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

overdone it this last time. That’s why I was so out of it.”

“I can bring you one of them, if it’ll help.”

One was better than none, and it would take the edge off for now. He managed to nod.

“All right. I’ll be right back with a pill and some milk.”

“Actually, I should probably take two. That’s my usual dose.” It had been his

prescribed dosage when he’d first had the injury, but over the years he’d had to up the meds to get the same effect.

Peter pursed his lips, but didn’t say anything. He simply stood before walking away.

Chaz closed his eyes again, trying to clear his mind of the pain and tension. His doctor had first suggested meditation as a form of relaxation, which was one of the things he needed to keep from tightening up.

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 21

He must have drifted off, because Peter’s touch on his shoulder caused him to jerk

awake. Peter leaned over him, holding two pills and a glass. Peter was gorgeous, and Chaz didn’t think about what he did next.

Chaz reached up, and slid his hand around the back of Peter’s head. Applying a little

pressure, he encouraged Peter to come closer, and their lips met in a kiss. It wasn’t the hottest kiss Chaz had ever had, or even the best one, but it was good and it made Chaz forget about his back for a moment.

The sound of a door shutting broke them apart, and Peter rocked back on his heels,

staring at Chaz in shock. Chaz took the medicine and milk from Peter, then swallowed the

pills. He emptied the glass before setting it on the floor next to the couch. All the time, Peter watched him, shock and desire warring in his gaze.

“How did you know I wouldn’t punch you when you tried to kiss me?”

Peter’s question caught Chaz off guard. He settled back against the cushions and

shrugged. “I guess I didn’t really think about it. I think you’re cute, and I wanted to see what you tasted like.”

“Oh,” Peter whispered. “You’re lucky. Not every man out here in Wyoming would let

you stay after something like that. Hell, a lot of them would beat the shit out of you before they threw you out of their house.”

“True.” Chaz had run into a few like that. “Something told me you wouldn’t do that.

Not after welcoming me into your home without knowing anything about me.”

“It’s not really my house. It’s my bosses’ place. Les Hardin and Randy Hersch own the

ranch, but I work as an accountant for Les.” Peter seemed to be babbling, and Chaz found it cute.

“Randy Hersch?” Chaz racked his brain, but the painkillers were starting to take effect,

and his mind was getting fuzzy. “Did he use to rodeo?”

Peter nodded as he returned to the chair. Chaz watched Peter curl up in it, and he

noticed how it almost swallowed Peter up.

“Yes. Randy was the Nationals Finals Bareback Champion several years ago. He retired

right after he won.” Peter smiled, letting Chaz know it was a good memory.

“I think I might have met him once or twice. I work in the rodeo as a bullfighter. I

mostly do PBR events, but I do some rodeos from time to time. Randy was a good rider, and

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LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 22

I was thrilled to see he won.” Chaz moaned as all of his muscles relaxed at once. “Christ!

That feels good.”

“Oh, you might know Tony Romanos? He lives on the next ranch over.” Peter gestured

in a vague motion towards the west.

“Tony? I guess this really is a small world.”

Shit! There was no way Tony Romanos, two-time world champion bull rider and one of the most popular guys on tour, could find out about Chaz’s problems. If Tony discovered

them, Chaz would lose his job for sure.

From the moment he’d gone to his first rodeo, he’d wanted to be a rodeo clown.

Wearing baggy, colourful clothes and putting on makeup might seem like a weird thing for a boy to want, but even at the age of six he could see that being a bullfighter was the most important part of any rodeo—aside from the animals.

Once he’d set his mind to it, becoming the best clown he could had been his only goal.

He’d studied videos of some of the best-known clowns, and he’d learned their tricks. Chaz had become obsessed. Luckily, his parents had understood, for the most part, being from

cattle country themselves. They’d indulged his whims, and his mom had taken him to all the rodeos in the area.

Watching Tony ride had been one of Chaz’s pleasures in life. The stocky bull rider was

pure poetry in motion, always anticipating each move of the bull. There weren’t a lot of

riders who could do that.

“Yes, it is. He retired after last year’s finals because his body just couldn’t take the abuse anymore, and Brody wants him home more.” Peter looked slightly ill. “Shit. I shouldn’t have said anything about that.”

“About what? Tony being gay?” Chaz chuckled. “Don’t worry, man. I’ve known for a

while that he likes guys. Pretty easy to spot a fellow gay. Besides I noticed the same guy comes to a lot of Tony’s events, and I heard that Tony bought a ranch out here with him. Has all the markings of a couple to me, though why he’s worried about it, I don’t know. He’s not on the tour any more.”

“He has his reasons for staying quiet for now. So you can’t say anything to anyone.”

Peter stared at him with fierce intensity.

Peter wasn’t very intimidating, Chaz admitted, but he hadn’t been about to out Tony

anyway, so it was easy to give in to his demand.

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“All right. I won’t say a word, but on one condition. You can’t tell Tony about how you

found me. It was an honest mistake, but it could easily screw up my career if certain people hear about it.” Chaz did his own version of a scary stare.

Peter didn’t look convinced that what