#ned

She was a confident person. She wasn’t shy about showing off her body. She wasn’t skinny and she was okay with that. More than okay with that. It wasn’t until she started dating Luke. 

He was a professional athlete. He was tall and skinny but had amazing muscles in the process. He was everything that she wasn’t. She was happy. He made her feel beautiful in every way possible. He never made her feel less than perfect. 

It was a passing thought in her mind that his fans wouldn’t like her because she wasn’t the typical WAG. She was nothing like the other girls that were in relationships with the Devils. Reanne was her best friend out of all of them. The other girls were not as welcoming. 

She overheard one of the girls say that since Y/N was here all of the pictures would be ruined with her in them. The comment made her feel like she was in elementary school all over again.

She decided it would be best to not tell Luke. It would only create riffs between him and the teammates. Everyone was defensive of their partner and it would create unneeded tension.

She’s avoided several of the WAG only events because she was afraid of what they would say.

Tonight was supposed to be a party with the players and the partners. She was dreading on going while Luke hasn’t stopped talking about it since the plans were set in stone.

She was sitting at her vanity, staring at her reflection while she prepped her skin for makeup. Luke walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He gripped the towel tighter as his eyes landed on her frame. 

He walked closer to her, “Hey baby,” he sing-songed as he walked towards her. She tilted her head back to meet his gaze.

“Hi,” she let out softly while scanning his features. He scanned her features, his cheeks flushing in the process. He smirked as his gaze dipped towards her lips. Her perfect lips. He leaned dwon and kissed her delicately.

“So stunning,” he mumbled against her lips. She rolled her eyes playfully before she pecked his lips once more. He smirked as he leaned back, keeping his gaze low on her lips. “Did the girls say the dress code?” he asked as he started walking towards his closet. 

Her lips parted as she took a hold of her phone and opened up the group chat. Reanne had shared a photo of her attire, alongside Curtis. She was wearing a light blue sundress as Curtis was wearing a button up shirt with a pair of jeans. 

“Jeans and a nice top please,” she singsonged while she began to brush through her eyebrows. 

“Got it, baby,” he offered while walking into his closet. 

She swallowed harshly while she continued with her makeup routine, incredibly slowly. She didn’t want to go, she didn’t want to interact with the other girls. But Luke was so excited to spend time with his teammates.

It didn’t take long for Luke to walk back into the bedroom. His frame was covered in a dark green button up with a pair of dark wash jeans. Her posture straightened as she looked behind to see Luke adjusting the top button. 

She smirked as she looked his frame up and down. “You look really handsome,” she said as she met his gaze. He smiled softly as he dropped his hands to the side shyly. 

“Thank you, baby,” he said as he awwardly shifted backwards towards the bathroom. A nervous laugh left his lips. “We have to leave in like thirty minutes, will you be ready?” he asked. Her lips parted as she looked back towards the mirror in front of her. “–or we could make a fashionably late entrance,” he teased.

“I’ll be ready, I promise,” she offered as she reluctantly began to apply her makeup faster on her skin. 

