Page 105 of The Shots You Take

“Come on.”

“Do you want to know which theme nights to go to when you’re back in Toronto or something?”

“Sure, okay. Which ones should I go to?”

“Whichever ones you want. Depends on what you’re into, and how you self-identify.”

Adam was quiet another moment, then said, “Which ones do you go to?”

“I rarely get the chance. I went to a cowboy-themed night once in Montreal, and I’ve been to a few jock nights.”

“Is that jock as in…”

“Both. Sporty dudes and dudes wearing jocks. Mostly sporty dudes wearing jocks.”

“Did you wear a jock?”

Riley smiled at the windshield. “Maybe.”

“Fuck,” Adam muttered. “Wish I’d seen that.”

“I was wearing pants over it. I’m not that bold.”

“Still…”

Riley slowed the truck and pulled into his driveway.

“Do you still own a jock?” Adam asked as he exited the truck.

“Maybe,” Riley said again, then closed the driver side door behind him. The noise echoed in the quiet night.

“I haven’t actually been to a gay bar yet,” Adam said.

“No?”

“I almost went once. A few months ago—holy shit. Look at the stars.”

The night was chilly but clear, and the moon was still a sliver; ideal conditions for stargazing. Riley walked up behind Adam and wrapped his arms around him. “You’d do well in a gay bar. You’d turn every head.”

Adam tilted his head back. “You think?”

“I know.” He kissed Adam’s hair. “You’d have your pick.”

Adam tilted his head, and Riley accepted the invitation to kiss his neck. Adam squirmed happily in his arms, then said, “I’d like to go to one with you.”

Riley didn’t think he’d like watching Adam pick up othermen, and he was scared to hope that wasn’t what Adam meant. He kissed behind Adam’s ear and waited for more information.

“They could all watch me leave with you,” Adam said.

Riley’s heart sped up. “Yeah?”

Adam turned in Riley’s arms. “No one else would even come close.” They kissed, slowly this time, not like the fevered kisses in the storage room. This was careful and quiet, as if they might disturb the silent beauty around them if they rushed. It was, Riley thought, possibly the most romantic moment of his life.

But the nightwasvery cold, so after a few more minutes, they went inside. Lucky greeted them enthusiastically as they removed their shoes and coats.

“Hey, buddy,” Adam said as he scratched Lucky’s ears. “I know you were worried, but I think the banquet went okay.”

“I think the town might elect Shep mayor,” Riley added.

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