1989 || Luke Hughes

Chapter 21: Suburban Legends

As Quince was discharged from the hospital, relief flooded through her. The sterile environment and constant beeping of machines had become suffocating, and she longed for the comfort of her own home. Italy stood by her side, offering a supportive arm as they made their way to the car.

The drive home felt like a blur, the world passing by in a haze as Quince's mind drifted between memories of before the hospital and her home. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her, the knowledge that she still had a long road to recovery ahead of her.

But as they pulled into the parking lot of their apartment building, Quince felt a sense of relief wash over her. Home. The word resonated within her, a beacon of comfort and familiarity in the midst of uncertainty.

Italy helped Quince out of the car and into the apartment, guiding her gently to the couch. As they settled in, Italy disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with a tray of snacks and a stack of DVDs.

"Movie marathon?" Italy suggested, a playful glint in her eye.Quince smiled weakly, grateful for her friend's company. "Sounds perfect," she replied.

They spent the day lounging on the couch, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by an array of snacks. Italy popped in one DVD after another, the familiar sound of movie dialogue filling the room as they lost themselves in the world of Harry Potter.

As the hours passed, Quince felt herself relaxing for the first time in what felt like forever. The tension in her body melted away, replaced by a sense of contentment and peace.

But beneath the surface, a nagging worry lingered. She couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness that tugged at her, the knowledge that she was sidelined from hockey weighing heavily on her mind.

"It's not fair," Quince said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over them.Italy glanced over at her, concern etched in her features. "What's not fair?"

Quince sighed, the frustration bubbling up within her. "This," she said, gesturing to her bandaged chest. "I should be out there on the ice with my team, not stuck at home like some invalid."

Italy reached out, placing a comforting hand on Quince's shoulder. "I know it's hard, Quince," she said softly. "But you need to give yourself time to heal. Hockey will still be there when you're ready."

Quince nodded, knowing that Italy was right. But the thought of being sidelined indefinitely filled her with a sense of helplessness and frustration.

As the day wore on and the sun dipped below the horizon, Quince found herself lost in thought. She couldn't shake the feeling of longing that tugged at her, the desire to be back on the ice with her teammates, doing what she loved most.

Quince hesitated at Luke's apartment door, her heart pounding in her chest as she contemplated what lay ahead. Italy's encouragement echoed in her mind, urging her to confront Luke and clear the air between them after Italy had watched quince sit in her pity all day. With a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked softly on the door, her nerves tingling with anticipation.

The door swung open, revealing Luke's oldest brother, his expression a mix of surprise and resignation. Quince felt a pang of uncertainty at his reaction, unsure of what to expect. But before she could say anything, he sighed and stepped aside, his gesture inviting her inside.

"Finally, you're here," he muttered, his voice tinged with exasperation as he turned and called out for Luke before disappearing from view.

Quince stood in the doorway, her heart racing as she waited for Luke to appear. When he did, she felt her breath catch in her throat, her gaze locking with his as a flood of emotions washed over her.

"Hi," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She wasn't sure what else to say, her mind racing with a million thoughts and questions.

Luke's eyes softened as he met her gaze, his expression filled with regret and longing. "Quince, I'm so sorry," he began, his voice laced with emotion. "I never meant to hurt you. I was just... I was scared, and I didn't know what else to do."

Quince felt a knot form in her stomach as she listened to his words, the pain of his betrayal still fresh in her mind. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw the sincerity in his gaze, the genuine remorse etched in his features.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Luke took a deep breath, his hands fidgeting nervously at his sides. "It's about the media," he began, his voice hesitant. "Coach Thompson forced me to do the interview and say things that weren't true. I didn't have a choice, Quince. I had to protect my career, but I never wanted to hurt you."

Quince's eyes widened in shock at his words, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place as she realized the truth. She felt a surge of empathy for Luke, knowing the impossible position he had been put in by Coach Thompson and the pressures of the media.

"I had no idea," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "I'm sorry, Luke. I didn't mean to judge you without knowing the whole story."

Luke nodded, a sense of relief washing over him as he met her gaze. "Thank you, Quince," he said sincerely. "Thank you for understanding."

Quince reached out, her hand trembling slightly as she touched his arm. "Of course, Luke," she said softly. "We're in this together, remember? No matter what happens, we'll always have each other's backs."

Luke nodded, a sense of gratitude swelling within him as he looked into her eyes. "I won't let you down again, Quince," he vowed, his voice filled with determination. "I promise."

I didn't come here to make friends
We were born to be suburban legends
When you hold me, it holds me together
And you kiss me in a way that's gonna screw me up forever

Authors note

One more chapter!!

The Connor book will also be ending soon so I will be announcing the fourth book of the series in the Connor book!!

Love you guys!!