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"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.