Page 17 of Summer with a Player

I lace up my skates and think about Elle's faith in us – her belief that we can win. It adds fuel to the fire that's been burning inside me since the season began, and I know that nothing will stand in our way.

"Let's do this," I say, looking around at my teammates, their faces as determined as I am.

"Let's make it count," Dakota agrees.

We don’t just step out onto the ice. No, we are the enemy here. The ones who have come to conquer the win. So, each step and skate are with a determined glide to show the opponent that we’ve come to play and we mean business. The roar of the crowd is almost deafening, but it pumps the blood faster through myveins. My senses are heightened; the coolness of the ice beneath my skates, the sound of my heartbeat in my ears, and the smell of the mixtures that all makeup game time.

"Game on!" the ref shouts, and the moment the puck drops, it's as if everything else fades away. It's just the ice, the puck, and us – my teammates and me, moving like a well-oiled machine.

Our first goal comes quickly, with Kaleb making a calculated pass to Dakota, who sends the puck soaring into the net. The crowd actually quietens down from the enemy scoring, the silence resonating through the arena and fueling our adrenaline. We fist bump and exchange grins before getting back into position for the next faceoff.

The game gets grittier as both teams push harder, each trying to gain the upper hand. But we're relentless, working seamlessly to defend our zone and create opportunities for new plays.

"Jet, I'm open!" Ryder calls out, and I make a quick decision, passing him the puck with precision. He takes the shot, and once again, the puck finds its way past the goalie and into the net. The crowd goes silent again, and I chuckle as we celebrate the goal.

"Nice pass, Asher!" Ryder exclaims, and we share a quick smile before returning to our positions.

Every play we make, every strategic move and display of skill, is met with moans and boos from Seattle’s fans. It's as if their negative energy courses through us, giving us the strength to keep pushing forward.

"Keep up the pressure, boys!" I shout as the clock winds down to its last minute.

"Let's finish this!" Kaleb adds, his voice full of conviction.

We give it our all until the final buzzer sounds. The crowd un-excitedly claps, just as if it’s the right thing to do because they really don’t know what to do since their team lost.

"Great game, men!" Dakota yells, patting our backs as we skate off the ice. We've done it. We've won the game.

We head back to the locker room, and Elle pops back into my head. She's been my good luck charm these past few games, and I'm starting to believe that her pre-game texts are a vital part of my ritual.

"Hey, Jet, what's got you smiling?" Kaleb asks, noticing my grin as we sit on the benches, peeling off our gear.

"Elle," I say simply. "She texted me before the game, predicting we would win. And look what happened."

"Ah, a woman's intuition," Ryder chimes in, his voice dripping with humor. "Maybe she should join the coaching staff."

"Or maybe she's just really lucky," Dakota adds, winking at me.

I laugh, shaking my head at their teasing. Grabbing my phone from my bag, I quickly type out a message to Elle.

Me:Hey, gypsy girl. You were right again – we won! Your pre-game texts are officially part of my ritual now. ?? Can't wait to see you when I get back to Love Beach.??

Chapter 10

Elle

My hair waves in the breeze as I watch Asher approach my house, his athletic frame moving with the ease and grace of a professional hockey player. The sun kisses his skin and shines off his wavy black hair, and his green eyes shine with mischief.

"Hey Elle," he calls out, his voice warm and inviting as he's holding something behind his back. "I have a surprise for you."

"I can see you’re trying to hide something," I reply, biting my thumbnail nervously.

Asher brings his arms forward, revealing a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers – vibrant reds, deep purples, and sunny yellows. My eyes widen in delight as I take in their natural beauty.

"Wow, Asher. They're... they're stunning. Thank you." I smile, genuinely loving how he knows that I like the out of ordinary type of flower.

"Aw, it was nothing. I just wanted to show you how much I care about you," he says, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I know you love nature, and I thought these would brighten up your day."

My heart swells at his thoughtful gesture, and I invite him inside my sanctuary. As we enter, I place the flowers in a vintage vase on the windowsill, where they catch the sunlight streaming into my eclectic haven.

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