Coming Home (3 page)

Four days later, Chase was leaving Johnson's Feed when he came face to face with Brad. Again. As Brad blocked his path, he looked his personal high school tormentor over from head to toe and prepared himself for anything. He was a few inches taller than Brad now and definitely broader. If things became violent, Chase was sure he wouldn't be on the losing end this time.
"Hey man," Brad began and Chase just glared in response. "Listen, I…" Brad stopped when he heard his name called and turned to find Bobby jogging toward them. When he turned back to Chase, the man was already sitting in his truck and slammed the door.
"Hey," Brad called to Chase and was ignored when Chase started his truck and drove off.
"What was that all about?" Bobby asked when he stopped next to Brad.
"Nuttin'" Brad replied.
"Was that the guy from the Trough?" Bobby's gaze was following the taillights of Chase's truck as it left the lot.
Brad turned to look at his friend, "Yeah."
"He givin' ya trouble?" Bobby asked sounding hopeful for a fight.
"Naw, was jest sayin' 'hey,'" Brad replied as they headed into the feed store.

Brad fucking Wilson
. There was no fooling himself about how small his boonie town was and Chase knew before he came back home that he would see some people from his past. However, he really never expected Brad - all-star football player, wrestling champion, homecoming king, and Mr. AllAround-Fucking-Popular - Wilson to still be in this backwater town. How the guy didn't get a scholarship to somewhere, anywhere, to get the hell out of dodge, Chase didn't know. He didn't really care either as long as the guy steered clear of him.

Brad was determined to talk to Chase so he could apologize for being such an ass in high school. He really did feel guilty about the abuse that he and his friends gave the guy so the least he could do was try to make amends. If Chase Murphy decided to pay him back with a can of whoop-ass, well, he wouldn't blame the guy or even try to stop him.

Tonight, he would talk to Chase… if the guy showed up at the Trough. Brad took another swig of his Bud Light and continued to wait on a stool closest to the door.

The third weekend home and boredom drove Chase back to the Watering Trough for a few beers. If he was lucky, he could drink them before Brad Wilson showed up and attempted to talk to him again. No such luck. The moment Chase stepped through the door; Brad was walking to intercept him.

"Hey," Brad called to him and followed him outside.
Chase just kept walking. A hand landed on his shoulder when he turned the corner of the building to get to where his truck was parked. Chase reacted without thought and grabbed the wrist attached to the hand on his shoulder while using his hip to swing Brad around. He slammed the man, hard, into the side of the building. Chase had both of Brad's hands pinned to the wall and his knee braced between the guy's legs as he glared down into Brad's slightly widened eyes.
"Leave me alone, Brad." Chase's voice was low and hard. "I want nothing to do with you." Chase watched Brad closely as he applied more pressure on his wrists. Brad was sure to have bruises in the morning but fuck if he cared.
"I am sorry, man," Brad said hurriedly. "You're right to be pissed. Hell, if a punch-up will make you feel better then have at it."
He's sorry. Sorry for touching me now or for all the shit in the past?
Chase continued to watch Brad's face but couldn't help noticing the counter pressure he was feeling against his thigh, even if the guy wasn't moving. Brad's eyes had dilated and he wasn't fighting back.
The fucker is turned on…
"I don't want your fucking apology," Chase growled as he pressed his knee more firmly into Brad's erection and leaned forward. He was only inches from Brad's face when his nose was greeted with the smell of Halston and sweat when he spoke.
“Who's the cocksucker now?"
Brad knew his body had betrayed him even if he had never been with a guy before. He also knew that he should be more afraid of Chase Murphy than turned on by him. The scrawny kid he had tormented in high school was gone and replaced by the hulking man before him.
"I'm sorry," Brad repeated as he stared at Chase's lips, only mere inches from his own.
What happened next surprised Brad more than he likely surprised Chase. He had no thought, it was as if his brain shut down and his body took over, as he leaned forward and kissed Chase hard on the mouth.
Chase was so caught off guard by the movement of Brad's head that he was almost grateful that the guy kissed him when he could have easily head butted him instead.
What. The. Fuck
.
Chase released Brad and stepped back so fast that the guy almost stumbled forward before he caught himself. He barely had his balance when Chase's right hook connected with his jaw and he dropped like a wet sack of potatoes.
"Leave me alone, Brad." Chase growled down at Brad who was trying to shake off the punch. "Stay.
The. Fuck. Away," he said as he turned toward his truck. He stopped as he was climbing into the cab and looked back at Brad who was still lying on the ground where Chase had left him.
"I won't tell you again." Chase started his truck and peeled out of the Trough lot, sending gravel flying.
Brad watched Chase's taillights until they were gone and wondered what the hell had just come over him. He had just stood up and brushed the gravel dust from himself when Bobby pulled into the lot. He needed a drink. A very strong drink… maybe several. That was Brad's plan for the evening and he would try not to think about what had just happened between him and Chase Murphy.

