12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Shane

Twenty Years Old

There was nothing like the pain of getting boarded that followed a game. Everything hurt. I buried my face into my pillow and groaned.

“That bad?” Of course I woke up with Eli beside me. His excuse was always that he wanted to make sure I didn’t die from a concussion.

“Muscles are knotted up.”

The mattress shifted and I heard rustling from the corner of the room. I pried one eye open, finding Eli standing next to the bed with a bottle of IcyHot. “Let me help.”

Nope, nope not having his hands all over me. Absolutely not. “I'm fine, Eli. Go back to your room.”

“That wasn’t a question.” The next thing I knew he was straddling my ass—and my brain wasn’t the only organ to take notice. Fuck me , it felt good. The moan that pressed past my lips was involuntary. “See? I'm good at this.”

I bit the pillow to stifle any other noises that could be mistaken as pleasure as his small, nimble hands worked out the knots in my shoulders.

“Roll over,” he demanded.

My eyes shot open. My hard cock pressing into the mattress made that a very bad idea. “No, you’ve had your fun. Get off.”

“Oh, okay.” Did he sound disappointed or was that wishful thinking? “Do you at least feel better?

I brushed off the flicker of hope. No, I didn’t feel better. I was hard as a rock and couldn’t fix that problem with him sitting on me.

“Yes, Mouse. Thank you”

“You're welcome!” he chirped, leaping off my ass and bouncing out of the room.

I rolled over, scrubbing a hand over the back of my neck.

Now that I was on my back, my dick jutted out from between my thighs. I sighed, hoping the thing was proud of itself. It jerked at the memory of Mouse’s hands on my body, making me groan and reached down to give it a firm tug. I chased that high, my hand gliding over my shaft.

The same hand that was now covered in IcyHot.

By the time my brain registered the intense burning, I was already screaming and headed for the shower.

Present—December

My kids were having an amazing season.

I stood on the sidelines, proudly watching the final game before winter break. Everything was truly going well. As my forward took their shot, I jumped for joy as it landed right in the net. Joe and I embraced each other, the team lunging over the boards to celebrate.

I turned, meeting my boyfriend’s sparkling eyes. We’d been seeing each other for a couple months and I still hadn’t gotten used to the term. Jordan pointed his finger at me, then gestured to the team mouthing, “You did this.” And warmth filled my chest so fast I thought it would burst.

Winter break hit a little different that year. I had a man coming home with me to meet my family, then he was going to meet the Michaels. It had only been two months but we had spent what felt like every spare moment together and I was ready to explode with the need to show him off to the world.

“Anything I need to worry about?” Jordans finger brushed over my knuckles, his normal sense of ease starting to waver.

“No, they’ll love you.” Though I reassured him, I still had a tight fist squeezing around my heart.

“You're not being completely honest with me, baby.” Jordan gave me a side look from where we sat in the back of a car to my parents’ house.

I sighed. He knew me too well. “My family always thought I’d end up with Eli. Some of my sisters can’t get over that.”

Jordan nodded slowly. “So, I’m essentially going up against their favorite ex—super,” he said sarcastically.

I reached over, taking his chin in my fingers and making him look at me.

“He isn't an ex,” I said, lips brushing his as I spoke. “They have no grounds to stand on. You’re the first guy I’m bringing home. It’s a big deal.”

His lips met mine, and I relaxed into him. I could see myself falling for this man. I really could.

“I'll do my best for them to like me,” pressing our mouths together once more.

“Just be you Jordan. I happen to like you.”

He smiled against my lips. “I hope so. I happen to really like you, too, Shane.”

“Shane!”

The four heads of bouncing brunette assaulted me from all sides.

In one quick swoop I was engulfed in their embrace. I tried to pay special attention to each of them, fighting back the wave of emotions. Jordan stayed back, taking in the scene in front of him. I turned to look at him, and the warmth in his eyes had me wanting to drop my sisters so I could hold him instead. He was a family man, as close to his brother as he could be. He didn’t have to, but he chose to celebrate later with his family to have the time with me. I offered him a hand and when he was close enough, I dropped my arm over his shoulders and pressed a kiss to his hair. The action didn't go unnoticed by my family, six sets of eyes darting between us. My dad being the great man he was chose that moment to step in.

