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

Margie set a full plate of spaghetti in front of him. “There are pieces of garlic bread in the basket in front of you. What would you like to drink?”

“Milk if you have some, ma’am.” Chaz took a bite of food, moaning as the spices

exploded on his tongue.

Peter smiled, and Chaz blinked. The open expression on Peter’s face surprised Chaz.

Maybe he was too suspicious, and he was fine admitting that some of that came from having to buy his drugs on the street. It tended to make one paranoid.

Yet these people had opened their house to him, even though the only thing they knew

about him was that he’d been high, and had been on the streets for a day or two. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Thank God that he wasn’t a bad man, just one in a lot of pain at times, so they didn’t have to worry about him taking advantage of them.

The phone rang as Margie set his glass in front of him. Peter stood to go and answer it.

While he was doing that, Chaz continued to eat.

“Hello, Les. How are you and the others doing?” Peter propped his hip against the

counter. “Good to hear. Margie and I are fine. Everything’s running well here on the ranch as well.”

He chuckled. “Jackson called me earlier today. Gave me the orders for the next couple

of days. Yes, I’m fine with handling the ranch while you’re gone.”

Chaz cleaned his plate, then sat back while Margie dished out another few scoops. He

looked around the kitchen, finding he liked how he felt in it. The room was very modern,

with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Obviously no expense had been

spared in creating this kitchen.

“Oh, I wanted to let you know I have a friend staying here for the night. His name is

Charles O’Brien.” Peter paused, and Chaz could feel Peter’s gaze on his back. “I met him in Cheyenne, and offered him a room.”

Margie hummed softly, and Chaz dropped his gaze to his plate. He felt like shit. Almost

like he was taking advantage of Peter, yet he wasn’t taking anything from the man except a

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 19

little hospitality. He really didn’t think he’d stay any longer than tomorrow. Once he got his truck, he’d head down towards Oklahoma, where the first event coming off the break would

be.

“I will. Have fun and tell all the guys I said hi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.” Peter hung up before returning to the table. “Les and Randy say hello, Margie. They’re having a good time, and Juan is doing pretty good at the show.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m glad they were all able to go visit him.” Margie refilled Peter’s plate, then poured more milk for both of them. “I’m going to start cleaning up. Why don’t you take Chaz into the living room when you’re done?”

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” Chaz asked, remembering his manners.

“I’m fine, Chaz. You look done in, so you can rest tonight. I’m sure you can clean up the kitchen tomorrow morning after breakfast.” Margie started filling the sink.

Chaz and Peter ate their rest of their food in silence. Chaz yawned as he set his fork

down. Draining his glass of milk, he concluded that Margie’s spaghetti had been the best

he’d eaten in a long time. Of course, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten, so it might not mean much.

After carrying their plates to the sink, Chaz followed Peter into the living room. Peter

dropped into an oversized armchair. Chaz took the couch, lying down with a sigh. The

cushions seemed to cradle his back, though his neck was at an uncomfortable angle.

“Oh wait. I’ll get you a pillow.”

He watched as Peter jumped to his feet and disappeared down the hallway. Chaz heard

a door open, then shut, and a minute later Peter rejoined him, carrying a pillow.

“Here. This way you won’t get a kink in your neck if you happen to fall asleep.”

A kink? If he fell asleep on the couch, he probably wouldn’t be able to move in the

morning. His neck would definitely seize up on him, along with most of his back muscles.

He’d had that happen a few times that year.

“Thank you.” He tucked the pillow under his head and neck, hoping it would be

enough support. “I do appreciate what you’re doing for me. Considering where and how

you found me, I’m a little shocked you invited me into your home.”

Peter curled up in the chair, pulling his legs up to his chest before resting his chin on his knees. He looked vexed, and Chaz wondered what he was thinking.

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 20

“To be honest, I’m surprised I brought you here as well. I mean I don’t know you at all,

and I found you lying in an alley.” Peter bit his bottom lip, staring at his feet. “It might turn out to be the worst decision I’ve made.”

Chaz wanted to go and kneel in front of Peter, to take his hands in his, and promise

he’d never hurt the man, ever. It was a stupid inclination because Chaz didn’t believe he could keep that promise. He’d screwed up enough times in his life that he wasn’t the kind of guy to make vows to people.

“I don’t plan on robbing you blind or anything like that. I just need some place to crash for the night, and in the morning I’ll get out of your hair.”

He rolled over on his side, and hissed when his muscles tightened. Closing his eyes, he

took several deep breaths as the pain waned.

“Are you okay?”

He opened his eyes to find Peter crouched next to the couch, resting his hand on Chaz’s

shoulder.

“I’m all right. I have an old injury which flares once in a while,” he confessed. There

was no point in lying to Peter.

“All right.” Peter narrowed his gaze, seeming to studying Chaz. “Are those pills I found

in your pocket painkillers?”

Chaz nodded. “Yeah. I only take them when things get hard to move.