#jane-nhl

"Yo, [Y/N]! Pass me the prosecco please!" you heard your co-worker Trent shout to you. You quickly passed him the bottle while finishing the drink you were preparing for the customer in front of you.

Suddenly you heard a few shouts coming in from the direction of the door. You had the subconscious reaction to roll your eyes. Trent laughed at you because he knew why. Some NHL players whom are regulars at the bar you work at. You lowkey despised them because they were always rowdy and would stay late if they didn't have practice in the morning. Which annoyed you, a lot - especially when you wanted to be home on time for your cat, Oreo.

Your little fluffball has terrible separation anxiety after being left for dead on the street before you saved him. After a few weeks he got to know your schedule and when you would come home late he would ignore you for a couple of days. You, of course, didn't want that because he wouldn't eat the food you'd serve him. Such a stubborn little kitten you had.

When you looked at the stampede of hockey players - one stuck out like a sore thumb like always, Luke Hughes. With his 6'2" stature, you were able to pick him out of every type of crowd that frequented the bar. His good looks definitely had nothing to do with it.

Definitely not.

You undoubtedly didn't have a little teeny tiny crush on him because of his beautiful hazel(?) eyes or his nice smile or possibly not because of his charismatic but nerdy aura he gives off every time he orders.

Because you know, Trent certainly hasn't hinted to you that he only wants to order with you when you're working. You would roll your eyes every damn time Trent would mention it. You'd think someone like Luke Hughes would be into someone ordinary like you. You had no special or striking features that would make men drop their jaws to the floor. You don't have an extraordinary body like the models you see on TV or in magazines. You were regular old Plain Jane.

You were also 'definitely' not insecure about your body and/or face. You were just a Bartender, doing your job every time you had to come in.

"Hey, [Y/N]! It's always lovely to see you working," you heard one curly headed guy say to you. You looked up to see Luke, of course, you would recognize his voice everywhere. "Hey Luke, totally not long time no see.", you said with a chuckle. Luke and his teammates, but certainly his brother Jack would frequent the bar a lot. Especially because you offered a place to dine as well - the food was good but surely not that good. You tried it some time and it did not sit well with your stomach and intestines. Maybe it was a wrong batch that time.

He chuckled as well and winked at you. "Can I... get 8 beers and 3 soda waters, please?" He asked while turning around and counting the heads of his teammates. "Sure, will be coming right up," you put in his order, stuck out your hand for his card and you quickly felt his hand brushing yours while he put his card in your palm. You felt a little shiver going down your spine when he did that. He definitely saw you do it because he gave you a small smile. Your cheeks blushed a little red but you quickly turned around hopeful he didn't see it.

When you were done with his order you put it on a tray so he could take it back to his table. As you handed him the tray his hand would brush yours yet again. You'd think it would've been on purpose and as you looked him in the face - that just confirmed it because he was smirking at you.

That damn smile.

You would always swoon over it, but silently. You gave him a stern look but it just made him smile more at you. As he turned around to finally go back to his table you let out a visible sigh, slumping down your shoulders. Which made your co-worker Trent turn towards you. "Was the little shit flirting again?" he asked. Even though he would joke about them or tease you about Luke, he had a aversion for hockey players because he got hurt by one and other co-workers had as well. He didn't want you to get hurt but he had an inkling Luke wasn't like those other players, who were well players. He had mentioned that Luke's aura feels like one that is looking for a long-term and steady relationship. He was an empath and all that. You would roll your eyes every time he mentioned it.

The night flew by like nothing. The NHL players were pretty tame tonight, even though they had won their game that had happened the same night. They would always get rowdy and let loose of their worries which would always concern you. But lately they have been calm and just chilling at their booth. You weren't asking for them to be rowdy, you were just appreciating the calm atmosphere going on at the bar. They had ordered a lot of drinks and each time Luke was the one getting the drinks. That too has been a common occurrence going on. Him joining you at the bar, sometimes flirt with you - sometimes use a random pick-up line he definitely asked ChatGPT about. It would make you blush, involuntary giggle or even roll your eyes at him. You wondered were the courage came from because usually he would just be friendly or even quiet when waiting for the drinks.

At the end of the night, pretty close to your closing time. He came up one last time, of course to handle the bill but he also did something else. He asked you out. He did what??? You were wondering if you actually heard him right?

"You said what?" you asked him astonished. He rolled his eyes at you and repeated himself with a chuckle. "I was wondering if you wanted to get some coffee with me some time," he smiled at you while leaning on the bar you just wiped down. You stayed quiet in shock for almost a minute which made him awkwardly swing from side to side. You shook your head at first before answering. "But, I'm just a bartender," you said with hesitation. He frowned at you. "What makes you say that?" Turning his head down to the side, looking at you like a little puppy. You cleared your throat before answering. "I'm just some girl working here. Of course I have to be nice to you otherwise you wouldn't come back. I'm also just some plain chick from around town," you said shrugging your shoulders. He frowned just even more which makes him really adorable but you gotta stay serious for the situation going on. "Why are you being like this, [Y/N]?" he asked truthfully. "I've seen you around town, yes. In the grocery store helping some old lady. At the park with your friends enjoying a picnic. I've seen you and I am seeing you right now. You are not just some plain chick or just a bartender. You are a lovely and certainly a pretty girl, I've had my eye on for weeks." He paused for a second, pretty desperately adding the next. "I just want to ask you at to get to know you in a romantic way. So please, go out with me." He added with a sigh, almost flopping down on the bar with his head and shoulders.

You looked at him astonished yet again. "I never would've guessed you feeling like that about me..." But quickly added the next. "And I would love to get to know more about it next Wednesday" This made him perk up at that. You quickly wrote down your number on the receipt he had lying in front of him and handed it to him. He stood up straight and made a little jump when he picked up his receipt which made his brother - you certainly hadn't noticed - holler at Luke. The two of them made their exit, but before the door closed on them, Luke made a quick turnaround and gave you a little wave. You quickly waved back before returning to your closing duties. Trent left an hour before this so you were glad you were alone at the bar. Only left with Chelsea in the back, who was cleaning up the kitchen as your bar's cook.

As you were laying in bed, you suddenly got a message from an unknown number. Guessing it was Luke you opened it.

I'm looking forward to next week! Let me know where you want to go and I'll make some space in my agenda. x Luke

You smiled at the message and quickly typed one back.

I'm looking forward to it as well. I'll think about it tomorrow and will let you know when and where. But the next date it will be definitely your choice! x [Y/N]

You got a next message in only thirty seconds.

Oh so there are already plans for second dates. I like your vision you have going on, keep that going! x Luke

You rolled your eyes, maybe you shouldn't have mentioned it as of now but yet you only dreamed about an opportunity like this.

Goodnight Lukey x [Y/N]

Goodnight Peach. Sweet dreams xx