The shrilling of the landline woke Dale first. He struggled to move and then realized Juke was snaked around him. His hand pinned Dale's head to his chest, his steady and calming heartbeat vibrated against his ear, and his shallow breathing warmed Dale’s crown, teasing his hair—the strands moving to the rhythm of his breath. He wanted the noise from the phone to stop so they could lie like this for a little longer, but he knew it was hopeless—he’d felt Juke stir.
As he waited for Juke to free him from his embrace and answer the phone, Dale’s thoughts drifted to their journey to Juke's home. His body was stiff under Dale's hands, wrapped around his waist. Juke had pushed the snowmobile at some crazy speed in his desire to get home.
His mood had been solemn since Jazz passed on their father's message. Juke’s mind was racing, and although he'd unlinked Dale from continuing to see through his e
