Page 75 of Racking Up Penalties
Liam loops an arm around his mother’s shoulders, kissing her cheek with a loud smack. “Thanks, Ma.” His affection is effortless, the kind that speaks volumes of their bond.
“Always, sweetheart,” she replies, the endearment hanging in the air like a gentle caress.
Tessa catches my eye, her smile encouraging as she squeezes my hand briefly before letting go.
The image of Tessa and I having a happy home, full of love floods my brain. Unbidden, Tristan and Liam pop into the image, making Tessa smile and filling our home with warmth.
I never imagined my life like this but now it’s something I want. Badly.
The scent hits me first, sweet and buttery, a fragrance that seems to weave through the air, stitching together the very fabric of this house. Freshly baked cookies.
“Smells amazing, doesn’t it?” Tessa murmurs beside me, her voice low and tinged with happiness that resonates deep in my chest.
“Debbie, you’ve outdone yourself,” Tristan comments, his easy charm filling the room like sunlight.
“Nothing beats homemade cookies,” Liam agrees, the pride in his voice clear.
And there, amidst the casual banter and the rich aroma of baked goods, something inside me shifts. For years, I’ve been skating on the surface of life, gliding over emotions, never allowing myself to dig in and feel the ice beneath my blades. But now, as I stand in the epicenter of this unpretentious home, I realize that the acceptance I crave isn’t tied to a scoreboard or bank account—it’s right here, carried on the air, mingled with the scent of vanilla and chocolate chips.
This is where I want to be, not just in body but in spirit too. A place where the sound of laughter rings truer than any applause, where every breath feels like a new chance—a fresh sheet of ice ready for the first skate. And as I follow the others toward the promise of those cookies, toward the heart of Debbie’s love-infused kitchen, I know that this is where I’m meant to learn the true meaning of home.
Debbie’s hands, the same ones that embraced us at the door, now gesture with a flourish to the plate piled high with cookies. They sit on the kitchen island like golden-brown treasures, promising more than just sweetness with every bite.
“Help yourselves, darlings,” she says, her voice a melody of motherly love.
I reach for a cookie, the heat from it seeping into my palm, and I can’t help but marvel at how something so simple can be so comforting. It’s chewy, the chocolate still slightly gooey, and as I bite down, flavors explode across my taste buds, rich and fulfilling in a way that gourmet dinners never managed to achieve.
“Debbie, these are incredible,” Tessa beams. Her eyes meet mine over a mouthful of cookies, and there’s a spark of shared joy there, a silent conversation of gratitude. We were both nervous to come here and now it’s going great.
I nod in agreement, too full of emotions to trust my voice. Surrounded by friends who feel like more, by this family that isn’t mine but somehow feels like it is, I’m struck by a wave of contentment so intense it almost bowls me over. My heart swells, and I swallow hard against the lump forming in my throat.
“Nothing like my mom’s baking, eh?” Liam says, catching my eye. He winks, the corner of his mouth lifting in a knowing smirk as if he understands exactly what’s going through my head.
“Definitely not,” I manage to choke out, and I try to smile back, but it’s watery and weak. And that’s okay because right now, raw emotion is better than any mask I could wear.
“Make sure you eat up. There’s plenty,” Debbie insists, bustling about, already thinking of the next thing she can offer us. The care she pours into every action, every word, is palpable, wrapping around us like a blanket.
I’m jealous that Liam had Debbie growing up but I would never hold it against him. Still, I wish my mom had been more like her.
I take another bite, letting the simple pleasure of the moment wash over me.
“Thank you, Debbie.” The words come out soft, infused with years of yearning for this very feeling. “For everything.”
She smiles, and it’s like sunshine breaking through clouds. “You’re part of the family now, Ethan. Always welcome here.”
And with those simple words, the pieces of my scattered life begin to click into place, assembling into a picture I hadn’t dared to imagine before.
Chapter 34
The plush cushions of Debbie’s well-loved sofa embrace me as I settle in beside Ethan, his athletic frame taking up more space than it should. Liam lounges on the armchair across from us, his leg bouncing with a nervous energy that seems out of place in the warm, inviting living room.
“Mom, you should have seen Tessa at the game last week,” Liam starts, casting an amused glance my way. “She was louder than the entire student section.”
Debbie chuckles, her eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that mirrors Liam’s when he’s genuinely happy. “Oh, I believe it.”
“Tell us a story about Liam,” Tristan prompts.
“This one,” she points at Liam with a knowing look, “used to run around the house with a makeshift cape, convinced he could fly if he just ran fast enough.”
