Home / LGBTQ+ / A Place To Call Home / Chapter 16 - The Boy From Seven Years Ago

Share

Chapter 16 - The Boy From Seven Years Ago

Author: Addie Bell
last update Last Updated: 2023-05-22 16:14:42

Asher looked up and met Cailen's cerulean eyes.

He smiled shyly at Cailen and he didn't blame him because he knew he was staring but he couldn't pull his eyes from him.

"Hey, Cai," Asher said awkwardly with a small wave.

Cailen really had to pull it together. He knew that but he couldn't believe this was Asher. He couldn't believe this was little scrawny Asher. Asher that begged him to tell on the bullies in school. Asher who cries at Toy Story, every time.

Asher who always made sure to include Cailen at the parties he was invited to. He couldn't believe this was Asher.

"Jesus, what's in the water here?" Cailen joked, trying to cover up his utter shock and possible drool.

All four boys chuckled at Cailen, even Noah who really didn't know him.

"I should have stuck around. I seemed to have missed the puberty bus," Cailen joked, looking down at his s

Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 17 - Unexpected

    "This summer is going to be ace,"Matthewinformed the other four boys while they waited for their food to arrive.They were sat in a local diner that they always used to eat at. Cailensupposed they still ate here. It was only him that used to eat herebefore.They sat in a booth with Matthew, Williamand Noahsquished in on one side and Asherand Cailensitting comfortably on the other. Cailenwas looking around at the diner, seeing it really hadn't changed a bit.It still had the old beat up chairs and tables, the red booths still had rips in them, if not more, but Cailenloved it all the same.It was a piece of home and Cailenwouldn't change it even if he could."Yeah, we'll actually be able to score some beer without begging people to buy it for us,"Noahsaid, grinning at Matthew.Matthewsnorted."Who said you wouldn't have to beg? I want you on

    Last Updated : 2023-05-22
  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 18 - First Sign

    The two boys silently climbed the stairs to William's room together, Cailenflopping on the bed when they got thereand Williamflopping down beside him.William's room looked like any other teenager's room.A bed against the wall in the middle, a desk on the far wall that had his school bag hanging from the office chair there, and a TV on the opposite wall of his bed, facing the bed so he could watch while laying down.There were band posters lining the walls along with school awards and sports medals, most of them being the award for 'most improved' or 'hardest working' because Williamreally wasn't very coordinatedand tended to fall a lot but that didn't stop him from trying."What do you think happened?" Williamasked, finally breaking the silence."I don’t know. She'd tell us if someone died, right?" Cailenasked.Williamnodded."Could be nothing... She really could be

    Last Updated : 2023-05-22
  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 19 - Connection

    When Cailenfirst saw Ashercome out of the bathroom the first day he came back,he was surprised and very pleased with who Asherhad turned into.Now, seeing him nearly naked, jogging into the water,took his breath away.Asherhad a defined chest with a growing sixpackabs, his arms were muscled but nicelytoned and that's all Cailencould see in the faint light the moon offered but that's all he neede-or could handle because he was fairly certain-anymore,and his brain might short-circuit."What are you gonna do about it?" Asherasked, grinning at Cailenas he approached but he wasn't capableof speech right now. "Hmm?" Asherencouraged and frowned when all Cailencould do was stare. "Cai? Are you okay? I didn't hurt you,did I? Cai?""Hm, what? No! No, I'm fine,"Cailensaid quickly but Ashercontinued to frown at him, probabl

    Last Updated : 2023-05-23
  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 20 - Surprise In The Palm Of His Hand

    He saw Asher’s eyes move down to his lips, then back to his eyes.Cailen didn’t know what was happening anymore as he saw Asher’s adam’s apple move as if he was swallowing something.Time seemed to stop when he suddenly felt the tip of Asher’s nose against his. He didn’t even know who moved and he can’t really hear anything anymore other than the pulse in his ears.Cailenfelt like he couldn't breath again, and not only because Ashermight be squishing him, not that he actually minded that, but because of this feeling inside him.It took his breath away, making his stomach flutter and his heart skip and…What was he doing?This was Asher.He shouldn't be feeling this when he looks at Asher.Asherwas his friend, has been since he was thirteen. He shouldn't get that kind of reaction from him.It was one thing to think he was fit when he to

    Last Updated : 2023-05-23
  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 21 - Ticking Time Bomb

    Cailensat on the edge of his childhood bed with his eyes locked on the envelope in his hands.He only stared at it because he didn't know what to do with it. He didn't know why Edenand Deanhad given it to him. He didn't know why he was dwelling on it either.It was just a letter.Supposedly a letter from his biological mother that's he's never even seen before, but still, just a letter.Obviously he should open it, he should read it and try to make sense of it but he couldn't.There was something stopping him. What, he did not know, but there it was inside him, preventing his finger from tearing open the envelope and seeing what was inside.It was just, he's never wondered about his biological mother. Not really. Sure, for a while he wondered why he was dropped off attheorphanage in the first place but he's never actually wondered about what his mother looked like or what kind of person she was.

