Breaking Free (Second Chances Book 4)

by Megs Pritchard

  Luke had to be a strong person to endure everything in his life and still be the individual he was. He'd had that chance to escape his life, and he'd taken it with both hands. And now he was at university gaining a degree in a subject he loved.

  So many people on the streets turned to drink and drugs to escape, but Luke hadn't. Even though Luke had said the reason for that was because he had such good friends, it was also a testament to the strength he had.

  Did it bother Krish that Luke had been a prostitute? Yes, it did. And not for the reasons most people would think. Luke should never have been in that position in the first place. He dreaded to think of the things Luke had been forced to do, and had been forced to let other people do to him, to survive. Krish tried not to think about it at all, but sometimes his thoughts would stray to Luke's past. Like, how many men had fucked him or how many blowjobs had he been forced to give?

  Krish gripped the sofa in his hands. Luke had admitted that he'd been a virgin the first time he'd had sex and it had been with the punter. That he cried after that first time and Matt had held him. But he kept on doing it because he had no choice. He hated it. Hated Luke experiencing it and knowing he couldn't change it.

  "Are you okay, son?"

  Krish glanced over at his father where he sat next to him. "Yeah, I am. Why?"

  "The way you're gripping the seat. Do you want to talk about it?"

  "It's not what you think. Nothing bad has happened." Krish glanced around the room, noticing everyone focused on them. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay. I've met someone I like. He's someone from Uni who's on the course I'm TA for."

  "That's fantastic," Annie said, smiling brightly.

  Krish glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. "It's early days. So, we'll just have to wait and see."

  "But he likes you too?"

  "Yes, Mum, he does."

  "You really do like him?"

  Krish glanced over at his dad, frowning. "Yeah, I do. It's not like he's the first boyfriend I've had."

  "No, he's not, but he's the first one you've spoken about like this."

  Krish tilted his head. "Like what?"

  "When you mentioned your previous boyfriends, they were just that--your boyfriends. But when you mentioned this one everything about you was different. He means more to you than your previous ones."

  "Yeah, he does. Is that a problem?"

  His dad leaned forward resting his arms on his knees and twisted his head to stare at Krish. Krish swallowed when he saw the look on his face. It was almost blank. "There are times I wish you weren't gay, Krish."

  "What?" Krish's mouth fell open in surprise. His dad hadn't had any real problems accepting him when he'd first come out, so where was this coming from?

  "I don't have a problem with your sexuality. But I worry about how others will be with you. If you weren't gay and you were in a relationship, everything would be fine. But you are gay and in a new relationship and I worry about how others will react." He twisted in his seat, reaching over and gripping Krish's hand. "I love you, but I dread that one night I'll get that phone call telling me you're in the hospital because some homophobes have taken it upon themselves to teach you a lesson. It scares me, Krish."

  "Oh, Dad, you don't have to worry."

  "You are my son, and no matter how old you are, I'll always worry about you, even more, because you're gay. Yes, times are changing, and people are becoming more accepting, but there is still an element out there who will hate you simply because of who you love, who you want to be with, and I can't protect you. I can't be there for you every second of every day making sure that you're safe. I know you're an adult, but you are my child, and I'm scared."

  Krish shook his head slowly, unable to find the words to reassure his dad. Yes, he was gay, and there would always be someone out there who would hate him for it, but there was nothing he could do about that. He wasn't going to lie about who he was. He wasn't going to keep his sexuality hidden because people would find him more acceptable if they thought he was straight. He had a right to be...him. A right to love who he wanted to love even if that person was the same gender as him.

  "I agree with your father, Krish." Krish glanced over to his mum, Annie, who was walking towards him. She knelt in front of him and placed a hand on his knee. "We love you so much, and we do worry about you. You are our son, and as parents, we would naturally worry, but even now, your sexuality can still cause problems. We will never abandon you because of it. We will always be here for you and be supportive. This man you're seeing, what's he like?"

  "I don't want to tell you about him. There... He's smaller than me, with blond hair and bright blue eyes. He's slim, and he smiles a lot. Strong, so strong. I know when he was in foster care that he didn't have a great time."

