Donovan

Watching the girl, I have loved since I was six years old stand beside my family with her bouncy curls hiding underneath her red pom-pom beanie building a snowman brings me so much joy, it feels like it will burst from my chest. Building a snowman is a family tradition that eventually Shorty became part of.

She's changed me in ways I thought could never happen. For the last nine years without Shorty by my side, her absence turned me into a person I didn't recognize. Getting involved with illegal underground fights and sinking my dick in chick after chick without feeling anything for any of them.

Since Shorty's been back, her presence defuses the anger that built up within me, releasing the tension settling in my bones. She brings me to life.

All I want is to be with her, always.

She's all I will ever need.

She's all I ever want.

"Snowball fight!" yells Ash, and in that instant, I notice a whole stack of white round balls in front of him, ready to attack.

Fucker's always ready.

Without warning, the soft wet snow from the fresh fallen flakes connects with my face, showering crystalline fragments that glint in the wintry light. Seconds later Mom and Dad are behind the large pine tree, making a stockpile ready to fight.

Shorty laughs as she runs toward the driveway.

You're not getting away that easy, baby.

Grabbing a handful of snow, I cup it in my hands and shape it into the size of a baseball while dodging Ash's snowballs. Following my eyes to Shorty,

I throw back my arm and release the ball of cold wet snow until it hits her side.

"You butt munch!" she yells and laughs at the same time.

I fucking love her infectious laugh.

"Prepare to lose, my brother!" Ash taunts.

"Oh, yeah? You're going down, motherfucker!" I yell back, trying to find cover.

"Language!" Mom shouts at us.

"Sorry, Mom!" Ash and I simultaneously shout back.

The snowball fight lasts until the sun begins to set. Mom and Dad walk back into the cabin to prepare dinner while Ash decides to take a warm bath after being ambushed by Shorty and me. Eventually, we decide to tag team against the rest of the family.

I tackle Shorty as we both collapse to the ground.

"Ah!" she screeches.

She pulls me off her and lays flat on her back, breathing heavy and trying to catch her breath. Her cheeks are a shade of pink, and her lips are red and plump. The urge to suck her lower lip is calling out to me.

"Hey," I breathe out.

She turns her head sideways, slowing her breathing. "What?" The sun sparkles fitfully as the snow blows into our faces.

"Let's make snow angels."

"Oh yeah? Same rules apply?"

"Yep. The person who can last without getting tired wins."

"And what do we win?" She begins to move her arms and legs, forming an angel.

"If you win, you pick the game to play tonight."

"And if you win?" She turns back to face me.

"If I win, you'll get a snow kiss from me."

"What's a snow kiss?" She giggles so hard her shoulders shake.

"This is a snow kiss!" I lean over her and gently shove snow in her mouth and stare at her until she stops laughing.

Then I make my move. Slowly I lower my lips onto hers and suck her lower lip. She laughs innocently while she wipes the snow off her face.

"Come on. Let's get ready for dinner." I help her off the ground, making our way toward the cabin.