The Bonds Within
Page 1
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Take a Chance
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
Thank you
About the Author
Coming Soon
Books by Megs Pritchard
Contact Information
Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Take a Chance
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
Thank you
About the Author
Coming Soon
Books by Megs Pritchard
Contact Information
The Bonds Within
Book Three in the Second Chances series
By
Megs Pritchard
Dedication
To all the people who gave me a glimpse into their lives living on the streets - thank you.
To my amazing, beautiful and crazy boys. I love you
The Bonds Within
Book Three in the Second Chances series
Copyright © 2017 Megs Pritchard
www.megspritchardauthor.com
Edited by Jessica McKenna - www.liteditor.com
Cover art © Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art - www.simplydefinedart.com
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods. It is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot legally be loaned or given to others. For permission requests, write to the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblances to the actual person, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
WARNING
This book contains explicit M/M sexual scenes and strong language. It is intended for mature, adult audiences only. Please be aware that this book discusses prostitution and there are elements that some people made find upsetting.
Chapter One
Matt Williams walked up the pathway, sighing as he neared the front door. He was finally home after a long day at University, and he needed a drink. He was in his first year, and even though the course was intense, he loved it.
The day had been beautiful and warm, and Matt had spent some time with his friends enjoying it. It had been the first really nice day of the year. After a hard day, Matt had needed to unwind.
Staring at the front door, Matt smiled. He'd lived here for over three years with Sebastian Banks, Tom Carter and Luke Bell. Seb and Tom were partners and had met three years ago. Tom had been homeless for four years when Seb saw Tom selling himself one night. Seb had pursued Tom, refusing to let him continue to live that life. In the process, they had fallen in love.
It was while Tom was living on the streets that he had met Matt, Luke and Ben and their friendship had formed.
When a friend of theirs, Adam, had been murdered and Ben had attempted suicide, Seb had Matt and Luke move in with him and Tom.
Now, Matt was about to finish his first year at University. He had great friends and a roof over his head. Ben had recovered from his suicide attempt and was in a stable relationship with an older man, Geoff Foster, who clearly worshipped him.
Matt could admit he was envious. Both Seb and Geoff had accepted Tom and Ben's pasts. What he wouldn't give to feel that secure in his relationship.
"How the fuck would you know?"
Matt paused at the front door, key hovering over the lock. Fuck, Josh was here. He could hear Seb speaking to him, but it was a faint murmur.
Stepping back away from the door, Matt clutched the key in his hand, the edge digging into the flesh of his palm as he rolled his shoulders. He bit his lip, rocking in place, arm dropping to his side. He didn't want to go in when there was quite clearly an argument between Seb and Josh occurring.
They were brothers and brothers argued, but not like these two. It had been going on now for three years since Josh had found out about Seb's relationship with Tom.
Tom had been Josh's childhood friend, and when he had been forced to tell his parents he was gay, his parents had kicked him out with only the clothes on his back. Tom had gone to Josh's house, but Josh had hidden away while his parents refused to help Tom. Seb had been at University, so hadn't known any of this happened until after Tom left.
A loud crash from inside caused Matt to jump and then wince. The argument sounded like it was getting worse between Seb and Josh. He didn't want to go in while they were arguing, his chest going tight at the thought of what was occurring on the other side of the door. Sighing, he looked at the front door. He needed to go in. This was his home.
Taking a deep breath, Matt pushed the key into the lock and turned it, opening the door, and pausing before pushing it fully open.
The tension in the air hit Matt like he'd run into a brick wall. He closed the door gently behind him and quietly walked past the living room where Seb and Josh were and into the kitchen.
When he saw Tom, Matt stopped at the threshold. He was leaning against the counter, staring down at it. Tom's hair looked dishevelled as if he had run his hands through it multiple times, and Matt could almost see the tension vibrating in him.
"Hey," Matt muttered.
Tom glanced over at him and gave him a closed-lipped smile. "Hi."
"How long..." Matt trailed off.
Tom glanced at the clock. "About ten minutes now. Josh will be storming out soon."
Dropping his bag to the floor, Matt asked, "What caused it this time?"
"The parents," Tom told him in a flat tone.
Matt sighed, shaking his head. "It's been three years now. Why can't they let it go?"
Tom shrugged, turning his blue eyes on Matt. "Well, I'm the spawn of the Devil who is leading their beloved Angel astray. Forcing him to do what I want against his will. I've brainwashed him."
Matt's eyes widened, and he gasped. What the fuck? "Really? Is that what they're saying now?"
