The Shots You Take
The Shots You Take is a second-chance romance that begins at a funeral. Riley Tuck is burying his father in a small Nova Scotia town when Adam Sheppard - his former best friend, former teammate, former everything - walks into the church after twelve years of silence. Riley is furious. Adam stays anyway, staying at the town's terrible motel and showing up at Riley's sporting goods shop with lunch, because he has been secretly in love with Riley for years and he is not leaving until he at least makes sure he's okay.
What they have to untangle is twelve years of damage with deep angst and deep feelings. They hooked up for years during their NHL careers, and Riley told Adam he loved him one night in their Toronto apartment. Adam laughed it off saying "we're not like that" and Riley was left heartbroken. Then the Stanley Cup, a drunken night that ended with Adam calling the hookup and reunion a mistake and walking out. Then nothing, for fourteen years. What Riley didn't know was that Adam had married a woman, come out to her years later, and spent the whole time knowing exactly what he'd thrown away. He's divorced now, facing shoulder surgery, and done pretending. Adam coming out to Riley finally. Riley laughing first out of sheer emotional exhaustion and then apologises afterwards.
The healing happens slowly, in a small town like Avery River. Breakfasts at Paula's diner. Adam volunteering to host the minor hockey banquet in Harvey's place. A screaming match in Riley's driveway that ends with Adam finally saying it: He was in love with Riley back then, and he was terrified, marrying Maggie felt like the safe choice, and that he's still in love with Riley after that many years. Riley kisses him, but Adam stops it, saying he wants to do things right. Riley breaks down sobbing and Adam holds him until he's better.
They then start reconnecting slowly. Adam cooking fish chowder, going to farmer's market, walking on the beach finding a moon snail shell. By the time they're dancing in the living room to an Emmylou Harris record, the cracks between Adam and Riley have finally starts to disappear. Adam promises to fight for Riley and get things right this time.
Adam goes back to Toronto for his major shoulder replacement surgery. Five days later Riley books a flight to take care of him after Adam tells him that he wants Riley to be the happy ending of this life story, and somewhere between the hospital waiting room and watching Riley swim laps in his pool, Adam says it plainly: he wants to be public, he's ready, and he wants a real life with Riley.
Adam and Riley get their happy ending. The epilogue puts them married for a year, living in Nova Scotia, Adam openly out with a bestselling autobiography and Riley's shop expanded and thriving. Under a sky of shooting stars, Riley realises that he couldn't think of a single thing that he wants.
Official Book Synopsis
After moving back to his hometown ten years ago, Riley Tuck thought he had left his major league hockey career—and his broken heart—far behind. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes, it brings ex-teammate and former best friend with benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life.
Coming to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia, might have been a mistake. Adam’s not sure he’ll ever win back Riley’s trust after the way they left things—and the attention he’s getting as a huge hockey star isn’t exactly helping. Yet the chemistry that crackles between them is undeniable, even now.
As Adam helps Riley navigate his grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface. But they’ll have to square off with their complicated past if they’re going to have a real shot at a new beginning.
It took twenty-seven years for Riley to achieve his dream of winning the Stanley Cup, and he’d spent the fourteen years since trying to forget that night.
“Shep, it’s a garden. It’s a hobby. You just told me you want me to be the happy ending to your life story, so yeah. I’m choosing you over beans.” He paused, eyes going wide. “That is what you were saying, right?”
Riley had been breathtaking in that moment, flushed and messy and vulnerable, holding his heart in both hands for Adam to take.
“Honestly, I mostly wanted to do this because there might be shooting stars tonight.”
“Oh, this star will certainly be—wait, really? Shooting stars?”
