Page 86 of The Shots You Take

“I’ll clean up,” Adam offered, already gathering plates from the table. “You three can say goodbye. It was nice seeing you again, Lindsay.”

“What a gentleman,” Mom gushed. She looked at Riley when she said, “An absolute sweetheart.”

He tried to look annoyed, but he knew the color of his cheeks was telling.

Later, the three surviving Tucks gathered next to Dad’s truck. Riley couldn’t believe it would be the last time he’d see it.

“Is there enough gas in it?” he asked stupidly, stalling for time.

“If there isn’t, I know where I can get more,” Lindsay said.

He nodded. “You gonna be okay? Driving.”

“I will. Areyougoing to be okay?”

Riley could only shrug, his throat already growing tight.

Lindsay threw her arms around him. “I love you. Mom loves you. And I think Adam might have some warm feelings about you.”

“Stop.”

“Or maybe he looks at all his former teammates that way.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“Oh, she is not,” Mom said. “Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt.”

“Okay, Dad.”

They all laughed at that, though it was followed by a heavy silence. Mom and Lindsay had always used humor to defuse big emotions. Dad had always expressed them openly and easily, without shame. Riley simply couldn’t deal with them at all.

Lindsay hugged Mom. “You know I’ll be back here in a minute if you need me, okay?”

“Two hours, more like,” Mom teased. “But I know. Thank you, sweetie.”

“You too, big brother. Call me anytime.”

Riley wrapped his arms around her. “I will. Love you, Linds.”

“Love you too. Don’t make me cry. I have to drive.”

As they watched her drive away, Riley said, “You want us to stay awhile?”

“No, no. Adam’s only in town for a couple more days. Enjoy him.”

Riley’s heart raced at the first way he interpreted her words. “You could stay at my place tonight, or I could stay here.” It would be her first night alone.

She squeezed his arm. “Don’t worry about me. Ruth is coming by with dinner, and tomorrow some of the girls are coming to the house. I don’t think I’ll be lonely much.”

“But if you ever are, call me, okay? Or come to my house, or the shop. Don’t be alone.”

“I could give you the same advice.”

“I’m not alone. I have a guest.” Riley gestured to the house, where Adam was washing dishes. “And when he’s gone, I’ve got Lucky. Maybe you should get a dog. That would be nice, right?”

“We’ll see. That could be a good idea.”

They went back inside, and Riley helped Adam finish the dishes.

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