Page 85 of Racking Up Penalties
The world outside is a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere I’ve just escaped. My breath fogs in the cool November air, and my heart’s still erratic beat feels almost in sync with the distant sound of an approaching car. The headlights cut through the twilight like beacons, and a silver sedan rounds the corner, rolling to a stop at the curb where I stand.
I grab my bag where I stashed it behind the bushes and make my way to my new, chosen family.
Liam’s behind the wheel, his gray eyes scanning for threats. Beside him, Tristan’s gaze locks onto mine, a silent communication passing between us. And there, crammed in the backseat is Tessa. Her hazel eyes meet mine, wide with concern that melts into relief when she sees me.
“Jesus, Ethan,” Liam mutters as I pull open the door, his voice a mix of anger and worry. “You look like hell.”
“Feels about right,” I admit, sliding into the backseat beside Tessa. The warmth of the car wraps around me. I pull her into my side, wrapping my arms around her and holding her tight.
“Are you okay?” Tessa’s hand finds mine, her small fingers intertwining with mine in a familiar, comforting grip. The simple act is a lifeline, grounding me in the here and now.
“Will be,” I say, squeezing her hand back.
“What happened?” Liam asks, driving us away from that hell.
“I ended any relationship I had with them. They know I want nothing to do with them and I got the closure I needed.”
Tessa runs her fingers across my eye. “And this?”
I shake my head. “The last time he will ever put his hands on me.”
I let out a shaky laugh, the sound foreign and ragged to my ears.
“Good.” Liam meets my gaze in the rear view mirror, and something passes between us, unspoken but understood. A shared acknowledgment of the painful paths we’ve both walked. “Let’s get out of here.”
I watch through the rear window as my parent’s house, a mausoleum of false smiles and hollow achievements, shrinks into the distance. The farther we get, the lighter I feel, the tightness in my chest begins to ease.
“Thank you,” I whisper, not sure if they hear me over the sound of the road beneath us.
“For what?” Tessa turns towards me, her red hair spilling over her shoulder like a cascade of flames in the dim light.
“For being my real family.” The words come out choked, but they’re true. They’re the ones who have seen me at my worst and haven’t flinched. The ones who know all the parts of me I’d rather hide and love me anyway.
“Always,” Tristan says with a firm nod, and there’s a promise in that single word that fills the car like a sacred vow.
Then I confess, “At the beginning, I planned to take Tessa for myself and leave the rest of you behind but now I can’t imagine life without all of us together.”
Tristan laughs. “There was no way I was going to let that happen. I’m glad you finally came around.”
Tessa presses a kiss to the corner of my lips.
“So, where to for our family?” Liam asks, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
“Anywhere but here,” I say, a sense of liberation blooming within me. I’m free from the chains of expectation, ready to carve out a life with these people by my side. An uncertain future, yes, but for the first time, it’s wholly mine.
Chapter 37
The laughter and clatter of pads hitting the lockers create a symphony of camaraderie that thrums through my veins as I sit among my teammates. The air is thick with the smell of sweat and determination, and I can’t help but crack a smile as jokes are lobbed over my head.
We won our game today.
“Delaney!” The voice cuts through the friendly din like a sharp whistle. I turn, my smile fading into a tight line. Tyler stands there, his presence like a cloud casting a shadow over the room. His eyes fix on me, hard and unyielding. “You threw that interception today.”
I hear the snickers around us die down to uncertain murmurs. Part of me wants to stand up, to meet his challenge face-to-face, but I resist. Instead, I lean back against the cool metal of the locker, crossing my arms. “One pass,” I reply, my tone even, betraying none of the irritation simmering inside me. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me ruffled.
“Must be nice,” he sneers, stepping closer, “thinking you’re one of the guys when you’ve barely earned your spot.” His words sting, sure, but I’m not about to let him see that either.
“I’m not sure you’re considered one of the guys,” I answer calmly, forcing a lazy smile. “Your mouth ruins that.” A few teammates chuckle, tension breaking like thin ice underfoot. But the frostiness in Tyler’s glare tells me he isn’t done yet.
