After the Snow Melts by Maggie Blackbird

Author:Maggie Blackbird
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, gay, young adult, contemporary, interracial, glbtqia
Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc

Chapter Five: Broken Promises

Bryan held Elliot’s face in his hands. His breathing came too fast. His chest wouldn’t stop swelling.

“I can’t believe...” Elliot’s words rushed from his mouth. “I can’t believe you always felt this way about me.”

“Yeah, I did.” Using his finger, Bryan traced Elliot’s cheekbone. A blizzard was happening outside, but they were snug in the car. If there was anyone to be stranded with, his best buddy was the man to spend a cold night on a mountain.

He leaned his forehead on Elliot’s. “We got until the morning...”

“Yeah, we do.”

“At least we ate.”

“We won’t starve.” Elliot’s lips moved into a broad grin.

“Nope.” The black strands of hair between them urged Bryan to finger Elliot’s hair, something he’d always yearned to do. He rubbed his thumb and index finger between a silky lock.

Still grinning, Elliot followed Bryan’s movement.

“You like this?” Heart almost banging through his chest, Bryan kept touching Elliot’s hair.

“Yeah.” The words came out supple.

“You were never confused? Bummed about what you are?”

“I possess two spirits. Nothing more.” Confidence filled Elliot’s reply, even pride.

That was a rather strange answer. “What d’you mean?”

“Before Canada became Canada, before your people came over here, the Ojibway people who possessed two spirits were honored. But we soon forgot about the special place they hold for our nation. That’s what Rufus told me. Now it’s...” A hint of sadness lurked in Elliot’s dark eyes.

“It’s become how it is for us,” Bryan murmured. “Everyone hating on us.”

Elliot nodded.

“And now the AIDS thing, they’re blaming it on us.”

“That’s a load of crap.” Elliot’s jaw stiffened. “Don’t believe them.”

“But the movie star—”

“It goes to show what Rufus says. We’re special.”

Although Bryan begged to feel relief, a twinge of fear still rattled about in his veins. Fear of what his parents would say, what his buddies would say, what everyone at school would say if they learned the truth. “What’re we gonna do?”

Elliot’s smile returned. “Why’d you send me the cards? Dedicate the song? You already got your answer, man.”

“Yeah... I do.” Something as beautiful as the sun shining down on Bryan during a bright winter day coated his skin.

“When’re we gonna tell everyone?” The richness of Elliot’s irises shone up like a moonless midnight sky with only the stars twinkling.

Bryan stiffened. Huh? Come again? Was Elliot serious? Judging by the big broad grin on his face, he was. “Dude...”

The corners of Elliot’s hooded eyes crinkled. Suspicion lingered in their dark depths. “What?” Even his question reeked of suspicion.

Crazy. The guy was talking social suicide. “You can’t be serious.” Bryan sat up, pushing the blanket aside.

“Why not?” Elliot also sat up and pushed aside the blanket.

Somehow, Bryan had to talk sense into his main man before Elliot told the whole world and turned them into a couple of pariahs. “The rez. You said your people forgot about the two-spirit. How d’you think they’d feel if they knew you dug dudes?” His words came out messy and fast.

“Screw them,” Elliot replied calmly, not the answer Bryan was seeking.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.