The Turnover - Luke Hughes

Chapter 26

Winter 2023 - February

The ice rink echoed with the sounds of skates slicing through the ice and the clatter of hockey sticks. Luke skated onto the ice, maneuvering with precision, weaving between his teammates during practice. He checked on Ana a few times, only with subtle glances.

Ethan better not fucking dare even look at or speak to her, Luke swore to himself.

As the team took a break, gathering near the boards to catch their breath, the conversation turned to the events of the previous night, the game and the party alike. Luke, Gavin, Mark, Dylan, Rutger, Seamus, and Ethan gathered in a circle, conversing with one another.

"We need parties like that after every win, bro. Those girls are all the motivation I need to keep improving my game," Mark admitted, laughing. "Me and Shea wanna make that a new tradition." A couple of other boys nodded excitedly.

"It was a blast, that's for sure," Dylan exclaimed.

The talk of the game was brief, mainly bragging about Luke's power play line and how exquisite they are. The group of boys standing there knew they would have to keep bringing that same intensity with every power play and penalty kill.

Luca finally chimed in after several other remarks from their teammates. Luke held his breath as he watched Luca open his mouth to speak.

"Damn, did y'all see the way Ana was dancing at the party last night? Goddamn, I've never seen her move like that. Let's be honest, I should've hit at her birthday party a few weeks ago," he said. Luca made eye contact with Luke, right as he said that last line. Mark and Gavin laughed with him, exchanging nods of agreement.

Luke was going to explode with anger. He gripped his stick so hard that his knuckles started to ache, his expression rock solid. Rutger watched him carefully, sensing the tension between the two of them.

"Something wrong, Lukey?" Ethan's voice came from behind Luca. He appeared and Luke glared at him, that punch-worthy cocky smile gracing his lips.

"Not at all," Luke forced through his gritted teeth, staring down at his skates. Luke chomped on his mouth guard out of frustration. Luca continued to talk, addressing the group.

"I'd love to ask her out sometime. She's so hot, I bet I could reach third base on the first date," Luca admitted, shrugging his shoulders innocently. "I've always had a thing for her." Luca glanced over at Ana on the other side of the rink.

Don't fucking say it, don't say it, he's just trying to get under your skin.

"Luca, I suggest you back the fuck off of Ana." Luke's voice was stern. He couldn't hide this anymore.

Luca narrowed his eyes with distaste. "I can do what I want. If I wanna ask her out, I can and will. She's not yours to claim, Luke."

"She's always been mine to claim," the threat retching from the back of his throat.

"Oh, so you're just claiming her now? What are we, twelve, calling dibs?" He gilded closer to Luke.

Luke fumed. "Stop acting like you're so high and mighty, when all Ana does is friendzone you," he warned.

"Well, while you were drunk off your ass at her birthday party you crashed, she was enjoying her time with me. And don't forget, she wore my number to our game that night. Your words don't hold water," Luca fired right back.

Luke glowered at him. "And what you have with Ana," he pointed a finger at him, "does not hold water to what I have with Ana." Luke pointed back at himself. Luca could only shake his head.