Summer neared its end, but the days still held onto their warmth like a secret. One early morning, Chris showed up at Jade's door, his hair damp and messy, a backpack slung lazily over his shoulder.
She stepped out wearing jean shorts and a loose beige blouse, oversized sunglasses perched on her head. "So where are we going, hockey boy?"
Chris smirked. "Ever been to the cliffside ruins up north?"
Jade raised an eyebrow. "Romantic ruins? I thought you weren't into this kind of stuff."
"I'm not," he said, shrugging. "But I figured you'd like the view."
Jade blinked—then smiled.
They took his stepdad's car, Chris driving, Jade controlling the playlist. Laughter filled the drive as they teased each other over song choices, passing snacks back and forth, sometimes slipping into quiet—comfortable, easy silences. The kind that didn't need filling.
At the cliffs, the ruins stood crumbling and wild, open to wind and sun. They wandered between stone walls, Jade dragging him by the hand to take photos, teasingly posing like a tourist while Chris rolled his eyes and stole pictures of her when she wasn't looking.
They ended up sitting on a ledge overlooking the coastline, the sea stretched out below them in shimmering blues.
"It's kind of stupid," Chris said quietly, arms resting on his knees. "But days like this... I don't think I've ever had one like it before."
Jade tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"I'm usually at practice or games or doing something for school or my mom." He looked over at her. "But with you, it's like time just... slows down."
She leaned her head on his shoulder, gently. "Then let it. Just for today."
Later that week, Chris found himself back at Jade's place again—this time at Elaine's invitation.
Elaine greeted him with a warm smile, apron tied neatly around her waist. "A thank-you dinner," she said, ushering him in. "You've taken good care of our daughter, so let us take care of you a little."
Marcus gave a rare approving nod and even offered Chris a beer—which he politely declined.
Jade was quieter than usual during the meal, letting her parents handle most of the talk. Chris answered their questions easily, his words honest but never overstepping. Elaine noted with quiet pleasure how relaxed her daughter seemed when he was around—how her eyes softened without her realizing.
After dinner, while Marcus disappeared upstairs and Elaine tidied up, Jade walked Chris out to the porch.
"That was... kind of domestic," she said with a laugh, half-joking, half-nervous.
Chris nudged her lightly. "I didn't mind. Your mom's lasagna is scary good."
She looked up at him, suddenly serious. "I think they like you."
He smiled faintly. "That's good. I like you."
A few days later, Chris had one of the toughest days of summer.
Morning practice with the full team ran long and punishing under the heat. Then, in the afternoon, a friendly match against a visiting squad left him soaked with sweat, bruised from a few harsh clashes, and utterly drained.
As he exited the locker room long past sunset, hair damp and sticking to his forehead, Jade was there waiting by his car. No words—just her gentle smile and outstretched hand.
"Come on," she said quietly. "You're staying over."
He didn't protest. Didn't joke. Just nodded.
At her place, she handed him a clean towel and told him to shower while she made tea. When he emerged, fresh-faced and wearing one of her oversized shirts, she guided him to bed like a caretaker with a wounded animal.
Chris lay down first, arms limp at his sides, completely spent.
Jade climbed in next to him. No seduction. No playful smirks. Just her warmth curling around him as she pulled him close, her arm draped over his chest.
"You had a rough day," she whispered into his neck, fingers playing with his still-damp hair. "So just sleep. I got you."
His breath evened. Slowly, his body relaxed under her touch, his muscles unclenching one by one as sleep began to pull him under.
"Sleep, okay?" she murmured again, softer now. "My dummy. My tired, beautiful boy."
He didn't answer. He was already gone.
And for the first time, Jade didn't feel like she needed to be anything other than herself.
Just there.
With him.