Tom shrugged again. "I think it's an old one. They're recycl
ing them now. Probably ran out of fresh ones to use."
They looked at each other as a door slammed shut and a minute later Seb walked into the kitchen, showing signs of strain on his face. His lips were flattened, his shoulders slumped, and he was rubbing his hands across his face.
Matt glanced between the two of them and realised they needed to be alone. "I'll head on up. Is Luke in?"
Tom nodded but didn't look away from Seb, and as Matt left the kitchen, picking his bag up off the floor, he glanced over his shoulder to see Tom wrap his arms around Seb.
Walking upstairs, Matt opened the door to his room and stepped inside. Walking towards his bed, Matt dropped his bag on the floor, falling face first onto his bed with a heavy sigh. He breathed in deeply trying to release the tension that his muscles still held. He hated coming home after Josh had been here. It was like there was a taint in the air after he'd left.
He turned his head to the side and looked at his room, reliving his past. Those years spent on the streets with Luke, and then Tom. Matt wasn't sure how long they'd have lasted if it wasn't for Tom and now Seb.
Tom had never been able to finish high school, but was now in the process of finishing his A-Levels, and Matt and Luke were in their first year at University, as was Ben.
Matt was now studying Modern Language and Business and Management and was enjoying the course. He'd never thought he'd be in the position to go to University, so even though the work was intense, he never complained. He was happy that he had the chance.
Rolling onto his back, Matt stared up at the ceiling. He'd redecorated the room when he'd moved in. Originally there had been an awful woodchip wallpaper on the walls and a grey carpet, well, Matt assumed it was grey as it was that mangy-looking, he'd hadn't walked barefoot on it. Now he had pale blue walls and a dark blue carpet. The cooler colours suited him and had a calming effect on him.
Hearing his phone beeped, Matt pulled it from his pocket and looked at the screen. He had a picture message from Ben. He opened the message and coughed out a laugh when it showed Ben holding up a pair of handcuffs while pulling a funny face. And was that a swing behind him?
Matt shook his head. He'd been surprised when Ben had told him what he and Geoff got up to when they had sex, but Matt had never seen Ben as happy as he was now. The BDSM lifestyle clearly agreed with him. Ben was so obviously happy, and you only had to see the two together to see how in love they were.
Throwing the phone on his bed, Matt stood, stretched, then left his room and knocked on Luke's door, entering before hearing Luke speak.
"Hey," he said when saw Luke sat at his desk.
"I take it Josh has left now?" Luke asked as he glanced up from the textbook he was busy highlighting.
"Yeah. Sounded like a good one too."
"Yep, it was. I came straight up here as soon as he stormed in. I know he's Seb's brother, but he's a twat. The way he treats Seb and speaks to Tom. I don't know why Seb keeps trying."
Matt sighed. "It's like you said, isn't it? Josh is his brother."
Frowning, Luke stared at him. "So what? Does he think that gives him the right to be the way he is? To say the shit he does? You should be here when he really goes off on one. I've even had Tom sat in here with me, and we've been able to hear every single word Josh has screamed at Seb. It hurts Seb. You should see his face after Josh has left."
Matt sat on Luke's bed, glancing around Luke's room as he spoke. He knew Josh said some painful things to Seb, and he knew a lot of it stemmed from their parents and Josh's upbringing. But Josh was an adult now and responsible for his own actions.
Luke stood and marked a date on the calendar that was above his desk, mumbling to himself. Matt glanced around the room again. It always surprised him that Luke's room was white and that the only colour was the carpet and bedding. He'd hung posters on the walls, but in essence, the room was white. He'd once asked Luke why, and he had said that it reminded him of something pure. That the colour white was pure.
Matt wasn't sure if he liked that answer. Luke had survived and was building a better future for himself. He wasn't filthy.
"You going out later?" Luke asked.
Matt shrugged. "Not sure yet. I haven't made any plans. You?"
"Nah. I need to complete this assignment." Luke was studying English Literature at Uni.
"I should too, but I'm not in the mood for it now. When I heard them arguing from outside, I wasn't even sure I was gonna come in," Matt admitted, watching Luke sit back down.
Luke nodded. "I don't know how Tom manages to walk away when Josh starts."
"I think that's down to Seb. The Tom we knew on the streets would have probably waded in and caused more problems, but Seb's helped to calm him down, and I think he knows where he stands."
Luke smiled, glancing over his shoulder at Matt. "Well, if he didn't, Seb needs to do more convincing!"
Matt grimaced. "Er, no he doesn't. I don't need to hear them at it any more than I do already. It's almost like listening to your parents going at it. No thanks!"