“Okay,” he sang out with a soft laugh leaving his lips. 

~~~

The ride over to the team get together was only ten minutes and the entire time she was nervous. She was freaking out that the dress she picked was too tight and that it would ruin the photos. The idea of ruining the photos kept crossing her mind over and over again.

Luke spent a good ten minutes complimenting her. His hands glided along her skin as he continuously praised her appearance. She always felt so beautiful with his words and his actions. But at this moment, she couldn’t think of one thing that could make her feel good. 

Luke pulled up to the house, parking his car. Instantly, he shifted his gaze towards her. “Ready to go, pretty girl?” he asked as he scanned her features. She kept her gaze low on her lap. Nervously, she was spinning the bracelet that Luke gave her after their one year anniversary. Her eyebrows furrowed harshly as she took a deep breath. 

“Baby?” he let out softly as he reached over and took a hold of her chin and turned her head to meet her gaze. “Are you okay?” he asked softly. Delicately, he glided his thumb along her jawline as he scanned her features. Her eyes widened slightly as her bottom lip fell into a small pout for only a second.

“Yeah, let’s go,” she mumbled. Luke nodded slightly before he leaned towards her and kissed her softly. 

“Okay,” he muttered as he leaned back and began to climb out of the car. Reluctantly, she followed in pursuit as she climbed out of the car. She slammed the door shut as she nervously ran her hands along the sides of her flowy dress. She stared towards her reflection in the car window.

She took a deep breath while she took small steps around the car to meet up with Luke on the other side of the car. He tilted his head to the side while he held his hand out towards her. A small smile formed to her lips as she interlocked their hands together. 

“Come on, beauty,” he offered as he was beginning to nearly drag her towards the front door. 

Based on the amount of cars in front of the giant house, the entire team was already there. Even though they thought they were early. Luke ran his thumb over the top of her hand as he guided her towards the door.

Once they reached the front door, Luke knocked briefly before he pushed the door open. He dragged her inside as the entire living room erupted in cheers. 

“Lukey!” Jack shouted from the other side of the living room. 

“Rusty and Mrs. Rusty, how are you guys?” Curtis shouted as he and Reanne walked towards the pair, greeting them right at the door. Y/N and Reanne hugged briefly as Luke and Curtis dapped each other up. Her smiled faltered slightly as she looked over towards the group of women sitting together at one of the tables that were set up.

“We’re good, thanks for hosting,” Luke said as he met Curtis’s gaze. 

“Of course, we’ve got drinks in the fridge in the garage, food is in the kitchen, and the whole main level and basement is free reign.” Curtis explained while pointing in random directions. She took a deep breath as she wrapped her arm around Luke’s, inching closer to him.

Glancing down towards her, he guides her deeper inside. “Thanks man,” Luke uttered as the small group walked towards the kitchen area. “Do you want to eat something first or grab some drinks?” he asked quietly.

“Drinks are fine with me,” she mumbled. 

“Yes ma’am,” He nodded as they continued deeper through the house towards the back door that would eventually lead them to the garage. Luke and Y/N stopped and talked to some of his teammates on the way out. She didn’t say much, more of a small smile and hello before Luke continued to guide her through the crowd. 

They stepped outside and saw a few of his teammates standing in a circle and talking. Jack was telling a long winded story about something that happened over the summer. Luke waved towards them before he walked towards the door that led to the garage.

“Baby,” Luke muttered as he opened the door and guided themselves inside. They were alone inside of the garage. She hummed as she made her way towards the fridge. Slowly, she pulled the door open to look at the variety of options that were inside. “You’re oddly quiet today, what’s going on?”

“Oh nothing, just still getting used to everyone,” she explained as she took a hold of a Coors Light and held it behind her for Luke to take. He gladly accepted the drink as she reached inside and took a hold of a White Claw. Slowly, she shut the fridge door and spun on her heel to face him.

“Are you sure?” he asked quietly. She nodded as she walked closer to him. He stood still keeping eye contact with her. He could feel his cheeks heating up the longer he looked into her eyes. She nodded again as the corner of her lips curled up as she saw his eyes light up while looking towards her.

“I know what could relax me a little bit,” she offered as she took another step towards him.

“What’s that?” he asked as his gaze dipped towards her lips.

“Maybe a kiss,” she offered. 

A wide grin formed on his lips, “Oh I can definitely help with that,” he expressed as he took an instant hold of the base of her neck. Quickly, he pulled her towards him, kissing her urgently. A soft giggle fell from her lips as they kissed for a few seconds.

“Relaxed?” he asked against her lips. She shook her head slightly. He smirked before he pressed his lips against hers, parting their lips slightly to deepen the kiss. They stayed together like that a few more seconds before he reluctantly pulled back. 

“Much better,” she mumbled against his lips.

“Yeah?” he asked, she hummed as a reply.

The pair exited the garage and made their way towards the house once more. Luke had one thing in mind as he was making his way into the house. He was starving and he was going to drag his girl along with him in the process.

He held his hand out towards her as he walked up the small steps towards the house. Delicately, she rested her hand into his as he continued to guide her inside. Luke’s eyes danced around the group of people as they continued to glide through the crowd. 

Y/N reluctantly pulled her hand back from Luke’s. “I’m going to find Reanne,” she offered. Luke met her gaze for a second. He looked over her features for a second before he nodded. 

Her eyes landed on Reanne who was standing in the group full of the other partners of the players. She took a deep breath as she walked towards them. Reanne smiled widely towards her.

“Y/N, hey,” Reanne said, glancing towards the other girls. One of them straightened her posture, bringing her drink towrads her lips. 

“Hi guys, you all look so pretty,” she offered towards them. They smiled softly but they all walked away from them two. Y/N clenched her jaw as she looked over towards Reanne. “Did I do something?” she asked quietly. 

Reanne rolled her eyes while shaking her head, “No, they just have this idea–” 

“That a professional athlete should be dating someone tiny, right?” Y/N interrupted while looking over to Luke. He was happily putting food onto his plate and making a tiny pyramid. She clenched her jaw while he looked up towards her. He pointed to her and down towards his plate; asking if she wanted one. She shook her head. He pouted before he continued adding food to his plate.

“You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress and screw being tiny, you’re hot,” Reanne expressed while maintaining eye contact. Y/N let out a nervous laugh while rolling her eyes playfully. 

“Thanks, I appreciate that. I just wish they could at least have a conversation with me and not walk away after a few seconds,” she mumbled while she popped open the White Claw. She brought it towards her lips.

“Does Luke have any idea?”

“You mean Snoopy over there? He’s got no idea,” she expressed while letting out a small laugh. Luke was laughing with his brother as he was actively bringing a chicken tender to his mouth.

“Maybe talk to him about it,” Reanne offered.

“It’ll just create tension, I’ll get over it eventually. He doesn’t need to know,” she expressed while shaking her head slightly.

“Baby! You gotta come try this!” Luke shouted from across the living room. She lifted her head up, her eyes went wide as she met his gaze for a second. Her gaze shifted towards one of the girls who was whispering something to another one.

She nodded towards Luke before she looked back towards Reanne. “He’ll keep hollering at me, better go over there,” she offered while laughing. Reanne rolled her eyes playfully as Y/N began walking through the group of people towards Luke. 

“Baby, this is like the best chicken I’ve ever had,” he expressed as he held out a pice of it towards her. She rolled her eyes playfully.

“Lukey, I’m not hungry,” she said while laughing.

“But babe, I’m telling you,” he offered. She took a hesitant breath before she took it from his hands and took a bite. She nodded along with him. “Right, right?”

