Page 120 of Time to Shine

“Must have been a short one,” Dad said.

Landon turned and saw that Casey was back in the living room. And he was holding a glass of wine. Nuts.

Okay. Emergency talk, then. It wasn’t ideal, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for it, but his parents deserved better than to be shocked in front of everyone. Landon quickly surveyed the kitchen and decided this would be as good a time as any, because the chowder needed to simmer for a bit before they added the more delicate ingredients. “Hey, do you guys want to go outside for a bit with me? I haven’t seen much of the scenery and the sun is setting.”

Ten minutes later, the three Stackhouses were bundled up and standing together at the edge of the clearing, gazing at the frozen lake far below. This place was really fucking beautiful.

And now Landon was going to make it weird.

“I need to tell you guys something.”

He felt both of his parents’ concerned gazes on him, but he kept staring straight ahead. Mom put a hand on his arm. “Of course. What is it?”

Landon hadn’t planned this conversation out. He probably should have. He supposed he’d hoped it wouldn’t be a conversation at all; just a statement, followed by acceptance. He decided to try for that. “I’m attracted to men.”

There was silence, and then there were arms around his shoulders, and bodies pressed against his, Dad saying, “That’s just fine by us,” into Landon’s toque.

Then Mom said, “I’m glad you found Casey. We both really like him.”

Landon’s heart came to a skidding halt. “How’d you know?”

Mom laughed. “We’ve been living with you for almost a week. You boys are clearly over the moon for each other.”

Landon blinked, and then blinked again because the lake was getting blurry. “I didn’t think we were being obvious.”

“I don’t think you could help it.”

“We’re happy for you,” Dad added. “And for him. He got a good one.”

Landon laughed and then sniffed. “It isn’t going to work, though. I’m leaving soon. Back to Saskatoon.”

“That will be hard,” Mom agreed. “But it can still work.”

Dad said, “I’m no expert in romance—you can ask your mother—but I think all three of us know you need to make the most of the time you have with the people you love.”

Landon blinked some more. Love. That was the word he was trying not to think about. “We’ll both be so busy, and then I could be anywhere. Any team.”

“Or,” Dad said, “you could be in Calgary. Morin must be thinking about retirement.”

“I’m not good enough.”

Mom moved to stand directly in front of him. She didn’t look impressed. “Excuse me, but I was at that game the other night. Was that not you in the goalie gear?”

Landon managed a small smile. “It was me.”

“You’re not wrong,” Dad said, more sensibly. “Your job is uncertain, and it will always be a fight to earn your spot on any team. But I know you’ll always fight like hell for your spot on those teams because it’s important to you.”

“I will.”

“So maybe,” Mom said, “fight like hell for the relationship that’s turned the light back on inside you.”

Landon didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t promise to fight because he still didn’t think there was any point. It would only prolong the inevitable. It would only increase the pain. But, “I want to enjoy the time I have left with him, however long that is. And with you guys too.” He wiped at his eyes. “I don’t want to be sad anymore this weekend.”

“Agreed,” Mom said. “I can almost hear Erin scolding us for crying in the middle of all this beautiful scenery.”

“I hear her all the time.”

Dad put a hand on his back. “We all do.”

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