Page 41 of Racking Up Penalties
If Ethan won’t play nice then I won’t be staying with him.
It’s late so we all head to get ready for bed. Even though he caused tension, I still give Ethan a soft kiss before he goes to his room alone.
Once settled in the cozy confines of our shared bedroom, the tension dissipates like fog beneath the sun. Liam’s grin is infectious, his playfulness a contrast to Ethan’s brooding presence. Tristan’s blue eyes shimmer with mischief as he tosses me onto the bed. Liam wrestles me for the fluffiest pillow, his touch light yet charged, sending shivers down my spine despite the warmth of the room.
“Truce?” Tristan laughs, collapsing beside me, his sandy hair tousled and eyes bright.
“Truce,” Liam agrees, though his hand lingers on my waist, grounding me.
They lay on either side of me, holding me between them.
As slumber claims us, my last thought is of how much I like being surrounded by these two.
* * *
The aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the scent of pine as I pad into the living room, the floorboards cool beneath my feet. Sunlight spills through the windows, casting a warm glow on the cozy space. But despite the inviting ambiance, a palpable tension hangs in the air.
I was hoping to wake up with Liam and Tristan but they were both gone.
Emma and her guys are in the kitchen watching my men with amusement.
Ethan is perched on the edge of the couch, his jaw set in that stubborn line I’ve come to recognize all too well. Across from him, Liam leans back casually in an armchair, his every gesture seeming to challenge Ethan’s rigid posture. Their banter scrapes uncomfortably against my nerves.
“Bet I could hit the bottom of the run faster than you,” Ethan says, his eyes narrowing as he takes a swig from his mug.
“Only if you start without me,” Liam retorts, the corner of his mouth twitching as if he’s enjoying this, but his gray eyes are like flint. “You don’t have your daddy here to make it easier for you.”
I nip at my lower lip, an anxious flutter building in my chest. The last thing I want is for this trip to become a battleground for their egos.
“Come on, guys,” Tristan chimes in, breaking through my thoughts. He’s leaning against the kitchen counter. “We’re here to have fun, remember? Not compete for gold medals.”
“Speak for yourself,” Liam counters, but there’s a hint of a smile now. “I’m going for platinum.”
Tristan laughs, the sound bright and easy, and I find myself drawn to it like a moth to a flame. “Well, if we’re handing out awards, Tessa gets one for putting up with us.”
I move into Tristan’s arms which he wraps around me instantly.
“Make sure it’s sparkly,” I quip, grateful for Tristan’s attempt to lighten the mood. The room fills with laughter, albeit a little strained, and I allow myself a small sigh of relief.
“Anyway,” Tristan continues, glancing around the room, “we’ve got a whole day ahead of us. Let’s not waste it on who’s the fastest or the strongest. Let’s just enjoy the time together, yeah?”
“Sure,” Ethan agrees, though reluctance laces his tone. His gaze flickers to me briefly, a silent question in its depths.
“Alright,” Liam concedes, his competitive fire dimming as he meets my eyes. There’s an unspoken promise there saying I’ll back down for you.
“Fantastic!” I clap my hands together, mustering more cheer than I feel. “Let’s make it a day to remember for all the right reasons.”
Emma gives me a sympathetic smile before directing everyone to get their stuff so we can go.
Luka starts joking with Liam while Alec and Tristan pack the car up. JD is with Emma, kissing her softly in the corner.
Leaving poor Ethan standing at the door with his snowboard. He looks like he doesn’t care but I can see the strain in his eyes. I head over and his eyes light up.
“Thanks for being here,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around him.
Ethan leans down and presses a kiss to my hair. “I don’t know how you did it but I would only ever suffer through all these guys hating me for you.”
That shouldn’t give me a spark of joy. “That just means you’re alone for me to come snuggle up to.”