~~~

It was late and Luke was on his way back from a roadtrip with the team. She was trying to stay awake but it was past three in the morning and she was exhausted. She was lucky that she didn’t have work in the morning.

She was half asleep on his side of the bed, like how she did every roadtrip he was gone. It was a difficult one this time around. Ever since that party a few weeks back, her mind has been busy. 

She was subconciously eating a lot less and working out a lot more. Exercise was always something that she loved to do. She loved hot yoga classes and lifting. During the off season, her and Luke would work out together quite often. She was healthy. But she wasn’t fully sure why she was so full all of a sudden. It was odd. 

Luke walked into the bedroom, quietly as he could. He dragged the suitcase towards his closet and kept it there. He smiled softly as he saw her laying on his side of the bed. He’s only saw her like this a few times in the past, taking note of how she only lays on that side when he’s gone. 

He took a deep breath as he walked towards the bathroom to take a quick shower. He needed to get the smell of the plane off of his body. Y/N also hated when he laid in bed after coming straight from the airport. 

Walking into the bathroom, he flipped the light switch on. His eyes landed on an at home scale near the bathtub in the corner of the bathroom. He furrowed his eyebrows harshly, he didn’t know they had one; let alone that Y/N used one. He leaned down and took a hold of it and walked towards the bathroom closet and quickly rested inside of it.

He shook it off, understanding that it probably means nothing. Without hesitation, he began to pull his clothes off to take a fast shower.

It didn’t take him long to finish his shower. He grabbed a pair of sweats that rested on his bathroom counter and slid them up his frame quickly. A sigh of relief left his lips as he quickly walked back out of the bathroom towards the bedroom. He smiled softly as his gaze landed on Y/N again. 

He smiled softly while he rounded around the bed. He kneeled down and reached towards her and brushed a few pieces of hair away from her face. “Baby,” he whispered. She stirred slowly but remained asleep. Luke smiled widely as he leaned towards her, pressing his lips against her forehead. “Wake up, baby,” he mumbled while he continued to brush her hair behind her ear. 

