Page 93 of Racking Up Penalties
“Guys!” My voice is pitched high, each word trembling with barely contained energy. “Something amazing just happened!”
Their brows lift in unison, a silent dance of eyebrows that speaks volumes of their interest and the connection we share, a connection that’s more complicated than most but stronger because of it.
“Spill it, Tess,” Tristan encourages, setting down his controller.
“Come on, out with it before you explode,” Ethan chimes in, his grin infectious.
I know they can see it, the triumph in my eyes, the victory in my stance. And I can’t wait to let them in on the secret that’s about to change everything.
“Okay, okay,” I say, catching my breath, preparing to share the news that’s set my future alight. “I got the investor! They want to invest in my fashion business!”
My words hang in the air for a split second before Ethan, Liam, and Tristan exchange glances that ripple with excitement, their faces transforming in an instant, lighting up with a pride that feels as tangible as the weight of my laptop.
“Seriously? Baby, that’s incredible!” Liam’s voice is a beacon of enthusiasm, his gray eyes sparkling like they’re lit from within.
Ethan stands, his broad shoulders squared and his eyes shining with that intense brown hue that always seems to see right through me. “You did it, Tessa,” he says, and there’s a warmth in his voice that wraps around me like a victory banner.
Tristan’s response is quieter but no less fervent, the depth of his blue eyes reflecting the magnitude of what this means. “You’re going to take the world by storm,” he insists, and I can’t help but believe him when he looks at me like that—like I’m already there, standing in the eye of my own hurricane of success.
The room pulses with our collective heartbeat, a symphony of shared dreams and intertwined destinies, and for a moment, I’m floating on the high of this new reality. Their belief in me, in us, it’s the fuel that ignites my ambition, and I know without a doubt that this is where I’m meant to be—with them.
The air shifts around us, charged with excitement as they close in—a whirl of support and shared triumph. Liam’s laughter is a bright sound that fills the room as he wraps me up in an embrace, his arms a circle of strength around my shoulders. “You’re going to absolutely kill it, Tessa.”
“Look at you, making dreams come true.” Ethan’s hug comes next, enveloping me with a gentleness that contradicts his athletic frame. His words are a soft murmur just for me, a secret vote of confidence that makes me stand a little taller.
And then there’s Tristan, his smile a quiet sunburst in the excitement. He doesn’t say anything at first, just pulls me into a hug that feels like coming home, a silent promise of always being there, through every high and low.
“Thank you, guys,” I whisper, my voice nearly lost in the tangle of emotions that clog my throat. My heart races, not just from the thrill of success, but from the realization of how much these three mean to me.
As we step back, their gazes hold mine, and warmth floods through me, washing away any lingering uncertainty. In their eyes, I see not just pride, but an unwavering belief in me. It’s enough to make me beam with gratitude, my smile so wide it feels like it might split my face.
“Let’s celebrate this moment,” Ethan says, his voice steady as he retrieves four glasses from the cupboard. His eyes are alight with pride, reflecting the same spark of excitement that’s igniting every nerve in my body.
“Here’s to Tessa’s unstoppable drive,” Liam adds with a grin, uncorking a bottle of champagne. He pours the sparkling liquid, and it fizzes like the electricity in the air.
“And to the bond we share,” Tristan chimes in, his deep voice resonating within the walls of our shared space. He lifts his glass, his gaze meeting mine with a sincerity that anchors me.
Our glasses clink in a symphony of solidarity, the sound echoing through the room and into the depths of my soul.
“To us,” I say, and the words seem to hang there, shimmering with the weight of everything they encompass. The future beckons, a canvas stretched out before us, ready to be painted with the vibrant colors of our collective spirit.
We drink the cool liquid and the laughter that follows is light and genuine.
“Seriously, Tessa, we’re so proud of you,” Ethan says, his grin wide and infectious.
“Absolutely,” Liam adds, his voice warm with sincerity. “Your designs are going to take the world by storm.”
Tristan nods, his gaze steady on me. “And we’ll be here, every step of the way.”
My heart blooms like a rose in fast-forward, petals unfurling with the rush of love I feel for these men—their support is unwavering, their faith in me unshakable. How did I get so lucky? To have not one, but three souls intertwined with mine, each offering strength, laughter, and an understanding that seems almost otherworldly.
As the night unfurls, we lose track of time. Our conversations meander from the trivial to the profound, like a river flowing over pebbles and plunging into deep pools. We speak of the future, of what lies beyond the walls of Eastwood University, and how my little fashion business might one day become a name whispered reverently on the lips of trendsetters.
Chapter 41
I was sitting on my bed texting Tessa when things took a dirty turn. I’ve been dying for this girl but there’s something poetic about me taking it slow with her.
Still, that ended as soon as she told me to come over and prove my words with actions.
