8
BECKETT
Age 16
“Can Riley join us?” I asked, as Tosh was dumping the popcorn in the bowl.
She stiffened, avoiding my eyes. “Um, I kind of thought we’d have a night to ourselves.”
“We have a night to ourselves every night, Tosh. I know Riley wanted to see this movie.”
She poured some salt over the popcorn and used her fingers to mix it around.
“Please?” I begged. “He’ll even bring his own snacks, if you want.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not that stingy!”
I wanted to laugh. “You snapped at me for using a tablespoon too much butter yesterday. But I get it. One income. That’s why I’m looking for a job, remember? Look, he won’t be in the way. I just know he wanted to see this and hasn’t had a chance yet.”
She paused for a second, then sighed. “No, Beck. Not tonight.”
“Tosh—"
“I said no.” She glared at me, but I glared right back.
“Fine,” I said finally. “But I should’ve known you’d go back on your promise.”
“What promise?”
“That Riley would always be welcome here.”
“What are you talking about? He’s here all the time!”
“But, he’s notwelcomehere, is he?” When she didn’t deny it, I turned and walked out of the room, no longer interested in the movie.
***
We made plans the following day to meet at the docks around two in the afternoon. As I made my way down there, I realized I hadn’t asked for Riley’s phone number and was regretting it. I had no way of getting in touch with him to see if our plans had changed. As I turned the final corner, though, my worries fell away. Riley was there, leaning against the railing as he stared out into the water. Two dogs were standing next to him. Well,onewas standing, the other was pacing back and forth, whining as she occasionally tried to stuff her nose in his pocket.
“Hey, Lady,” I said to the small golden retriever, whose ears perked up immediately at the sound of her name. Her tail began wagging the moment she saw me.
I scratched her ears and gave Riley a smile. “Get a lot done?” I asked.
“Yeah, it’s almost finished,” he said. “Thought we’d take these two for a walk, if that’s okay? Lady gets restless if I don’t take her outside at least once a day.”
“Little bundle of energy, isn’t she?”
He rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.” He patted his side and both dogs stood to attention then walked beside him as we made our way down to the beach. I loved that the dogs were so in tune to their master that they didn’t need a leash. Once we reached the beach, Riley pulled out a green rubber ball and threw it ahead. Lady bolted after it, barking happily in the wind.
The other dog, a German shepherd mix by the looks of it, walked slowly behind us, carrying one of its hind legs up off the ground.
“Is she hurt?”
“It’s a he, and no. He’s got a partially bum leg. He can stand on it but can’t use it to walk. I don’t take him out as much, but he gave me those sad eyes today and I just couldn’t resist.” He leaned down to rub the dog’s side. “Can’t say no to you. Can I Quinn?”
I stumbled. “Quinn?”
Riley peered up at me with a sheepish expression on his face. “Um, yeah. This is Quinn.”
