Page 41 of The Shots You Take

Riley stared at him. “It’s onlyThursday.”

“I’m aware.”

“You—” Riley let out an exasperated whoosh of air, then walked to the counter.

“I don’t know why this is such a big deal,” Adam called after him.

“You’re right. Everything about it is super normal.”

Adam walked over to him, leaving a few feet of space betweenthem. “Listen, I’m retired, and I’m divorced, and I thought maybe I could be useful here. So if you think me sticking around might make things less shitty for you, I’m happy to stay.” He smiled. “Feel free to tell me I’m an egomaniac, though.”

“You’re an egomaniac,” Riley said quickly. Then he sighed and added, “But stay if you want, I guess. God knows everyone in town would fucking celebrate it.”

“I’m not staying for them.” It was probably too much. His earnest words seemed to land on the counter between them with a thud.

But he didn’t miss the way Riley’s cheeks went pink. Riley ducked his head, probably to hide it, and said, “Come on. We’re almost done.”

By four o’clock the shop looked perfect. At least Adam thought so; Riley kept finding little things to improve.

“You going to your mom’s?” Adam asked, hoping to remind Riley that there were other things he could be doing other than checking the level of a shelf of energy bars.

“Not today. She and Lindsay are at my uncle’s house in Pictou. There were some things Mom wanted him to have. That’s Uncle Dennis. You may have met him, I can’t remember.” Riley narrowed his eyes at him. “Is your shoulder bothering you?”

“Oh.” Adam’s shoulder was throbbing, but he hadn’t meant for Riley to notice him rubbing it. “A little bit.”

Riley was a hockey player, so he knew that “a little bit” meant “a lot.” His expression darkened. “Why didn’t you tell me? I never would have let you help if I’d known.”

“That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

Riley raked a hand through his hair, clearly distraught.

“It’s okay,” Adam said softly. “It’s not that bad. Really.”

“No,” Riley said. “No, it’s not okay.” He walked to thecounter, then to the door, and then back again. “You shouldn’t be staying at the River Bend.”

“Well,” Adam said, “the Ritz was all booked up.”

“I have a guest room.”

Adam stared at him. “Are you inviting me to stay with you?”

“You fucked your shoulder up helping me, so yeah. I’m offering.” Then he rolled his eyes and added, “Since you insist on sticking around.”

Adam smiled and said, “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

To his surprise, the barest hint of a smile curved Riley’s lips. “Yeah?”

“I’d really like to see your home, Riley.”

“I’ll be busy,” Riley warned him. “I’ve got work and other stuff. This isn’t—it’s just to get you out of that motel, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Doesn’t make sense for you to be uncomfortable when I’ve got an empty room for you.” Riley seemed to be trying to convince himself of this.

“Right. I get it. Thank you.”

Riley took one more look around the store, then exhaled. “Let’s go get you checked out of there.”

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