Page 48 of Rival Season
“It wasn’t so bad.” He smiles, then drops his voice to a conspiratorial tone. “This one family we lived with had a huge collection of old DVDs, so I could watchAmerican Pieanytime I wanted. Teenage Penn was pumped…do you know how many boobs are in that movie?”
I snort a laugh, but I can tell he’s deflecting with humor, and my heart aches for him.
“Well, whether it’s boobs or boxes, sometimes it only takes one person, or one family, to make a difference,” I reply, steering the conversation back to neutral, less personal ground so he’s not uncomfortable. I grab a pencil from my bun and check a few items on the list for the box I’m working on.
“You have no idea how true that is,” Penn says on a sigh. “I’m still in disbelief at the way my life has worked out. It could all have gone so differently if it weren’t for certain people coming into my life at the right time.”
I stop my work, placing a hand on his forearm. “I have no doubt that you would’ve found your way in life regardless.”
Penn looks up at me through his lashes. “You really think so?”
“Of course,” I answer without needing to think it over. “You’re hard working, you care about the people in your life, you’re kind. You’re a good man, Penn.”
He goes completely still in a way that makes me wonder if no one has ever said those words to him before.
Penn grew up without a home with a loving parent, moving from family to family, and while I’ll never understand how hard that must have been for him, I can somewhat empathize. I grew up with a family who treated me like I’m a nuisance, and while I know my family must love me in their own way, they’ve never exactly been supportive. I guess Penn and I have both made the best out of our circumstances without anyone cheering us on. Without anyone telling us they’re proud of the people we are.
“Thank you.” Penn’s voice is scratchy with emotion. “That means a lot to me, Hazel.” He pauses. “Remember I told you my dad wasn’t the best guy?”
I nod.
Penn sighs. “Well, I was always afraid of becoming like him. So I’ve worked really hard not to be.”
“Mission accomplished.” I smile.
“Would you two get a pucking room already!” Fisher yells across the table.
Penn shakes his head, but he’s laughing.
“Seriously, Matthews,” Coach Anderson groans. “Get your ass busy. I plan on being home in time for dinner with my wife and girls. We’re having pot roast tonight.”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist; we’re making great time,” Penn tells him.
Coach Anderson glares at him. “Watch your mouth, son.”
“Yes, sir.”
Noah and Fisher snicker quietly at the reprimand, until the coach glares at them, too. “What are you two smirking about over there?”
“Nothing, Coach,” Fisher blurts as all three boys straighten and jump into action, busying themselves with work again.
I turn away to hide my own smile. Against all odds, today has turned out to be a good day. And instead of packing boxes late into the night, I’ll be home and hopefully doing absolutely nothing.
CHAPTER 17
HAZEL
With the Lionsteam volunteering their help, I’m home and showered by seven. Eating cheese and crackers at seven-thirty and finishing my writing for the night at nine…and to think earlier today, I was dreading staying up all night to finish everything I needed to do.
All thanks to Penn.
I ease onto the cushions on the sofa, resting my sore feet on the ottoman and situating a small pillow behind my aching back. After standing on that cement floor for two days in a row and lifting the boxes, my whole body is sore. I’m in my nightgown with my comfortable slippers on, sipping a glass of red wine and feeling happy that I don’t have to get up off this couch for several hours.
Chadwick went to Sacramento overnight for a last-minute meeting scheduled with his team, so I’m soaking up having the place to myself—and it’s a relief he won’t be here tomorrow morning trying to woo me with more roses and asking me to be his Valentine.
I’m tired of staying cooped up in my room, so I’m trying my darndest to ignore the mess of dirty dishes he left in the sink and his sweaty socks strewn across the floor.
I glance to my left and find Fluffy staring at me from her new home on the end table in the living room. Her terrarium takes up the whole table.
