Page 143 of Time to Shine

Landon stood. “If you need me, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Landon left, but made quick eye contact with Coach Patrick as he passed him. He hoped he looked more confident than tired. He returned to his own stall and sat for about three seconds before Casey came over. “How is he?”

“Not good.”

“You going in?”

Landon glanced across the room and saw Coach looking at him over his shoulder. “Maybe.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Good,” he said, and it wasn’t a lie. “Focused.”

Casey exhaled. “All right. Good.”

“Wouldn’t hurt if you assholes scored some goals, though.”

Casey spread his arms wide. “I’m trying! Did you miss that sick rebound I had?”

“No. You missed that sick rebound.”

Casey’s mouth dropped open. “Did you fly across the country specifically to bully me? Because I’m kind of into it, not gonna lie.”

“I flew across the country to win the Stanley Cup. You gonna help with that?”

“Oh shit, I like this Landon. Where’s this guy been?”

Landon stood. Coach was gesturing him over. “He’s been in Saskatoon, but he’s here now.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Casey was legit half-hard as the final seconds of the third period ticked down, because Landon had played like a fucking beast.

He’d let in nothing—nothing—and the Outlaws had rallied and scored three goals to tie the game. It was taking all of Casey’s self-control not to jump on Landon’s back and scream about how proud he was of him.

Instead, he tapped Landon’s leg pad as he skated by before the start of overtime. “Where are ya, buddy?” he called out.

He could see Landon’s wicked smile, even behind the mask. “Right here.”

Casey couldn’t help flirting a little. “You got plans after we win?”

And then Landon winked at him.

Casey was actually blushing as he went to line up for the face-off.

“All good?” Lee asked.

“Oh yeah. Stacks is dialed in. Let’s score a goal and end this.”

It took less than forty seconds for Casey to score, and he could hear Landon celebrating from the other end of the ice. Casey met him at the blue line, arms spread wide.

“Fucking right!” Landon yelled in his ear as they hugged. “You didn’t even give them a chance.”

“I wanted to end it quickly. I’ve got a hot date after the game.”

Landon laughed, loud and unguarded. He really did seem like a different person tonight. Or rather, like the same person without the self-loathing and anxiety he’d been shouldering for so long. He was fucking beautiful.

---