𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 | 𝐣. 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬

𝟐𝟒 | 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 & 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤

𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐨𝐯

Lacing up my skates, I feel my nerves start to hit me like a ton of bricks. Lotte is sitting with her parents in the crowd, ready to watch this game. I always go out on the ice and try to give everything I have, but tonight I have to show up. This is the first time Charlotte's parents are watching me play and meeting me. I hope I make a good first impression despite it not being through words. 

Leading up to tonight, Lotte constantly reassured me that everything would be alright and that her parents were gonna love me. She even told me they were just as excited to meet me as I was, minus the nerves. At this point, almost the whole team is starting to line up to head for the tunnel. Nico, Luke, and Jesper stay behind waiting for me. They can tell by my face how I'm feeling so they all give me encouraging smiles, patting me on the shoulder. "Jack, you got this! Just out there and do what you do every game. Don't think about Lotte and her parents too much. It will all be fine." Luke is the last one to pat my shoulder, helping me relax a little more and allowing me a moment to let out a deep breath.

"You're right. Let's go do this!" The guys and I cheer before walking out of the locker rooms and down the halls toward the tunnel. The closer we got, the louder it got around us. A few fans lined both sides of the entrance towards the ice, holding out their hands. I feel myself smile and bump fit with as many fans as I can before heading out onto the ice. Taking one last deep breath, I get into my game mindset and then I'm off.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐯

Earlier during warmups, my parents and I had met up with the girls. I introduced my mom and dad to Gabi and Nicole and since they already know Em, an introduction wasn't necessary. My parents love to get to know new people, so they tried to get to know Gabi and Nicole as much as they could before warmups ended. By the time the guys skate to head back down the tunnel before puck drop, the girls say goodbye to get to their seats and leave me with my parents.

"Oh Charlie, we are so happy to see you surrounding yourself with amazing friends! Those ladies are just so lovely." My mom clasps her hands together, a bright smile on her face talking about my friends. "Yeah, kiddo. We've always wanted the best for you. You've accomplished so much and we're just so happy to see you happy!" My dad turns to me and gives me a big hug.

As we finish our heartfelt moment, Jack's name is announced as part of the starting lineup, I can't help but cheer for him as he skates onto the ice and lines up next to Nico and a few of the other guys. My parents join me in cheering for Jack, just like the fans around us.

Anytime Jack has the puck on his stick I feel myself slide to the edge of my seat. My eyes are laser-focused on the puck, hoping it'll find the back of the net, allowing us to score. I catch my parents just as entranced as I am. Right as the puck is shot to the net, everyone falls silent, hoping the shot goes in. As quickly as it had gone silent, the volume amped up as Jack's shot proved to be successful with the goal horn going off. Not long after the buzzard goes off signaling the end of the first period.

"Jack is amazing, Charlotte. How have we never been to a game before tonight? You said he's been playing since he was a kid right?" My mom is already very impressed by Jack and she hasn't even spoken to him. I'm glad that she's enjoying herself. "Yeah, he's been playing since he could walk. His parents played too so he's had the best teachers." My parents were impressed, knowing that Jack learned how to play with the help of his parents.

~ After the Game ~

The Devils beat the Hurricanes 4-3 and I couldn't be more proud of Jack's performance tonight. He managed to get one goal and an assist on two others. The whole game my parents' eyes would follow Jack anytime his skates touched the ice. They wouldn't stop talking about the game until we'd met back up with the girls as we waited for our boyfriends. "What did you think of the game Carrie and Alan?" Gabi was the first to ask and once my parents started, there was no stopping them. I couldn't help, but let out a laugh watching how animated they became.

Not too long after the girls started talking to my parents, Luke, Jack, Nico, and Jesper appeared. "Congratulations on the win boys!" Bumping fists with the guys, my dad acts like he's known them for ages. "Mom and Dad, this is Nico, Jesper, Jack's little brother Luke, and last but not least, Jack." I point out each one of the guys for my parents and they greet them all, before ending on Jack.

"It's so nice to meet you all, especially Jack. You make our little Charlie very happy!" A kind and loving smile present itself on my mother's face. We all talk for a while longer before the guys and girls leave together, leaving Jack, my parents, and I alone in the hall. "Are you guys ready to head out?" My parents and I nod our heads in response as we walk out to Jack's car. Jack and I walk side by side, our hands brushing against each other before eventually interlocking.

During the whole ride to dinner, Jack made conversation with my parents. They'd ask each other questions, gladly answering. By the time we got into the car, I could tell that Jack was more comfortable with my parents. 

Arriving at a nice little restaurant, we sat towards the back to get some privacy from any possible probing eyes. "Jack, Charlotte tells us you've played since you were a kid. How was that?" My dad asks this before taking a bite out of his steak, "Yeah, my parents played growing up and naturally they taught my brothers and me. They taught me everything I know." 

They continue to ask Jack about his family and himself. His face lighting up at the mention of his family. Once they've gotten to know Jack better, the childhood stories about me begin to roll off of their tongues. With every embarrassing story they tell, the stronger the urge grows for me to cover my face. Before my hands could get anywhere near my face, Jack grabbed my hand and kissed it.

"Jack, Alan, and I want to thank you for taking care of our little girl. She's our only child and we love her more than life itself. Knowing that she's found someone as amazing as you brings us great comfort." My parents sit closer to each other gratefully looking at Jack. "She's an amazing girl who deserves the best and I've made that my mission." He holds my hand over the table, smiling in their direction.

Jack turns his head towards me, smiling a dorky smile. I look down at the table as Jack whispers in my ear, unbeknownst to us, my parents whisper amongst themselves. "Carrie, they remind me of us when we were their age." They hold hands as they watch us laugh at a joke Jack had just told me.

Edited: 12/31/24

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melissa speaks
hey everyone! Jack has finally met Charlotte's parents and they're just the sweetest pair. It's a fairly short one, but I hope it's still good nonetheless. Also, I hope none of you hate me for what's coming next.

hope y'all have a great day or night!

stay safe ♡