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The warmth of their mother's embrace was comforting, yet Imani couldn't shake the lingering tension from the car ride. The memory of waking up on Jobe's shoulder replayed in her mind, making her skin prickle with discomfort. As they stepped into the house, Imani tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing on the familiar sights and smells of home.
The living room was exactly as she remembered—cozy and inviting, with photos of her and Jadon as children adorning the walls. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, and for a moment, Imani felt a sense of peace.
"You're finally home," their mother said, her voice full of emotion as she set their bags down. "I've missed you both so much."
"We missed you too, Mum," Jadon replied, his smile genuine as he looked around. Imani forced a smile, trying to match his enthusiasm, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
As they began to settle in, their mother bustled into the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks. "You must be starving after that long drive," she called out. "I'll get something ready for us."
Imani sank into the couch, hoping that the comfort of home would help ease her mind. But as soon as she closed her eyes, she heard the sound of the front door opening again. Her heart skipped a beat, and she sat up, a sense of unease washing over her.
"Jadon, Imani," their mother called from the hallway, her voice full of cheer, "Jude and Jobe are here! I invited them in—thought we could all relax together for a bit."
Imani's stomach twisted. The last thing she wanted was to face Jobe again, especially after the awkwardness in the car. She shot a quick glance at Jadon, who looked just as surprised, though he quickly masked it with a calm expression.
Imani stood up, her mind racing for an excuse. "Mum, I, um... I need to unpack a few things upstairs. Maybe we could catch up later?" she suggested, trying to keep her tone light.
Her mother, still unaware of the tension, waved off the excuse with a smile. "Nonsense, darling! There's plenty of time for that. Come and sit down. You've been with Jude and Jobe all morning—no need to avoid them now!"
Imani hesitated, but before she could protest further, Jude and Jobe walked into the living room, their presence instantly filling the space with the same awkward tension that had clouded the car ride. Jude gave a broad smile, trying to break the ice. "Hey, Imani. Ready for round two?" he joked, his tone light.
She managed a nod, forcing herself to return the smile. "Yeah, sure, Jude." But her eyes flickered to Jobe, who stood a few steps behind his brother, his expression more quieter. Their gazes met for a brief moment, and Imani quickly looked away, her heart pounding.
Jobe, sensing her discomfort, seemed to shrink back slightly, his usual confidence replaced with uncertainty. He mumbled a quiet greeting, but the awkwardness between them was palpable.
Jadon, sensing the rising tension, quickly intervened. "Why don't we all sit down? Mum was just getting us some tea." He gestured toward the couch, trying to keep the atmosphere light.
Imani reluctantly sat back down, feeling trapped. She tried to focus on anything but the awkwardness, but it was impossible to ignore Jobe's presence, sitting just a few feet away. She could feel his eyes on her, though he made an effort not to stare.
Their mother returned with a tray of tea and snacks, her face beaming with joy. "Here we go! Let's all relax after that long trip." She handed out the cups, completely unaware of the strained silence that had settled over the room.
Imani took her cup, her hands trembling slightly. She sipped the tea, hoping it would calm her nerves, but it did little to ease the tension. Jobe was quiet, his eyes fixed on his tea, while Jude made small talk with their mother, trying to keep the conversation going.
"So, how's pre-season training going, Jobe?" their mother asked, turning her attention to him.
Jobe looked up, surprised to be addressed directly. "It's going well, thanks. Just trying to stay focused and ready for the new season."
Imani could tell he was being polite, but the usual spark in his voice was missing. She risked a glance at him, and for a moment, their eyes met again. This time, she saw something in his expression that she hadn't expected—regret.
"That's great," their mother replied, oblivious to the undercurrents in the room. "I'm so glad you're doing well. You've always been so dedicated."
Imani set her cup down, feeling like she couldn't breathe in the stifling atmosphere. "Mum, I think I'm going to head upstairs now, actually. I'm really tired."
Her mother looked a bit disappointed but nodded. "Of course, dear. Get some rest. We'll catch up properly later."
Imani quickly stood and made her way toward the stairs, eager to escape the tension. But as she reached the bottom step, she heard a voice behind her.
