Snowed In Read Free Page A

had filled the pot and coffee was ready. He filled both cups, then took his outside on the porch; he might as well try to improve his sleep deprived bad mood by having a cup of coffee in peace outside.
    Fifteen minutes later, Nate was feeling half human again, the caffeine doing its job of waking his tired body. The delicious smells of breakfast drifted through the door, and after gulping the last of his coffee, Nate walked back into the kitchen to join his family for breakfast.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    Quinn volunteered to drive the first leg of the trip. He claimed it was his car and he got to choose who drove it. Nobody protested much. Nate guessed they were all happy as long as his grumpy ass wasn’t the one driving. He settled at the front seat next to Quinn, slouching down as he tried to catch up on some sleep.
    Brandon and Faith talked non-stop. They were both excited to move to LA next month, after graduating and both scoring internships with big firms in the city. Brandon was going to Fishburn Architects for a two year paid internship, while Faith was going to work for a big PR company.
    Nate felt like the loser Faith had hinted he was. His brother and his girlfriend were building a life for themselves, studying and working hard, trying to be the best versions of themselves while Nate was content living with his parents and working in a bookstore.
    “So...” Quinn said, glancing at Nate. Brandon and Faith continued to chat behind them, not paying them any attention as they discussed which part of the city would suit their commuting needs best. “We didn’t get to talk a lot last night.”
    Nate’s mom had taken over the conversation the night before, too happy to have all her children back in her house, and asking all sorts of questions. She was determined to find out every single detail she’d missed while they’d been away. Nate noticed that Quinn reflected most of her questions, diverting the conversations back to Brandon and Faith. Nate had just sat there, content to have his thigh brushing Quinn's as everyone else talked over each other.
    “How’s things, Nate?”
    Nate shrugged. “The same as they were when you were here last year, I guess.”
    Quinn's jaw muscle jumped but he didn’t say anything.
    “How about you? How’s your degree going?”
    Quinn was studying graphic design at DePaul University in Chicago. He’d told Nate he was taking longer to graduate because he didn't have a full scholarship and had to work to support himself, so he was taking less classes per semester than most students.
    “Slower than I’d have wanted, but good. If everything goes according to plan I should be graduating next year.” Quinn's knuckles went white as he clutched the steering wheel tighter. Something about his posture, about his voice, bugged Nate. Was he lying? Why would he? As far as Nate knew, Quinn had never lied to him. To any of them, in fact. He was honest to a fault.
    “I’m thinking of applying for some art programmes,” Nate blurted, desperate to show Quinn that he wasn’t the lazy, unmotivated slob everyone thought he was.
    “Really? That’s great.” Quinn looked at him for a second before focusing back on the road, but in that fleeting moment Nate had glimpsed the pride in Quinn's eyes. “Where are you applying?”
    “ Thinking of applying,” Nate corrected him. “There’re lots of good universities that offer full scholarships, but I’m thinking either Chicago or LA.” Nate’s heartbeat sped up and he wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans as he waited for Quinn's reaction. He hadn’t lied, technically. He’d just baited Quinn to see if the idea of Nate moving to Chicago was as appealing to him as it was to Nate.
    Quinn clutched at the wheel even harder. “Go to LA,” Quinn finally said, making Nate’s world crumble. “University of California has one of the best art programmes in the country, as far as I’ve heard. And you’ll be close to Brandon and