Page 7 of Summer with a Player

"Sounds like we have more in common than just our driftwood obsession," she teases, giving me a playful nudge.

"Seems that way," I agree, grinning at the thought. “Would you want to meet my friends and hang for a bit?”

“Umm,” she looks back at the tiny house community and then back to me. “Sure, why not?” She shrugs her shoulders. “Lead the way, Mr. Driftwood.”

We talk as we walk back to the campfire. I find out a lot about her in the short time. The main point learned is that our lives are drastically different. She's working hard to get into nursing school, juggling multiple jobs to support herself, while I'm living this hockey-centric life, with all its expectations and stresses.

"Here we are," I announce as we approach where Ryder and the rest of my friends are lounging. "Guys, this is Elle. She's joining us for a bit."

"Hey Elle, nice to meet you," Ryder looks up from strumming his guitar and greets her. The others chime in with warm welcomes, making Elle visibly comfortable.

"Nice to meet you all too," she replies with a wide smile.

The night progresses with easy conversation, Elle fitting right in with the group. The fire crackles, and the moonlight reflects off the ocean as I notice Ryder playing a slow song, one perfect for dancing. I’ll have to remember to thank him later for that nudge.

"Hey, do you want to dance?" I ask Elle, standing and extending my hand towards her.

"Sure," she agrees with a grin, placing her hand in mine. We start swaying gently to the rhythm of the music, laughing as we occasionally bump into each other, our feet sinking into the warm sand.

Ryder watches us from the corner of his eye, a smile on his lips. It's as if he senses the connection between Elle and me, even though he keeps his thoughts to himself. Thank God.

The song comes to an end, and Elle rests her head on my chest. For a second, everything feels perfect. There's something about this woman that’s drawing me closer, making me want to know her more, like a magical pull.

The feeling of Elle's body against mine lingers as we reluctantly break apart, our eyes meeting with an understanding. "I should probably head back to my place," she murmurs.

"Can I walk you there?" I offer, hoping for a few more minutes.

"Sure," she agrees, wrapping her arms around herself as if to ward off the chill that has settled over the beach.

We start walking, leaving behind the laughter of friends. The sound of crashing waves fills the silence.

"Hey, um… Asher?" Elle says hesitantly, drawing me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For tonight. It was… nice."

"Nice?" I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "I think we can do better than 'nice.'"

"Okay, well, it was amazing," she concedes, grinning. "But seriously, I haven’t had that good of a time in a long while."

"Me neither," I admit, my heart pounding as I realize how much I mean it.

We approach Elle's tiny home community, and I notice the twinkling lights of the other homes, each one nestled in its own little corner of paradise.

"Goodnight, Asher," she whispers as we stop just outside her front door, her crystal-blue eyes match the blue door and trim of her house, and they search mine.

"Goodnight, Elle," I reply, my voice barely audible as I watch her slip inside and close the door behind her. I don’t turn to walk away until I hear two clicks of locks from the other side, so I know I’m leaving her safe and sound.

Chapter 4

Elle

I sit on a deck chair under the bright sun, staring out at the horizon. Asher's laughter plays on repeat in my mind, his touch lingering like a ghost of memory. I don't want this. I can't afford to want this. The last time I let someone into my heart, they left me behind, just like my parents did when they died. Love is just another way to get hurt.

"Elle, honey, you look lost in thought," Florence calls out, interrupting my mental spiral. She pats the space beside her on the lounge chair by Serenity Village’s pool. "Come soak up some sun with me."

I smile softly, pulling myself from my own chair and padding over to the poolside where Florence sits, her spry body adorned in a floral one-piece swimsuit and large floppy sun hat. The woman may be a retiree, but she certainly knows how to make the most of it.

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