Chapter 7

Asher

I jog along Love Beach’ s sidewalk just on the other side of the seawall. The soft sand that has spilled over onto the concrete meets the soles of my sneakers. The sun is bright, causing the shoreline to look like a disco ball, and all I can think about is Elle.

I remember when I first saw her on this very beach, her long light brown hair dancing in the wind as she laughed amongst my friends around the campfire. I knew right away there was something different about her.

"Hey, Jet!" Ryder calls out, pulling me from my thoughts. "You've been lost in thought lately. What's going on?"

"Ah, Captain, it's nothing," I say, attempting to shake off the weight of my thoughts of Elle. "Just thinking about work, you know?"

"Right," he says, unconvinced. We continue jogging in silence.

The truth is, though, I can't stop thinking about Elle. About how she feels like a guiding light in my goal-driven life. She's unique, not just another pretty face, but someone with dreams and ambitions that rival my own.

"Jet, seriously," Ryder says, interrupting my thoughts again. "You've barely been present at practice lately. If there's something distracting you, you need to deal with it."

I slow down to walk and he mirrors my pace. I chew on my lower lip, contemplating whether to confide in him, and decide to be honest.

"It's Elle," I admit. "I can't get her out of my head. But I also can't afford to lose focus on hockey. I don't know what to do."

"Man, life's too short not to take chances," he replies. "You've worked hard to get where you are, but there's more to life than just hockey. I know we don’t ever want to think about life after hockey, but there is… Life after hockey, man."

I sigh, knowing he's right. But it's not that simple. My entire life has revolved around becoming the best hockey player I can be, and pursuing a relationship with Elle feels like stepping onto thin ice.

"Thanks, bro," I say, forcing a smile. We turn and run back in the direction of home.

As we approach the house, I can hear laughter and music blasting from our backyard. My roommates are in full swing with their latest activity: a homemade Slip 'N Slide using plastic sheeting, dish soap, and water. They've turned our backyard into a makeshift water park, and it's hard not to smile at the absurdity of grown men sliding across the grass like children.

"Get your asses over here, guys!" Dakota calls out, waving us over.

I glance at Ryder, who nods in encouragement, and we both join the party. For a while, I manage to put thoughts of Elle aside as I race my friends down the slippery slope, laughing and splashing one another recklessly. Right now, I'm just another guy enjoying a carefree afternoon with his buddies.

Yet, when the sun dips below the horizon and we gather around the fire pit to crack open beers and nurse our bruised egos from the last few game losses, the weight of my uncertainty returns. I zone out again, the laughter and conversation fading into the background.

"Dude, you’ve got to get that girl out of your head," Ryders says. “Just fuck her already and either move on, or put a damn ring on it."

"I already fucked her, you ass hole. Now, I’m not sure I can let her go, but I don’t think I’m ready to commit yet. That would mean splitting my time and focus," I admit, staring into the flickering flames. "I don't know how to navigate both."

"Man, I get it," Kaleb says, nodding his head. "But you gotta ask yourself this. Is it worth giving up on something potentially great just because you're scared?"

***

My phone buzzes from my bedside table, and I fumble with my hand to grab it. When I force an eye lid open, I see that it’s Elle calling. Both of my eyes come open at that revelation.

"Oh, sorry. You sound like you were asleep. I just got off work, but I didn't mean to wake you." Her voice is soft and hesitant. "Go back to sleep."

I don't want to. As exhausting as I was when I went to bed, I'd rather talk to her. "No, it's fine. Tell me about your night." We spend hours chatting until we both fall asleep with the phone call still connected.

Through the course of the next few weeks, we find ourselves spending more time together, going on walks, watching movies, and even cooking dinner at both of our homes.

One evening, as the sun sets over Love Beach, we stand at the water's edge, waves lapping gently at our feet. Elle looks up at me, her blue eyes reflecting the warm hues of the sky. "You know, I've never felt this way before," she whispers.

"Me neither, Elle," I admit, pulling her close. Our lips meet, and the world around us falls away.