Page 77 of The Tryout

“I…I don’t want to be a bad influence. I don’t think I am.”

Danny snorts.

“Of course you’re not. Now I’m more worried my son is the bad influence.”

He slaps his hands down on his thighs.

“Well, Finn, you gonna help me move this stuff?”

I’m surprised at how much better the living room feels after rearranging the furniture; I guess there’s a reason Daniel can make a living doing this.

On Thursday morning, Avery and I head into the arena. It’s just an optional skate, but with a game the next night, I want to make sure I get a chance to loosen up. Most of the guys don’t bother, but that’s not my problem – I just need to focus on keeping my effort high. As we’re heading out, Banks stops us in the hallway briefly.

“Hey kid, glad you got yourself a real agent. Real shark, that Jack Kinkaid.”

I smile and nod, unsure of how to react to being told I’ve hired a shark. That kind of sounds…bad? But Banks doesn’t seem upset, so I just go with it.

Avery leans in to whisper to me.

“He must’ve gotten to work already.”

Oh. Of course I knew he was going to talk to the organization, but I’m still surprised to realize he must have already gotten started if Banks is aware of the change.

We find the apartment pretty much as we left it, although there appears to be an enormous blanket on the couch that wasn’t there before. Thinking of how cozy it would be to wrap up in on a cold winter day, I decide to overlook it.

There are also a few picture frames interspersed throughout the house. Some have pictures of Avery, as I expect – one from his years in Mites is particularly cute. What I don’t expect are the ones of me – a few from high school, several from last year, and one of Avery and I that was taken at breakfast the other day. I stand in front of it, feeling too many different emotions to name.

“If it’s not okay, we can take them down, okay?”

A month ago, I’d probably have taken him up on it. Now, I just turn and wrap my arms around him, squeezing tight. He hugs me back and I stand there, grappling with the emotion until I feel like I’ve got myself under control.

“No, let’s keep them. It feels like…home.”

That night, we head to Mr. Tran’s and I get to witness the chaos that is a Lawson family dinner. Dishes are moving all around the table, being shared – willingly or not. I end up trying several new dishes, all absolutely delicious. It’s clear where Avery got his taste from.

As things calm down, I lean toward Avery.

“Hey, can I have your phone? I want to take a picture of the three of you.”

He unlocks it and hands it over, getting his dads to lean in for the picture. I pull up the camera app, trying not to notice – or care – that Avery still has a hookup app sitting on his home screen. Picture done, I sit back down, handing over the phone.

Avery clears his throat.

“With it being Thanksgiving, I think we should each share some of the things we’re grateful for this year.”

Oh. He remembered - my one Thanksgiving tradition.

“I’ll start – I’m grateful that I found an amazing roommate.”

Warmth and embarrassment spread through my chest simultaneously.

Daniel jumps in.

“I’m grateful my son is able to keep playing hockey.”

Tony goes next.

“I’m grateful for the skills to be able to help those I love.”