"Were other kids assholes?"
"Not really, it helps that we’re like the most prominent family in the area."
"True."
A teal Starter jacket for an American football team catches my eye and I pull it off the rack. "We’re paying for the clothes right?"
"Yes Rhys, I’m a highly paid professional hockey player. I can swing a new outfit from a thrift shop."
Like we didn’t just steal candy. "You’re ridiculous." But his sarcasm keeps me in the present. If I drift off into lyric land or even just memories of Mike, I’ll miss something and I know he’d tease me endlessly about it.
"You like it."
A little too much.
"Are we showing each other what we’ve got?"
Duncan’s head falls forward into the hangers. "Rhys Reid, seriously?"
I laugh at his voice muffled from the clothing. "What?"
Duncan lifts his face to mine, those bright eyes now dark, pupils blown.
"I’ve seen what you got. I had it in my hand last night, twice. And you’re the one who said no sex today so stop being so needy." He turns his back to me.
"I’m not, I meant…"
He winks at me over his shoulder. "We can show each other what we’re picking out but remember, the only acceptable answer is yes."
***
"No." I shake my head as Duncan makes a loud game show buzzer noise.
"You have to. And that’s two more minutes of touching added to your penalty."
"Duncan."
"Rhys."
"You seriously expect me to wear this?"
"Yes."
I glance down at the mustard yellow t-shirt with the slogan "Cockermouth is for Lovers" he picked out for me.
My eyes fall closed and I resign myself to my fate.
Cockermouth t-shirt.
Tweed bell bottom trousers.
A suede vest with fringe detailing.
"Fine. Now, go put on what I picked out for you."
"Gladly." He pulls the curtain closed with a flourish.
I gathered up the Starter jacket and then I found a matching pair of track pants. The shirt under the jacket is a sequinned tank top that says "Daddy’s Favorite" across the chest.
