Stand and Defend (Lakes Hockey Series Book 4)

Jordan and I sit side by side while we finish dinner. “When your parents get back, I think we should take them out for a proper introduction. Do they have a favorite restaurant?”

“They’ll probably want to go to Demi.”

“I’ll make a reservation.”

She waves her hand while she brings her plate to the sink. “Don’t worry, they have a table.”

They have a permanent table? I snort. “Well, excuse me, Miss Monopoly.”

She stalks toward me with a smirk and gives me a shove. I stand and catch her around the waist to carry her over my shoulder. While I stride into the living room, I fish my phone from my pocket and video call my parents. Mom’s been blowing up my shit since I dropped to my knees for Jordan at center ice. I dump us on the sofa while it rings and pull her into my lap. She tries to scramble away, but I hold her flush to my chest.

“You can sit on me. Don’t worry, the poors aren’t nearly as formal.”

She laughs. “Oh, fuck y⁠—”

“Hi, Mom!” I shout as her face fills the screen. Jordan clamps her lips together.

“Camden!” my mom squeals. “Congratulations! Show us the ring!”

Mom knows it wasn’t a real proposal, but she’s still excited that I’ve fallen in love with Jordan. She’s been swept up in our romance ever since I let her know about my plans with the Ring Pop.

Jordan presents her empty finger. “We’re getting it resized at Wonka.”

I nod, but the truth is, there is a ring. Jordan will see it when the time is right.

Mom’s face grows serious. “I assume Bryan knows at this point?”

“Just spoke to him this morning, actually,” I say with confidence. Jordan clutches my knee off camera.

“And?”

“His thoughts hold no value over the matter. We’re together, and he’s not allowed near Jordan. We’re letting the lawyers figure it out.”

“That ugly, huh?”

Jordan cranes her neck to face me and whispers, “You didn’t tell her?”

I shrug. “It’s not my story to tell.” Though if anyone would understand, it’s my mom. She was in a situation like hers for far too long.

Jordan gives an appreciative smile and relaxes into me, and I dip my chin and bite her shoulder. She blushes and smacks my leg.

“Camden! Don’t bite her!” my mom scolds.

“What? She likes it!”

Chicken Salad trots over, wagging her tail like we’re about to start playing. Jordan covers her reddening face. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” She apologizes for my public display of affection.

“I’m not sorry.” I tighten my forearm around her and haul her back.

My mom smirks. “It’s okay, his stepdad’s a biter too.”

“Eugh!” My lip curls in disgust. “Jesus fuck, Mom! Don’t say shit like that!”

Jordan cackles.

“Well, good! I hope you’re as uncomfortable as your poor girlfriend. Sorry, Jordan, I tried.”

“Thank you, Linda!”

“Okay, I think we’re done here.”

She rolls her eyes. “Your sisters are right, you love to dish it out, but you can’t take it.”

“Yeah, do me a favor and tell Alexis I pissed in her shampoo in seventh grade after she filled my conditioner with Nair.” I had the best hockey hair on the peewee team until that point.

Jordan’s jaw drops.

“Cam!” Mom gasps. “That better not be true.”

I neither confirm nor deny. I totally did though.

“By the way, we’re having dinner when Jordan’s parents return to the States. I’ll send you an invite when I have a date.”

“That sounds nice, I look forward to it.”

“Yup! Love you! Bye!”

My mom laughs and shakes her head. I blow her a kiss and toss my phone across me onto the sofa and kick my feet up. “There, now that that’s over with, we can get back to what we were doing earlier.”

“What were we doing earlier?”

“I don’t remember.” I pull her on top of me and smile against her lips. “But probably sex.”