The Perfect Shot

Chapter 8: Worn In Comfort

Stevie's POV

  The The morning sun barely peeks through the blinds when my alarm goes off. I groan, reaching over to shut it off, but there's this flutter of excitement in my chest that makes it easier to get up today. Jack's picking me up for practice—something that seems so simple but feels like a big deal to me.

  As I get ready, my thoughts drift back to last night, to how Jack looked at me, how he made me feel special in a way I hadn't expected. I smile to myself as I pull on some comfortable clothes and grab my camera bag. When I slip on his jacket from last night, the lingering warmth and scent of him make me blush. I wonder if he's thinking about me the way I'm thinking about him.

 I finish getting ready just as there's a knock on the door. When I open it, Jack is standing there with a grin, holding out an apple crisp iced latte—my favorite drink.

 "Morning, Stevie," he says, eyes twinkling. "I brought your favorite."

 "Jack, you didn't have to—thank you!" I say, my heart doing a little flip. I take the drink from his hand, and our fingers brush, sending a jolt of warmth through me. I lean in and press a quick kiss to his cheek. "You're the best."

 Jack's smile widens, his eyes following me as I take a sip. "Figured I'd start the day off right."

 As we head down to his car, he suddenly stops and his gaze zeroes in on my outfit. "Well, well," he teases, his grin turning playful, "You're looking pretty good in that jacket. It's almost like it was made for you."

 I glance down, my cheeks flushing as I laugh softly. "It's comfy... and it smells like you."

 His smile grows, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Careful, I might have to take it back."

 I look up at him with a grin, feeling a little bolder. "Who says I want to give it back?"

 Jack chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. "Alright, you can keep it—for now."

 When we reach his car, he opens the door for me with a mock bow. "Me, lady."

 I chuckle, shaking my head at his playful chivalry. "Thanks, kind sir."

 Once we're both in the car, Jack tosses me the aux cord. "Your turn to pick the music today."

 I grin, plugging in my phone and scrolling through my playlist. "I hope you're ready for some Dierks Bentley."

 As the familiar twang of country music fills the car, Jack's grin widens even more. "Dierks Bentley, huh? You've got good taste."

 I laugh, not realizing just how much I nailed it. "You like him?"

 "One of my favorites," Jack admits, glancing over at me. "You might just be winning some serious points today."

 I can't help but smile at that, feeling a little thrill at the idea of impressing him without even trying. "Well, good to know I'm on the right track."

 The drive to the arena is filled with easy conversation and the sound of Dierks Bentley's songs, making the morning feel even more relaxed and enjoyable. Before we know it, we're pulling into the parking lot, the anticipation of the day ahead buzzing between us.

 Practice flies by, with me snapping photos and Jack working hard on the ice. Every so often, I catch him looking over at me, and I can't help but smile. It's nice, this easy connection we're building.

 After practice, Jack finds me as I'm packing up my gear. "Hey," he says, leaning against the wall with that easy grin. "I was thinking, maybe we could hang out after this? Grab some food or something?"

 I bite my lip, hating that I have to say no. "I'd love to, but I actually have a meeting in a bit."

 Jack tries to hide his disappointment, nodding. "No worries. Work stuff?"

 "Yeah, just a quick meeting with the head coach," I explain, adjusting my camera strap. "Just going over how the job's going, how you guys are treating me... you know, the usual check-in."

 "Ah, the boss man. Well, tell him I said to go easy on you," Jack jokes, giving me a wink. "But seriously, if you need backup, you know where to find me."

 I laugh, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood. "Thanks, but I think I can handle it. Although... how about a movie night instead? My place, tonight?"

 Jack's eyes light up. "That sounds perfect."

 "There's just one thing," I tease, raising an eyebrow. "You can't show up empty-handed."

 He laughs, leaning in a little closer. "Alright, what's the deal? Snacks? Drinks? A whole popcorn machine?"

 I giggle, nudging him with my elbow. "Surprise me."

 "Challenge accepted," he says with a grin. "I'll see you tonight, then. What time?"

 "7 sound good?" I say.

 "Perfect, I'll be there," Jack says, turning on his feet and heading to his car, a buzz of excitement hanging in the air.

 Later, I find myself walking into the head coach's office, trying to shake off the nerves that suddenly hit me. The coach looks up from his desk and gives me a welcoming nod.

 "Stevie, come on in. How's everything going?" he asks as I take a seat.

 "It's going great, actually. The team's been really welcoming, and the work has been... well, it's been a dream come true, honestly," I reply, smiling.

 The coach nods, pleased. "Good to hear. The guys seem to like you too. Any issues? Anything we need to address?"

 I shake my head. "No issues at all. Just a lot of great moments I've been able to capture."

 "That's what we like to hear," the coach says with a smile. "Well, if you ever need anything, my door's always open. Keep up the good work, Stevie."

 "Thank you, Coach. I appreciate it," I say as I stand to leave.

 As I walk out of the office, a sense of relief and excitement washes over me. The meeting went smoothly, and now all that's left is to prepare for my movie night with Jack. The thought of spending more time with him brings a smile to my face, and I can't wait to see where the night will take us.