Aaron loved the drive back to Stoke-on-Trent. The familiar stretch of countryside, the rolling hills, and the occasional patch of dense forest always brought a sense of calm he couldn’t quite find anywhere else.
He hadn’t been home in a while, not with training, rehab, and now games taking up most of his time. But with a rare day off and no obligations, he had decided it was time to visit his parents, Caroline and Nick, and his younger brother, Oliver.
The journey gave him time to think, though he wasn’t entirely sure if that was a good thing. These days, his thoughts had an annoying tendency to drift toward Marlene.
He tried not to, of course - tried to focus on the road, the music playing softly from his speakers, or even the upcoming matches. But she always found her way back into his mind: her warm smile, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was concentrating, and her laugh. It was maddening, really.
By the time he pulled into the driveway of his childhood home, the smell of his mum’s cooking was already wafting through the air, making his stomach rumble. He parked his car and stepped out, taking a moment to stretch before heading inside.
The house hadn’t changed much over the years. The front garden was as immaculate as ever, thanks to his dad’s meticulous care. The door opened before he even reached it, his mum standing there with a bright smile.
“Aaron!” Caroline exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug the moment he stepped inside. “It’s so good to see you! You look healthy - how’s the shoulder holding up?”
“It’s good, Mum,” Aaron replied with a grin, hugging her back. “Feels strong, no issues so far.”
“Good, good,” she said, stepping back to look at him properly. “Come in, your dad’s in the living room, and Oliver’s been waiting to pester you all day.”
As Aaron stepped into the cozy living room, his dad stood up to greet him. “There he is,” Nick said with a broad smile, pulling Aaron into a firm handshake and a pat on the back. “Good to see you, son. You’ve been keeping us all proud.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Aaron said, feeling a familiar warmth settle in his chest.
“Oi, what about me?” came Oliver’s voice from the couch. His younger brother grinned up at him, his feet propped up on the coffee table. “No hug for your favorite sibling?”
Aaron rolled his eyes but ruffled Oliver’s hair as he walked past. “Nice to see you too, Ollie.”
Lunch was a feast, as always. Caroline had outdone herself, preparing roasted lamb with all the trimmings: golden roast potatoes, perfectly crispy Yorkshire puddings, steamed vegetables, and a rich, savory gravy that tied everything together. Aaron didn’t realize how much he missed his mum’s cooking until he took his first bite.
“This is amazing, Mum,” he said between mouthfuls.
Caroline beamed. “I knew you’d need a proper meal. You probably don’t eat enough during the season.”
“He eats plenty, Mum,” Oliver chimed in, smirking. “He’s just too polite to say he misses home-cooked food.”
Aaron chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, you’ve got me there.”
As they ate, the conversation turned to Aaron’s season.
“So,” Nick began, slicing into his lamb, “how’s it been getting back into the swing of things? I saw that save against Liverpool - bloody brilliant.”
Aaron shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s been good. The shoulder feels solid, and I’m happy to be back. The game was a big confidence boost.”
“You looked sharp,” Oliver added. “It’s about time. Arsenal’s been boring without you.”
“Boring?” Aaron repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” Oliver said with a grin. “You bring the drama - everyone knows it.”
Caroline shook her head fondly. “Well, we’re just glad you’re healthy. It’s been a tough road, but you’ve come through it stronger.”
“Thanks, Mum,” Aaron said softly.
They talked about the rest of the season - upcoming games, the team’s chances, and how things were shaping up at the club. Aaron tried to stay present in the conversation, but his mind wandered to Marlene occasionally.
His family noticed.
“You’re quiet today,” Caroline observed, tilting her head. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Aaron replied quickly, a little too quickly.
Oliver narrowed his eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “You’ve been weird all afternoon. Don’t tell me - you’ve met someone.”
Aaron’s fork clattered against his plate, and he felt heat creeping up his neck. “What? No, I haven’t. I’m not seeing anyone at the moment.”
His mum raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Hmm, you’re blushing for someone who’s not seeing anyone.”
“I’m not blushing,” Aaron muttered, though his reddening cheeks betrayed him.
Nick chuckled. “So, there’s no one you’ve got your eye on? Not even a little?”
Aaron sighed, running a hand through his hair. There was no escaping his family when they were like this - persistent and far too observant. “Fine,” he admitted, leaning back in his chair. “There’s… someone I like. But it’s not like that. She doesn’t see me that way.”
Caroline’s face lit up. “Oh, Aaron! Who is she? What’s she like?”
“She’s…” Aaron hesitated, trying to find the right words. “She’s smart. Kind. She works harder than anyone I’ve ever met. And… she’s beautiful. But she’s way out of my league, so it’s not really worth thinking about.”
Oliver snorted. “Out of your league? Come on, mate. You’re Aaron Ramsdale. If you’re not in her league, who is?”
Aaron shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips despite himself. “You don’t get it. She’s different. She’s not impressed by all the football stuff, and I like that about her. But it also means she’s not going to fall for someone like me.”
His mum reached over and squeezed his hand. “Don’t sell yourself short, Aaron. You’ve got a good heart, and any girl would be lucky to have you.”
“Yeah,” Oliver added with a grin. “But maybe try actually talking to her about it instead of sitting here sulking.”
“I’m not sulking,” Aaron protested, though the thought of telling Marlene how he felt made his stomach flip. “It’s complicated.”
“It always is,” Nick said with a knowing smile. “But you’ll figure it out, son. Just don’t let a good thing slip away.”
Aaron nodded, though he wasn’t entirely convinced. The rest of the afternoon passed with more jokes and stories, but Marlene stayed on his mind. Out of his league or not, she was someone he couldn’t seem to stop thinking about, no matter how much he tried.
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INTOXICATED [aaron ramsdale]
FanfictionINTOXICATED - The feeling of being utterly consumed by an overwhelming, uncontrollable passion for someone. It's like your entire world revolves around them, with every thought, every breath, and every glance focused on their presence. You feel a ru...