Chase sat on his back deck, under a sky full of stars, listening to the sounds of the North Carolina night and drinking his fifth beer. He still could not wrap his mind around Brad - jock extraordinaire Wilson kissing him when he tried to scare the guy into leaving him alone.

Chase still could feel the guys lips on his own even after all the beer he had already drunk. How ironic that Brad turned out to be gay after calling him a cocksucker for so many years. Chase laughed and the sound was loud in the quiet night.

He thought back to watching Brad jerk off on the sunny rock by the creek. The guy was still as athletic as he had been in high school but he had finally grown into the bulk he had forced upon his teenage body. Brad was taller now, as he was as well, lean, and fit. Probably from working his parents farm but Chase practically dwarfed the guy with his extra few inches of height and Marine Corps bulk.
Thank God for late blooming and a lot of PT.

Chase tried to push thoughts of Brad from his mind and realized he had not PT'd since coming home. He had been so busy with chores around the house that he just hadn't thought of exercising. He'd fix that tomorrow and get back on track. He thought about the route he would run which made him think about the creek; which, in turn, brought his mind back to Brad Wilson.

Fucking jock.
Chase was actually surprised that Brad stayed down. Chase knew he hadn't hit him that hard. If it had been Bobby Morris in Brad's place, Chase knew it would have turned into an all-out brawl. One that he still would have won even if he knew his hand would ache a lot worse when it was all said and done. Bobby Morris was just too stupid to stay down. Brad Wilson was too smart to be best friends with the likes of Bobby.
Oh, now you're defending the asshole
. Chase shook his head, finished his beer, and went to bed.

It was just after six p.m. when Chase jogged past the Quik Mart and headed west down the state road. It felt good to PT. His only thoughts were putting one foot in front of the other and keeping his breathing even. Running along the road was a walk in the park and no challenge at all. Up ahead was the creek bridge then the Wilson property began.
Nope. Not thinking of Brad.

He had
not
been thinking of Brad a lot over the last few days as he stayed around the house and found things to do.

Chase turned back south and picked up the trail that ran across the back of his property along the creek. Sweat poured down his body unnoticed as he ran under the shade of the trees. The deer trail was just what he needed to give his legs a workout. He followed the trail as it veered away from the creek and back again until he came to the swimming hole that was, thankfully, devoid of Brad Wilson.

After slowing to a walk and going through his cool down routine, Chase stripped off his tee shirt and dove into the cool water of the creek.

Brad heard the loud splash in the creek as he rode Dusty toward the swimming hole. When the creek came into sight, he did not see the cause of the sound. He shrugged and dismounted, cooler in hand. It wasn't until he sat the cooler down on the sun rock that Chase broke the surface of the water. For the longest moment, both men just stared at one another.

Fucking no luck but bad luck
, Chase thought as he turned to swim toward the bank on his property's side of the creek. He stopped short when a splash came from a few feet in front of him. A can of Bud Light bobbed up happily from the cool water and for a second, Chase thought to grab the can and throw it right back at Brad's head.

