Page 81 of Time to Shine

“No!” Casey nearly screamed the word. “No way. You look...” He blew out a breath. “You look really fucking good, Stacks.”

“Thanks.” Landon brushed a hand over his own chest. “I’m kind of nervous about this party. I know that’s stupid.”

Casey walked toward him. “Not stupid, but nothing to be nervous about either. It will be chill and fun. I mean, you’re gonna see some shitfaced teammates, for sure. Not gonna lie, I was bombed at last year’s party. Not planning on doing that this year, though.”

“No?”

Casey stopped right in front of Landon. “No. I don’t want you to have to cart my drunk ass home.”

“I could leave you in a snowbank.”

“Yeah, but you wouldn’t.”

Landon locked their gazes. “No. I wouldn’t.” A moment long enough for Casey to talk himself out of putting his hands on Landon’s chest passed, then Landon said, “Seriously, though. Get drunk if you want. We’re taking a cab anyway, so...” He shrugged.

Casey dropped it, because he didn’t want to explain that he didn’t want to drink more than Landon did tonight. That he wanted to just be with Landon at the party, and then be with him some more when they got back home. And then later in bed. And then next morning. And maybe every day and night after that.

“We should get going,” he said instead.

“Okay,” Landon said, but neither of them moved. “You look good too. I like this.” He brushed a finger along Casey’s right shoulder.

“Told you,” Casey said quietly. “Samir doesn’t miss.”

Landon was definitely looking at him right now. His eyes were even darker than usual, and his hand was twitching at his side as if he wanted to touch Casey again.

Casey wanted him to.

“We should go,” he tried again.

This time Landon blinked, and his brow pinched briefly. Then he stepped around Casey and said, “Yeah. Let’s go.” He grabbed the bag holding the four bottles of wine they’d bought as a hostess gift from the kitchen counter then continued toward the front door. Casey gave himself a moment to pull himself together. If Landon kept raking those big brown eyes all over Casey while wearing a soft sweater, he was gonna get himself kissed.

Yeah. Casey definitely had to watch his alcohol intake tonight. That was his top mission. Operation: Don’t Get Drunk, which was part of the larger mission, Operation: Don’t Kiss Landon.

But first, Operation: Bundle Up because it was fucking cold outside.

Twenty minutes later, Landon was getting out of a cab in front of one of the most elaborately decorated houses he’d ever seen.

Every edge of the giant two-story house was lined with red and green lights. A nearly full-size model of Santa and his reindeer was installed on the sloped roof. An assortment of large inflatables, some animatronic, covered the yard.

“Holy shit.”

“Yep,” Casey agreed. “Nosey doesn’t fuck around when it comes to Christmas.”

Casey didn’t bother with the doorbell, throwing the front door open and announcing, “Let’s get jolly, fuckers!”

Several guys yelled “Hicks!” in response. There was a view to the large living room area from the front hall, and Landon could see it was packed. Christmas music blared, but plenty of laughter and conversation could be heard over it.

Casey shed his coat and shoes, tossing the coat on top of the large pile that had formed near the door. Landon did the same, then shoved his shoes as close to the wall as he could. A very beautiful blond woman appeared in the hallway. She was wearing a short red velvet strapless dress with fluffy white trim and a matching Santa hat.

“Casey!” She hugged him, then smiled at Landon. She extended a hand toward him. “Hi, I’m Theresa, Clint’s wife. Landon, right?”

“Yes. Hi.” He shook her hand, then held up the bag he was carrying. “We brought wine.”

“That’s sweet of you. We might need it.” She laughed. “Things are already getting nuts here.”

“No doubt,” Casey said.

Theresa quickly ran through where all the various drinks could be found, finishing with, “You’ve been here plenty, Casey. You know where everything is. Show Landon around.”

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