Page 68 of Curtain Call
“That’s not being a very good role model for my godchild,” Colin adds.
“Our godchild you mean,” Riley slips his hand around Colin’s waist.
“We were thinking of having a friend’s brunch on Sunday, are you two free?” Mac asks, shifting the subject.
“Actually,” Riley looks over at Colin and grins, “I have a score to settle on Sunday. It’s a tradition that we –“
“I know, the annual museum scavenger hunt,” Mac rolls her eyes at them but smiles. She thinks it’s romantic and cute that they do this every year as if they’re still ten years old. “Afterwards, why don’t you two come over.”
Riley looks at Colin and shrugs, “Sure.”
Mac nudges Colin on the shoulder as they reclaim their seats for the second act. Riley folds himself back into Colin’s side while their hands intertwine. Colin rubs his thumb across Riley’s knuckles.
“Do you miss performing,” Colin whispers into Riley’s ear.
Riley turns his head to face Colin and gives him a little peck on the lips.
“Maybe a little. But I love this more.”
Scene 2
Setting: Concord Museum
Concord, Massachusetts
Riley
“You ready for your annual ass-kicking,” Riley jokes with Colin as they enter through the glass doors hand in hand.
“Did you forget who won last year?”
“You cheated by distracting me with your undying love for me.”
“It was a kiss.”
“Same thing,” Riley teases as he puts his arm around Colin as they check in, and Riley can feel Colin’s nervous energy vibrating through his jacket.
After Colin secures their tickets, Riley releases Colin and steps over to the rack, and picks up two red slips of paper containing this year’s clues.
“The foyer tree is bigger and more elaborate than years past,” Riley informs Colin.
“I hope they aren’t veering off too far from what we normally see,” Colin mentions.
“I agree, it could take away some of the nostalgia.”
No clues were given for the foyer tree so Riley and Colin make their way through the doorway. Riley doesn’t bother reading the placards because he is on a mission this year with only one goal in mind; reclaim his title as scavenger hunt king.
As he admires the trees and reads about the families who sponsored them, he looks back and notices Colin. He is reading a placard hanging next to a wreath. Riley stopped at the same one a few minutes ago and remembers it was donated by the Willow family. The wreath was covered in medical supplies and a stuffed green dragon sat in the middle. The book attached was called,Dragons Get Sick, Too. He gives Colin a wink when he looks over from the wreath.
Riley enters a room with four trees, each one assigned its own book and set of clues. Riley starts searching the rainbow-infested tree for what he thinks looks like a small mushroom. Colin steps up and claims the topiary that clearly was not a mushroom fromA Curious Garden.
Currently, the score is tied as they make their way through the museum and up the ramp.
“Hey, Riley,” Colin calls over to him.
“Yeah?”
Colin pulls Riley into him, chest to chest, and kisses him deeply. The museum is surprisingly empty today, and Riley just melts into Colin and lets him hold on for a minute.