    Last Updated : 2023-05-23
  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 22 - Getting Caught Up

    "Cailen," Asher's voice came from behind him, soft and concerned.He turned around and looked up the couple inches to meet Asher's eyes. Asher's hand on his wrist tightened as if to reassure that he was in fact, there."Are you sure you want to go? I can tell them you're not feeling well," Asher offered and Cailen really wished he would stop.Something about the way Asher was looking at him, like Cailen looked about ready to break down, made him feel like he was actually about to break down.But he couldn't. Not yet.He had to stay strong and just get through the mall."I'm good, Ash. Really," Cailen said more cheerfully than he felt.Asher continued to look at him, his eyes searching his face for any doubt. Cailen wanted Asher to understand that he was fine, that he didn't need to pretend to be sick or that he didn't need Asher to coddle him and talk about what was on his mind, because he didn't want to talk about whatever was in the letter or the letter in general.He wished the let

    Last Updated : 2023-05-25
  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 23 - Putting Leash

    Itsjust... It was hard and it only got harder as the day went on.Cailenwould catch himself staring at Asher, not even realizing that he was and then Noahwould nudge him or clear his throat and raise his eyebrows at him.Cailencouldn't help it. He knows that forhim, Asherhas always had a special place in his heart, a different place from Williamor Matthewbut he just refused to acknowledge it.He could play off the feeling of adoration when Asherwould rush to help a little old lady carry her groceries to her car as friendship. He could play off the fondness when Asherdidn't understand a dirty joke because he was too innocent as friendship.He could play off all those feelings as friendship and nothing more,but this?This was definitely not friendship.Friends didn't daydream about what their friend’s lips felt like. They didn't daydream about holding their h

    Last Updated : 2023-05-25
  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 24 - Unrestrained

    It went on like this for a while.Cailenwould spend his nights staring at the envelope, too afraid to open it but too curious to just throw it out.He wasn't getting a lot of sleep and Asherwasn't the only one beginning to notice.Everyone was starting to comment on how tired Cailenlooked and asking if he was alright,but Cailenwould just brush it off, making up some excuse about not being used to his bed and they'd move on.Asher, however, wasn't buying it.He would constantly check on Cailen, asking if he needed anything or if he wanted to talk. For the most part,he was pretty subtle about it but sometimes,he would be a bit more direct and ask Cailento open up-if not to him,then justtosomeone so he could get help.Asher's gone as far as begging Cailen, pleading he just wanted to help and that he hated seeing him like this and that he was beginning to worry

    Last Updated : 2023-05-26

Latest chapter

  • A Place To Call Home   Epilogue - A Place To Call Home

    "Hey, hey, it's the superstar, finally making an appearance!" Matthewcalled out when they entered the kitchen.Cailengrinned at this while Williamlooked a bit sheepish. He knew he was never around much and constantly apologized for it, but they all understood and were all proud of their friend."Shut up, I've been busy!" Williamdefended just as the two girls at the counter turned in their stools and gasped.They each climbed their way down from the stools, Aariyahalmost taking a tumble but she caught herself and then they were each latched onto one of William's legs, the older man chuckling."Uncle William!" Maddisonsquealed, squeezing William's leg tight.Williamawkwardly bent down as far as he could without hurting or squishing the small girls, reaching out to rest a hand on each of them."How are two of my favorite girls?" he asked.It was truly adorable how much they each loved

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 119 - Growing Up And The Grown Ups

    Cailenonly had to look over the boy's shoulder to see his brother saunter in, but Ezekieland Ellianahad to turn around and Cailencouldn't say he was exactly surprised by the reaction.Ellianagasped in surprise while Ezekieldarted forward and threw himself at his uncle.Williamchuckled and wrapped Ezekielup in a tight hug, rocking him back and forth slightly before letting go."Uncle William, you made it!" Ezekielsaid happily.It had been a while since Ezekieland Maddisonlast saw him."Papasaid he didn't know if you were coming," Ezekielexplained.William mockscoffed."Of course I will! I wouldn't miss my favorite nephew turning fifteen!" Williamexclaimed.Cailentook a peek over at Ellianato see a look of confusion mixed with awe and nearly lost it. He would never understandthe effect Williamhad on teen

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 118 - Their Daughters

    Both Matthewand Cailenlooked over to where the girls were sitting.It was instinctive now, whether it was your own child saying it or not, when you heard 'Daddy'or ‘Papa’, you look.Maddisonwas standing from her spot and making her way over to where Cailenand Matthewsat, a sheet of paper in her hands."Look, isn't my flower pretty?" she asked holding up the paper to Cailenwhere he saw a simple flower drawn on it.It was pink with big petals and a small green stem and looked like every other flower drawing she'd ever done but Cailenstill nodded along, smiling at his daughter."Yes, it's beautiful, love," Cailensmiled, his arms still bouncing Mishaup and down on his knee."But- But isn't mine beautiful-er?" Aariyahstood in a hurry, rushing over to them and nearly tripping as she held up her own drawing of an almost identical flower.Cailens

