Read Driven Snow for Free Online

gate and walked up the flower-lined path to the porch.
    She cocked her head at him as he stood at the edge of the top step. “Well, good. He needs more nice friends. I’ll bet you’re a smart friend too.”
    What did he say to that?
    “I’m Eudora Wishus.” She stuck out her hand, and he took it gladly. Her skin felt as thin as tissue, but warm, and her grip let him know she was no frail flower. “Riley lives upstairs. Just go through the front door and straight up the stairs. My apartment is on the left as you go in. Drop by anytime.”
    He had to smile. “Thank you, ma’am.”
    “Just call me Eudora.”
    “I’m Snow. Snowden Reynaldi.”
    “Of course you are.”
    He didn’t know what to say to that either, so he smiled and walked into the house. As promised, there was a door on his left. Brilliant blue, it featured a picture of a cat with its leg extended saying “Talk to the paw,” and a brass knocker shaped like a bird. The stairs stretched ahead of him, and he climbed briskly. Somehow Mrs. Wishus had sucked some of the fear out of him. If Riley lived in a house with such a charming character, he couldn’t be that scary. Maybe Snow should sit down and ask her why he felt this stupid responsibility for a guy who only cared about stupid football. Oh well. He trudged up the stairs. Still, when he got to the door at the top, his hand paused in midair while he sucked in some oxygen.
    The door flew open, and Snow staggered backward toward the staircase. He took a step, and it landed on air. Oh no. His arms flailed. A big hand grabbed his arm and pulled him forward, which succeeded in lifting him off his feet. He flew, slammed into Riley’s body, and got wrapped in his arms—which mostly made him think about being hurled through the air by Rog at the frat party. That just made him mad again.
    Gasping for breath because he’d hit Riley’s chest with full force, he gazed up into golden eyes that crinkled at the corners as Riley smiled. “Hi. Glad you found me.” Then he laughed, which vibrated Snow in places that really needed the attention but could be very embarrassing if they decided to respond at this moment. He wriggled a little to get his groin out of contact with Riley’s thighs. “Put me down, please.”
    Riley’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, sorry.” Slowly, he put Snow down.
    Did he notice anything? Damn. Snow hung the backpack in front of his crotch. “Hello.” Best defense is a good offense. “We’d best get started.” He walked briskly into the big, bright room full of comfy-looking, if a little worn, furniture.
    “Oh, sure. Sure.”
    Snow stopped. The room was even kind of neat. “What a nice place.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Why don’t you live in your fraternity house? Aren’t you the king of the Zetas?” Snow frowned when he said it.
    A little cloud floated over Riley’s face. “No. I like having my own place.”
    “Oh. Can I ask why?”
    “I don’t really feel at home at the frat house.”
    Words spilled out before he could grab them. “Seemed to me you fit right in.” Snow sucked in his breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to be as mean as your fraternity brothers.”
    “I deserve it. I should have told them they were wrong. Sometimes peer pressure sucks.”
    “At least you kept them from killing us. That’s something, I guess.”
    “Honestly, a lot of them are good guys. Roget has issues. He’s kind of pretty, you know? And he got taken for gay a lot when he was a kid. In his neighborhood, it’s more than hard to be gay. So he takes it out on the world. I really am sorry. I’ll report him to the administration if you want me to.”
    Snow felt his lips tighten. “It’s hard to be gay in any neighborhood.”
    “I can imagine.”
    “No, you can’t.”
    “But you told the coach you’d tutor me anyway, and I’m so grateful.” He cracked a half smile. “I really am sorry. For their behavior and my own.”
    Snow crossed his arms and hugged himself. He needed it.