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The first ti winter break, ive us another chance School had just let out, and Toby invited ht in his shed Of course ere both riding a high of freedo and detailed introduction to the Dread Knight series—in preparation for its sequel, which was at last given a surprise New Year’s Eve release date—I lost , and suddenly ere on the floor of his shed filling the air with the stea bare skin, and deep, searching looks into one another’s eyes It was clear we couldn’t get enough of each other, and no matter what obstacles dared to stand in our way over this winter break, ere going to see each other as ht, I decided we needed a snack and designatedof Cool Ranch Doritos Toby told me was in the pantry That’s where, in just a pair of loose jeans opened at the waist and a sheen of sweat over my exposed skin, I ran into Mr Michaels While we’d both heard so much about one another, we had never until thatof an aard standoff To ensure he didn’t think I was soh I was certain he knew exactly who I was, I extended my hand “Vann” He studieded, but when I left the house and returned across the yard to the shed, I spotted his silhouette in the back atching me

Things have warht, to say the least “Well, you’re gonna have to wait a bit ‘til you see hi a thumb over his shoulder toward the back door, “because that boy is taking all dang evening dollin’ himself up Marly’s out there, too”

“That’s okay,” I say, s inwardly “I can wait”

Indeed, I can wait Thatalmost fell apart

The winter brought us closer together than either of us could have predicted We were inseparable Especially when cold front after cold front blew in through Spruce and everyone donned their jackets I couldn’t help but laugh as I walked around town in short sleeves, amused at what these adorable people here in south Texas call “cold weather” They have no clue But several of those nights when it was too cold to sleep in the shed, I indulged Toby and wrapped us up in a big furry blanket to watchWinona curled up at our side One of those nights, his mother came home from a late shift at Lucille’s and, totally uninvited (but not unwelcomed), she made hot cocoa for us, then cuddled underneath our blanket with us to finish whatever ht there on that couch, and Marlene gave otta take care of my boy no matter what happens He’s so precious, and he’s so sensitive, and … and he’s smitten by you Totally, wholeheartedly, irrevocably smitten”

Those were soht to heart that warht

And I never quite understood what she meant by “take care ofseeht onith her I think she decided I was the right guy for her son and didn’t have to worry about him anymore while I was around And about that fact, she was absolutely right: I was going to do everything in my power to keep him happy

Even if that e annual Holiday Bash

Thankfully, it turned out nothing like the Halloween one The town of Spruce is lucky to see half an inch of snow every ten years, and whenever it does, it’s another h to even be enjoyed Despite the lack of snow, Nadine and herranch in an eruption of holiday-thehts, and ht of the Christe portion of her lawn in fake snow coiant snowman lawn ornaments Everyone in all of Spruce seemed to be invited to the party, too, froe of town, to Coach Strong’s uncle Gary and his right-handwho had a lot of very hilarious stories to tell about everything and everyone, to the recently-out couple of Chad and his fashionista boyfriend Lance, to Reverend Trey Arnold and his husband Cody, to even the whole of Coach Strong’s football teale face there asn’t happy, in love, or oozing with holiday spirit