The Turnover - Luke Hughes

Chapter 16

Winter 2023 - February

The team was skating some warm up laps around the ice, chatting and shooting some warm up shots. Ana caught sight of Luke talking to Ethan, and Rutger was circling them, yapping away and moving a puck in between their legs.

Jenny motioned for Ana to follow her, and she took a seat next to her at the trainers section, behind the boards. She watched and continued to talk with Jenny throughout the remainder of practice. Ana and Luke exchanged subtle glances from time to time. In between plays, Rutger would skate by and converse with Ana and Jenny, then jump right back into his line to run plays. Luke would purposely skate over to Ana and practice his stick handling in front of her, knowing exactly what he was doing.

When practice was over, Ana said goodbye to Jenny and grabbed her backpack. Ana mentioned to Jenny that she would have to introduce her to Jentry and Emma tomorrow at the game. Jenny was ecstatic to meet them. Ana soon left the rink, trying to meander her way back out the way she came.

She was about to step out the main doors into the snow when a voice echoed from behind her.

"Ana Kate!"

Ana turned around to see Luke walking towards her. He was bundled up with a black winter jacket and gray sweatpants, his bulky hockey bag slung over his left shoulder. His brown curls were still damp with sweat, but he quickly placed his black beanie over his hair.

"Hey, I was hoping I'd catch you before you left," he said to her as he looked outside. "Fuck, it's pouring the snow out there. Do you want a ride to your car?"

Glancing outside, Ana turned back to Luke. "Yeah, that would be nice. Thanks."

"C'mon, my car is this way." He opened the door, holding it open for Ana. She walked out behind him. Luke used to never let her grab a door handle, ever.

Luke and Ana quickly walked to Luke's car, climbing inside. Ana sat her backpack in front of her on the floorboard, shivering from the bitter cold. Luke turned the key over to start his car, blasting the heat and defrost all the way. He put the car in reverse, placing his hand on Ana's headrest to turn around and back out of the parking spot. Ana stared at him.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," he said with a cocky grin, noticing her looking at him.

"Oh, fuck off, you bitch," she pushed at his shoulder, laughing.

"I can leave you here to walk, if you like."

"You would never."

"Oh yeah? Is that so?" he smirked at her.

"Very much so. Don't worry, you showed off enough at practice. Now take me to Emma and Jentry's." Ana looked at him and shrugged her shoulders.

And it was ridiculously hot.

"You liked that, huh? Maybe I can show off for ya more at my game tomorrow."

"I don't know if you can flaunt yourself any more than you did this afternoon," Ana laughed at him.

Luke scoffed. "Please, you're something else," he turned onto the main street. "How did you like hanging out with Jenny today?"

"I actually really like her," Ana said. "I told her about all of us, she couldn't believe we're all best friends and grew up together. She wants to meet Emma and Jen tomorrow at the game."

"That's cool. I'm sure she'll like them," Luke stated. He took a deep breath. "Hey, if we win tomorrow, Mark, Gav, and Shea are having a party at their place after the game. You and the girls are invited and welcome to come. I'll be there, so."

Ana thought for a few moments. The last time Ana was at a party with Luke, it did not go well at all. However, she could tell he was really trying. Ana looked at Luke, who glanced at her when they stopped at the light. A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, holding his gaze. "You know you wanna," he said.

"Don't look at me like that," Ana told him.

"Like what, Ana Kate?" he questioned.

Ana shook her head and grinned slightly. "You know, you cocky bastard. I'll talk to the girls, but I'm sure they'll be down. It'll be fun."

Luke pulled into the driveway of Jentry and Emma's apartment, putting his car in park. Ana sighed, grabbing her backpack and went to open her car door.

"Thank you for bringing me. I'll text you later tonight when I get back home."

Luke scanned her face. "Anytime, be careful driving. See you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay. Bye, Luke." Ana shut the car door, fumbling for her own keys in her bag to drive back home. 

Cute short chapter

I need him so bad