  "Were his foster parents nasty to him?"

  "No, Mum, it's not that. He was in foster care with his friend, and they both had to leave."

  "So, where did they go?"

  Krish glanced away, staring into the fireplace. How did he answer the question? Did he tell them the truth, and would they accept Luke once they knew the truth? Would they hate him because they knew he'd been a prostitute, living on the streets? Should he even tell them? Krish rubbed the back of his neck, closing his eyes. He didn't know what to do.

  "It can't be good if you're not answering the question," Deepak muttered.

  Krish opened his eyes and looked over at his dad, swallowing hard. "I'm not sure what to tell you. It should be up to Luke."

  "Just tell us."

  Krish leaned his head back on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. "He ended up on the streets for a couple of years before he found a place to live."

  "On the streets?"

  "Did he do drugs or was he an alcoholic?"

  Of course, his parents wouldn't think about prostitution and rent boys. They didn't think like that.

  "Was he a rent boy?"

  Krish's eyes shot to Aaliyah. How did she know to ask that? Krish opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. He shouldn't be discussing this without Luke.

  "A rent boy? You mean a prostitute, Aaliyah?"

  "Dad, look--"

  "He was a rent boy? He let strangers have sex with him?"

  "He had no choice! He had no other way to survive."

  His dad stood, glaring down at Krish. "No! You will not consort with one of those."

  "But, Dad--"

  "I said no. You are my son, and you will do as you are told. My word is final."

  "No!" Krish shouted, standing up to face him. "You need to listen to me first before you decide. This is my life and my choice. I'm an adult. How many times have you told me to listen before deciding, and yet, you're not doing it, are you?"

  Deepak glared at him, and then nodded. "Go on. Tell me why I should change my mind."

  Krish inhaled deeply, then released it. "His foster father tried to rape him. He left but had nowhere else to go. Yes, he was a rent boy, a prostitute, but Luke was always careful. One of his friends was murdered, another tried to commit suicide. He watched people turn to drugs or become alcoholics, but he didn't. I admire his strength, Dad. And he's genuine. He's nice and caring."

  Annie reached out, placing her hand on Krish's arm. "You really like him, don't you?"

  "Yeah, Mum, I do." Krish sat down and dropped his head into his hands. "I think he's amazing. To have survived so much and still be a great guy."

  "I want to meet him."

  Krish groaned. His dad would bombard Luke with questions.

  "Do that for me, Krish. That's all I ask."

  Lifting his head, Krish nodded. "Okay."

  Krish only had to convince Luke now, and he wasn't sure how Luke would react knowing Krish had told his parents. Yeah, Krish was in trouble.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Luke walked up to the front door of Krish's house, knocked, and waited for someone to answer. He'd been surprised, but happy when Krish had asked him to come over. They hadn't ar
ranged anything.

  Simon answered the door and beckoned Luke inside. "He's upstairs in his room."

  Luke nodded and walked upstairs. When he was outside Krish's bedroom door, he knocked then walked in. "Hey." He smiled seeing Krish lying on his bed.

  "Hi."

  Krish stood up and walked over to him, bending down to kiss him. Luke kicked the door shut behind him and leaned up, threading his fingers through Krish's hair. Pushing his tongue against Krish's lips, Luke moaned when Krish opened them, and Luke's tongue slipped in.

  Pushing them towards the bed, Luke gripped Krish's hair, pulling his head to one side to deepen the kiss.

  "Wait," Krish panted, pulling his lips away.

  Luke loosened his grip, frowning up at Krish. When he noticed Krish was avoiding his eyes and biting his bottom lip, he asked, "What's wrong?"

  "We need to talk."

  Luke paused, stomach rolling. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. "What?" He wasn't sure he wanted to know.

  "I've been stupid."

  "Why? What's happened?" Luke asked, walking them over to the bed and sitting down. He took Krish's hands in his, surprised by how cold they felt.

  "My parents. I told them."

  "Told them what? About us?"

  "Yeah, they want to meet you."

