begin again | jack hughes

chapter two

i just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now — taylor swift

Bailey Cameron
Saturday, October 19

"Hey Marta," I called as I untied my apron, "I'm going out for lunch today! Want me to grab you something?"

"Where are ya going?"

"No clue, maybe that sandwich shop down the street?" I hung up the uniform and poked my head around into the back. Marta was cleaning up, and I glanced back to the front. It was a slow day, so it would be ideal for me to get out and stretch my legs while I still could, but I felt like I should stay and help out. "Unless you need help cleaning? I don't mind staying and wiping down the tables."

Marta laughed at my offer, "It's your break, not mine."

I rolled my eyes with a smile, but slipped my apron back on nonetheless. I grabbed the basics and started in the front with the tables.

After I'd given about three tables a good wipe-down, the little bell rang above the front door.

"Oh, hi Bailey," A familiar voice said, and I looked up to see Jack. I gave him a hello and walked over to my next table, him trailing behind me. "I didn't know you took the afternoon shifts?"

"Mhm," I sprayed the table, "I usually work mornings, but my classes shuffle it up sometimes. What're you doing in at this time? Don't you usually stop by earlier?" I was cleaning much faster than before, and I found myself done with the table already. Onto the next, then.

Jack made it to my next table before me and pulled out the chairs so it'd be easier to clean. I thanked him before he replied to my question. "I do, but I had to get to the rink early and didn't have much time."

"'The rink'?" I questioned. Looking up at him, a quiet chuckle escaped my lips before I wiped down the table. "What are you, some kind of ice skating monitor?"

Jack laughed, pushing the chairs back in for me. We gravitated to one of the tables in the far corner. "Close. Hockey player."

"You're joking with me," I stopped for a moment to give him a serious look. He just shook his head. "Do you play for fun? Like in those adult leagues? Beer leagues, isn't that what they're called?"

He crinkled his face oddly, giving me the hint that I was a little bit off. "NHL. Not exactly beer league, but some of these guys probably should be in beer leagues by now."

Oh, wow, I was way off. If I had a drink in my hand, I'd spit it out like they do in the movies. "You? You're kidding."

He just shook his head with a smile on his face.

"I never took you for the kind of guy to be a hockey player, of all things," I shrugged. "Are you any good? I mean, obviously you're in the NHL, so you're good, but are you like.. really good?"

Jack chuckled and resumed our steady cleaning pace for me, since I'd long since stopped, "Yeah, I like to think I'm alright."

I was about to ask how many goals he scores a game, but Marta called my name from the back. "Hey, Bailey, you sure you're not going to get some lunch?"

Poking my head over the counter, she popped into view. "I wasn't gonna, but I can if you want something."

"I will say, I wouldn't be opposed to a good club sandwich."

"You've got it," I pulled my apron off again and went to hang it up. Patting myself down, I made sure I had my phone and wallet. "Jack, you want me to get you anything before I go?"