Why waste a good beer, though?
Chase reached out and grabbed the can, opened it and took a chug, before he turned back to Brad who was still standing on the sun rock. The bruise along his jaw was the wonderful shade of yellow-green but somehow managed not to distract from his looks. Chase frowned at the path his thoughts were taking. He sure as hell wasn't going to go there.
"If you're back for good, you won't be able to avoid me forever." Brad said quietly. "This town is too small and you know it."
Chase just stared at Brad before he chugged the rest of his beer while he kept treading water. When he was done he crushed the can in his hand and tossed it to the bank on his side of the creek. He knew that Brad had a point but that didn't mean he had to admit it.
"I can try," Chase said and turned around again to swim to his side of the creek. Another can splashed down in front of him and he glared at it like it was a water moccasin.
"I found your tree stand while you were away," Brad's voice drifted across the creek to him.
Chase grabbed the beer that was floating in front of him and turned to look at Brad.
When had the guy removed his shirt?
"So?" Chase replied and opened the beer. The water was shallow enough that he could sit on the submerged rocks so he did.
"Nice view of the creek from up there." Brad took a swig of his own beer before he set it down on the rock and dove into the cool water.
Chase had no idea if Brad had seen him up there a few weeks ago but even if the man had, he wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
Brad half expected Chase to be climbing out of the creek when he surfaced and was surprised to see that the guy was still sitting there and drinking his beer. He wasn't stupid enough to swim over, after that punch in the face a few days ago, so instead he swam to the rock and retrieved his beer.
Chase watched Brad shake the hair out of his face before he grabbed his beer and turned back to him. He knew he should just get out of the creek and go home but the memory of Brad kissing him held him in place. Desire and hatred warred with one another but he was used to that and decided to see what the guy would do. If he did something Chase didn't care for, well, he would just punch him in the face again.
"Yeah, there is," Chase killed his beer and watched as Brad pulled himself half way out of the water to drag his cooler closer to him.
Chase's eyes traveled down Brad's back and zeroed in on the band of pale skin that peeked out of the cut-offs just above his ass. Chase snapped his gaze back to Brad's face when the guy looked over his shoulder.
He did that shit on purpose.
Chase couldn't believe the jock was actually flirting with him when he knew how much Chase hated him.
Hell, if that punch hadn't made the point then what would? And sitting here is making what point again?
Chase just loved it when he argued with himself. Not.
Brad felt Chase staring at him and couldn't resist looking back over his shoulder to make sure. He knew he had a great body since he was told so by so many chicks. But just because the chicks dug it didn't mean a dude would too. Plus, no matter how many times he had called Chase a 'cocksucker' in high school, he really had no proof the guy was gay. Well, almost no proof. The only thing he had to go on was the guy didn't beat the living shit out of him when he planted a wet one on the guy's lips outside the bar.
Maybe he was lucky to get just the one punch.
The look on Chase's face was worth taking the chance of pissing the guy off again. He wasn't sure what that look meant but at least Chase wasn't scowling at him again. Brad grabbed two more beers and sank back into the cool water of the creek before holding up a can in Chase's direction.
Chase lifted his hand and Brad tossed him another beer.
Couldn't hurt to drink the guy's brews. Doesn't mean I have to talk to him.
He popped the tab on the beer and took another swig all the while watching Brad. The guy was staring at him like he was under a microscope but compared to the glares his drill instructors gave, it didn't bother Chase at all.
"Military, huh?" Brad asked and took a sip of his own beer. He realized this was the first time he had seen Chase without his cowboy hat on. There was no mistaking the short hair for anything else but what it was, a military cut.
"Why do
you
care?" Chase countered but it seemed Brad was ignoring his rebuff.
"So… Navy? Air Force?" Brad plowed on. "Bet it was nice to see some of the world, huh?"
"Marines," Chase replied and didn't hide the pride in his voice as he watched Brad's eyebrows shoot skyward.
"That what your tattoo is?" Brad asked and was glad they were actually having a conversation. Even if it was mostly one sided and would likely only last for as long as he kept throwing beers at the guy.