  "Oh, okay. I've never met anybody's parents before."

  "No, you don't understand."

  Luke frowned. So, he was going to meet Krish's parents. He was nervous, his stomach churned and developed a bad case of butterflies, but he'd manage.

  Krish twisted on the bed, so he was facing Luke. "I told them about you."

  Luke swallowed hard, leaning back. Sweat broke out over his skin. What? Krish told them what? "What did you say?"

  "I told them about you being in foster care and that you had to leave. They were asking questions and my Dad... I told them, Luke."

  Luke opened and closed his mouth several times before he managed to whisper, "About my time on the streets?"

  Krish nodded, glancing away. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he muttered.

  Luke stared at their joined hands. How could he betray his trust? Luke snatched his hands free and stood up. He paced the bedroom, continuously running his hand through his hair. Grinding his teeth together, Luke groaned out. "How could you?" His body vibrated, heat flooded through him.

  "They didn't want us to be together, so I explained what happened to you. Please, Luke, I'm sorry."

  Luke stopped pacing and turned to face Krish, who now had his head in his hands.

  "I feel like you've betrayed me. Just when I thought I was leaving that all behind, especially after all that Sarah shit, you tell me this." Luke shook his head, his hands on his hips. "Seeya, Krish."

  Luke walked towards the door, but Krish beat him to it.

  "No, please. You can trust me, I promise."

  "Trust you? How? We've been together a few weeks, and you've told your fucking parents!" Taking several calming, deep breaths, Luke glared at Krish. "Get the fuck out of my way."

  Krish's eyes looked shiny as he shook his head at Luke. "No, Luke. Please, not like this. I know you're angry, but please understand. They don't hate you. I told them you had no choice and you'd turned your life around. They just want to meet you, and talk."

  Luke shook his head. "Move, Krish. I want to go."

  "Luke..."

  Luke shook his head, and eventually, Krish moved out of the way. He ran from the house, not stopping until he was out of breath. When he did eventually stop, he paused, glancing at the area around him. Running a hand through his hair, Luke muttered, "Fuck."

  He liked Krish, but now he felt betrayed. He felt sick, his stomach churning violently, and he bent over breathing through his mouth. A cold sweat broke out over his skin, and he moaned quietly, closing his eyes.

  Fuck! Why now?

  When he eventually felt like he had some control over his stomach, Luke stood up straight and walked slowly home. He couldn't face Krish and sit in his lectures. How could he? Krish had betrayed his trust in him. He shivered as a cold breeze blew past him, and he tightened his coat around him.

  Why? Why? Why?

  First Sarah, now this. Why couldn't his past stay there? Hadn't he suffered enough?

  Eventually reaching home, Luke stopped and stood outside. Maybe he'd made a mistake staying in Manchester. Maybe he should have moved away and only come back for holidays. Sighing, Luke rubbed the back of his neck. Didn't matter now, did it?

  Walking up the path, Luke let himself in and went straight to his bedroom. Throwing his coat on the bed, Luke pulled his phone from his pocket and looked at the screen. Several texts and missed calls showed from Krish.

  Luke dropped face first onto his bed, still holding his phone. He didn't know what to do.

  ❊❊❊

  It had been two weeks since Krish had last spoken to Luke. The day he'd left. He'd barely slept, barely ate. He'd fucked up. Well and truly. He'd even gone to his parents that Sunday and explained everything that had happened. His dad hadn't said anything, but his mum had told him to be patient and to give Luke time.

  What did he expect? He'd betrayed Luke's trust in him. No wonder Luke had left him. After everything he'd been through with Sarah and now this? Krish snorted. Luke would probably never talk to him again, and it ate away at him.

  But they were his family, and he loved him, and he knew his parents were only concerned about him. Hell, even his dad had admitted his fear over Krish's sexuality and his dad had never expressed any concern before.

  Krish had no idea how to win Luke back. He didn't know what to say or do. He'd left numerous messages, but Luke hadn't responded to any. It was wearing him down. He struggled to eat, having to force the food down. He'd lost weight. His jeans were looser.

