Stand and Defend (Lakes Hockey Series Book 4)

My sisters have had their eye on me since we sat down to eat. My gaze continues to land on Jordan, and they notice. Not sure if it’s happening because I want to look at her or because I’m trying not to. Like when someone tells you not to think about pink squirrels, but suddenly, there’s a million of those little magenta bastards hopping around your brain.

Hailey and Alexis study me as if I’m some freak experiment. They’re scrutinizing every interaction I have with her. Cutting their eyes at each other every time I’m caught staring or giving her the girlfriend treatment. I see it but can’t explain it, nor can I stop.

This all began because I offered her refuge from a bad situation. When did I forget she’s simply a girl I’m helping? Did it happen the day I invited her on the back of my bike? The night we got high and first had sex? The next few times after that . . . Was it the night I kissed her at the game, or all the birthday festivities that took place after? Shit. Her feelings haven’t changed toward me, she’s still on that page, but I’m not. Who even am I anymore?

“Can you pass the mashed potatoes?” my dad asks.

I glance up at her, she nudges my mom, laughing at some joke she made. My mom tries, but she’s not funny. My sister cheers glasses with her over something else. Everyone is falling for her charm. Well, everyone except Logan, who apparently has tunnel vision with Kelly—who also seems to enjoy Jordan, or at least her dog.

“Cam?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” I grab the bowl and pass it down. “Here you go.”

She’s got us all under her fucking spell. I gotta pull back, it’s the only logical choice. Let her move out, get her own space, have everything return to normal. She’ll be like the Facebook friends you meet at a concert and never speak to again. We shared an experience, but now it’s over.

That’s the best course of action. The problem is, I don’t want to. She’s too tempting. Why should we stop? I’m interested in finding out what would happen if we made it something more. It’s a unique arrangement. I like Jordan. I enjoy her company, and I want to know more about her for reasons outside of sex.

It doesn’t need a label, but it needs to be exclusive. After seeing her flirt at Top Shelf with another man, it made me want to throw up, and I realized I’m not willing to share her with another person.

Fuck, why am I even thinking about this? I return focus to the table conversations and listen in on my dad and Jordan discussing some investment opportunity that landed on his desk.

“Wait, did you say Bluetower?”

“Yeah,” my dad answers, smiling. “You heard about their expansion?”

Jordan sits back in her seat and slowly nods as she chews. “Who presented the offer?”

“H&H sent it over.”

“Hm.” She furrows her brow and blots her mouth with a napkin. “Did you accept?”

“Considering it.”

“Let’s chat after dinner,” she says to my dad, and they nod as if they’re communicating in some secret code. Whatever’s going on, it doesn’t sound good. Now I’m curious. If it has to do with H&H, the Davenports are involved.

Jordan makes eye contact with me, and we stare at each other for a moment until she looks away. I can tell she’s bothered.

Jordan and my dad are in his study, so I wander in and take a seat on the leather sofa, my arms stretched over the back as I eavesdrop.

“They don’t have the assets to make an expansion like that, certainly not one to have such a high return. There’s no way.” Sounds like there’s some shady shit going on. “Have you ever seen a guaranteed return like this? In this timeframe?”

“I mean, Bluetower hit record speeds with their new wireless development. I saw the reports.”

I have no fucking clue what they’re talking about, but I’m not about to get in the middle of this.

She smiles. “Who supplied those reports?”

My dad scratches the back of his neck.

Jordan continues, “The tests failed at the demo. They aren’t supposed to be retesting until next spring. The technology isn’t there yet. And based on the data I saw, it won’t be for years.” They go on for a bit more, speaking techno-babble and going way over my head.

“What are you trying to say, Jordan?” I ask, point blank. They spin around to face me, then she looks back at my dad.

“I’m saying don’t invest. There’s no way Bluetower is going to generate a return with those numbers. But—and this is very important—I need you to keep all of this between us. Politely decline the offer, say you’re going with NexTech or something. That’s been on the rise lately.”

He furrows his brow. “Yeah, I bought some of their stock last week. You know your stuff . . . Okay. I’m going to go out on a limb and trust you. I’ll reject the proposal . . . You’re sure about all this? One hundred percent?”

“I’d bet my life on it.”

“Okay.” He sighs. “I’ll cancel the meeting.”

She releases a deep exhale, and her shoulders relax.

“Thanks, Jordan. I appreciate the heads-up.”

“You’re welcome. I appreciate your delicacy on the matter.”

“Understood.”

She smiles and claps her hands. “Alright, I’m going to grab a slice of pie before I rain on any other parades.”

I track her with my eyes until she leaves the room. Dad tilts his head toward the kitchen.

“That the woman you wanted the car for?”

I nod.

“Hm.”

“What’s hm?” He stares at me like he’s trying to read my mind. “Just ask me, old man.”

“You like her?”

My head falls back, and I groan. “Why does everybody keep assuming that because I brought her home, we’re together? I invited her to Thanksgiving because her family is in Monaco.”

He laughs. “It’s got nothing to do with bringing her home, it has everything to do with the way you look at her. So if you want to make a move, you better let her know your intentions. She deserves to know if the guy who’s giving her a place to stay is actually crushing on her.”

“She just got out of a bad relationship.”

“So did your mom when I met her. You want my advice?”

“I have a feeling my answer to that question is irrelevant.”

“I love you, kid. But let’s face it, you have a reputation. You’re going to have to wise up if you want anything to do with her. That girl’s too smart for asshole hockey players with commitment issues—and she knows it too.”

Ugh, I know she does. She’s my newest addiction. I used to think hooking up with different women every night was the best. Zero commitment, zero responsibilities, and now . . . zero appeal. And I like it that way. Whatever it is that we make each other feel should be protected, not thrown out the next morning.

Would I miss the other women? Would I tire of monogamy? I think about the way her eyes sparkle after I kiss her or her smile when she’s reading a spicy book scene and thinks no one’s watching. Never.

I clear my throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’ve only admitted these feelings to myself, it’s hard to say them out loud.

He stares at me like he’s waiting for me to break. Well, this was fun. I stand and limp over to the doorway, still sore after our most recent game.

“You got it bad for her, huh?”

“Yeap.”

I turn to walk out the room.

“She’s good for you. Don’t lose that one.”

I won’t.