With our hands tangled together, I watched my breath puff out in a white cloud as Austin and I strolled side by side through the familiar snow laden garden path.

When we had first stepped outside, freshly showered, a small knot of anger still festered inside me, taking away from my time with Austin. But when he had slipped his hand in mine and given me a breathtaking smile, my shoulders had slumped with the release of said anger.

I had tried. Really, I had. But this young man had pushed his way into my heart, despite my better judgment. I more often than not slept decently well, with little to no nightmares. Instead, dreams of Austin danced in my head.

For lack of better words, I felt warm and gooey on the inside. I didn't love the feeling. No matter what, I would never be a hugely romantic man. It just wasn't me. But I loved the way Austin made me feel. I loved Austin.

Holy shit. I loved Austin.

Joy unlike I've ever felt before suffused my being. I wanted to shout from the rooftops.

A shaking on our connected grasp brought me out of my thoughts.

"Maddox, look! A penny!" Like a kid in a candy shop, Austin was bouncing on his feet.

A surprised chuckle escaped me as Austin stooped down to swipe the penny from the snow.

I heard the whistle before I felt the light wisp of air far too close to comfort. Far too close to Austin for comfort.

"Austin!" Yelling his name, I leaned towards him. Anchoring an arm around his waist and pulling him down to the ground with me, shielding his body with my own.

We hit the ground with a jarring thud. Using my weight, I started us in a roll to get behind a statue for cover.

I could feel Austin shaking in my arms. My body went into protection mode as I ripped my phone out of my pocket and dialed Roland.

"Hey Boss, what can I do f...?"

"Someone is fucking shooting at us!"

"Where?"

"Garden," I ground out before throwing my phone into the snow in lieu of grabbing my gun.