  Whenever he thought about Luke, which was constantly, his stomach rolled and his chest tightened. He'd been on the verge of tears so many times over how their relationship had ended, yet their relationship had barely begun. But Luke had touched something inside of him.

  Krish had wanted him for so long. Watching and waiting and he'd eventually had him. Luke was everything Krish wanted in a partner.

  His past didn't bother Krish. He saw Luke and only Luke. Luke, who had accepted his submission and had even looked into it, to ensure Krish's safety.

  Yeah, Krish had fucked up. Well and truly.

  ❊❊❊

  "Okay, enough's enough."

  Luke glanced up from where he sat on the sofa, seeing Tom stood next to him. "What?"

  "Don't 'what' me." Tom put his hands on his hips. "What the fuck's going on?"

  Luke glanced away. "Don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled.

  "Don't fucking lie to me." Tom sat down next to Luke and the sofa. "What's wrong?" he asked in a quieter voice.

  Luke slumped back against the sofa, closing his eyes. "It doesn't matter now."

  "Yes, it does. Is it Krish? Haven't mentioned him recently."

  Luke sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I finished with him."

  "Why? It sounded like you liked him."

  "He told his parents about my past." Luke opened his eyes and looked at Tom. "Some bullshit excuse that they were concerned for him."

  Tom shrugged. "Maybe they were."

  Luke's eyebrows shot up. "What? You're defending him?"

  Tom sighed. "Not everyone's parents were like mine. Some are more open-minded. Is he close to them?"

  Luke shrugged. "Seems to be. He sees them often and has mentioned brothers and sisters a few times."

  "Maybe he was telling you the truth then. Maybe he was forced into it. I don't fuckin' know. Mine and Seb's are homophobic cunts. Krish's parents know he's gay, and still love him, right?"

  Luke nodded, frowning. "Yeah, they're close."

  "Tom has a point," Seb said as he walked into the living room. "Look what we've been through the past three years with my parents. Yet Krish's have accepted his sexuality, and they want to
meet you. Maybe they could be genuinely concerned for their son."

  Luke nodded again, watching Seb as he sat down. He could see the sadness in Seb's expression. Even though he and his parents didn't agree with his relationship with Tom, it didn't mean that Seb had stopped loving them.

  Even when Josh had told them about him and Matt, Seb had still tried. It was only recently that he'd stopped and Luke could see how much it hurt him.

  Yes, Seb and Josh's parents were wrong in their treatment of gays, but they were still Seb's parents.

  "I'm sorry," Luke muttered.

  Seb gave him a small, sad smile. "It isn't your fault. I wouldn't change any of the past. I have Tom, and I'm not letting him go."

  "Good," Tom muttered. "Not fuckin' going anywhere. You're stuck with me."

  Luke watched the way they looked at each other and smiled slightly to himself. He wanted that too.

  "Talk to him, Luke. Don't make a mistake you'll regret."

  "Yeah, Luke, don't fuck it up."

  Luke chuckled. Even after three years plus together, he could tell them apart simply by the way they spoke. Yes, Seb didn't swear as much, but occasionally one would slip out.

  "You know, you'll have to watch your language when you're in court," Seb advised Tom.

  Tom snorted. "I'll manage."

  "Maybe we should get a swear box," Luke added, smiling at Tom.

  "Fuck that. I'd be broke!"

  Both Seb and Luke laughed as Tom smiled ruefully. When he stopped, Luke sighed. He didn't know what to do for the best. First Sarah, now Krish. But he did know one thing. Even though they hadn't been together long, Luke missed Krish far more than he ever did Sarah.

  "Talk to him, Luke. Don't fuck it up." Tom stood and placed a hand on Luke's shoulder, squeezing him tight. "You know where we are."

  Luke nodded and watched Seb and Tom leave the living room. Sitting back on the sofa, Luke thought over what they had said to him. Had he overreacted? They'd had sex a couple of times. Luke snorted. Sex aside, they had talked or texted pretty much every day, except for these past two weeks, and he missed him. He'd been on Luke's mind constantly.