NHL Player Imagines

5. Luke Hughes

Warnings: none

Requested: alyzabeth67

You were the luckiest person ever. You have been dating Luke Hughes since your freshman year of high school and your relationship was beyond perfect until today.

"Baby please just reconsider. Moving to New Jersey with me will be a new chapter in our relationship", Luke begged, teary-eyed. Luke had just been drafted to play with his brother Jack on the New Jersey Devils this coming season. You had already verbally committed to the University of New Hampshire and were planning to major in education.

"Luke, I love you and I hate to say this, but I simply cannot move to New Jersey with you. I already verbally committed to UNH and I can't turn down my dream school. Plus, I didn't apply to any schools in New Jersey", you quietly let out.

"That's not completely true", he whispers. Confusion fills your mind when that sentence leaves Luke's breath. What did he mean by that? You didn't apply to any New Jersey schools because you didn't want to go too far from home.

"(Y/n), don't be mad, but I sent your transcript to Seton Hall University and you were accepted. Please don't freak out. We can live together and I will pay rent. We can rent an apartment close to campus and the school is only a fifteen-minute drive to the arena", Luke exclaims while rubbing my left thigh.

You felt angry. How could Luke go behind your back and apply to a school for you? He could've at least brought up the idea over dinner, you would've had more time to consider it. "How could you do that, Luke? You went behind my back and decide to tell me now", you snap back.

The night Luke got drafted, you felt a pit in your stomach. You knew something drastic was going to happen in your relationship because there would be so much change. You haven't told anyone this, but you really wanted to move to New Jersey with him. Your family was your home and you couldn't bear leaving them right now.

Luke noticed the tears streaming down your face before you did, "(Y/n), we can fix this, we always do". He tried wiping away your tears, but you turned away in anger. "That's the thing, we can't fix this. You're going to New Jersey and I'm staying in New Hampshire", you let out, now sobbing. 

You get up off the couch and head to the door. Before twisting the handle you turn to see Luke with tears rolling down his perfect face. You give him a quick kiss on the lips before saying, "Luke, I will always love you. We just can't be together right now and we both need to do what's best for us. Maybe one day we will find each other again". Leaving him with that heartbreaking news, you leave his house and run straight to your car.

The next few weeks were difficult. You receive at least ten texts from Luke a day and try your best to ignore them, but in reality, you're both hurting. 

(Y/n), please answer me. We can't end like this. I leave tomorrow, please be there.

Luke, I wish you the best in life. Me going over there tomorrow is going to hurt the two of us more. I love you and good luck in New Jersey <3

The last text makes you feel more hurt than ever before. You don't remember what it's like being single. Luke has been your boyfriend since freshman year and you haven't gone longer than two weeks without each other. You knew it was in your best interest to start focusing on yourself and school which was right around the corner.

Luke's mom was you and your mom's best friend and you decided to keep in touch with her. She heard about the breakup but supported your choice. 

4 years later ...

Today was May first, your graduation day. You have spent the last four years majoring in high school education and wouldn't change a thing. Unfortunately, being a high school teacher was a very popular job in New Hampshire and you couldn't find any jobs within fifty miles of your house. You and your family celebrated your graduation at a fancy restaurant and after you spent the night at your friend Sophie's house.

Hey (Y/n)! Congratulations on your graduation! I'm so proud of you and everything you've done to reach your goals. I wish I could've been there today, but I had to visit Luke in NJ. I know it's been four years, but he really misses you. They are short on high school teachers here in Newark, maybe check it out? Love you <3

You read the text over at least five times. College was the time of your life, but you couldn't even look at a boy without thinking about Luke. The feeling was mutual about missing each other, so you decided to text him for the first time in four years.

Hey Luke, I just wanted to let you know how much I miss you. I graduated college today and am struggling to find a teaching job near me. Your mom told me they were short on teachers in Newark and I was thinking about checking it out. Only if it's okay with you, of course.

Your heart was fluttering when you sent the message. You felt the same butterflies that you felt when he had asked you out at homecoming. Luke responded within a minute and you were nervous to see his reply.

Hi (Y/n), I miss you too. I would love for you to come to check out the high schools around here, the kids are pretty cool. It would be nice to go out for dinner or something. Lmk <3

You instantly booked a flight to New Jersey for the next morning and arrived there at 10:30 am. 

Hey Luke, I know this was probably sooner than you expected, but I just landed in New Jersey. I'm staying at a hotel in Newark near the schools I'm checking out. Lmk when you wanna get dinner :)

You sat in the uber impatiently waiting for the text back.

I'm free all day today. How would you feel about bringing me with you to look at schools?

In all honesty, you were nervous to go looking for jobs and doing interviews in a state that you've never been to before.

I would love that Luke. Come to my hotel at 12:30?

Wouldn't miss it for the world!

You arrived at your hotel at 11 am and quickly ran into the shower. You straightened your hair. threw on a light pink mid-thigh length dress, and did neutral makeup. By 12:15, Luke knocked on the door, wearing khaki pants and a navy blue golf shirt. He was known for showing up early, so you knew to get ready quickly.

"(Y/n), you look beautiful as always. There wasn't a day that went by these past four years without thinking about you", he smiles getting down on one knee.

"Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"

"Yes yes yes", you exclaim before kissing him.