Jack opens the door, and as it swings ajar, I find myself clutching the wine bottle he had gifted me. "Eh, that's the one I got you," he remarks, gently pulling on my arm to usher me inside.
"You suggested I should drink it with a close friend, so here I am. And also to celebrate on the dress you got me, I guess." I inform him, a playful smirk adorning my face.
Jack leads us into his kitchen, where I casually toss my coat and bag onto the comfy couch nestled in the corner of the room. While Jack hands me a glass of wine, I hop up onto the counter and take charge of uncorking the bottle, all set to pour us a couple of glasses. "I'm not really into wine," he admits, a hint of distaste flashing across his face as he takes a sip.
"Why did you get me wine then?" I laugh, putting my hand over my face. Jack joins in my laughter, explaining that he didn't expect me to drink it with him, but he knew I loved white wine.
As we continue sipping on our glasses, Jack opens up about his stay in Vancouver and updates me on his parents. "Quinn is excited to get married; he just looks so happy," he says with genuine passion. My eyes probably sparkle with admiration at the good news.
"Would you be mad if I told you that I said to my mom that we're seeing each other?" he confesses, offering me an embarrassed smile.
I giggle, shaking my head, amused by the thought that Jack talked about me to his family. "Well, I hope she approves," I tease, taking another sip of wine.
"Come, let's go to the living room," Jack suggests, wrapping his arms around me to lift me up in his arms. "Wait, the wine," I say between laughs. Jack walks backward, allowing me to extend my arm and grab the bottle from the counter.
Gently, Jack sets me down on the floor, and we find a cozy spot on the carpet in the living room. As we lie down, he takes the opportunity to playfully touch my back, eliciting giggles from me. Grabbing a deck of cards, he lays down next to me, and we continue to enjoy the evening with our whine glasses.
Jack starts explaining the rules of the game, but I can barely comprehend what he's saying because I'm getting lost in his eyes. It might sound a bit cliché, but this guy has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. The depth and warmth in his gaze captivate me, making it challenging to focus on anything other than the mesmerizing blue hues.
I try my best to pay attention to the game instructions, but every now and then, my gaze unintentionally drifts back to his eyes. Jack notices and chuckles, "Having trouble keeping up with the rules, huh?"
I blush, admitting, "I might need a refresher; your eyes are distracting."
Jack grins, "Well, if my eyes are causing a distraction, maybe we should play a different game," he suggests, his tone playful. We both share a laugh, and the evening continues with the cards, wine, and the magnetic pull of those captivating blue eyes.
As he begins explaining the rules, I find myself struggling to focus. "Okay, so if you have a matching pair, you can discard them, but if you don't, you pick up from the deck," he says, his eyes glinting with amusement.
I nod, trying to follow along, but my attention keeps wandering. "Got it," I reply, though my eyes involuntarily drift back to his.
Jack notices and laughs, "Are my eyes really that distracting?"
I blush, "Maybe a little."
He laugh letting go his hand backward and he close the distant between us pulling me closer to kiss my lips.
Our little moment is interrupted by our lord Luckey pookie who's clearly irritated by us, "Come on, guys, just shut the fuck up!" he grumbles, making his displeasure known.
Jack and I exchange a look and burst into laughter, not taking Luke's frustration too seriously. "Since you're grunting, get in your freaking dog house, Luke!" Jack playfully shouts after him, adding a touch of humor to the situation.
Luke turns around, shooting us a glance. Giving a grunt, he limps into the kitchen to make himself a glass of water. As he does, Jack and I remain silent, observing Luke's every move while still holding our game cards.
"What's up with the loud breath?" Jack, now clearly annoyed, calls out. "Stop it, Rowdy. I'm annoyed by you too," Luke retorts, putting his glass in the sink.
I can't help but let out a gasp as Luke's words sink into my brain, finding amusement in this typical brotherly interaction. "Luke, at the speed you're walking right now, I wouldn't talk back to Jack. Because if he decides to jump on you, you wouldn't be able to run away. And no, I will not help you," I say with a hint of jest in my voice.
Jack smirks, looking at Luke with mock seriousness. "She's got a point, you know. I'm lightning fast."
Luke rolls his eyes but chuckles. "Yeah well, If I wasn't injured I would've been lighting fast. Just keep the noise down, you two." The tension dissipates, replaced by the familiar teasing that defines their sibling relationship.
As Luke walks away, Jack leans in, whispering, "Lightning fast? More like a sloth on caffeine."
I burst into laughter, attempting to stifle it with my hand. "Jack, you're not exactly the Flash yourself."
Luke, overhearing our laugh, turns around and shoots us an angry glare. "You two better keep it down. I've had enough of this comedy show."
Jack, puts on an exaggerated serious face. "Don't worry, Luke, we're just getting warmed up. The real comedy hasn't even started yet."
Jack, unable to resist, mimics Luke's "loud breath" as he takes his turn. I can't help but laugh, and soon, we're all in stitches.
After a while, we hear Luke's door creak open again, but this time, he appears in his pajamas, clearly ready to hit the sleep. "Alright, you two. The show's over. I'm going back to sleep," he declares, suppressing a yawn.
Jack salutes him with a smirk, "Sweet dreams, Lukey."