Luke burst out laughing. "It's not that bad."
"That's 'cause your room is across the hall. Mine is next door. Trust me. I've heard enough."
Luke carried on laughing as he went back to his books. Matt stood and left his room muttering 'seeya' as he went.
Back in his room, Matt picked up his phone and noticed he'd received a message. When he saw who it was from, he closed his eyes. His mouth went dry, and he tried to swallow as the adrenaline surged through his body. He was breathless. He couldn't wait to see him, but... Was now the right time? He bit his bottom lip, his foot tapping out some imaginary beat. He squeezed the phone in his hand, the corner digging in as he paced his room. He shook his arms out, trying to calm down.
He wanted to drop everything and run to him, but he paused. Now? With everything going on?
His phone beeped again, and he read the new message, rubbing his clammy hand on his pants. Six months he'd been seeing him, and still, no one knew. He wanted to shout it out to everyone that he was in love, but he couldn't. He had to keep the relationship hidden. Keep everyone in the dark, and the longer the relationship went on for, the worse Matt felt. The heaviness in his chest grew, but the excitement at seeing him always kept Matt going back.
Sending a reply, Matt quickly showered and changed into clean clothes before packing an overnight bag, which contained his work clothes, grabbed his backpack, then left.
As Matt sat at the bus stop, waiting for the bus to arrive, he again thought about what he was doing. No one would understand, but he didn't need them to. He couldn't walk away. He had to see him.
His foot bounced, and he chewed his thumbnail, eager to be there with him. He hadn't seen him in over a week and missed him. He worked harder and studied for longer to pass the time away. Anything to keep busy and his mind off him.
Once on the bus, the journey didn't take long, and when Matt saw the bus approach his stop, he stood. Once it stopped, Matt got off the bus and walked towards the apartment block, breathing deeply to calm himself. He discretely adjusted his erection, already hard with the knowledge of what was to come.
At the apartment block entrance, Matt paused, finger hovering over the button. Breathing deeply, he pressed it and immediately buzzed in. Once he stood outside the apartment, he paused again, and with a final deep breath in, knocked on the door.
He looked up when it opened and stared at the man stood in front of him. Matt waited until he stepped back, allowing him to enter. Once he'd walked in, Matt heard the front door close behind him. Matt looked up into his face as he was pushed back against the wall. He watched as those plump lips descended on his and Matt closed his eyes, moaning when he felt his tongue slide across Matt's lips.
He opened his mouth, moaning again as their tongues touched and stroked together. A hand tunnelled into his hair, pulling his head further back so the tongue in his mouth could move more forcefully. The other hand rubbed his dick through his jeans, and Matt
groaned, arching his hips to gain more friction.
Then the mouth and hands were gone, and in a daze, he blinked up at the man stood in front of him.
"Josh," he murmured.
Chapter Two
Matt watched Josh walk into the living room, and he followed, seeing Josh drop onto the sofa.
"Why did you come over, Josh?"
Josh's eyes snapped to his, glaring at him. Matt took an involuntary step back, and then cursed to himself. Josh would never hurt him, but being on the streets had taught Matt to be wary.
"Fuckin' parents. Seb this and Seb that. Nothing I do is ever gonna be good enough, is it? Oh, Josh, can't you do anything? Can't you keep a job? Why don't you go to church with us? We need to pray for you, for guidance in your life. We need to save Seb's eternal soul, blah, blah, blah. But all I have to do is ask, and they'll throw money my way. Some fuckin' guidance that is. I mean, they're only my parents, right? Not like they give a shit about me."
"You could always go back to Uni."
"Why the fuck would I want to do that? I can do what I want now. I don't have to answer to anyone. Just remain the fuck up and disappointment that I am to them." Josh snorted. "I'll never be as good as Seb. The fuckin' golden boy, so why the fuck should I bother? I like my life the way it is."
"Do you, Josh?" Matt asked him. How could he like living the way he did? He always seemed angry, his face pulled in strained lines, eyes always narrowed when he looked at people. Matt had only ever seen him looking totally relaxed when they had sex or when Josh was sleeping.
Josh stood and walked over to Matt, pushing him up against the living room wall. Matt reached up and spread his hands across Josh's chest. "What do you want, Josh?"
"What I always want from you." Josh smirked, looking over Matt's clothed body. "Gonna say no to me?"
Matt closed his eyes. Why did he love Josh when he treated him like this? He knew the answer to that question. It was for the times when he didn't. For the times when Josh looked at him like he was the most important person in the world.