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 117 - The Trio

    "Dude, she'll be here soon," Trippsaid, leaning across the island in the kitchen to reach for the bowl of crisps that Cailenhad put out. "Calm down or you'll start getting sweat stains," he added, scrunching up his nose in distaste.Tripp, if possible, had grown up to be even bigger than Ezekiel, though that wasn't much of a surprise with how much taller he's always been than Ezekiel. He still had his blonde hair,though it wasn't quite so golden anymore-more of a dirty blonde, and has acquired glasses over the years.Cailenremembers the first day he had come over with them on, the boy had been mortified but he's grown to love them, claiming the girls were really into the 'nerdy' look these days."And no girl likes sweat stains," Aireneadded from her spot at the island.Airenehad grown up to be quite the beautiful girl, her hair still a fiery red and her green eyes bright and enchanting.Ezekie

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 116 - Their Son’s Parents

    Cailenstopped a ways back, pulling his coat tighter around him as the fall breeze blew and made him shiver.He was always surprised sometimes when he really looked at Ezekieland saw how much he's grown.Up until last year,it seemed as though he had missed the puberty bus until one day,Cailenreally looked at him and noticed he had grown about a foot and was stealing his cologne to wear.It was a bit of a shock that he quickly got over and went out to buy Ezekielhis own cologne along with some shaving supplies since he had noticed the boy had also started growing some scruff.It was something he never had a problem with in the first place because until now, he never had a single hair grow on his face, well aside from his eyebrows and his head, of course.Cailenknew he was going to be one of those teenagers that looked way olderthan they really were just because puberty decided to randomly

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 115 - Missing Birthday Boy

    Maddison rushed over to them, throwing herself into Asher's legs hard enough that her feet left the ground and she was able to crawl into Asher's lap, with his help of course."What do you mean ‘Zekeleft’?" Asherquestioned as he wrapped his arms around his daughterso she wouldn't fall off.She had nestled herself nicely in his lap so her legs dangled over the edge but she was able to look up at them both with her big blue eyes.They adopted Maddison out of the orphanage when she was six years old, soon after Ezekielhad come up to them one day and asked if they were ever going to adopt another child.It was completely random and out oftheblue and had taken them both by surprise so much that they didn't know what to say.They honestly hadn't thought about adopting again, but when Ezekielexplained that he was only wondering because he thought it might be nice to have someone to play w

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 114 - Their House

    Seven years later…"Alright," Cailenheard come from down the hall.It was only a couple steps further so he made the small venture to poke his head around the corner and into the hall to see Asherjust coming up from the basement."The basement isofficially 'Teen-Proof'," Asher said around an exhausted sigh.Cailenfully stepped into the entrance of the hallway, crossing his arms over his chest and waiting for his husband to meet him at the end of the hall and proceeding to follow him into the kitchen.Cailenstill cringed slightly whenever he walked into the kitchen, more so when he had company following him.They were in the middle of renovating the kitchen, the last of the house's renovation, thankfully.When they purchased the house four years ago, they had gotten it pretty cheap because it needed so much work done to it. They just hadn't realized how much work it ne

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 113 - Leaving

    "Yeah, I love you too," Cailensaid with a small smile before hanging up his phone and slipping it into his pocket.He went to turn around but paused as a man in a suit rushed by him, obviously in a hurry.They were at the airport saying goodbye to Noahbefore he got on a flight to Scotlandand apparently,he was not the only one planning a trip that weekend.You could barely move without bumping into someone and Cailenhad to step away into a corner in order to answer his phone because it was so loud.Once the man had passed,Cailencontinued back towards the small group that was gathering outside the gate Noahwas to go through to get to his flight.They were all there, Matthew, Hazel, and of course Aariyah, William, Asherand Ezekiel, all hugging Noahgoodbye before his departure.He had been in the middle of saying goodbye when his phone rang and he excused himself to answer

  • A Place To Call Home   Chapter 112 - Family Night

    Cailen is startled from his sleep by a sudden weight crashing into him and then a wet nose sniffing at his face.He knows who it is instantly and groans, not caring if he wakes Asher up at this point.It's his dog, if Loki is waking Cailen up, then Asher can get woken up as well.Cailen brought his arms up, having to untangle himself from Asher's grasp in order to do so, and shielded his face from the intruding nose.It's not like this has never happened before, but it didn't happen often.Loki was usually pretty good at just sleeping at the foot of their bed, but recently, he's been cuddling up to Ezekiel in his so it was a bit strange.Either way, Loki was waking Cailen up so he started to sit up, just remembering to be gentle in case Asher's arm or leg was in the right position to get squished."Loki, down," Cailen mumbled, his tone firm.Cailen heard a groan come from behind him and knew Asher was now awake.

DMCA.com Protection Status