False God | Quinn Hughes & Jack Hughes

Chapter Five

June 1, 2022

The boat bobbed gently on the lake as everyone piled on, laughter and easy conversation filling the warm summer air. Carter took a seat up front, and Quinn settled in beside her, slipping an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, smiling as she tucked her hair behind her ear, casting a glance over the lake's glistening surface.

Jack climbed aboard with Luke, steering the boat with a casual nod to everyone. But every time his eyes flicked over to Quinn and Carter, his jaw tightened just a little. Watching the two of them together wasn't easy; it reminded him just how long he'd kept his own feelings bottled up.

"Ready to go?" Quinn asked, giving Carter's hand a gentle squeeze.

"Yes," Carter grinned, casting a warm glance up at him. "There's nothing like this."

"Alright, everyone ready?" Jack said loudly, trying to shake off his jealousy with a grin while everyone shook their heads. He revved the engine, casting a quick look at Luke, who was watching him with a raised brow.

Luke nudged him, leaning in close. "Everything okay there, Captain?"

Jack forced a laugh. "Of course. It's... great."

Luke's smirk hinted he wasn't fooled. "Hey, how about a little game? Something classic, like truth or dare?" He called out, hoping to shift everyone's attention.

Quinn chuckled, his arm still around Carter. "Truth or dare? Really, Luke? We're not twelve anymore."

"Come on!" Luke laughed. "Carter, help me out here—truth or dare is still a lake house classic, right?"

Carter grinned. "It is, actually. I'm in. But only if you start, Luke."

"Oh, gladly," Luke said with a mischievous grin. "I pick Jack. Truth or dare, my man?"

Jack gave him a look but shrugged, playing along. "Dare."
"I dare you to jump in the lake right now," Luke said, crossing his arms.

Jack rolled his eyes, giving Carter a quick grin before turning off the boat and shrugging off his shirt. "Fine, easy."

As he leapt over the side, Carter clapped and laughed, her eyes following him as he splashed into the water. "Nice one, Jack!"

Jack surfaced, shaking water from his hair as he looked at Carter. Despite himself, he couldn't help the small spark of happiness at her attention, even if it was fleeting. He climbed back onto the boat, dripping but grinning, catching her eye for a second.

"Alright, my turn," Jack said, looking at Carter with a smirk. "Carter, truth or dare?"

She tilted her head, laughing. "I'll go with truth."

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What's your favorite thing about coming to the lake?"

Carter looked thoughtful, glancing over at Quinn before she answered. "Honestly? It's the people—the way we all come together here every year. It feels like... home, I guess."

Quinn grinned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Couldn't have said it better myself."

"See? That wasn't so hard," Jack chuckled, but his gaze lingered on Carter a little longer than he intended.