Page 141 of Time to Shine

San Jose had a two-on-one, two forwards charging toward Antton with Westy between them. Casey was on the bench, so he didn’t get the clearest look at what happened next, but something made the forward on the left go down hard, and at top speed, and he crashed into Antton.

Casey could see the way Antton’s arm got caught between the forward and the goalpost. Then he could hear Antton cry out in pain.

Oh fuck.

The entire Calgary bench was standing, watching with their hearts in their throats as the medical staff crouched on the ice beside Antton. Finally, Antton was helped to his feet, then he skated slowly to the bench as the crowd applauded in support. Antton was cradling his arm, his face twisted in pain. It didn’t look good.

Beside him, Nosey had his forehead on the boards. Casey put a hand on his shoulder. “It’ll be okay,” he said, though he knew he wasn’t selling it.

“We’re fucked,” Nosey moaned.

And yeah. Okay. They probably were. If Antton’s injury was as bad as it looked, then their chances in the playoffs just got a whole lot worse.

Gilbert stepped on the ice with his mask in place, shaking himself out. He’d only started two games since his return, and he hadn’t been great in either of them. He could be great, though. There was a time when he’d been one of the best in the league. And right now, he was all they had.

“You got this, Gilly,” Casey said, and hammered the boards with his stick. “We’re gonna win this one.”

Others joined him, though Clint was hammering the boards with the front of his helmet instead.

“Cheer up, Nosey. We’ve got a game to win.”

Nosey lifted his head. “You’re right. Let’s do it.”

Casey smiled. “That’s better.”

He sighed. “I guess we’ll be seeing Stackhouse again.”

Casey was trying not to think about it. Obviously, yes, if Antton was hurt, then calling up Landon would be the next move, but now was not the time to get excited about seeing his boyfriend again.

Not when their best hope of winning the Stanley Cup had just disappeared down the tunnel.

Landon was in Milwaukee when he got the news.

He’d been asleep in his hotel room when he was awoken by aggressive knocking.

“Stackhouse,” boomed the voice of Coach Hayes through the door. He sounded angry, and Landon couldn’t imagine what this was about.

Landon groggily went to the door and opened it. Coach was standing with his hands on his hips.

“Pack your stuff,” he said. “You’ve got to catch a flight to L.A. to meet the Outlaws.”

“I...what?” Landon had checked the score of the Outlaws game before falling asleep last night. It had been 3-0 for Calgary and it seemed like nothing notable had happened by that point in the game. “Is Morin hurt?” Morin hadn’t even been playing, but maybe something flared up when he’d been working out or—

“Niskanen broke his arm. He’s out for the season.”

Landon’s stomach dropped. “What?”

“Arm. Broken. It’s shit luck for Calgary, and for us, frankly, because we’re losing you.” He sighed. “Being an AHL coach is bullshit sometimes. But that’s not your problem.” He put a hand on Landon’s shoulder. “Get dressed, get packed, get to the airport, and kick some ass, okay? We’re gonna miss you. Again.”

“Okay,” Landon said, trying to focus on one thing at a time even as a million thoughts crowded his brain. “I’ll just be a couple of minutes.”

Antton was out for the season? Landon was going to be with Calgary for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs? Landon was going to be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Landon was going to be in Calgary again. Landon was going to be with Casey again.

It was too much to process in that moment, so instead he focused on putting on socks.

“Can you believe this, Erin?” he said, because he had to let out some of his giddiness. “Mom and Dad are going to be pumped.”

He’d have to call them from the airport. He couldn’t wait. He couldn’t wait for so many things; he was determined to keep moving forward, chasing happiness instead of hiding himself from it. And right now happiness was waiting for him in Los Angeles.

---