Chapter 95
Chad stayed with his parents for another two days, and he was relieved when they didn’t try to talk him out of going back with Peter.
“So what are you going to do, if you don’t work for Tank Security?” his mother asked as they sat down for breakfast on the day he was going back. Chad shrugged.
“I don’t know. I’ll find something I guess.”
“Well, I’m not going to say I like him, but you know him better than I do. I trust you to do the right thing,” his father said.
“Thanks, Dad.” Chad knew what his dad thought the right thing was, and he was grateful that he didn’t state it outright.
After they finished eating, his mom drove him to the airport while his dad went to his cardiac health exercise group. While they were in the car, his mother got really quiet.
“Do you think he’ll do what he promised?” she asked. She sounded worried.
“I think so. He’s not the kind of guy who goes back on his word.”
“And will that make things right between you?”
Chad looked out the window, wondering how to answer.
Peter had a history of violence that probably should have sent Chad running, but that wasn’t the Peter Chad knew.
The Peter Chad had fallen in love with—and he was in love, despite never having said the words—was controlled, calm, and he made Chad feel safe and anchored.
Chad had always felt like he was drifting aimlessly, and while the military had given him a sense of purpose and belonging, that paled in comparison to how grounded Peter made him feel.
“I think I’m just going to have to accept Peter’s past, and trust what he says about the future.”
“As long as you’re happy. It’s fine if you want to make it work, but if you’re sitting in that big penthouse of his six months from now, miserable, then I want you to come home. Deal?”
Chad nodded. “I’ll agree to that.”
His mother relaxed, her hands sliding down the wheel as she pressed back into the seat. “Good.”
***