Trailer Trash(71)

Cody laughed and set the tape aside in order to take the second present.

The tape player wasn’t much of a surprise, since Nate had already told him about it, but that didn’t mean he was any less happy to receive it. It was smaller than a boom box, but with a handle and a built-in radio. Not that there were many stations to pick up in Warren, but still.

“I debated a Walkman instead, but this seemed more versatile.”

“It’s fantastic.”

The next gift was a pair of headphones, and the last box held a pair of ski gloves.

“I’ve never been skiing in my life,” Cody said.

Nate laughed. “It’s not like they only keep your hands warm on the slopes, you know.”

Cody pulled one on, thinking how much better his walks to and from the Tomahawk would be now.

“I wanted to get you that leather jacket we talked about, but they were a bit out of my price range.”

“It’s okay. I like the coat I have anyway.” He set the gloves aside and put his hand on Nate’s knee, narrowing the distance between them. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Cody hesitated, feeling like he should say more. So much had happened in such a short amount of time, and he still wasn’t entirely sure what to believe. He was afraid to put too much faith in Nate, but he was pretty damn tired of being alone.

And God, at that moment, he loved Nate with a fierceness that took his breath away. He’d tried for so long to tell himself his feelings were a mistake, but now . . .

“We’ll have to be careful. Maybe it’s okay in other places, but not here. Not in Warren—”

“I know. But it’s only for five months. Once we graduate, we don’t have to spend another minute in this damn town.”

Cody chewed his lip, considering. “But what if—”

“Stop.” Nate leaned forward in his seat, bringing them closer together. Only a few inches kept his lips from Cody’s. He ran his hand up Cody’s arm and over his shoulder to brush his fingers along the curve of his neck. “I feel like this is the only thing I’ve thought about for months. You’re going to ask me if I’m sure, and I’m telling you once and for all: I am. If you don’t feel the same way—”

Cody put his fingers over Nate’s lips, stopping the words. It was hard to speak, but he made himself say, “I do.” Saying it out loud made his chest ache. It made him feel like he’d been given a magical Christmas after all. He found himself grinning, suddenly almost giddy. “I do.”

Nate’s answering smile was the most amazing thing Cody had ever seen. “That’s the only thing that matters to me.”

He pulled Cody forward and kissed him. It felt more natural than before, like Cody had been made for this one simple moment. Forget his mom and Warren and the Grove and everything about the world that seemed to keep him from being happy. Warren had done its worst, and it hadn’t been enough to keep Nate away.

It hadn’t beaten them.

The kiss started out sweet, but quickly grew in urgency. He wanted to undress Nate. To touch every bit of him. To feel Nate touch him back. Before long, there was no more room for thought. There was only the simple joy of pushing Nate down the hall, into the bedroom, onto Cody’s bed. Climbing on top of him, not daring to look into his eyes, because he wasn’t ready yet for what he might see there.

It was easier to let their bodies take over. To let clothes disappear. To burrow under the covers together, making their own heat as the snow fell outside. There was nothing but them pushing closer, sharing breath and space, letting their frantic moans be their only form of communication as their passion grew. They were naked, skin to skin, but Cody was suddenly afraid to ask for more. It was left to Nate to finally take Cody’s hand. To guide it between them. He moaned deep in his throat when Cody’s fingers finally closed around him, and then it was Cody’s turn to moan as Nate returned the favor, and they found a new level of bliss.

Nate used his free hand to grab a handful of Cody’s hair, pulling his head back so he could look into Cody’s eyes as they caressed each other. It may not have been the first time Cody’d had another boy in his bed, but it was the first time it’d felt this intimate. What he’d shared with Dusty had never been so intense, or so terrifying. Nate had stripped him bare in more ways than one, torn him open in some new, exquisite way. The pleasure was overwhelming, the knowledge that Nate was as lost as he was somehow humbling, and Cody tried to hold back. Tried to hold on.

As if there were any chance of succeeding.

Even after it was over, Nate didn’t pull away. He rolled them so he was on top, but he never stopped touching Cody, or kissing him, despite the mess between them. His voice was hushed, his tone reverent and sweet.