"Eagle, Globe, and Anchor," Chase replied before he caught himself. "What are you doing, Brad?" Chase asked with real curiosity and a frown.
"Getting to know my neighbor," Brad replied and held up his hand when Chase was about to speak. "Look, man, we aren't the same kids that we used to be. I sure as hell ain't and by the looks of you," Brad pointed at Chase with his open can, "you aren't either. I am just trying to get to know the guy I am likely to be running into around town."
Chase wasn't buying it so he just shook his head and turned to climb out of the creek. Before he even took a step, Brad's words stopped him.
"You were just as excited as I was." Brad had been replaying, and masturbating to, the encounter outside the Trough. "Don't deny it, man. I felt you as much as you felt me."
Chase turned around, his anger easily returning, and stared at Brad. "So what if I was? Do you think that makes us best friends now?"
"Naw, but what's the harm in doing something about it?" Brad couldn't believe what he was saying. Only he could be so stupid as to hit on a guy, a guy who hated him, a Marine who not only hated him but had already punched him in the face once, when he'd never even been with a guy before.
Chase couldn't believe his ears and even though he was angry, apparently his cock didn't care. Thankfully, he was still standing waist deep in the creek so Brad couldn't see the reaction his body was having to the guy's words. He just continued to stare at Brad as he thought about what the guy was offering. It had been a long time since he'd had anything other than his own palm and getting off was just getting off. He didn't have to like the guy or even become friends with him.
What the hell? Why not?
"Another beer?" Brad asked and Chase thought he sounded nervous when he stretched out of the creek to the cooler once more.
As Brad splashed back into the creek, holding two unopened cans of Bud Light, Chase realized that Brad probably had no idea what he was doing. There weren't any gay people in this neck of the boondocks; the southern Baptists made sure of that. So, if Brad really was gay, and he sure seemed gay enough to have kissed him, he probably had no experience with men at all. Chase's cock seemed to like this thought and it hardened even more.
Chase sat back down on the underwater rock and watched Brad for a moment before he spoke. "Come here."
The change in volume and tone of Chase's voice made Brad question the sanity of what he was doing.
Offering?
Insane or not, Brad pushed off the rock behind him. Both cans of beer were in one hand as he used the other to swim across the creek. He stopped in front of Chase when his feet could touch bottom, which was still a few feet away from the man.
"Un ah," Chase said as he looked into Brad's nervous eyes. How many times had he wished to see such a look on Brad's face and be the cause of it? Too many to count.
This will be fun
, he thought and mentally grinned. "Here." Chase pointed to the water directly in front of where he sat.
Brad followed Chase's hand as he pointed to a spot in front of himself and almost wished he hadn't. The creek was crystal clear and the green shorts that Chase wore did nothing to hide his arousal under the water. Brad's mouth suddenly went dry and he again questioned his sanity as he moved to where Chase had indicated.
Nothing like asking for something you know nothing about, Brad. Way to go.
Chase accepted the beer as Brad kneeled on the underwater rocks before him. The water did nothing to hide the bulge that pressed on his button fly's and Chase knew that Brad was getting an eyeful of his own package. He continued to stare at Brad as the guy cracked open his beer and downed half of it easily.
Brad fucking Wilson nervous. This is priceless!
But the sight of Brad's throat swallowing while he chugged that beer made Chase want to feel those muscles around his cock. He opened his own beer and took a swig to distract himself and let Brad sweat a little longer.
"What do you want?" Chase's voice was almost a low growl and the sound went straight to Brad's already aching cock. He could only imagine that this would be what Chase sounded like first thing in the morning.
What do I want? I have no fucking clue
, Brad thought and replied honestly, "I don't rightly know."
All of the sudden, Brad was looking anywhere but directly at him.
He really doesn't have a clue
, Chase thought and almost smiled. Almost. Instead, he reached out a hand and grabbed the back of Brad's neck to pull him into a kiss. The action was sudden, not giving Brad any warning or time to prepare.
Brad startled and was tense but Chase was forceful with his kiss. There was no easing into it, no gentle probing, just hard and demanding. So unlike kissing a girl but yet, Brad felt the tension in his muscles slowly relax as Chase took what he wanted.
