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    Leaving Home
    Leaving Home
    Leaving Home
    Ebook231 pages3 hours

    Leaving Home

    By T.A. Chase

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    About this ebook

    Chaz struggles with his addiction, while continuing to do his job of saving bull riders, but it's all getting out of control.

    Charles 'Chaz' O'Brien has been at the top of his profession for many years, enduring injuries that would have crushed a lesser man. Yet the top bullfighter isn't calling it quits any time soon. He does his job with a fierce joy, all the while he's hiding a terrible secret. One that could get him suspended, and could end up killing the very men he protects.

    Peter Skinner loves working for Les Hardin and Randy Hersch. His bosses are amazing men, but seeing how in love they are every day makes Peter's heart ache. He wishes he could find a man to love him like that, but he knows they're hard to come by in Wyoming where he lives.

    Until one day, Peter finds a man strung-out in an alley, and Peter is the only one around to deal with it. When Peter and Chaz meet, their worlds collide in a way that could be the best thing in the world for them both, or the worst experience of their lives.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPride Publishing
    Release dateApr 29, 2013
    ISBN9781781843079
    Leaving Home
    Author

    T.A. Chase

    There is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries? Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates TA and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how she shares those insights. When not writing, TA's watching movies, reading and living life to the fullest.

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      Book preview

      Leaving Home - T.A. Chase

      A Total-E-Bound Publication

      www.total-e-bound.com

      Leaving Home

      ISBN # 978-1-78184-307-9

      ©Copyright T.A. Chase 2013

      Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright April 2013

      Edited by Rebecca Douglas

      Total-E-Bound Publishing

      This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

      Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

      The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

      Published in 2013 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

      Warning:

      This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Total-e-burning and a sexometer of 2.

      This story contains 157 pages, additionally there is also a free excerpt at the end of the book containing 11 pages.

      Home

      LEAVING HOME

      T.A. Chase

      Book four in the Home series

      Chaz struggles with his addiction, while continuing to do his job of saving bull riders, but it’s all getting out of control.

      Charles ‘Chaz’ O’Brien has been at the top of his profession for many years, enduring injuries that would have crushed a lesser man. Yet the top bullfighter isn’t calling it quits any time soon. He does his job with a fierce joy, though all the while he’s hiding a terrible secret. One that could get him suspended, and could end up killing the very men he protects.

      Peter Skinner loves working for Les Hardin and Randy Hersch. His bosses are amazing men, but seeing how in love they are every day makes Peter’s heart ache. He wishes he could find a man to love him like that, but he knows they’re hard to come by in Wyoming where he lives.

      Until, one day, Peter finds a man strung out in an alley, and is the only one around to deal with it. When Peter and Chaz meet, their worlds collide in a way that could be the best thing in the world for them both, or the worst experience of their lives.

      Dedication

      To everyone who has been patiently and impatiently waiting for the boys from the Home series to have more of their stories told. This is for you. I hope you enjoy Peter’s story.

      Trademarks Acknowledgement

      The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

      PBR: Professional Bull Riders

      Band-Aid: Johnson & Johnson

      Historic Plains Hotel: Providence Hospitality Partners

      Vicodin: Knoll Pharmaceutical

      Ford F-150: Ford Motor Company

      Bluetooth: Bluetooth Special Interest Group

      Kool-Aid: Kraft Foods

      IHOP: DineEquity

      Prologue

      Leaving home was an integral part of growing up. It was an important step to discovering who a man was to become. Peter Skinner understood that, yet he couldn’t help feeling sad as he carried the last few boxes out to Yancey’s truck.

      Sad because moving out meant he’d cut his last ties to the family he’d thought would love him forever. Peter snorted silently. He should’ve known that once he told them the truth, they’d turn their backs faster than a quarter horse cutting a steer from a herd. His grandfather ruled the Skinner clan with an iron fist, and if he said Peter must be shunned, the rest would go along with his decree.

      Do you have everything, Peter? Yancey helped him put the boxes in the back of the vehicle.

      He looked back at the house where he’d grown up and sighed. No. I got everything I want to keep. They can throw the rest of it away, for all I care.

      Throw it away? Your parents would really do that? Yancey frowned. That seems a little harsh.

      You’ve met my grandfather, right? You’ve seen how he treated Les and Tony. He wasn’t happy about it when I acknowledged any of you existed. Then I had the nerve to start working for Les. His laugh was rough. Yes, they’ll throw away anything that will remind them of me. Trust me. I saw them do that with my dad’s younger brother. He didn’t do what Grandfather wanted, and he left. No one’s seen or heard from him since.

      Peter remembered hearing his parents fight over it when he was little. His father had removed all the pictures featuring his brother from the walls and albums. Peter’s mother hadn’t wanted to do that. Of course, Grandfather hadn’t liked Mother either, and the feeling was mutual, so she would’ve gone against anything Grandfather had said.

      Which was why Peter had been surprised when she’d stood right beside his father and told him to leave. It had crushed him, causing his heart to break and him to question his plan to be honest. He’d run to Max, who’d held him while he cried. Then Max had explained that the best families were the ones they built for themselves.

