You moved to Jacksonville, Florida, as a way to get away. As a way to escape from the city that held your life as it broke into pieces. Any longer there and you would have died. You have a friend in Jacksonville, your best friend in the world, actually.

She just got married, she got her life figured out. She’s happy, and your life is falling apart. That being said, she’s still your world. So, you know that she’ll be there for you. You texted her between every flight, and she gave you the code to one of her three husband’s old houses to stay in. Her relationships are… complex. And beautiful.

You take an uber to the house, and go inside. You fall asleep as soon as you touch the mattress. The next day, you decide that the best thing to do is unwind. After asking Rachel where the best beach spot was, you walk a few blocks to the location she sent. She mentioned that it’s a favorite hangout of the Rays, so you shouldn’t be surprised if some of them are there. As promised, it’s beautiful, and there are a few of the guys from the Hockey team there.

You set your towel out, lounging happily and listening to the ocean around you. There are some voices too, the sounds of a team playing volleyball.

“HEADS!” One of them yells, and not a moment later, the volleyball collides with your forehead, and you flail, letting out a yelp. You sit up, and a guy with curly blonde hair and beautiful green eyes runs over, scooping up the ball and kneeling next to you. “Hey, are you okay?”

You can’t move. Your lungs seem to have frozen. He tilts his head, smiling a little.

“Hellooooo? You look like you’ve seen a ghost, gorgeous.”