Slowly, she squinted her eyes while taking in a deep breath. Her eyes flickered open as a small sleepy smile fell to her lips. “My boyfriend,” she mumbled. He smirked as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against her forehead once more. “Hi baby,” she whispered, finally meeting his gaze. 

“Hi beautiful,” he whispered. 

She reached towards him, resting her hand on the base of his neck. “I’ve missed you,” she mumbled while looking into his eyes. 

“I’ve missed you too, baby,” he whispered as he leaned towards her, he kissed her delicately. “But move off my side–” he mumbled against her lips. She giggled as she rolled onto her back as her hand slid from his neck.

“Make me,” she muttered. A sudden laugh left his lips as he reached beneath her and tugged her closer to him. “Luke!” she let out through a laugh as he lifted her up in the air. “Luke Hughes!” she shouted through another laugh while she wrapped her arms around his neck. 

“I’m just doing what you said, baby,” he whispered as their eyes connected, “You said make me,” he teased. 

She tossed her head back as he delicately rested her onto her side of the bed. Luke sat beside her and instantly took a hold of the side of her neck. He delicately glided his thumb down the center of her neck. She leaned her head back down to meet his gaze.

Their eyes connected as Luke’s cheeks began to pink up. He ran his thumb along her skin. The corner of her lips curled upward as he leaned towards her pressing his lips against hers delicately. She didn’t hesitate to kiss him back as she took a hold of his cheeks and pulled him towards her.

“Move off my side–” she teased.

“Oh shut up,” he mumbled against her lips as he climbed on top of her. Giggles both fell from their lips as he rested both of his hands beside her head. Her hands glided down his chest as he deepened the kiss as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She hummed against his lips while he slowly toyed with the strap of her tank top.

~~~

The following night they were both sitting on the couch watching the movie The Edge of Seventeen. She practically begged him to watch it, it’s been one of her favorites for a long time. Her legs were draped over his lap as he was delicately running his hands along her thighs absentmindedly. 

His eyes widened as the idea of a late night snack popped into his head. He couldn’t think of the last time they’ve gone out for a late night ice cream mission. He would never admit it to the training staff but there would be a lot of nights where him and Y/N would go out on late night walks and get ice cream or frozen yogurt.

He turned his gaze towards her, smiling softly as he looked over focused features. “Baby,” he let out in a hushed tone. She turned her head to the side, meeting his gaze. “I have an amazing idea,” he asked teasingly.

“Oh really?” she shot back laughing quietly before looking back towards the TV screen.

“Let’s go get some ice cream,” he expressed excitedly as he tapped his hands onto her thighs. 

He was expecting a wide smile but she barely reacted. “I don’t really have a taste for it tonight, I’m sorry baby, but you should go get some,” she offered without looking towards him. A frown fell to his lips as he scanned her features. 

“Since when do you not have a taste for ice cream, Darling,” he asked softly.

“Careful Lukey, you keep taking me to get ice cream you’ll end up with a fat girlfriend,” she said in a joking manner while rolling her eyes playfully. 

Luke didn’t find it funny, he didn’t care if she gained weight or if her body changed; he would love her no matter her appearance. He would find her sexy and stunning in every way possible. He didn’t know how to handle the situation. If he took it too seriously, she may react badly. And if he joked back, she may get hurt. 

“Okay, and?” He drew out the word. She let out a breathy laugh as she looked towards him.

“I’m just warning you,” she offered as she pulled her legs off of his lap as she sat up straight. 

“No need to warn me, I would have more to love, baby,” he said softly. She rolled her eyes playfully as she stood up from the couch with a soft laugh leaving her lips. Luke leaned back as he watched her movements very carefully. 

Slowly, she walked towards him. Carefully she climbed onto his lap. His eyes widened as he instantly rested his hands onto her hips. He squeezed her hips for a second as he looked deeply into her eyes. She rested her hands onto the base of his neck. She dragged her thumbs along the side of his neck. 

“You’re so cheesy,” she mumbled as she tilted her head to the side. 

He took a deep breath while clenching his jaw for a second. “Do you really think I would care about that stuff? I would be in love with you no matter how much you weigh, you know that right?” he offered as he slowly glided his hands along her frame.

She took a deep breath, “I know but I would want you to still find me attractive,” she offered, dropping her gaze towards their laps. His eyes widened as a scoff fell from his lips.

“I would find you so fucking sexy and beautiful no matter what, baby,” he offered while he raised his hand up and took a hold of her cheek. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes connected. She watched as he urgently scanned her features. “Where’s this coming from, my love?” he asked quietly.

She wanted to tell him the truth that some of the girls’ comments have made her self conscious and more insecure than normal; but she still didn’t want to start anything with them and the other players.

“I’m just having a rough week, that’s all,” she offered as she leaned down toward him and pressed her lips against his delicately.

“You know what fixes a rough week?” he questioned as he tilted his head back against the top of the couch.

She rolled her eyes playfully, “Ice cream,” she answered for him. He nodded encouragingly as he fought off a wide smile by biting his bottom. “I thought dating a professional athlete would make me a healthier person,” she offered as she climbed off his lap and began walking towards the front door of the apartment.

Luke shot up from the couch, leaning down to take a hold of the TV remote and pausing the movie. Luke began following after her. “You picked the wrong athlete then, my love,” he teased as he jogged towards her.

 He reached towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back towards him. “You started dating a guy who’s nickname is Rusty, that’s on you,” he continued as he pressed his lips against her neck.

“That’s so right,” she teased back as she pulled away from his grasp. “How could I forget?” she continued while spinning around to meet his gaze.

“No idea,” he said sarcastically as he had a wide grin on his lips. “Let’s go,” he offered excitedly. 

“I don’t want a lot,” she pointed an accusatory finger towards him. He nodded encouragingly. 

“Whatever you want, Darling,”

