Page 61 of Time to Shine

Landon’s eyes must have been as big as pucks, but fortunately Casey was already skating away and didn’t notice his disproportionate reaction. Landon began skating to the bench too, telling himself to get a grip even as he kept touching his glove against that spot on his mask.

Chapter Twenty-One

“I think that’s enough,” Landon said.

“Okay, but. One more time.” Casey hit play on the short video clip of Landon’s poke check that had been making the rounds on hockey social media. They’d watched the glove save a few dozen times too.

“See, this guy is coming in like, ‘Gonna light this goalie up no problem,’” Casey narrated. “But then Landon ‘The Assassin’ Stackhouse is like, ‘Poke, motherfucker,’ and the other guy—”

“Greene,” Landon supplied. “It was Cal Greene.”

“Fine. Greene is like, ‘Oh no, where’s my puck?’ and the puck is like, ‘Bye.’”

Landon gave Casey a playful shove. They were sitting right next to each other on the couch, both watching Casey’s phone screen. He’d expected Casey to rally the guys together for a group celebration at a bar after the game, but Casey had seemed keen to go home.

He’d made sure Landon had gotten one of the chicken parmesan subs after the game, though. He’d actually guarded the table and loudly announced that Landon got first dibs on the food, which had been embarrassing, but kind of sweet.

The sandwich had been so fucking good.

They’d stopped at a McDonald’s drive-through on the way home to get McFlurries, and now those empty cups were sitting on the coffee table, bothering Landon. Normally he’d take his to the garbage right away, but he didn’t want to leave Casey’s side. He was worried he wouldn’t be able to reclaim this spot right next to him if he got up.

“So in conclusion,” Casey said, “you’re a pretty good goalie.”

Landon shrugged. “I’m all right.”

“Do I need to read the comments again?”

“Please no.”

Casey laughed and ran a hand through his long hair. It had dried super curly tonight. He had a stain on his light blue T-shirt where he’d dropped a glob of McFlurry. They weren’t watching a video anymore, but they were still sitting close enough that their knees were almost touching.

“So,” Casey said, “is that the difference a good night’s sleep makes?”

He sounded a bit nervous, and suddenly Landon was too. “Didn’t hurt.”

“Would, um... Do you think you’ll have trouble sleeping tonight, or...”

Landon stared at him until Casey looked away. He wanted to sleep with Casey again. He’d been thinking about it all day. Hell, even during the game tonight he’d gotten flashes of Casey’s slow, sleepy smile from that morning. He hadn’t expected Casey to want it too.

“Never mind,” Casey mumbled. “Sorry.”

“No, I’d like to. If you want to. It was...nice.” It had been the most comfortable Landon could remember being in a long time, which was extra remarkable given the fact that he was generally uncomfortable around other people.

Casey’s gaze returned to him, and there was that shy smile Landon loved. “Cool.”

After that, there didn’t seem to be any reason to stay awake. Landon rinsed and tossed their McFlurry cups, and then followed Casey upstairs. He could feel the bone-deep exhaustion settling in as the postgame adrenaline left him. He definitely had some fresh bruises too.

When he got upstairs, he realized all of his stuff was in the basement. Important stuff, like his toothbrush and his pajamas.

“I gotta run downstairs and brush my teeth and stuff,” he said. “Are you gonna be okay here?” He realized as soon as he said it that it was a ridiculous question. And insulting, probably. Of course Casey would be okay alone in his room for a couple of minutes. He’d been alone in his room most nights before last night.

Well. Except for the nights Casey had guests. Because of course Landon was far from being the first person to share Casey’s bed, and he’d be wise to remember that.

Casey didn’t look insulted by Landon’s question. He looked touched, actually. “I’ll be okay. But you’re coming back, right?”

And then Casey pulled his shirt off and Landon forgot the question.

Casey made a face that suggested Landon was being amusing, then he went to his dresser to get a fresh T-shirt.

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