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

Max brushed a kiss against Peter’s forehead. “Honey, he’ll think the same thing he

probably thought the first moment he saw you. You are gorgeous and perfect in every way.

If I hadn’t fallen for Derek, I would’ve eventually come to my senses and swept you off your feet.”

Peter snorted. “Thanks for saying that, but you wouldn’t have. I’m not your type. I

figured that out once I saw how you looked at Derek.”

“Well, you are gorgeous, and he has to convince you to take him back, if that’s what he

wants. As to where he’s been, I don’t know, but I can tell you this. Chaz looks really good.

Better than he ever did when he was hanging around the ranch last year.”

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 150

“Seriously? Do you think he’s off the drugs?” Peter didn’t want to get too hopeful about

Chaz’s reasons for being there, and whether he was clean.

Max shrugged. “I can’t say for sure, but he doesn’t look like a guy who’s on anything.”

After standing up, Peter rubbed his hands together. “I think I should go talk to him. Les thinks it a good idea, right?”

“Yes. I called him the minute we opened the door to see Chaz standing there. He said

he sent Chaz here, so I’m guessing he’d like you to face the man.”

“Face him? You make it sound like I was the one who did something wrong.”

Max pushed to his feet before laying his hand on Peter’s shoulder. “I mean face him like

he was a phobia or something to be dealt with. After you talk to him, maybe you can move

on.”

“I’m not sure how. I still love him, Max. I don’t think I’ve ever got over him.” Peter

didn’t feel weak admitting that to Max.

“I know, honey. We all know how much you still care for him.” Max pursed his lips

while he paused. Then he continued, “This might be the fresh start the both of you need.”

Peter looked at the button-down shirt and jeans he wore. “Do I look all right?”

“He won’t know what hit him.” Max smiled and Peter grinned back.

“Let’s go then.”

Max led the way down the hall to the living room. He went on in, but Peter paused just

outside where he couldn’t see Chaz. Closing his eyes, Peter took several deep breaths. His hands shook slightly at the thought of seeing Chaz again.

He didn’t know how long he stood out there, but he opened his eyes when he felt a

hand on his shoulder. Derek smiled at him.

“Are you all right?”

Peter nodded. “Yeah, just trying to get up the courage to go in.”

Derek chuckled. “I get it, but trust me, Chaz is far more nervous than you are. Go on in.

You’ve waited long enough, I think.”

“Thanks, Derek.”

Derek patted his shoulder, somehow giving him the courage to walk into the room. He

spotted Chaz on the opposite side, standing with his hands in his pockets. The stiffness in Chaz’ shoulders and the way he kept shifting on his feet spoke of his nervousness.

For some reason, that thought helped ease Peter and he was able to walk into the room.

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“Hello, Chaz,” he said.

Chaz whirled around, almost falling in his haste. “Peter. Hey.”

Peter studied Chaz, and he saw how much better Chaz looked. His eyes weren’t

bloodshot, and he wasn’t standing like he was in pain either. Chaz’s arms were hanging

loosely at his sides instead of held stiffly to protect his back. Now that Chaz didn’t do it, Peter realised that Chaz must have been hurting every minute of the day. Everything about Chaz spoke of health and, oddly, acceptance.

“You look good,” Peter commented as he slowly moved farther into the room, even

though every atom in him wanted to throw himself into Chaz’s arms. It wasn’t time for that.

They needed to talk first, but Peter longed to press his lips to Chaz’s.

“Thanks. So do you, but then again you always did.” Chaz scrubbed his hand over his

head. “I appreciate you agreeing to see me.”

Peter shrugged. “I wanted to know how you were doing. You kind of fell off the radar

after the accident.”

After sitting in the chair across from the couch, Peter gestured for Chaz to take a seat.

He watched Chaz rest his butt on the cushions for a second, then bounce to his feet.

“I need to tell you how sorry I am, Peter. So sorry about everything I did to you while I was high. I can’t believe I risked your life like that. You are the most precious thing in my world, and I almost killed you.”

Chaz rushed over to Peter before dropping to his knees in front of him. Peter gasped

when he laid his head in Peter’s lap. He stared at Chaz’s shaking shoulders, and realised he was crying.

Chaz’s tears tugged on Peter’s heartstrings. He stroked his fingers over Chaz’s soft

auburn curls.

“Hush, love. It’s all right. I’m okay. We’re both fine.” He kept murmuring those phrases

over and over, hoping Chaz would hear him, and stop crying.

Finally, Chaz seemed to get himself under control before rocking back on his heels to

meet Peter’s gaze. Smiling, Peter wiped the tears from Chaz’s cheeks.

“See, I’m fine. It took a couple of months of physical therapy, but it worked out. With a little more time, I’ll get full movement back in my left hand.” He held his hand up.

Chaz gripped it, tracing the scar running the length of Peter’s forearm. “I’m sorry, Peter.

I don’t have an excuse. I mean I can’t excuse what I did, or even why I did it.”

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“Did what? Drive, even though you knew you were high? Or doing drugs to begin

with?” Peter couldn’t let him get away with not explaining. He wanted to see if he could

understand why Chaz had done what he had.

“Well, mostly driving. I guess I didn’t want to show weakness in front of you. Of

course, it’s not like you hadn’t seen me at my worst before that.” Chaz pressed his lips to Peter’s scar.

Peter accepted the caress. Hell, anything that had Chaz touching