Luke shakes his head, offering a half-smile, "Goodnight, Jack. And for the love of sanity, keep it down."
As Luke disappears into his room, Jack and I exchange a glance, still chuckling. With the atmosphere now quieter, we decide to continue our evening together, enjoying each other's company a little longer.
Snuggled up on the living room floor, we find ourselves engrossed in conversation, sharing stories and laughter well into the night. The wine flows freely, and with each sip, our inhibitions fade away, leaving behind a sense of closeness and comfort.
Eventually, the exhaustion of the day catches up with us, and Jack suggests that I spend the night. With a smile, I agree, feeling grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with him.
We gather blankets and pillows, creating a cozy nest on the living room floor. Jack dims the lights, and we settle down, side by side, sharing whispered secrets and quiet laughter.
As the night deepens, our conversation turns more intimate, our words flowing freely in the quiet darkness. We talk about our hopes and dreams, our fears and insecurities, laying bare our souls to each other in the soft glow of candlelight.
"I'm really glad you're here," Jack says softly, reaching out to take my hand. I reply, squeezing his hand in return.
"You know, the other day, the interviewer from ESPN asked me what I'm planning for my future, and I didn't know what to answer," Jack adds. I nod, knowing exactly what he's talking about. "Well, it's because when I envision my future, I don't see hockey," he admits, looking up at me.
"What do you mean? You love hockey, and it's your career," I tell him, a little confused.
"No, don't get me wrong. I love my career. But I want a big house and two or even three kids. I want to take care of my wife, spoil her, and give her the best life ever," he says enthusiastically, with a small smile, looking down at his paper.
"And what about you? Would you like a big house? In Michigan, maybe?" he asks me with a little glow in his eyes.
With my head resting in my hand, I nod gently. "With two or even three kids," I add, quoting him.
He continues to share his vision, painting a vivid picture of a future filled with love and warmth. "I can see it now - lazy Sundays in our spacious living room, the kids playing in the backyard, and the aroma of a home-cooked meal filling the air. We'll have family movie nights, cozy blankets, and a dog to share our adventures with."
"Your future wife will be really lucky," I tell him with honesty, my voice trembling.
Jack rolls his eyes in amusement, rolling on the side so he can lay on his back.
"Jack?" I say.
He hums so I can continue, "You know we won't ever get back together," I announce to him.
"Why?" he asks, a little hurt in his voice.
"I'm sure inside of me that I love you, but sometimes love isn't enough, and it's honestly tragic. For our health, we can't get back. You'll always be my best friend."
My words sound like a punch in the face for him, and I can't blame him.
Jack's expression changes, a mixture of surprise and hurt in his eyes. He sets the cards down, giving me his full attention. The weight of my words hangs in the air, and a somber silence settles between us.
"I didn't expect you to say that," he admits, his voice a bit strained. "I thought maybe, with time..."
I shake my head gently, meeting his gaze. "Jack, it's not about time. It's about realizing that sometimes, despite the love we share, the best thing for both of us is to move forward separately. We've had our moments, and they were beautiful, but we've also had our challenges."
Jack's eyes flicker with a mix of emotions as my words sink in. He takes a deep breath, processing what I've just said.
"I know," he says softly, his voice tinged with resignation. "I've tried to convince myself otherwise, but deep down, I think I've always known too."
There's a heaviness in the air as we both come to terms with the reality of our situation. It's a bittersweet realization, acknowledging the depth of our feelings for each other while also recognizing the obstacles that stand in the way.
"I don't regret anything, you know," Jack says, his gaze searching mine for understanding. "Even though it hurts, I'm grateful for the time we've had together."
"I feel the same way," I reply, reaching out to squeeze his hand gently. "Let's just keep enjoying the time we have together for now, because we both know that it won't be like this forever ."
We hold onto each other's hands a little tighter, finding comfort in the warmth of our touch. In that moment, there's a silent understanding between us, a shared acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of our connection.
As we lay there together, enveloped in the quiet stillness of the night, I'm filled with a sense of peace. Despite the uncertainty of the future, I know that I'll always treasure the moments we've shared, the laughter, the tears, and everything in between.
I lean on top of him to give him a gentle kiss on his lips, and once we let go of our kiss, he leans towards me to give me a second one.
In that moment, as our lips meet in a tender exchange of affection, a wave of warmth washes over me. It's a bittersweet reminder of the love we share, a love that may not last forever but is undeniably real and precious.
As Jack gently guides me to rest my head on his chest, I feel a sense of safety and comfort envelop me. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear soothes my restless mind, grounding me in the present moment.
With each rise and fall of his chest, I find myself syncing my breath to his, the gentle cadence of our combined breaths creating a tranquil symphony.
And in that quiet intimacy, I find solace, knowing that no matter what the future holds, this moment, this connection, is enough.
As we drift off to sleep, cocooned in the warmth of our love, I'm filled with a profound gratitude for the simple beauty of this shared moment, a moment that I'll carry with me long after the night fades into dawn.
What a sad, beautiful, tragic, love affair.
...
And a short one for tonight. I found it really inspiring to write, and it's sweet but sad at the same time.
I love those poetic chapters. I listened to "Jacob and the Stone" while writing it.
Much love, xxx.