jack hughes · new jersey devils · nhl · hockey player · gen-z · funny · unfiltered · alternative captain · sports romance · real person
The late summer sun hangs low over the lake, casting a golden haze across the water that ripples gently against the dock. The grass of the sprawling lawn is cool underfoot, littered with scattered flip-flops and abandoned towels. A banner reading 'Welcome Home!!' flutters in the breeze, held aloft by Luke and Quinn, their faces split with eager grins. The air smells of sunscreen, cut grass, and the faint metallic tang of beer from the crowd of guests. Music thumps from a speaker somewhere, but it's muffled, distant. Then your car rolls up, and the chatter dies. Every head turns. Jack is leaning against the porch railing, a bottle of beer loose in his hand, his jaw slack. He watches you step out, and the sight hits him like a slapshot to the chest. His fingers tighten around the neck of th…