8. Erik

Chapter 8

Erik

I 'm chopping wood outside, each swing releasing a bit of the frustration boiling inside me. I'm confused, unsure of what Lissy thinks of me. The cold bites at my skin, but it's nothing compared to the chill in my heart. I stop, leaning on the axe, and take a deep breath, the crisp air filling my lungs.

I can’t seem to make heads or tails of her. One minute she’s looking at me like she wants to jump my bones, and the next she’s this shy little kitten, blushing and looking away. I could’ve sworn I read the signs. She wanted me to kiss her. She leaned in too…didn’t she?

My spiraling thoughts carried me through the rest of the chore, and I find myself stacking the split wood next to the fire.

“I think I judged you too quickly,” Lissy says softly, breaking the silence. I look at her, surprised.

“We all make mistakes,” I reply, trying to keep my voice even. She smiles, a genuine, warm smile that reaches her eyes.

The warmth from the fire seems to fill the entire cabin, and I feel a connection to Lissy that goes beyond anything I've felt before. I realize I'm seeing her in a completely new light.

As the afternoon wears on, I find myself opening up more about my life outside soccer – my family, my dreams, the pressures I face. Lissy listens intently, her eyes reflecting a sincerity that makes me feel truly seen.

“I always thought being an athlete was your whole world,” she admits, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“It's a big part of it, but there's more to me than just that,” I say, feeling a sense of relief in sharing this part of myself.

We occasionally share glances that speak volumes. I wash the dishes while Lissy dries, our movements synchronized in an easy dance.

The storm seems to have taken a backseat to the new understanding blossoming between us.

“I like this side of you,” she says, a playful tone in her voice.

“You're not so bad yourself,” I tease back, and we both laugh, the sound echoing warmly in the cabin.

I can't help but feel a sense of contentment. The barriers between us have started to crumble, revealing the genuine connection underneath. Lissy looks up from below her lashes, her eyes meeting mine, and in that moment, I feel something shift inside me.

She stretches on her tip toes, and presses a gentle kiss to my scruffy chin. Not having the opportunity to shave has been rough, but I don’t think she minds.

A realization that this unexpected time together has changed us both. We may have been trapped by the storm, but in the process, we've found something unexpected and real.