      Come on. Everyone’s waiting for us at Les and Randy’s. Margie’s cooked a welcome home meal for you. Yancey said, breaking into Peter’s thoughts, and reminding him that he had a family waiting for him.

      It might not be the family he’d been born with, but it was the one he’d chosen, and, to be honest, the men and women Peter was going to see in a few minutes were the people he felt the most real with. They had opened their hearts and homes to him, even when his grandfather had treated Les so poorly.

      I’m ready.

      Yancey clapped him on the shoulder as Yancey headed to the driver’s side of the truck. Peter climbed into the passenger seat then took one last glance at the house. He’d tossed the keys onto the kitchen table before he’d walked out. There was no going back, even if by some freaking act of God his family wanted him.

      It was time to create a new home with people who cared about him, flaws and all.

      Chapter One

      The sound coming from the alley caught Peter Skinner’s attention. He paused on the sidewalk, staring into the shadows between the two buildings. Tugging out his mace, he thought about the promise he’d made to Les, his boss. He wasn’t supposed to go into dark alleys anymore, not after the last time when some kids who’d wanted to steal his wallet had beaten him up. It didn’t matter that both Les and Max had taught him some self-defence moves.

      Peter snorted quietly. Who was he kidding? Even though he’d learnt some moves, that didn’t make him a black belt or anything. He’d be lucky not to hurt himself if he tried something.

      A pain-filled moan emerged from the alley again, and Peter took a deep breath. He couldn’t walk away when someone might be in there, and might be hurt. Maybe he should call the police. It would be the smart thing to do, but Peter didn’t want to do the smart thing. He wanted to do the brave thing, which would be to enter the alley. As long as he had his mace and his phone ready, he should be okay.

      Hello? he called out, unsure he wanted an answer. He wasn’t brave, not really. Peter could admit that to himself, if not anyone else.

      Another moan drew him closer, and he decided it was now or never. Not going in really wasn’t an option for him, not if someone really was injured or dying in there. After straightening his shoulders, he strolled into the alley like he was six-five and muscle-bound.

      Max had told him that one way not to become a victim was to act like he knew what he was doing. ‘Keep your eyes up, and shoulders back. Meet a person’s gaze as they approach you. That way they’ll know you’ve seen them. It makes most people hesitate before attacking’. He could hear Max’s explanation in his head.

      Peter hadn’t gone very far before he almost tripped over a man sprawled on the ground.

      Oh shit. I’m sorry. Are you all right? Peter crouched next to him, but answered his own question. Of course you’re not all right. If you were fine, you wouldn’t be lying in an alley.

      The stranger muttered something, and Peter leaned closer to him. The smell of alcohol and sweat hit his nose with all the force of a wind storm. He rocked back on his heels, gagging slightly. Not even Yancey, after helping a horse give birth, had smelt that bad.

      Great, he muttered. I came back here to save a wino.

      Peter might have disliked the fact that the man was drunk, but he couldn’t very well leave him helpless in the alley. He reached to grab the man’s arm.

      I’ll help you out of here.

      What are you doing? The stranger’s rank breath caused Peter to wrinkle his nose in disgust.

      I just said I was trying to help you out of here. I actually think I should call an ambulance. You should really go to the hospital. Peter grimaced as he practically lifted the man to his feet. I’m Peter, by the way.

      I’m Chaz, and I won’t go to the hospital. I’ll be fine. Just need a place to crash for a few days. Chaz’s head rolled on his shoulders, a dirty, disgusting version of a ragdoll.

      Peter shook his head. I really don’t think that’s a good idea. You smell like you’ve been on a three-day binge without stopping to take a shower or brush your teeth. I’ve seen pigs that smell better than you.

      Don’t know you, man. Not sure you have the right to judge me. Chaz sounded indignant.

      Peter couldn’t help it. He snorted as he dragged Chaz towards the alley entrance. Chaz, I’m not judging you. I’m simply stating a fact about the way you smell.

      They got to the sidewalk where Peter lowered Chaz to the ground. The man leaned against the building then rested his head back on the brick wall. Standing there, Peter studied Chaz, unsure why his heartbeat increased as he looked at him. It had to have been because of dragging Chaz from the alley. Yet Peter knew that was a lie.

      Chaz was covered in dirt, obviously not having made the acquaintance of a shower at any point in the last couple of days. It was hard to tell the colour of his hair because of the grime. His green eyes were bloodshot and there were dark bags under them. Peter doubted Chaz had had any sleep in the last several days.

      He noticed that Chaz’s hands shook and his skin was sickly pale under the dirt. Peter couldn’t be a hundred per cent sure, but he thought Chaz might have been high, or coming down from a high.

      Do you have a place to stay around here, Chaz? Peter kept his phone out, but tucked his mace away. He didn’t have anything to worry about from Chaz. Hell, Peter could probably have knocked the guy over, and he wasn’t very strong.

      Chaz licked his chapped lips, drawing Peter’s attention to their plumpness. Fuck! He needed to get a handle on this weird attraction. There was no way in hell Peter could want a dirty druggie who was more than likely homeless. Doing anything to make it obvious would surely lead to Peter getting his ass handed to him, Chaz being high notwithstanding.

