𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 | 𝐣. 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬

𝟖 | 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤

It's been a few days since I slept over at Charlotte's house after my little surprise visit. Yesterday after a check-up with the team trainers, I was finally cleared to play two weeks after the injury. I can't contain my excitement to get back on the ice and skating as Luke and I head to practice for tonight's home game against the Rangers. Luke knows how much I despise the Rangers so the fact that I've been cleared to play for tonight is the best news I've gotten in a while.

"So, Jack, how'd it go with Charlotte keeping you company while I was gone?" Taking my eyes off the road for a quick second, I look over at Luke before bringing my eyes back to the road. Since the night I slept over at Charlotte's, I've been avoiding telling Quinn and Luke about the sleepover since they will most likely become two of the most obnoxious people on the planet if I tell them anything. They'd just assume that something happened and then I'd never hear the end of it. 

"It was great honestly. We talked about hanging out again before the injury so this was the perfect time to do that. Most of the time we spent together we watched movies and and a few shows. I took the time to surprise her one day and I watched her film a video." I could feel Luke's eyes on me the entire time I spoke.

"So all you guys did was talk and watch TV together and that's it. There has to be something that you're not telling me Rowdy, what is it?" There's no way in hell he knows about me sleeping over at Charlotte's, on a little couch, just a few feet away from her. I tried to run through everything I just said to him to make sure I hadn't tripped up on my words and said something I wasn't supposed to. Attempting to put on my best poker face, I silently hope Luke will let this go and we can go on with our day.

"You're gonna need to practice that poker face buddy. There's something you're not saying so you might as well just tell me. Or if you don't maybe I'll just call Quinn and he'll get you to say whatever it is you're hiding." Luke sends me a mischievous smirk, knowing that I'll probably cave just so he doesn't call Quinn. 

"Whatever, I'll tell you, but just don't tell Quinn. The day I surprised Charlotte at her place, I spent the night after she told me to stay when she was falling asleep. When she finished filming, we watched movies and talked for a bit and she fell asleep. When I put a blanket on her, she asked me to sleep over since I was just as tired as she was." Stopping at a red light, I look at Luke and I can practically feel him ready to jump out of the car. 

"Wait what?! Jack, were you ever even planning on telling me this, or were you just gonna keep it to yourself?" The feeling of disbelief was written all over his face.  His phone is in his hand less than a second later. "Oh, you better bet your ass I'm gonna tell Quinn." Reaching out toward his phone, I try to snatch it before he can text Quinn, but in between him stretching his arm out farther from me and the light turning green, I have to give up.

"Luke come on man. This is why I didn't wanna tell you guys. This is probably gonna make it to Mom before lunch later. Luke please I'll tell Quinn myself later I promise." Sending Luke a pleading look I hope that he'll listen to me and let me tell Quinn later. 

"Yeah, too late I just texted Quinn. Good luck with all the spam texts you'll get from Quinn and Mom for the next few hours." He shoots me a content smirk, not at all feeling bad for the endless messages and calls coming my way soon enough.

"I hope you're ready to walk your ass back home later." Luke laughs, knowing that I most likely won't leave him to walk home after practice. If I left him then I'd never hear the end of it from Mom.

After practice

Making it home after practice, I scramble to put together my thank-you gift for Charlotte. The day right after I visited Lotte, I worked hard to look for the perfect present to thank her for keeping me company when she didn't have to. My never-ending research on Pinterest led me to book bouquets. I had no clue book bouquets were even a thing, but it's something that's beyond perfect for Lotte. Thankfully, Charlotte's best friend, Emilie, helped me put together a list of books that Lotte has either been on the hunt for or ones that she absolutely loves.