Page 112 of Racking Up Penalties
“Hey, Tessa,” Tristan’s voice finds me, pulling me back from the edge of despair. “Talk to us. What’s wrong?”
But how do I even begin to explain the betrayal that’s just unfolded?
The chill of the evening does nothing to soothe the feverish heat coursing through my veins. I can barely hold my phone steady, its edges digging into my palm as if trying to anchor me to reality.
“Guys,” I begin, my voice cracking like thin ice underfoot. “That was Janet, from Jordan’s office.” I swallow hard, forcing myself to meet their gazes one by one. Tristan’s blue eyes, usually so calm and reassuring, widen with alarm. Liam’s brows draw together, his mouth set in a tight line, while Ethan… Ethan looks like he’s been gut-punched, his brown eyes darkening with something fierce.
“Jordan’s not going to invest anymore,” I continue, my words tumbling out in a rush. “They say… they say it’s because of ‘disgusting behavior’.” My fingers twitch around my phone. “Because of my relationship with you three.”
Disbelief flickers across Tristan’s face, his forehead creasing as if he’s trying to decipher a particularly difficult play on the football field. “But that’s ridiculous, Tessa. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
Liam’s hands curl into fists at his sides, the knuckles whitening with the strength of his grip. “Who told them that? Why would they even care?”
I watch as Ethan’s jaw clenches, his entire body radiating tension. “It was my dad. Right? You said his name on the call. He’s friends with Jordan.”
A heavy silence falls over us, broken only by the distant cheers from the lingering crowd in the stadium. The weight of their shock is almost tangible, pressing down on me until I feel like I can’t breathe.
“Your dad?” Tristan’s voice is low, incredulous, a tremor of anger beneath the surface. “Why would he…”
“Because he can,” I whisper, grief knotting my chest. “Because he disapproves. And now… now I might lose everything I’ve worked for.”
Liam’s expression hardens, his protective instincts flaring as he steps closer. “We won’t let that happen, Tessa. We’re in this together, remember?”
Their immediate concern wraps around me like a warm blanket, but it’s not enough to stave off the cold dread that has settled deep in my bones.
“Thank you,” I manage to say, though the gratitude feels hollow against the fear. “I just… I don’t know what to do now.”
Ethan’s apology slices through the silence, raw and guilt-ridden. “I’m so sorry, Tessa. This is on me, I know it is. If my dad…”
“Stop.” My voice is firm, more than I feel. “It’s not your fault, Ethan. You didn’t do anything.”
But he’s shaking his head, those intense brown eyes of his clouded with self-blame. The weight of his family’s legacy, always a silent burden he carried, now seems to crush him visibly.
“Hey,” Liam interjects, his arms encircling me in a protective embrace. His body radiates warmth against the chill that’s seeping into my bones. “We’re going to get through this. Together.” His voice doesn’t waver; it’s the rock I desperately need right now. Determination is etched into every syllable, mirroring the resolve in his striking gray eyes.
Ethan paces a short distance away, his fists clenching and unclenching as if grappling with an invisible enemy. His anger is a living thing, pulsating beneath the surface like a caged animal pacing its confines. “I can’t believe he’d go this far,” he growls, frustration lacing his words. “I need to confront him. I have to set things right.”
“No, Ethan.” I reach out, laying a hand on his forearm, feeling the tense muscles beneath his skin. “Confronting your dad won’t help. It’s not worth the fight it will cause.”
“Maybe she’s right, man.” Tristan steps forward, his blue eyes calm but filled with empathy. He places a hand on Ethan’s shoulder, a silent offering of solidarity. “We’re a team, remember? We face everything as one.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice quivering slightly. “For being here. For everything.”
Tristan nods, his gaze steady. “Always, Tessa. No matter what comes our way, we’ll handle it together.”
The gratitude I feel for these three men swells within me, threatening to spill over.
I lean into their circle, the warmth from their bodies lending me a strength I desperately need. Liam’s arms are a gentle fortress around me, Tristan’s hand a steady anchor on my shoulder, and even Ethan, with his storm of emotions, stands protectively close. The blend of their colognes, a comforting familiarity in the sterile hallway, wraps around me like a promise.
“Okay, let’s think this through,” Tristan suggests, his tone shifting towards practicality. He looks at each of us in turn, his gaze holding a spark of determination that ignites hope within me. “We need a new investor—one who believes in Tessa as much as we do. Preferably one who is okay with our relationship and doesn’t know or get along with Michael.”
Ethan nods, his jaw still set in anger, but his eyes are alight with focus now. “There’s got to be someone out there who sees what we see in her work. Someone impartial, who stupid rumors won’t sway.”
“Right.” I take a deep breath, finding solace in their resolve. “Someone who understands the vision, who gets the passion behind it.” The words flow easier now, my mind beginning to race with possibilities rather than fears.
“Your designs are unique, Tessa. They tell a story,” Liam points out, his artistic sensibility shining through. “Whoever we find, they need to appreciate that narrative.”
“Maybe we can compile a list of potential investors,” Tristan suggests, pulling out his phone. “People interested in emerging talents.”