      What day is it? Chaz looked at his wrist like he expected to see a watch there. He grunted when he saw it was bare.

      Seriously? You’ve been so high you lost track of the days? Peter shook his head. It’s Monday, August fifth.

      Fuck! Chaz scrubbed his hand through his short-cropped hair. I didn’t realise it was so late. I need to get back.

      Where is home? If you don’t mind me asking? Peter propped his hip against one of the building corners. We’re in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

      I know I’m in Wyoming, Chaz snarled. Home would be wherever I hang my hat. I move around too much for a permanent place.

      So then where do you need to get back to? Is someone waiting for you somewhere?

      Peter didn’t like the small rush of jealousy he felt at the thought that Chaz might belong to someone. Christ! He was an idiot. It was like he was a baby duck, imprinting on the first new guy he met.

      No, man. I need to find a place to crash for a few days, get cleaned up before I have to go do my job. The next event’s in Tulsa, and I need to make sure I’m ready. Chaz braced his hands on the wall behind him before starting to stand up.

      Peter watched as Chaz made it to his feet, swaying as he tried to find his balance. He tensed when Chaz started to tilt to the left. He rushed in, and encircled Chaz’s waist.

      You never answered my question. Do you have a hotel room around here? Peter locked his knees to keep from falling over himself when Chaz put almost his full weight on him.

      I don’t think so. Chaz reached into one of his pockets to pull out his wallet.

      After taking the wallet, Peter fumbled a little bit, but finally got it open. He glanced quickly into it, not wanting to invade the man’s privacy any more than he had to.

      I don’t see a key card or anything. What else do you have in your pockets?

      Chaz’s hands were shaking too much for him to dig in his other pockets. Peter sighed, and moved Chaz over to the wall again.

      Lean here.

      Peter tried not to think about the fact that he was putting his hands all over Chaz’s body. He could tell the man took care of himself, for the most part. If he was a druggie, it hadn’t been for long, or else his body would’ve been wasted. He mentally rolled his eyes. All he really knew about drug users and the effects of drugs on the body was what he’d seen on TV.

      From what he could feel, Chaz’s stomach was flat and his ass was firm. There was nothing in Chaz’s front pockets, but there were a few slips of paper and a baggie of white pills in one of the back ones. He also found a set of keys in his coat pocket.

      At least we know you have a vehicle somewhere, he pointed out, holding the keys up for Chaz to look at. We just have to go in search of it.

      Chaz’s eyes widened at the sight of the baggie, and Peter put it away in his own pocket. He didn’t want to know what it was, and he didn’t think Chaz needed any more of it at the moment. The papers were receipts from different restaurants in the Cheyenne area. They were dated for the last couple of days, which meant that Chaz had been in the area for a while. He had to have been staying somewhere.

      Maybe the hotel card is in your ride.

      He checked his watch. Damn! He needed to get back to the ranch or Margie would start to worry. With Les and Randy out of the country, and Jackson off on his honeymoon with Tammy, there wasn’t anyone there to run the place. Not that Peter was such a take-charge person, but he followed directions well, and Jackson checked in once a day to let him know what needed to be done.

      All right. We should find your car, and I’ll follow you to your hotel.

      Don’t bother. I’ll get myself there. Chaz pushed away from the building.

      Peter watched him take a few steps before his knees buckled.

      Shit. Peter swore as he caught Chaz right before he hit the ground. Man, I’m not leaving you out here. You know what? My car’s right down the street. I’ll drive you to a hotel or something. I have to get home, but damn me for being a good person.

      Chaz didn’t say anything, and Peter checked to make sure the man was even conscious. Chaz’s eyes were glazed over, making Peter think maybe Chaz had used up whatever strength or determination he’d had to get as far as he had done. Either whatever he’d taken was wearing off, or Chaz had spent all his energy getting to where Peter had found him.

      Sighing, Peter made a decision he was probably going to regret in the morning. He stumbled and tripped as he carted Chaz back towards his car. He’d take Chaz home to the ranch with him, and they would see what Chaz wanted to do after he’d cleaned up and rested.

      Crazy idea. He could hear Max’s voice in his head, telling him not to take Chaz home. It would be better to take Chaz to the nearest hotel and let him fend for himself than to bring him to where he lived.

      You don’t even know who he really is, Peter. He could be a thief, or worse. Peter pursed his lips as they walked. Max’s voice might be right. Chaz could be a thief or a killer, yet everything in Peter’s gut told him the man was a danger only to himself.

      Chaz, what do you do for a living? Underneath all the grime, it looks like you’ve taken care of yourself. If you’re homeless, you haven’t been for long. Peter kept talking, not knowing if Chaz could hear him or not. I could look at your wallet, but I think I’ll wait until we get to the ranch for that.

      He managed to get his keys out of his pocket without letting go of Chaz. Clicking the button, he got it unlocked before they reached it. He shook Chaz enough for him to focus on Peter.

      I need you to stand right here. Somehow keep upright. I have to get the door open, then you can get in. He

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