J.H. 86 | The Inevitable Nothingness

Thirteen | Parker

HOCKEY GAMES ARE LOUD.

The place was packed, fans filling each row of the stadium, I was just lucky enough to be right down the front by the glass, giving me an up close view of Jack each time he skated past, and it was a lot. I don't know how hockey worked, but I had a feeling he was skating by a lot more than he needed to.

I couldn't help but notice though, how fast of a skater Jack really was. Every time he had the puck, it was like he was flying. I had popcorn in one hand, a soda in the other (which took way too much convincing for dad to get me) my Hughes jersey on and a smile on my lips so big it almost hurt.

The Devil's got a goal, and just about everyone in the arena stood to cheer and shout, dad and I among those people.

Quite honestly, I had no idea what was happening, only that Jack had a look of focus on his face as he played that was adorable and that I was happy.

He was off the ice for a moment, sitting on the bench, his shoulders heaving as he sprayed water over his face and took a drink from his bottle. Suddenly, I didn't care much for the game, and all I could focus on was the brunette boy I so clearly loved.

Nobody here knew about us, nobody, and I liked it that way. Jack was mind and I was his and we were each other's secret, forever.

His eyes search for mine in the sea of people, and the moment he finds me, he's smiling. I send him a shy wave across the rink, and he sends one right back, and I want nothing more than for this game to end so I can be with him. Hug him. I don't care that he's covered in sweat and smells like the inside of a boys locker room, I just want to be in his arms.

A horn sounds over the arena, and I know it's the end of the second period. I jump from my chair as fast as possible, knowing now from the first intermission how to get to Jack and that he'd be waiting for me to meet him in the tunnel.

I hear dad's shouts of protest as I leave him in our seats this time, and run as fast as my lungs will let me through the crowd of people getting drink refreshments or merchandise, wanting them to move out of my way already!

I don't even have to tell security who I am this time, as they hold the door open for me to rush through with a slight shake of the head and a smile. Pays to have connections, I guess.

Jack is exactly where I imagined he'd be, waiting in the tunnel with his skates on, his helmet off and his hair a complete damp mess. I can't help it, but I screech as I throw my arms around him, fully expecting him to be ready for me—he is—and waiting to hug me too.

I bury my face in the crook of his neck, noticing that he's got beads of sweat on his skin but not bothered by them in the slightest. He lets out a faint chuckle at my affection, both arms tight around my waist, his smile matching my own.

"Beautiful girl," he breathes, peppering my shoulder with gentle kisses.

I pull back from him, flicking my nose to his. "Handsome boy."

The smile I'm blessed with has my stomach erupting with butterflies. "Are you having fun, princess?"

"So much fun!" I tell him with as much enthusiasm as I can. "You're playing so good! I can't believe how fast you are! And that goal!"

He snickers slightly, placing me back to the ground with a wink. "Well, I hope I'm fast, or I don't deserve my job."

I take a slightly step back, adjusting my shirt, before looking at Jack properly for the first time since the game even started. I mean, of course I'd looked at him, but now I was really looking at him, up close, without my dad behind me raving about his puck handling skills, and I'm floored.