“Well don't stand there suffocating the poor boys. You’re letting the heat out.”

“Thanks, Dad. Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Jordan.” That seemed to kick the women out of their state, and they traded hello's and introduced himself.

I squeezed his shoulder, trying to read his face. That beautiful smile was on full display, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Finally, everyone moved out of the way to give us some space.

“You okay?” I asked him.

“Yeah, baby. I'm fine.”

I shot him a pointed look, because fine very rarely meant fine . I took his hand, brushing a kiss to his knuckles in a silent show of support. My dad’s grin caught my eye, and his was the approval I sought all along. Now that we weren’t surrounded by the gaggle of hens, he got the chance to speak. “So lovely to meet you, Jordan. Welcome to the family.”

Jordan hesitated when Dad stepped forward with outstretched arms. He looked at me, then went into the embrace when I nodded my approval. If there was ever a competition on who gave the best hugs, my father would win hands down. We matched in size and weight but his softer edges and the ability to give just the right amount of pressure could cure anyone's anxiety—I was sure of it. I was proven right when Jordan relaxed, and that sparkle returned to his eyes. I couldn't help but smile, and my dad reached out.

“Get over here, son.”

I rushed into his arms, seeking comfort in my own award-winning hug.

“I like him already,” he whispered in my ear.

My eyes burned and I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “He’s a really good man, Dad.”

Dad tightened his hold on me. “Good. That's all I ever wanted for you.” With a pat on my back he let go, his eyes bright with love. “Well, come on. I heard the oven timer and I'm starving.”

“When aren't you?” I chuckled.

My dad's rumble of amusement warmed me, “I'm a big guy! It takes a lot to fill me up.”

Mom entered the room then and patted his soft belly. “I think I do just fine keeping you satisfied honey.”

Oh, my poor, sweet innocent mother didn’t realize the hole she walked herself into. My dad grabbed her hand and brought her to his chest. “That you do sweetheart,” he said, making her giggle as he waggled his eyebrows.

And right on cue all five of us Jarman kids groaned.

“Oh, stop it! Do you seriously think we had five children by miraculous conception?” Dad winked at mom, who blushed like they were two kids in the summer falling in love.

“Your parents are cute,” Jordan whispered in my ear. “Have they always been like that?”

I pulled him to stand in front of me, wrapping my arms around his shoulders from behind. Having a man I could be so openly affectionate with was something I’d grown to love. “So, in love that it's nauseating? Yes.”

Jordan pinched my arm until I squirmed. “It's cute. My parents love each other, but they bicker for a sport.”

“I can admit it's cute.” I stamped a kiss on his cheek. “It's something I always wanted for myself.”

Jordan chuckled, “but make it gay, I hope.”

“Mmhmm. Very, very gay.”

“I like the sound of that.”

We gathered around the table, Jordan handling the barrage of questions thrown his way with grace. Throughout the interrogation, my hand remained on his knee, a silent reassurance amidst the onslaught. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was on some sort of trial. It shouldn 't have surprised me, given my older sister's profession as a trial attorney.

As the rest of us cleared our plates, I finally decided to intervene. Jordan had barely touched his food amidst the Spanish inquisition. "Okay, okay; that's enough. Jordan’s an amazing man and I’m happy. End of discussion. Can we please let the man eat?" I pleaded, hoping to alleviate some of the pressure. Jordan shot me a grateful look, and guilt gnawed at me. I hadn't anticipated it would be this intense, and the realization of how serious our relationship had become hit me like a freight train.

Jordan's hand found my thigh under the table, offering a reassuring squeeze. But before the tension could ease entirely, Caitlyn redirected the conversation. "So, have you spoken to Mouse?" she inquired, turning her questioning gaze towards me.

My body tensed at the sound of his name. I shook my head, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice. "He isn't answering my calls," I admitted. Despite my weekly attempts, his voicemail had become an all too familiar sound.

Jordan stiffened, my sisters exchanging knowing glances. Eli’s absence cast a dark shadow over the room. I hoped that it wouldn't be the strain that fractured my relationship.