Home of His Own, T. Chase [top 5 books to read .TXT] 📗

been the first person Tony kissed and in his youthful innocence, Tony thought they’d be in love forever. He learned how to give great blowjobs because of Luis.

He still remembered the day he suffered his first heartbreak.

* * * *

“Luis! Luis! I did it.” Tony burst through the Martinez back door. He knew Luis’

parents were gone, so they had the house to themselves.

“Did what?” Luis’ bright brown eyes twinkled at him.

He swore he’d never seen anyone more gorgeous than Luis Martinez. This hot guy was his boyfriend, and he had taken the first steps to be able to shout it to the world.

“I told my parents I’m gay. Now we really can be boyfriends.”

The look of horror spreading across Luis’ face shot ice through Tony’s body.

“You didn’t tell them I was a fag, did you? You didn’t mention my name.” Luis grabbed his shirt and shook him.

“No.” He could feel tears welling in his eyes. “Aren’t you happy? We don’t have to hide anymore.”

“I’m not a fag, you idiot. You’re a nice diversion while my girlfriend’s gone for the summer.” Luis let go of him and stalked away.

“But you said you loved me. You told me you wished you could tell the world about us.” Tony reached for the kitchen counter. Shock and hurt warred in his heart.

“You’re as easy as a girl, believing all that shit.” Luis laughed. “You give great head, Romanos, but I’m not a fag. Don’t expect me to start wearing rainbows and going to parades with you.”

Tony’s heart shattered that day. He held strong through the gossip and slurs. He dealt with his parents ignoring him. For a month, he tried to tell himself that Luis would change his mind. The boy he loved wouldn’t throw him away.

He was wrong. At an end of the summer party, he saw Luis kissing his girlfriend and Tony realized even if Luis had lied about not being gay, the boy would never have the courage to admit it.

* * * *

Tony heard his flight number called and grabbed his stuff. He boarded, put his bag away and sat. Shutting his eyes, he sighed. Maybe he and Mac should have done a little more sleeping and a little less fucking last night. He was glad he upgraded to first class; more room and free drinks.

A nap would help settle his nerves. The memories only served to remind him anyone could hurt him, even those who should have loved him. Someone bumped his arm.

Opening his eyes, he saw a tall lean man sitting next to him.

“Sorry about that. Jackass was in a hurry to get to his coach seat, I guess.”

The smooth southern drawl stirred something in Tony’s mind. He studied the man. A blue baseball cap and sunglasses hid the man’s eyes. His instinct told him he knew the man.

“Honey, when you get a chance, can you bring me a whiskey on the rocks and a beer for my friend here?” The man flagged down a flight attendant.

“Shit. You’re…”

“Yeah. Don’t say anything. I just want to survive this flight without someone asking for my autograph or a picture.” That famous smile flashed at him. “Though I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to take one. It’s not often such a handsome man recognizes me.”

Tony’s mouth dropped open. There was no way Derek St. Martin, country music superstar, was flirting with him.

“If I ask for a picture, wouldn’t it blow your cover?” he managed to say.

Derek thought for a moment, his thin lips pursed and then he nodded. “Fuck. Should have known something would spoil it.”

“Here you are, sir.” The flight attendant handed Derek two glasses. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, sugar. This is just fine.” Derek waved her away with a casual gesture.

“Don’t you have your own jet?” Tony kept his voice low. He could respect the man’s wish for privacy.

“Sure I do, but sometimes I just want to get away from all that bullshit. The entourage; my agent. It all gives me a headache. On good days, I pop a couple of pills and let them take me away. Yet there are times when it all builds up and there’s nothing I can do but run.” Derek leaned in close to Tony, so close he could see the man’s electric blue eyes peering over the top of the sunglasses. “What do you do for a living? You look like a cowboy.”

“I ride bulls.”

“Mmm…if only that were true, it’d prove there is a benevolent God and he loves country singers.”

Tony looked around him. None of the passengers seemed to be paying attention to them. He moved closer to Derek. “I like bulls better than cows, but since I’ve never heard even a whisper about you, you might want to be careful what you say in public.”

A look passed over Derek’s face and Tony wondered if the singer hated hiding who he was because of his fans. “I know. I’ve been yelled at by everyone around me. If I promise not to out myself to anyone else, will you talk to me about what you do? Treat me like a real person? Not the stud you see dancing on stage in tight jeans and a t-shirt.”

Tony touched Derek’s hand holding on to the armrest between them. “I’d talk to you all day.” He pressed his lips to the man’s ear. “I’ve had a hard-on since I first heard you talk.”

Derek’s eyes widened and he shot a look at Tony’s crotch. “Man, what I wouldn’t do to have a private plane right about now.”

Tony winked, settling back in his seat. “I do ride bulls. I was in Honolulu for the special all-star event.”

“Wow. A gay cowboy? So those stereotypes really do exist.” Derek laughed. “Are you any good?”

“I finished fifth at the Finals this year.” Tony sipped his beer. “Where are you headed?”

“Got a