Page 32 of The Shots You Take

“It’s aboutyoubeing happy, love.”

Tom emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with a water pitcher, glasses, and a bowl of something. “Hi, Riley. I can make coffee if you like.”

“No, water is great, thanks.”

Tom placed the tray on the coffee table, then poured water into a glass. “Rough day?”

“Weird day.” Riley decided to start with the easiest thing to explain. “The shop is mine now. Or it will be once I sign some paperwork. Feels strange.”

“Oh,” Darren said sympathetically, “that’s huge. Are you okay with it?”

Riley shrugged. “Guess I knew it was coming, or at least that I’d be in charge of it. Still. Dad kind ofwasthe shop, y’know?”

“He was a big part of it,” Tom agreed, “and I know I’m from away, but to me you’re just as big a part of it.”

“He’s right,” Darren agreed quickly. “Avery River loves you.”

“Not like him, though. Dad always had time for everyone, and he was friends with everyone. I’ve never been great at talking to people. Hard work I can do, but the rest of it…”

“Like what? The hockey stuff?” Darren asked. “I’m pretty sure you know hockey stuff.”

Riley smiled a little. He was, in his opinion, a pretty uninspiring hockey coach, and he never had anything to say at any meetings for the local hockey association. He hated organizing fundraisers or participating in them. Dad would throw himself into local events and festivals year-round. He’d been the kind of guy who made a great Santa at the annual Avery River Christmas skate, or who was never uncomfortable visiting people in the hospital or a nursing home. He’d loved people, and he’d loved his town.

“All of it, really,” Riley said. “I just want to be good enough to be his son.”

Darren and Tom made identical noises of protest, then Darren said, “You’re more than good enough. Everyone knew how proud he was of you. You know how we knew? Because he never fucking shut up about it.”

Riley laughed, but his eyes were wet. “Yeah. I know.”

“He was proud of your hockey career, he was proud of you for being strong enough to quit, he was proud of the work you did at the store. Fuck, Riley, he was proud of you when you came out. Do you know how awesome that is? Your dad is the reason they fly a Pride flag outside the rink now. That was not a man who wished his son could bemore, you know what I’m saying?”

Riley nodded, then a sob escaped him. “I miss him.”

Darren wrapped his arms around him, then Tom was somehow behind him with a hand on his shoulder. They let him cry, and when he was done, Tom handed him his water.

“Thanks,” Riley said. He took a sip. “I’m so tired of crying.”

“Do you want to hear some gossip from Halifax?” Darren asked.

“God, please. Yes.”

They talked for over an hour, the air soon filling with laughter instead of sobbing. Riley listened to outrageous stories about people he barely knew, or didn’t know at all, and munched on spiced almonds. The dogs had tired themselves out, and Tom had let them in so they could rest in front of the fire. Tom and Darren ate bowls of cassoulet from their laps and drank wine because they knew it wouldn’t bother Riley if they did. Riley loved that about them, how they didn’t treat him like he was broken. Everything was just matter-of-fact: Riley didn’t drink because he chose not to, he took antidepressants because he needed them, and he didn’t talk much because that was justwho he was. He didn’t need to be fixed, and no one needed to be careful with him.

Maybe it was the coziness of a moment, and the safety Riley felt, that made him say, “There’s something else going on. Maybe I should talk about it.”

Darren leaned in, all ears. “Of course. Anything.”

God, Darren was going to love this. But how could Riley talk about Adam without outing him?

Carefully, he supposed.

“There’s this…guy.”

Darren pressed his fingertips to his lips in excitement.

“Calm down,” Riley said. “This isn’t that kind of story. It’s just…someone I haven’t seen in a long time has been in town this week, for the funeral, and I don’t know how to feel about it.”

Tom nodded, but his brow was pinched. Darren said, “We may need a tiny bit more information, love.”

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