Risking the Shot (Stick Side #4) - Amy Aislin Page 0,27
he was having a bad day. Someone to snuggle with on the couch while watching a movie. Someone to share meals with. Someone to take out to dinner. Someone to do mundane, everyday chores with like grocery shopping or cleaning the bathroom. Someone to take Andy to the park with. It was too soon to want all of that with Tay, but he could easily get there.
Dakota had followed hockey for as long as he could remember, had even played recreationally until he’d graduated high school, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be bummed that he’d only hung out with Tay at family skate when there’d been a whole arena full of players. He’d only had eyes for Tay, and it had nothing to do with him being a hockey player, and everything to do with how Tay made his heart race and his belly swoop just by smiling at him.
What did Tay want, though?
Setting it aside for now, he joined Andy and Tay on the floor.
“Dad, when it’s finished, we’re gonna go on a road trip to visit Grandma an’ Grandpa.”
“Oh yeah?” Leaning on his elbows, Dakota winked at Tay. “What are we going to see along the way?”
“A koala and a giraffe and a mountain lion.”
Tay coughed to cover a laugh.
“And what are the koala and the giraffe and the mountain lion doing?” Dakota asked.
“Going on a safari.”
Nodding, Tay slotted a piece into place. “Seems reasonable.”
“And then they’ll come to Grandma an’ Grandpa’s with us.”
“I don’t think the campervan’s big enough,” Dakota said.
“It’s a ginormous campervan.”
“Ah. Of course it is.” Making note of the time, Dakota said, “Five more minutes and then it’s bedtime, okay?”
“Nooo,” Andy wailed, scrambling onto his knees and latching on to Tay’s head. “I wanna play with Tay.”
“I’ve got to head out anyway,” Tay said, head squished between Andy’s arms. Whether or not that was true, Dakota appreciated the backup.
“We can play next time?” Andy patted Tay’s head.
“Sure thing,” Tay said.
Dakota muffled a laugh at the big help me eyes Tay sent his way.
Five minutes passed too quickly for Andy’s liking, but the campervan was three-quarters of the way done. Dakota and Andy walked Tay to the front door, Andy leading the pack as always, telling Tay about how next time he’d introduce him to his stuffed koala, Helix.
Leaning into him, Dakota murmured, “Stay a few minutes?”
Tay nodded and put on his boots.
“Say goodbye to Tay and let’s go to bed.”
“Bye, Tay,” Andy said, glum. “Next time we can finish the campervan an’ go on our road trip.”
Tay cocked his head. “Didn’t you tell me that the puzzles are a project you do with your dad?”
Beckoning Tay down, Andy whispered something in his ear that had Tay’s gaze shooting to Dakota’s. “Hm. He doesn’t, huh?” He straightened and took the coat Dakota held out. “All right. We can finish the puzzle next time.”
“Okay, let’s go.” Dakota herded Andy to the stairs by the shoulders.
“Bye, Tay.” Andy waved over his shoulder.
“Bye, Andy. Thanks for inviting me to dinner.”
Dakota threw him a look he hoped conveyed don’t go anywhere. As they hit the second-floor landing, the front door opened and closed, hopefully as a trick so Andy would think Tay had left but with Tay on this side of it.
Three books later, Dakota climbed out of Andy’s bed, brought the covers up to Andy’s chin, and kissed his head. What was it about an innocently sleeping child that always made his heart clench? Blinking sleepy eyes open, Andy hugged Helix close and said, “Daddy, can Tay come for dinner tomorrow?”
Dakota chuckled and kissed him again. “I’ll ask. Good night. Love you.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
Downstairs, he found Tay perusing the family photos on the wall of the dining room. He’d removed his boots and coat, and his hands were stuffed in the back pockets of his jeans, his sweater straining at the shoulders. He smiled at Dakota over his shoulder and gestured at the largest frame, one roughly the size of a serving tray. “Your family?”
“Yeah. We took that last summer when we were all home for my mom’s birthday.” The image was a disorganized mess: kids in a puppy pile in the grass of his parents’ backyard, his sisters-in-law with their arms around each other, Dakota and his brothers scattered throughout, his mom making a peace sign, his dad holding a barbecue spatula. It was perfect.
He pointed out his brothers and his parents, his in-laws and his nieces and nephews, a pang arrowing through him.