Snowed In Read Free

until he was lost. Quinn's trademark dark beard was neatly trimmed to a little more than stubble, making the scar on his chin visible. Nate guessed Quinn wasn’t bothered by the old football injury anymore if he let it show under the much neater facial hair.
    “Hi,” Quinn said, his full mouth spreading into a slow smile. “Long time no see.”
    He closed the door behind him and suddenly the room seemed to shrink around them. Quinn’s six-foot-two, broad shouldered frame took a lot of space in any room, but in Nate’s tiny bedroom he looked massive.
    Or maybe it was Nate’s imagination.
    Quinn’s slight frown reminded Nate he still hadn’t said a word.
    “Hi, Quinn,” Nate finally said, willing his body to relax and his mind to stop whirling. “Good to see you.”
    Quinn raised an eyebrow when Nate didn’t move closer. “What? Don’t I get a hug after all this time?”
    Nate’s feet moved on their own accord then, taking him right into Quinn's arms. Nate had to use every willpower reserve left in his body to stop himself from purring.
    Because being in Quinn's arms was heaven.
    Quinn’s scent – the familiar, comforting scent – rose all around Nate, making him instantly relax. He felt foolish for fretting like a schoolgirl just a minute ago. This was Quinn, his Quinn, the guy that had been his friend and confidant throughout his childhood. The guy that Nate’s family had taken in when his mother had died when he was seventeen. The guy that knew everything about Nate and still loved him.
    As Quinn’s arms tightened around Nate and he rested his chin on Nate’s head, Nate’s resolve to admit his feelings grew stronger. They had the type of friendship that would never be ruined, even if Nate’s love was unrequited.
    “How have you been?” Quinn asked, letting go, but not stepping away. They were standing so close their breaths mingled as they spoke.
    “Good.” Nate stared at Quinn, and as his initial shock of seeing him in his room wore off, Nate noticed the dark circles under Quinn’s eyes. Had he lost weight? His face seemed a bit leaner... “How about you?”
    Quinn's eyes flickered away for a second before he replied. “I’m good. Even better now that I’m here.”
    He probably meant the trip they were about to take, but Nate’s heart fluttered at the off chance that Quinn actually meant seeing him.
    Before they could say anything else, Nate’s mom called them down for dinner.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    The next morning everyone was up at 6.30 AM. The kitchen filled with sleepy people, all trying to get to the coffee machine first. Nate hadn’t slept well, even though his mom had shooed everyone to bed straight after dinner. She refused to let them drive for five hours unless they’d all had at least eight hours sleep.
    Nate’d tossed and turned most of the night, the knowledge that Quinn slept a thin wall away making him restless. More than once, he’d entertained the idea of going next door and sneaking under the covers, snuggling into Quinn's warm body. Common sense had prevailed and he’d remained in his room all night, finally falling asleep around 4 AM.
    “Glowering at the coffee machine won’t make it work faster,” Brandon said as he passed by Nate, chewing a piece of bacon and carrying a steaming mug of coffee. Why was he in such a cheerful mood this early, anyway? He probably got laid last night. Repeatedly.
    Nate couldn't say any of that in front of his mom who was busy making breakfast, so he settled for flipping Brandon the bird.
    Quinn looked better this morning. He’d obviously had a good night’s sleep as well, making the circles under his eyes much less pronounced. He sneaked behind Nate, reaching up in the cupboard to get a mug for himself, then placed it next to Nate’s on the counter.
    “You OK?” Quinn asked, crossing one foot over the other as he leaned back on the counter next to Nate.
    Nate grunted in affirmation, glad to see the machine