Snowed In

Snowed In

By

Teodora Kostova

Copyright@ Teodora Kostova 2015

All right reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission of the author. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted without the written permission of the author.

Edited by Kameron Mitchell

Proofread by Vicki Potter

Cover art by Jay Aheer at Simply Defined Art

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. All names, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously.

To Julie, Marte, Marco and Nathan

I’d have never written this book without your encouragement, naughty suggestions and constant support. Love you, guys! xx

Special thanks to Jay Aheer whose gorgeous cover inspired this story; Janie Beaton who is my own personal cheerleader and an amazing friend; Kameron Mitchell who is always there for me whatever stupid idea I come up with; and Vicki Potter who is always ready to help, even on such a short notice. Thank you! xx

PART I

Chapter one

NATE SPLASHED his face with cold water, spattering the tiles behind the sink in the process. He raised his head and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His pale skin was flushed from the hot shower, rivulets of water still rolling down his chest. His cheeks were rosy from the cold water assault just now, and his green eyes were bright and sparkling, staring back at him. Nate smiled as he combed a hand through his dark hair, slicking it back. It was going to stay like this for a few minutes at the most, before it sprang back in every direction, curling around his face. He’d given up trying to tame it a long time ago, ever since Quinn said he liked it and ran his fingers through it every chance he got.

Which wasn’t as often as Nate would have wanted. He hadn’t seen Quinn in a year. They’d spoken on the phone and chatted online a few times, but it was not the same as having Quinn at a touching distance. And Nate really wanted to touch Quinn right now. Just wrap his arms around him and melt into that strong, warm body, feeling his heart settle back into place.

Ever since Quinn had gone to Chicago for college three years ago, Nate had been restless. He knew he had no right to feel that way – Quinn wasn’t his boyfriend. He’d made Nate no promises. He was his brother’s best friend and a permanent feature in their lives ever since Nate could remember. He’d been at their house so much when they were kids that Nate’s mom used to joke she had three children, even though she’d given birth to only two of them.

Nate sighed, shaking his head to get rid of the flood of memories. They weren’t kids anymore. Quinn was gone to fucking Chicago, probably making no plans to return to Denver permanently, and Brandon had already graduated college even though he was just a couple of years older than Nate. He’d made their parents proud, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and following in their dad’s footsteps. Brandon had it all – the classic good looks; the beautiful high-school-sweetheart girlfriend; the brains, determination and ambition to achieve everything he’d dreamt of. He was also the best brother Nate could have hoped for. Nobody but Brandon, who had the patience of a saint, would put up with Nate’s bullshit.

And Nate... Nate had been drifting aimlessly ever since he’d graduated high school two years ago. He was still living with his folks, and found a cosy job in a bookshop a few blocks from the house. His morning commute was a short bike ride, and it paid reasonably well. Considering he didn’t pay rent or any bills – his parents wouldn’t hear of it – he’d managed to save some money, but for what he had no idea. His mom and dad encouraged him to apply for scholarships in prestigious universities with good art programmes. They believed in him and his talent even when it all seemed pretty pointless to Nate.

Yeah, he could draw pretty pictures, so what? Once or twice he’d entertained the idea of finding a college in Chicago just to be close to Quinn, but that had seemed too desperate even to his own love-struck mind.

There was this one thing though... This one thing he really wanted to try.

Animation. Ever since Quinn had shown him how he could transform a couple of his drawings into a short animated film, Nate had been fascinated. Quinn was a creative genius when it came to computers and Nate doubted he’d ever reach his level of knowledge and skill. But seeing the two characters he’d created – Aiden and Sam, who suspiciously looked like Nate and Quinn even if he tried to deny it – come to life inspired him to keep drawing until he had a somewhat complete story. It was a silly project, but it was fun doing something together, just the two of them, especially when Quinn lay in his bed, his laptop propped on his thighs as they worked on the five minute movie, giggling and joking around until Nate fell asleep snuggled close to Quinn.

A shiver ran through Nate and he realized he’d been day dreaming way too long. His skin was still damp but the water dripping from his hair was cold now, and the hot steam from the shower had evaporated, leaving the bathroom chilly. Wrapping a towel around his waist, Nate reached for the handle and opened the door, stepping out into his bedroom.

