Page 148 of Time to Shine

“Good. Great. You and Casey are excellent hosts.” He lifted his glass. “Good wine.”

“You can thank Casey’s dad for that. He sent a case of that one.”

“I will.” He reached out and pinched Landon’s dress shirt between two fingers. “This is nice.”

Landon knew it was nice. It had cost a fortune and it was tailored to flatter his long torso and muscular shoulders. “Thanks. It’s new.”

“Samir?”

Landon smiled. “He doesn’t miss.”

Truthfully Landon had bought the shirt because Casey had loved it so much, and because Casey had wanted this party to have an ugly sweater theme. Landon had talked him out of it by promising to wear the shirt.

It had been Casey’s idea to host the team Christmas party, saying it would be a cool way to celebrate the sort of anniversary of their first kiss, and also a good way to show off their new hot tub. It was the first party they’d hosted as a couple, even though they’d been living together since March, and had been more or less publicly out as a couple since the summer. They’d never made a big announcement or anything, but Casey had started posting photos of the two of them together on Instagram, with Landon’s permission. Everyone who knew them knew they were a couple, and anyone who didn’t know them could draw their own conclusions. If there’d been any negative comments on those photos, Casey had been happy to ignore them, and Landon didn’t even use social media. Their teammates, friends, and families were supportive, and that was all that mattered.

It had been an incredible summer. He and Casey had spent two weeks in Nova Scotia, sightseeing with Landon’s parents and helping out in their garden during the day, and snuggled together at night in the queen bed that had replaced the twin beds in Landon’s childhood bedroom. Casey had listened while stroking Landon’s skin with soothing touches as Landon shared the memories of Erin that had flooded his brain since returning home.

Then they’d gone to Tampa for a week, enjoying much more privacy in the Hickses’ massive home. They’d swum in the pool, and went to expensive restaurants with Casey’s parents, and had laughed their way through giddy sex in Casey’s enormous bedroom.

And then there’d been Italy, which still felt like a dream. Casey had insisted they’d barely scratched the surface of the country during their two weeks there, but each day had been full of wonders and the best food Landon had ever eaten. Even against all the stunning scenery there, Casey had remained the most beautiful thing Landon had ever seen, and he’d told him so every day as he’d kissed his sun-warmed skin.

“You and Casey should come for dinner on Sunday,” Antton said, now. “It’s a night off, and we have elk steaks.”

“I’ve never had elk.”

“Come, then.” Antton smiled. “And bring a bottle of this wine.”

“If there’s any left, I will.” It was nice, having Antton as a friend. The two of them had formed the top-performing goaltending duo in the league, with Landon starting almost as many games as Antton.

Calgary hadn’t won the Cup last season, but they’d made it to the third round of the playoffs with Landon starting every game. The run had made him a star in Calgary, and had made the entire league learn his name. He’d earned his spot in Calgary, in the league. At least for as long as he kept playing like he was now.

Landon had only been back to Saskatoon once since March, to clear out his apartment.

“I was talking to Gilbert today,” Antton said.

Landon smiled. “How’s he doing?” By the end of the playoffs, Landon and Gilbert Morin had been pretty close. Gilbert had been a great mentor for Landon, warmer and easier to talk to than Antton.

“Good. Planning a huge family Christmas at his place in Quebec. Have you seen that house? Unreal. Right on a big lake. He’s living the dream now.”

Landon honestly felt like he was living the dream himself now, and couldn’t imagine life getting even better. He was really happy for Gilbert, though.

Landon excused himself to make the rounds, though really he just wanted to find Casey. He spotted him standing near the bottom of the stairs, wearing a sage-green suit with a dark green sweater underneath. He looked hot in more ways than one.

“Hey,” Landon said as he stepped close. “You look like you could use some air.”

“It’s fucking roasting in here.”

“You’re wearing a tweed suit and a sweater.”

Casey placed a hand on Landon’s chest. “You offering to take me out of them?”

“Nope. Come with me.”

He led Casey upstairs, and then to the door that led to the seldom-used patio that sat on top of the garage. It was covered in a couple of inches of crusty snow.

“Fuck yes,” Casey sighed. “That feels better.”

Landon wasn’t sure how long he could stay out here because it was cold as hell, but he enjoyed the relief in Casey’s expression. He wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close and dropping a kiss on the top of his head.

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