SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, J.HUGHES

FIFTY

JACK'S POV

"How did it go?" she asks, like she's genuinely interested in the boring details.

"The usual, you know. Hot pics of me in hockey gear," I chuckle, closing the car door behind me. Luke's right there too, sliding into the passenger seat with a groan. We both had to take media shots today at the office. Like I said, the usual—some pics in our home jerseys, some with gear, and a few where we had to pretend we were tying our skates like it's some kind of candid moment.

She laughs on the other end, that sound making the whole day seem less dull. "I'm sure you looked amazing, though."

"Obviously," I reply with a grin, starting the engine. "But it's all just part of the job. Smile, pose, and act like we're not bored out of our minds."

Luke rolls his eyes beside me, clearly done with the whole thing, and I can't blame him. We'd rather be on the ice or just hanging out, not playing dress-up for the cameras.

I know this might make me sound like a brat or feel redundant, but seriously, my first couple of years, I was really enjoying it. The media stuff, the photoshoots—it was all part of the excitement, you know? Except for the post-game interviews. I hate them all.

Luke smirks, nodding in agreement as I pull out of the parking lot. We're both thinking the same thing.

After asking her how she's doing and how work is going so far, I start telling her about my plans for the day. "So, I've got to go plan some stuff for Nico's birthday. It's in almost two weeks. I already talked to the boys, and they're down if I plan something chill and intimate."

She hums on the other side of the phone, and even though I can't see her, I know she's probably multitasking. It's one of those things I've picked up on—how she can do a million things at once and still listen to me ramble. Then, I hear someone getting close to her, a voice that's definitely not hers.

"What's up, Jaaaaack," the voice drawls, and it clicks—it's Sam.

"Isn't this my favorite neighbor?" I say with a grin, remembering the time she tried to fake being my neighbor, and failed miserably. She's not a good liar, and I'll never let her live that one down. Luke laughs beside me, biting his nails, clearly entertained by the whole thing.

"Still holding onto that, huh?" she replies, her tone light and teasing.

"Always," I say, smirking to myself. "It's too good to forget."

Luke shakes his head, still chuckling as I keep driving. "Sam, you're coming to Nico's birthday, right?" I throw out casually, but I can't help the grin that's already forming.

There's a sudden choking sound on the other side of the line. "Nico? Like the Nico... the one who keeps running into our office?" Sam's voice is slightly panicked, like she just got caught red-handed.

I can hear Morgan giggling softly in the background. "Yeah, the one you have a crush on," she teases, and that's when Luke and I both turn our heads toward each other, our expressions perfectly in sync—one eyebrow raised in surprise.

"Wait, hold up," I say, unable to resist the urge to tease. "You've got a crush on Nico?"

"No!" Sam's voice shoots back quickly, but she's totally flustered. "I mean... maybe... but don't make it weird!"

Luke finally loses it, laughing out loud. "Oh man, this is gold."

"You're definitely coming to the party now," I say, still smirking. "We'll make sure Nico knows his biggest fan is there."