The Winter Quarters by Anna Veriani

Author:Anna Veriani [Veriani, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64405-693-6
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2019-06-18T16:00:00+00:00

HIRO ate another plate of beef and then headed out early. There was something about having watched Ryohei flirt shamelessly with Kai, then seeing James Duffy with his arm around Kai on TV, that ruined his mood. He endured all the necessary teasing about him and Kai being the grumpy old dogs who left early, and then he slipped on his shoes and coat and left.

He’d heard of musicians who had trouble listening to their own music, and even actors who didn’t watch their own movies, but was it really normal to seem as pained as Kai had? To almost run from a room when you saw yourself on a screen?

Hiro headed back to the Winter Quarters to change into clothes that didn’t reek of residual cigarette smoke from the yakiniku restaurant. If Kai was there, he would slip out again and let Kai clear his head.

The room was empty when he got back. He pulled off his sweater and pulled a fresh one over his head. The garden light was on. Hiro stepped toward the doors, looking for Kai.

“I have a favor to ask you.”

Obaachan’s voice stopped him. For a confused moment he thought she was behind him, but then he heard Kai, too, from the garden.

“What’s that?” Kai said.

“I still haven’t told my family about Ya-chan.” Obaachan and Kai were sitting on a stone bench, their backs facing Hiro. She looked extra small, wrapped in several thick blankets, while Kai tilted his head upward, letting the snow melt onto his cheeks.

Hiro froze, rooted to the spot.

“You want help telling them?” Kai asked.

“I want her to be here when I tell them. We need to see each other, but I can’t make the trip all the way north, and Ya-chan can’t drive so far south in the winter.”

Hiro wracked his brain. The only Ya he could think of whom both Kai and Obaachan would know was Tokuda Ya—and she lived far north. But why would Obaachan be referring to the inn’s chosen rice supplier in such a familiar way, using the honorific chan?

“I’ll find a way to bring her here,” Kai said. “I’ll make sure it happens before I go.”

Obaachan reached out and rubbed his arm. “Thank you, Kai. Have you told Hiro about it?”

“No,” Kai said. “It’s your secret to share.”

Secret? That Kai knew about Hiro’s grandmother and Hiro didn’t?

“You’re wise beyond your years, Kai. I appreciate you keeping some things to yourself until I’m more comfortable sharing.”

Kai bowed his head to her.

Hiro had no idea what was going on, but this obviously wasn’t a conversation he was supposed to hear. He stepped back, intending to retreat and ask both of them about it later, when Obaachan said, “Now. Are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Why did I find you here standing alone in the snow?”

Hiro frowned. Obaachan shouldn’t have to be out in the cold comforting Kai—that was Hiro’s job. He’d thought Kai would need to be alone, but clearly he was wrong. He slid open the door, but neither Kai nor Obaachan turned, apparently not hearing him.

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.