“Finally,” a female voice said from the direction of the bed. Nate startled, turning so fast he stubbed his toe on the door frame.

“Jesus fuck, Faith!” He yelled, stumbling to the edge of the bed, clutching his toe. “What the hell are you doing here?”

His brother’s girlfriend smiled sweetly at him, completely unperturbed by his outburst. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and turned the page of her magazine.

“Waiting for you.”

“In my bedroom? While I’m in the shower?”

“Oh, relax. I’m not here hoping to score a glance at your dick,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I’m sure it’s pretty and all, but I already have Brandon’s to play with, and it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Nate gaped at her as she winked. He was sure the combination of model looks and dirty mouth was what attracted his brother to Faith, but he really wasn’t amused.

“Can we not talk about my dick?” She opened her mouth to say something, but Nate continued, his voice louder. “Or my
brother’s
dick.”

“You know me too well, Nathan Graves,” she said with a coy smile. “What do you wanna talk about then?”

“What do
you
want to talk about, Faith? You’re the one who snuck in my bedroom like a creepy stalker, so you obviously have something to say.”

Nate let go of his foot, his toe throbbing with a dull ache, but at least he didn’t see stars anymore.

“How about your favorite subject?” She said, waggling her perfectly shaped eyebrows. Nate stood up from the bed and headed to the closet to retrieve some clothes. Talking to Faith wearing nothing but a damp towel was slightly uncomfortable.

“Cockyboys?”

“No, you moron,” Faith said with a loud exhale, sitting up in the bed, her magazine forgotten. “Quinton McCarthy.”

“Please don’t call him Quinton,” Nate said over his shoulder, the name making him wince. “He hates it.”

“Fine. Quinn,” she said, pronouncing the name with unnecessary clarity.

“What about him?” Nate took a pair of boxer shorts, jeans, and a t-shirt and headed back to the bathroom to get dressed.

“Aren’t you excited to see him again after all this time?” Faith asked just as Nate closed the bathroom door.

Fuck yeah, he was excited. He felt as if he wanted to climb out of his skin. And she knew that. Brandon blabbered everything Nate told him, so Faith knew exactly how he felt about Quinn.

Nate shrugged instead of answering as he walked out of the bathroom, fully dressed. He tried to slick his hair back again, but it just flopped down around his face, nearly dry now.

“I know you have a plan,” Faith said, meeting his eyes straight on as he looked sharply at her.

“I don’t...” Nate began, his voice not as confident as he’d hoped to sound. How did she know that? He hadn’t shared his plan with anyone, not even Brandon.

“Don’t even bother denying it, Nathan.” Her face was serious but her eyes softened as she patted the quilt next to her. Nate’s shoulders sagged and he lay on the bed next to her, throwing his arm over his eyes.

“How did you know?”

“I know because I’d have a plan if the man I was lusting after ever since I was fifteen was coming back to town after such a long time.”

Nate didn’t reply. He hoped he wasn’t so transparent to everyone else.

“I know because I haven’t seen you this excited ever since he left, and you’ve been buzzing with energy for the past week.”

“I hate you,” Nate mumbled.

“No, you don’t.” Faith gently removed his arm from his face and made him meet her eyes. “I really hope you get what you hope for this weekend.”

“But?” Nate prompted. The way Faith bit her lower lip and looked away made him realize there’s definitely a but.

“But... Even if you don’t, this weekend needs to be a turning point in your life, Nate. You can’t go on like this.” Her voice was serious but not cruel. Nate’s instinctive reaction was to push her away, yell at her to mind her own business, but he knew she was right, so he said nothing. If he knew Faith at all, she’d have more to say on the matter. “You’re twenty years old, Nate. You still live with your parents, your mom still cooks for you and folds your laundry. You work at a bookstore for a little over minimum wage.”

She paused, letting it all sink in. As if Nate didn't already know all that. If her goal was to spoil his mood and make him doubt himself even more, then she was on the right track.

