Page 25 of His Last Chase

Casey

“Knock, knock.”

I glanced up at the sound of Richard’s voice at myoffice door.

“Hello, my friend. Fancy meeting you here.” Richard worked in the maintenance department at UNLV. He was all over campus but on occasion we managed to meet for lunch at the dining hall on campus to catch up on life and what not.

“Thought I’d see if you had time for lunch.” He took a seat in one of the two empty chairs in front of my desk that normally had students in them, begging for help with a failed assignment.

A quick glance at my watch showed I had an hour before my next class. “That I do, sir.”

Though Richard showing up wasn’t rare, it didn’t usually happen two weeks in a row. I bit my tongue and waited for the question I knew was coming, the real reason for his visit. Halfway to the quad, he finally asked it.

“So, you and Chase, huh?”

And there it was, the purpose for today’s visit.

“Yes.”

“I hear my boy had a hand in it. Keen eye, that one.” Richard’s knowing grin said it all. He may not be totally onboard, but he trusted me to do right by Chase.

“I’d have to agree. Can’t say I would’ve seen it had it not hit me in the face, courtesy of David.” My godson definitely elevated himself to a new level with me. No longer did I see the boy, but the great man he had become.

“Just a word of advice,” Richard offered. “Not sure if you remember but after Chase’s mom died he really changed. He was always quiet and shy but had come out of his shell with us. After that, we practically had to pull him out to get him to join in. When the boys said he was their frontman for Embrace I have to admit to having had reservations. Glad he proved me wrong with that one.”

Note to self, attend as many shows as I could.

“Sorry to say I wasn’t mentally there for the family gatherings he was in attendance for. I’ve learned a lot about him as of late, but Chase has many layers.” All of which I looked forward to discovering.

We walked inside, grabbing a tray and our food. I’d barely dug into the first bite when Richard appeared to have gathered his thoughts and dove back in where our conversation had left off.

“When I first caught wind of this my initial thought was what the fuck was Casey thinking?” Straight to the punch.

“Gee, thanks.” Richard was nothing if not honest with me and while I appreciated that, the sting of the slap from his words hurt.

“Hear me out. You’re dating someone who is not only my son’s age, your godson I might add, but my son’s best friend. You’ve always been into younger guys, and I know your lifestyle is…interesting.”

With each passing word, bile rose, and I feared for our friendship.

“But to be honest, you’re the right man for Chase. You’re the best man I know, and you’ll be patient and kind and everything Chase deserves.” Richard patted my shoulder and returned to his food while I absorbed the depth of his words.

“I haven’t been this…enthralled, I guess you could say, in years. With Chase it runs so much deeper than it has with any of my past boys. Relationships in this lifestyle are gone into knowing what the other sought, expectations outlined from the onset. Every day with Chase is a new and exciting experience, full of wonderous surprises. We talk for hours on end whether by chat or phone call about everything and it’s still some of the best dates I’ve ever had.”

“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

“I am. I can’t help it. Everything about him has drawn me in. I hold my breath waiting for every text and call. I can’t wait to hear his voice and have him tell me how his day was. It’s crazy to feel this way already, isn’t it?” Was I second guessing my feelings? That wasn’t like me. Other opinions never mattered before. I was so far into this my head spun.

“You can’t tell the heart what it wants nor that it must abide by time and rules. When your heart finds the one, it sinks its claws all the way in.”

“I’m afraid of those three life-changing words slipping past my lips and spooking him.” That was putting it mildly, Chase was fidgety at the best oftimes. If I said I love you he’d break far too many laws as he sped off.

“I think you’ll be surprised because I believe you are the one Chase not only desires, but can give him what his heart and mind need most.”

“And what’s that?” Richard had never hidden the fact he didn’t understand my lifestyle but admitted he didn’t have to. As long as both parties were consenting adults it wasn’t his place to meddle.

“Stability and most of all, love and praise.”

“Everything I’m ready, willing, and able to commit to.” Having already envisioned this with plans in the works to make Chase his own playroom at my house, I was lightyears ahead of the game. Hopefully my heart wouldn’t get broken in the interim.

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