State of Grace - Jack Hughes

009

Allie

I have not seen Jack since their last home game. We spent the night talking in a diner, hours passed until we were the last ones there. We spent our time talking about our families, childhoods, and telling random stories. Who would have guessed he had such an irrational fear of caterpillars. After he dropped me off at my apartment, I was not even a few steps in the doorway before he called me. We talked through his drive home, until we were both in bed, spent from the long day.

I slept all 4 hours before having to wake up and get myself together for the day in the office. It was spent running around, finishing laying towels on chairs, meeting withs our teams and other arena prep. The day went fast, I don't even remember if I stopped for lunch. Maybe a protein bar? Jack would tell me that is not lunch, and I need to stop and eat something before I collapse.

But today is game day. First home game for us and my first game day working in my dream job. Luckly, I did not have to be at the arena until 10am so I got to sleep just a tad longer. I pull into my parking spot, balancing all of my bags in my arms and shuffle into the office. I set up for the last few hours of prep work before our team meeting with game operations.

I hung my outfit for the game on the coat rack to avoid wrinkles -business professional dress code for game day- dig out my laptop, notebook and put my coffee cup in arms reach. I love this office, constant supply of caffeine, BioSteel, and snacks. Everyone seems to have their own check list for game day and is in their own bubbles until our meeting, so I try to do the same. I pull my AirPods out of my bag to listen to some pregame stuff, who's favored, bets being made and predictions. Everyone is making assumptions about what Lindy Ruff Is changing for this game.

I slip my phone out of my pocket and check my notifications. I have a bunch of work emails, a few texts from my family and Lexie wishing me luck, and from Jack.

Jack Hughes 

even though i don't want to be on this side of the hudson

i want to see you after the game

good luck on your first game day

youre going to crush it

thank you <3

i hope youre right

good luck tonight too

you might need it more than me

I turn my phone onto do not disturb and settle into my desk for the day. I spent the day answering emails and confirming our suites for game 4. Even though game 3 is only a few hours, our turn around for game 4 is so short we have start the preparations today.

Before I know it, I am in the bathroom changing into the outfit I brought for the game. I leave the stall and pause when I catch myself in the mirror. I catch my reflection and focus on my employee id badge that is clipped to the bottom of my shirt. The moment feels surreal. I grab my badge almost to assure myself it is real. This is my life. I had worked through all the "no's" and "you can't work in sports" and convincing my family that this is what I am meant to be doing. This little piece of plastic swinging from my shirt proves that. To me. To them.

I join the staff at our Guest Services office for the game overview. We stand in a huge circle with a printed copy of the game schedule, that is marked out to the second. This is our lifeline, we know where everyone will be at every given moment of the game and everything that is going on in the arena, on or off the ice.

______

In the blink of an eye, it is time for puck drop. I have a moment to spare before I have to disappear to work, and I join some of my team in the corner to watch. We are all on edge, leading the series 2-0 is a big deal and the guys don't want to let up. But secretly, I am standing there celebrating that my boys have won the face off.

No matter where you are in the office, the game is up on every screen so you can keep up. Needless to say, everyone is on edge. Every fan, every employee, every guy on the ice. I am unsure what Coach Ruff pumped into their new lines, but they're electric and the Rangers can not dominate them like they had expected.

Sitting at my desk monitoring our sponsored content, I look over to the game at the perfect moment to catch the second period goal scored by Jack. His little smile makes my stomach erupt into butterflies. I am happy to be alone in this office.

The game ticks by and overtime is minutes away from starting. I lock the door to the office and hustle to the corner to stand with my team. MSG is on fire. My ears are ringing, trying to take in all the sound and excitement around me. I hate overtime in playoffs, it is so much more intense. A full twenty minutes of stomachache inducing anxiety.

With 9 minutes remaining, Mercer clears the puck out of the Devils zone, forcing both teams flying to the other side of the ice. Bratt picks up the puck as it crosses the center line, going 1 on 1 fighting his way to the net. He fires the puck across to Hamilton who responds immediately with a shot.

The cherry lights up and like that the Devils have responded, making the series 2-1 with an overtime win. I hear the Devils fans who traveled over screaming their heads off and everyone in blues rises and makes their way out of the arena. My team does the same, thanking everyone for their hard work and leaving to go home for the night.

My heart feels like it is glowing and the only thing on my mind is getting to the visitor locker room. I raced to my office to collect all of my belongings for the evening. I can only assume that he is going to get pulled away for media, so I make use of this small amount of extra time.

I use my id card and slip into the player area through the crowd of disappointed fans. I walk with urgency over to the locker room, but my feet feel light, like I am not even touching the ground. I weave my way through the media teams and turn the corner to the entrance of the locker room. I find Jack in the hallway standing facing the opposite direction talking to one of his teammates. Before I can open my mouth to get his attention, he spins around.

I swear it's like a moment out of a movie. The rest of the room gets a little darker and fuzzy, and my tunnel vision kicks in and it's just him in my line of sight. My steps quicken as his face turns into that million-dollar smile. He swings his bag to his back and opens his arms just enough for me to slip into his embrace.

"I am so proud of you!" I whisper scream into his chest. "You guys earned that win," I say much softer tilting my head back to look up at him.

"Shhh don't let your boss here that," he mocks. "Thank you for coming back here."

Almost as if it is second nature he cups the side of my face, bringing his face down to mine. Every time we kiss it sends a shock of electricity down my spine. Even wrapped in his warmth I still get goose bumps across my arms.

"Are you going out to celebrate?"

"The guys are, but I know you're leaving tomorrow, and if I am being honest, I would rather spend the few hours I can with you."

"That can be arranged," I smile. "I was just planning on going home to shower and sleep, btu we can do something else."

"No, shower and sleep sounds perfect. If you're alright with me tagging along, I don't mean to just invite myself over."

"I guess its fine," I huff teasing him.

He rolls his eyes, "Alright Green, lead the way." We link arms and walk in a comfortable silence to the garage.