“Worst of all, you have no desire, no ambition to make anything of yourself.”

Nate turned away. He didn’t want to listen to this anymore. Faith grabbed his shoulder and made him turn back to her. “And you have all the potential, sweet cheeks. You have so much talent, so much life inside you. And yet, all you’ve been doing for the past two years is wallow in self pity.”

“I’m not wallowing...”

“You fucking are!” She said, throwing her hands in the air. She stood, folding her arms in front of her and scowling at him. “This ends this weekend, you hear? Quinn or no Quinn, once we get back you’re going to kick your ass in gear, apply to colleges, and come September, you’ll be out of here, doing something for
yourself
.”

“I can’t afford to go to college,” Nate protested weakly.

“Bullshit!” Faith’s blue eyes were sparkling with rage now, gone was the nonchalant girl he’d found in his bedroom half an hour ago. “How much do you have in your bank account, Nate?” Faith asked triumphantly.

“What, are you a hacker now? Or did you rummage through my stuff for my bank statements?” Nate stood next to the bed, planting his feet right opposite Faith, getting angry himself.

“No, I didn't hack your account. But I have this thing called common sense. You don’t pay rent or bills, you don’t own a car, and you don’t spend too much money on clothes or anything for that matter. Which means you’re probably saving eighty percent of your paycheck every month.”

Nate gaped at her. How much time had she spent thinking about him and his life? Calculating his expenses? How dare she meddle like that when even his family never said a thing?

“I think I’ve heard enough.” Nate glared at Faith, so close to losing his temper. “You should leave.”

“No. I’m not done,” Faith said, glaring right back.

“Did Brandon put you up to this?” Nate asked, not really believing his brother would sic his girlfriend on him instead of having the balls to do it himself.

“No. And he’ll probably be pissed I said all this, but I don't care.” Faith walked around the bed, stopping right in front of Nate, her slight frame overshadowed by Nate’s six-foot-one. She didn't seem intimidated one bit, though, as she tilted her head up to stare him down. “Your family loves you, Nate. And I do, too. We all want to see you happy. The difference is, I don't care if I hurt your feelings along the way, as long as you snap out of it and
do
something.”

Nate’s fight leaked out of him in an instant. He knew all she was saying was true. But he couldn’t find it in himself to do anything about it.

Quinn or no Quinn...

Faith’s words echoed in his head and he had to curtail the urge to slam his hands over his ears and make the echo stop.

Faith put a hand on his forearm and pulled him down on the bed with her. “Do you know how lucky you are?” Nate shook his head. “You have the talent, the means, and the brains to take your pick of the most prestigious colleges in the country.”

Big deal.

What was the point if the person he wanted to share his life with was on the other side of the country, sharing his life with someone else? Nate cringed at the thought of Quinn with someone,
anyone
, who wasn’t him.

“You have a family who adores you and will support any decision you make,” Faith continued, unaware or deliberately ignoring Nate’s discomfort. “Do you know how rare that is? Do you know there are people out there who would kill for this? Who have struggled against everything and everyone their entire lives and yet, managed to make something of themselves?”

“Thanks for making me look like a spoiled, ungrateful loser,” Nate murmured.

Faith cupped his cheek. “You’re not ungrateful or a loser. Maybe a little spoiled.”

Nate snorted. He felt Faith relax next to him and it made the tension in his own body loosen up.

“I know he anchors you,” Faith said gently, making Nate’s eyes widen. “We’re very much alike, Nate. We’re both hot-headed and a little reckless, and very stubborn. Quinn and Brandon are very much alike, too. They’re the unmovable wall we bash against, and the calming presence we need when things get a bit out of control.”

Nate felt his eyes prickle as his mind rushed to show him glimpses of his past; of Quinn talking him down after Nate had lost his temper over something stupid; of laughing so hard together their stomachs hurt after; of Quinn unconsciously raking his fingers through Nate’s hair as they watched a movie on the couch.

“I know you love him, but don’t do this to yourself anymore, Nate.” Faith’s voice dragged him back to the present.  “You’re not fifteen anymore, and Quinn is not the football captain you lust after. We’re all adults. Talk to him.”