Page 129 of Racking Up Penalties
“Knew you had it in you, brother,” Liam adds, his lean frame vibrating with energy. There’s a twinkle in his gray eyes that speaks volumes about how much he cares for Tristan.
“Thanks, guys,” Tristan says, and I can hear the gratitude lacing his voice, feel the humbleness that has always grounded him despite the talent that sets him apart.
We exchange a look, the four of us, a silent promise that no matter where life takes us, these moments will be the ones that stay etched within us forever. This tangle of arms, the smell of the turf beneath the sky, the sound of our laughter mingling with the chants of victory—it’s the culmination of more than just a game.
It’s the beginning of everything we’ve ever wanted—a future together in New York. I know that the end of this game doesn’t mean the end of anything at all.
It’s simply another kickoff into the rest of our lives.
We find a pocket of stillness amidst the chaos, an untouched patch of green where the noise of the crowd gives way to our collective exhale. The four of us collapse onto the cool grass, our limbs entwined in an effortless tangle that feels like home. There’s a comfortable silence as we simply sit, letting the enormity of what just happened wash over us.
“This is amazing!” Tristan’s voice is a low rumble, his blue eyes sparking with residual adrenaline.
I shake my head, my gaze traveling from Ethan’s warm brown eyes, filled with unwavering belief, to Liam’s playful gray ones, shimmering with pride. “It’s like a dream,” I murmur, still caught up in the whirlwind of emotions.
My heart swells with love for these men, these incredible souls who have become my anchors in a sea of uncertainty. As I look at them, at their familiar faces painted with joy and relief, gratitude floods through me. We’ve weathered storms together, navigated the choppy waters of change, and here we are, stronger for it.
We rise together, a single unit among the thinning crowd, our steps slow but sure as we head toward the exit. The stadium’s energy still thrums in my veins, echoing with the cheers and shouts that had filled the air only moments before. But now, it’s like we’re wrapped in a bubble of shared joy, a cocoon of love that nothing can penetrate.
“Can you believe it?” I breathe out, glancing at Tristan, his hair tousled and eyes bright from the victory. His arm is around my shoulders, his touch a warm promise of forever things.
“Believe it? I knew I was going to win with you here cheering me on,” he replies, his voice steady as ever, though I catch the flicker of excitement beneath his cool exterior.
Ethan chuckles beside me, his hand finding mine and squeezing it.
Liam walks on my other side, his gray eyes reflecting the stadium lights that are starting to dim. He bumps his shoulder against mine playfully. “So, New York, huh? We’re really doing this.”
“Looks like it,” I say, my heart skipping at the thought. We’d talked about it, dreamed about it, but now, the plan is a tangible thing, pulling us toward a future filled with unknowns and excitement.
“First, we celebrate,” Ethan declares, and there’s a collective murmur of agreement between us. Celebration seems too small a word for the swell of emotions threatening to spill over within me.
As we step out of the stadium and into the cool evening air, I feel a surge of anticipation for what lies ahead. Our footsteps echo on the pavement, a rhythm that matches the beating of our hearts. We’re embarking on a journey, not just to New York, but to wherever life’s path leads us. Together, always.
Epilogue
3 years later
My palms are slick against the fabric of my latest creation, a gown that’s as bold and daring as the decision to finally step into the spotlight with my designs. A heartbeat thrums in my ears, each pulse racing to match the tempo of the excitement crackling backstage. I’m a bundle of raw nerves and uncontainable energy, barely tethered to the ground by the weight of my anticipation.
The air around me is electric, charged with the buzzing whispers of the audience beyond the heavy curtain that separates my current world from the one I’m about to conquer. They’re all here for the unveiling, for the first breath-taking glimpse of my newest fashion line.
My fingers trace the seams of my garments, a silent tribute to the late nights and endless sketches that have led to this moment.
I can almost feel the warmth of the spotlight that awaits, the glow that will soon bathe my creations in its golden hue. The runway is out there.
The fabric of the curtain feels cool and slightly rough against my fingertips as I inch it aside, just enough for one eye to spy on the crowd.
There they are. Ethan, Liam, and Tristan sit side by side in the front row.
Ethan’s intense brown eyes meet mine, a silent vow of unwavering faith that sends warmth cascading through my veins. Beside him, Liam’s gray eyes sparkle with excitement, his lean frame almost vibrating with energy, while Tristan’s deep blue gaze offers a quiet harbor of reassurance.
I drink in the sight of them and something within me settles.
“Go get ‘em, Tessa,” Ethan mouths, and even from this distance, I can hear the unspoken words echo in my heart.
“Showtime,” Liam adds with an impish grin that could light up the darkest room.
Tristan simply nods, his expression serene yet filled with pride, silently communicating a belief so profound it acts as a catalyst, propelling me forward.
