Trading Places

Chapter Fourteen

It had been a few weeks since the championship game, and Patrick and Amanda were doing better than ever. Amanda went with Patrick to his hometown for his day with the Cup, and got to meet his family back home. They all loved her, and she was more than relieved to know that no one had a problem with her age; they saw how happy she made Patrick, and that was all that mattered. They ended up spending the weekend in Canada, staying at a local hotel. On their last day of being there, Patrick's family cooked dinner for everyone as a farewell meal to Patrick and Amanda.

After everyone finished eating, they all went outside to sit around the fire pit. Amanda sat next to Patrick on the outdoor loveseat, handing him his beer. He smiled up at her and kissed her cheek gently.

"Thank you, love." He said, putting his arm around her when she sat down.

"You're welcome." She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, watching the fire.

Patrick talked with his parents and his brother about his plans for the summer, while Amanda watched the fire, lost in her thoughts. She really was enjoying this, being with Patrick. His family was incredible to her, and she really started to see herself spending the rest of her life with him. While she watched the fire, her thoughts trailed to their current situation; just being without a label. She knew that it was her suggestion, but she started wishing she could just call him her boyfriend, and let him call her his girlfriend. Maybe it was time to start getting more serious with all of this.

Amanda was pulled from her thoughts when she heard her name being brought up in the conversation.

"Hmm?" she asked, looking at Patrick.

Patrick smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. "Mom just asked if you were going to come visit with me during the summer."

Amanda smiled and nodded. "Of course; if you'll all have me, I'll definitely come with." She said, looking at his mom.

"We would love to have you, Amanda." His mom smiled.

Amanda smiled and looked up at Patrick who was yawning, trying to hide his tired eyes. "Someone's gettin' tired." She teased.

Patrick smirked down at her and nodded. "I am." He said. "Are you ready to head back to the hotel?" he asked.

"Yeah, it's pretty late." She said, sitting up on the loveseat.

Patrick stood up with Amanda and they said their goodbyes to his family before driving to the hotel. When they got to the room, Patrick laid back on the bed, letting out a dramatic yawn. Amanda giggled and walked over to the bed, sitting next to him.

"Were they serious about me coming with you this summer?" She asked.

Patrick looked up at her and smirked. "Of course they were serious. They really like you, babe." He said, taking her hand in his.

Amanda smiled and nodded. "Okay." She said and bit her bottom lip. "Hey, I was kind of thinking about us." She said.

"I was too." He smiled up at her and kissed her hand gently. "You tell me first."

She took a deep breath. "I know that I said I wanted to wait a bit longer to become official, but I think I might be ready." She said softly.

Patrick smiled and sat up to meet her gaze. "Yeah?" he asked softly. "I've been thinking the same thing." He said, touching her cheek gently. "But I don't want to rush you into anything okay?"