out of the country, he

always had a bit of worry resting on his shoulders—he couldn’t help but want to protect his baby brother.

“I’m glad to hear that. Where are you headed?” He pushed to his feet, and, staggering

slightly, wandered to the bathroom.

“I’m going home. After I take a shower and get rid of several layers of sand, I’m going

to sleep for a couple of days. Hopefully my guy’s around. I wasn’t able to let him know when I’d be back. I plan on calling him when I’m done with you.” Matthew sighed. “When I wake

up, I’ll call Mom and the others.”

“Did you want me to call them? I have plenty of time. I don’t have to be at the arena

until two.” Chaz stretched, wincing as a spot between his shoulder blades twinged.

Matthew was silent for a moment while he was probably thinking. “Yeah. You probably

should. Let Mom know I’ll be calling in the next day or so.”

Chaz turned the shower on. “She understands how it works, Matty. I’ll do that as soon

as I get done with my shower.”

“Great. I’ve got to go, Chaz. Getting a ride to my place. I’ll talk to you again later next week.”

After hanging up, Chaz tossed his phone onto the bed, then took his time stepping into

the shower. Thank God he slept naked, or else he’d have had trouble getting undressed to

clean up.

He took his time, letting the hot water soak into his lower back, and it worked in

combination with the meds. Chaz was moving pretty well when he climbed out to dry off.

He dressed quickly, then called to check and see if Sam was ready. They agreed to meet in the lobby in ten minutes.

Chaz put his shoes on before he dialled his mother. He stood next to the window,

looking outside while he waited for her to answer.

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“Charles, this is a pleasant surprise.” Her voice was full of happiness.

He frowned at her statement. “Why a surprise? I usually call you when I can.”

“You haven’t called me in over a month, honey. Maybe two. I think you were finishing

up in Las Vegas and called to tell me you wouldn’t be coming home for the break.”

Wincing, he gave himself a mental slap on the forehead. How could he have forgotten

to check in with his mom? And he must have ignored several of her voicemails as well, since she would’ve called to make sure he was okay.

“Sorry,” was all he could think of to say. He couldn’t explain what the problem was.

She’d demand he retire and come home, and since he wasn’t ready for that, he stayed silent.

“If I hadn’t talked to Matthew a few times while you were quiet, I would’ve panicked,

but he told me you were okay. Just taking time off from everyone.”

The tone of her voice said she didn’t understand why he’d want to take time off from

his family, but she was willing to let it go as long as she had word about him.

“Speaking of Matthew, I called to tell you he’s back in the States. He just landed a few

hours ago, but he’s heading home to take a shower before hitting his bed for some

uninterrupted sleep.”

Chaz kind of hoped Matthew’s guy would keep Matthew from sleeping for a little

while at least, but he wasn’t going to mention that to his mother.

She sighed in relief. “Thank God. I hate when he’s out of touch, though he does manage

to call once in a while. So we watched you on TV last night. You and Sam did a good job, but you seemed a little stiff. Are you doing all right?”

He loved his mother. “Yes, Mom. I’m doing fine. It was just I hadn’t warmed up

enough after not doing the job for a couple months.”

She hummed like she wasn’t completely convinced he was telling the truth, but she let

it slide. “Good. Now are you and Sam off to have some breakfast?”

Chuckling, Chaz said, “Yes. You know our routine, though we might pick up some

stragglers along the way.”

“All right. Have a good event, honey, and I’ll talk to you in the next day or two.”

“Bye, Mom.”

Chaz hung up, then tucked his phone away. He grabbed his wallet and sunglasses as he

walked out of his room. After making his way down to the lobby, he looked around for Sam.

He found his partner standing near the front entrance chatting with Cody Harwood.

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“Cody, I thought you weren’t going to be riding anymore,” Chaz said as he

approached.

Cody and Sam turned to face him, and Cody smiled.

“I’m retiring after this event. I got an exemption, but I still can’t ride. I don’t have

enough strength in my riding hand to grip the rope.” Cody flexed his right hand.

“That sucks, man. Sorry to hear that.” Chaz slapped Cody on the shoulder. “You want

to join us for some breakfast?”

“Sure. I need to be over to the arena an hour before the round starts to help with the

bulls, but I could definitely eat.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Chaz led the way out of the hotel, and they climbed into his truck. There was an IHOP

down the road that he and Sam ate in every time they came