Page 26 of Time to Shine

“Do you even have straws?” he called out as he poured a glass of lemonade.

“Yeah. In one of the drawers.”

Landon began opening drawers. In the sixth one, he found a battered package of plastic straws next to way too many packages of cocktail umbrellas. He brought Casey’s drink and the canister of cannabis gummies to the living room.

“Which one do you want?” Landon said after he opened the canister. He held up one of the packages.

“No,” Casey said.

Landon held up three more before Casey said yes. “You should have one too,” Casey offered. “These ones are super mild.”

“I’m okay,” Landon said automatically. Then, realizing that he could already tell he’d be fighting insomnia tonight, said, “Actually, sure. Okay.”

They ended up watching TV together for over two hours. Landon had made himself a sandwich during one of the commercial breaks and refilled Casey’s lemonade glass. He’d offered to switch the ice pack for a fresh one, but Casey insisted he was okay.

A show about Alaska came on, and Landon said, “We should go to bed.” He felt relaxed and heavy, like he could sleep for a week and only have good dreams.

“Probably,” Casey said. His eyelids were drooping.

“Flying to Seattle tomorrow.”

“Mm. Short flight.” Casey curled onto his side, tucking his knees up. Even with the split lip and bruised knuckles, he looked adorable.

“I’ve never been to Seattle.”

“It’s like Vancouver but...” Casey yawned and his eyes closed. “More.”

“More what?”

“More Vancouver.”

Landon laughed. “That doesn’t make sense.”

Casey smiled. “You laughed.” Then he grimaced. “Ow.”

Landon let himself look at him for probably longer than he should. He was oddly fascinated by the inch of exposed ankle between Casey’s sock and the cuff of his sweatpants.

“Do you want me to just throw a blanket on you?” Landon asked. “You can sleep here.”

“No,” Casey mumbled. “Can’t sleep here.”

“Seems like you can.”

Casey opened his eyes and sat up surprisingly quickly. “I can’t. I need to...you’re not gonna sleep here too, are you?”

“No. Why would I?”

Casey glanced at the window he’d decorated yesterday, then at Landon. “I’ll go to my room.”

The way he was staring at him made Landon think Casey was going to invite him along. Landon didn’t want that, obviously, but he still asked, “Do you need help getting up there?”

Casey got to his feet. “Nope! I’m good. Goodnight, Stacks.”

Landon stood too. “Goodnight.” He turned off the TV as Casey headed toward the stairs.

“Hey,” Casey said from the bottom stair. “You were a good nurse. Not shitty at all. And, um, it would have sucked to be alone tonight. So thanks.”

Warmth bloomed in Landon’s chest. “No problem.”

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