Chapter 24

Neither see the two large bucks in the distance. The creatures stand side by side and view the humans kissing. When the kiss ends, the male deer simply turn around and run deep into the woods as if at play, perhaps also carrying out homosexual tendencies.

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Once the men return from their hike in the woods, both realize they are chilled to their bones. Tucker insists they take their snowy boots, ice-clad gloves, and chilled jackets off on the Micmac rug at the door; Kye and Brand obey. Following this mutual act, the two men rush upstairs to change their cold and damp clothes, sealing their semi-frozen bodies off from the rest of the world by closing the spare bedroom’s door behind them.