Chase was relentless in consuming Brad's mouth. The hand that grasped Brad's neck tightened and he pulled the man closer to him through the water. Brad came willingly and at some point let go of his beer. One hand rested on Chase's shoulder while the other grabbed the forearm that was directing him. Chase leaned back in the shallow water causing Brad to lie on top of him. The gasp that escaped Brad, when their hard cocks brushed against each other through their shorts, made Chase smirk inwardly.
Brad thought that if this was insanity then he never wanted to be sane again. When he felt Chase's other arm wrap around his back and push him firmly into his muscled bulk, Brad did not need any more encouragement to grind against the man beneath him.
His cock ached behind his button fly's and the friction was not enough, even with Chase pushing up against him. When he went to move his hand from Chase's forearm to undo his shorts, Chase pulled back from the kiss just far enough to speak.
"No," Chase commanded into their kiss and grabbed his wrist before claiming his mouth again.
Now I am the one in control
, Chase thought and wondered how long he should make Brad suffer.
Brad moaned into the kiss and pushed his hips harder into Chase. Never before had he been so turned on just from kissing and his cock was begging for more friction. When Chase moved Brad's hand between them, he did not fight the man.
Chase could almost taste the desperation in Brad as he guided the guy's hand to his rock hard erection.
That's right, you asshat, now who will be made to beg and plead?
When Brad wrapped his hand around his cloth covered cock, Chase couldn't stop his body from jerking into the grasp.
Fuck! It's been too long.
He guided Brad, by his wrist, to stroke him through the thin material of the PT shorts and he could feel him trying to rub himself against Chase's arm.
"Chase… please," Brad begged into their kiss, just like Chase knew he would, and was rewarded by Chase releasing his wrist and grabbing the front of his shorts. He did not stop stroking Chase as he sucked in his stomach for Chase to have better access to his button fly.
Oh please, please
, were the only thoughts in Brad's mind because the sensations were almost overwhelming.
An almost painful groan escaped Brad when Chase freed him from the confinement of his cut-offs and wrapped his callused hand around him. It felt so good that all Brad could do was thrust into that firm grip, a grip that wasn't soft but instead so much like his own. The new sensation, the feeling of roughness only through his cock without the distraction of feeling through his own hand, absorbed Brad so much that when Chase rolled them in the water, Brad barely registered their change in position. When Chase released him, Brad made a noise of protest before he realized that Chase was pulling the band of his own shorts down to free himself. Brad stiffened for a moment at the thought that Chase was going to fuck him.
"Relax," Chase smirked coldly at Brad's sudden fear but could see that Brad didn't think it was funny. "I'm not going to fuck you in the creek."
Brad relaxed a little in Chase's arms as he brushed Brad's hand off his cock. Chase took them both in his hand and leaned down to kiss Brad again. Brad arched into the touch that was blowing his mind. The sensation of feeling something so hard and so smooth creating friction against him was almost more than he could take. He was not going to last long and already panting when Chase whispered into their kiss.
"But, I will fuck you." Chase gave a final twist of his wrist and felt Brad tense under him.
"Fucccck!" Brad threw his head back as Chase continued to milk the orgasm from him. He gave no thought to how sensitive Brad's cock might be but just continued stroking him.
Feeling Brad's toned body beneath him and his hot cum explode over his hand in the cool water just about got Chase there. He was half tempted to roll his high school tormentor over and just take him, pay him back for all the abuse that the man was responsible for putting him through; Chase shook off the temptation and instead gave himself a few more strokes as Brad quivered beneath him. Imagining himself buried hilt deep as that body quivered was enough to send Chase over the edge, his cum joining Brad's in the creek.
Chase rolled off of Brad to sit on the underwater rock, elbows on his knees. Both men were trying to catch their breath and not looking at one another.
Did I really just do that? Jerked off Brad fucking Wilson? Fuck, talk about desperate.
Chase tried to find the anger that was his comfortable companion when it came to thinking of the guy who was beside him coming down from an orgasm. He was too mellow from his own and it just wasn't there.