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

sense of why Chaz had

disappeared. None of it mattered at the moment.

Peter whimpered as he climbed into Chaz’s lap. All he could think about was how fast

they could get naked, because he really wanted Chaz inside him. He lost all track of time and where they were as they continued to kiss.

A throat being cleared caught their attention, and Peter broke away from their embrace

to glance over his shoulder. Derek and Max stood just inside the living room. Both wore

amused expressions.

“I’m glad the reunion seems to be going well, but I have to ask you don’t do anything in

the living room,” Derek commented.

Max snickered. “It’s not that we’re opposed to sex in the living room, but you should

probably make sure no one’s going to walk in on you. Unless you like people watching.”

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Blushing, Peter ducked his head, but he only slid to Chaz’s side, not moving any farther

away.

“We got a little carried away,” Chaz explained.

“We’ve been there and done that.”

Peter knew Max had wanted to say more, but Derek’s elbow connecting with his side

interrupted him.

“No big deal,” Derek reassured them. He sat in one of the chairs while Max sat on the

arm. “So I see you’ve made up?”

“There will be some more conversations, I’m sure,” Peter said. “But I forgive him for it

all. No one died, and life’s too short to waste on being angry or hurt.”

Derek nodded. “Understandable. Then Max will be able to report back to Les that

everything’s okay. What are your plans now, Chaz?”

Chaz shifted a little, but met Derek’s gaze. “I don’t have a job anymore, so I’ll be

looking for one around Austin.”

“Really?” Peter looked at Chaz in shock. “I thought you’d want to go live in Wyoming,

or someplace like that.”

“No. You live and work here. I don’t want to be separated from you again. That means I

go where you are. There are ranches that I could probably find work at in the area.”

Even more happiness bubbled up inside him, to know Chaz loved him so much that he

was willing to settle down where Peter worked instead of making Peter move yet again.

Max coughed. “I might be able to help out with that. Joe’s quitting. He’s moving back to

Washington to help his parents out on their ranch. I was going to come and talk to you about it today, Peter. I wanted to make sure we could give him a bonus for working here so long.”

“I’ll have to go over the finances, but I don’t see why not. Both the ranch and the

recording company are doing well. We have the money.” Peter started to think about the

accounts.

“Good. You can work on that tomorrow. Chaz, we are now one hand short, starting

next week. I can show you around, and you can see what you’d be doing. Then if you’re

interested, the job is yours,” Max offered.

Chaz looked stunned, and Peter beamed at Max.

“Thanks a lot. I really appreciate this. I can give you a clean bill of health for my back and my drug usage, if you want.”

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“I’ll take them, but not because I need the reassurance. It’s just good practice to have

proof.” After standing, Max strolled over to offer his hand to Chaz. “Welcome to St Martin Ranch, Chaz. I’m sure you’ll be a great addition.”

Chaz stood and shook Max’s hand. “Thank you for taking a chance on me, and for

being such good friends to Peter.”

Derek smiled. “We only did what Peter would have done for one of us. We’re family,

Chaz, and we welcome you into it.”

“I’m glad to be included.” Chaz glanced over at Peter. “Do you think your boss might

let you have the rest of the afternoon off?”

Peter felt his face heat up, but he couldn’t stop his thrilled grin. “I’d have to call Les, and ask.”

“Oh, trust me, Les will totally let you take off the rest of the day. Derek or I will call him and let him know what’s going on. I’m pretty sure you can expect a call from him

tomorrow.” Max winked.

Peter jumped to his feet before grabbing Chaz’s hand to start dragging him out of the

room. Derek stopped them with a question.

“Where have you been storing your stuff, Chaz?”

Chaz glanced at him. “My brother’s place in North Carolina. Matthew got out of the

army eight months ago and he’s thinking about moving as well. Maybe there’s a place

around here for him to rent.”

“Army, huh?” A calculating look crossed Derek’s face. “Is he looking for a job as well?”

“Yes.” Chaz frowned. “He’s still adjusting to being out of the military, and he might

have PTSD, though he hasn’t been diagnosed with it or anything like that.”

Derek waved his hand to dismiss Chaz’s doubts. “Doesn’t matter. He can get help here

as well if need be. I might have a job for him with my record studio.”

“All right. I can give you his number tomorrow if you need it.”

“I’m sure Les has it if I decide to talk to Matthew before tomorrow.” Derek flapped his

hands at them. “Get out of here, and have a more intimate reunion.”

Peter dropped Chaz’s hand before going back to hug Max and Derek. After he did, he

grabbed Chaz’s arm to lead him down the hallway towards the back door. His office was in

the main house, but he had his own little house several yards away from all of the other

buildings.

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Chaz laughed as they almost tripped down the back steps. “Take it easy, love. We have

all the time in the world now that we’re together.”

“I need you to make love to me, Chaz. You are the only man I ever loved or will love.”

Peter pushed open his door to let Chaz walk in.

After shutting the door, Peter leant back against it, staring at Chaz. While he really

wanted to get to the bed, he wanted to take a moment to settle the image of Chaz standing in his house.

It had been so hard to leave his parents’ house all those years ago,