Page 123 of Time to Shine

Casey held his gaze and said, “Definitely not.”

They both laughed, though it sounded sad. Then Landon kissed him, slowly, as he wished things didn’t need to be so complicated for them. The day had been so incredible, with both of their families together and all of them treating Landon and Casey like a couple. It had been overwhelming and wonderful, and Landon would cherish the memory of this weekend forever.

“Thank you,” he said, now. “For inviting me. And my parents. I’m really glad I’m here.”

“I’m really glad you’re here too,” Casey said. “You’re not the only one who feels lucky.”

Landon’s heart wobbled. “Come here,” he said, and pulled Casey on top of him. They kissed in an unhurried way that didn’t lead anywhere, and Landon loved it. Loved the weight of Casey on top of him, loved the way he smiled even as he kissed him, loved the way he made Landon smile right back at him.

Eventually, Casey rested his head on Landon’s chest, and Landon stroked his hair until neither of them could hold their eyes open.

By midmorning on Christmas Day, Mike Stackhouse was wearing a Toronto jersey and ball cap, both signed by Dougie Hicks, and a huge smile. Landon couldn’t have been happier for him.

“Unbelievable, Mike,” Casey complained. “Your actual son plays for Calgary!”

“And, God willing, someday he’ll play for Toronto,” Dad joked.

Casey booed him. Dougie laughed and said, “The man’s got taste.”

Casey gasped. “My own father!”

“Well, I like my gifts,” Eleanor said. She was wearing a ridiculous oversize novelty chain with a big foam Outlaws logo hanging off it, along with a new Outlaws pompom toque.

“Grandma’s loyal,” Casey said.

“As if she wouldn’t be at the front of the crowd at a Toronto Stanley Cup parade,” Dougie said.

“Like that’s ever going to happen,” Eleanor quipped.

Everyone laughed, even as Dad kept saying, “You never know. You never know.”

It had been the best Christmas morning Landon could remember, full of laughter and teasing and really fucking good cinnamon rolls that Michelle had ordered from a local bakery. Mom had been thrilled with her gardening gifts, and Dad had been disproportionately excited about his new gloves. Apparently he’d been looking for some just like them.

And Casey was pressed against him on the sofa, his socked foot slightly overlapping Landon’s own. Landon was trying to be cool about it, even though he felt like his blood had been replaced by champagne: bubbly and excited.

“I got you something,” he murmured into Casey’s hair.

Casey’s head whipped around to face him, his lips stretched in a delighted smile. “Yeah?”

“It’s stupid. But, uh, just a sec.” Landon stood and went to the tree. He grabbed the horribly wrapped box he’d hidden behind all the other gifts, then handed it to Casey.

Casey tore the paper off then smiled even wider. “Christmas Cap’n Crunch! Where’d you get it?”

“Minneapolis.”

“This is the best gift ever!”

“I mean, it’s a box of cereal.”

Casey stood and wrapped him in an enthusiastic hug. “This makes my gift for you look terrible.”

“Again, it’s a box of cereal.”

“One sec.” Casey practically dived under the tree and emerged with a lump of wrapping paper. He thrust it at Landon and said, “I just thought...since you liked mine so much.”

Landon had no idea what the gift could be, but heat flooded his face as soon as he got the paper off. Because Casey had really just given him expensive underwear in front of both of their families. After announcing that Landon had liked Casey’s underwear.

“Uh, thanks.”

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