~~~

Luke was home alone while she was gone at work and the comments she made yesterday were constantly circling his mind. He cooked her breakfast, just so he knew that she ate something during the day. 

He was sprailed out on the couch, staring towards the ceiling fan. His heart was slamming hard against his chest as he contemplated on doing something that could probably end up being dumb. 

He was not someone who liked to go to his mom for advice. He liked to be independent and rarely would seek advice from anyone for that matter. But something kept circling his mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about what else could be going on with Y/N. He hated that she was even having thoughts like that. He needed to knwo if there was anything that he was doing to make her feel like that. 

Clenching his jaw, he pulled up his mom’s contact information and selected the call option. He brought the phone up to his ear as he stood up from the couch. He began to pace back and forth as he heard it ring and ring. 

It took a few too many rings in his opinion for her to answer the call but she answered. “Lukey! Sorry, I couldn't find my phone!” she explained through a small laugh. Luke smiled as he heard his mother’s voice.

“Hi Mom, how are you?” he asked, trying to get the pleasantries out of the way. He smiled as she explained how her week has been going. She talked about all the highs and lows, excited to hear her youngest son’s voice. Luke engaged in the conversation, genuinely listening to every detail. He would ask questions, excited to hear the stories of how her life is going.

“Anyways, son, how are you?” she asked excitedly. 

“Well, I wanted to talk to you about something,” Luke began as he stopped in the center of the living room, glancing towards the door; almost as if Y/N would interrupt the conversation.

“What’s going on?” she asked quietly. 

He took a deep breath as he clamped his mouth shut. He looked towards the ceiling. “I don’t even know how to bring it up,” he asked while shaking his head. “I’m worried about Y/N,” 

“Okay,” his mom said softly as he took another deep breath as his gaze landed on the photo collage that she put up on their wall. It was a collection of photos over the last few years of them. His favorite photo was a photo that Jack took of them while at dinner. It was a candid moment for them where they were smiling softly towards one another.

“She said something last night about me not finding her attractive anymore if she gains weight or something like that. I told her that I didn’t care about that and that I’d love her and find her beautiful no matter what but I don’t know if that made anything better for her. I don’t know if she was joking or if she actually feels that way or if I make her feel that way. She didn’t seem like she was mad or anything, she said it as if she was joking but I can’t stop thinking that she isn’t joking,”

His mother didn’t say anything at first, mostly processing everything that Luke was ranting out. She took in every single word he said and took a few seconds to process the information. She took a hesitant breath on her end of the phone as she took a few seconds to begin to reply.

“If you were making her feel that way she wouldn’t have even made the joke to begin with. She would blame you if you were making her feel that way,” she explained. “I think you just keep being you Lukey. You have to just make sure she feels loved and confident. You have to just keep making her feel good.” she explained.

“I thought I was doing that already, I didn’t realize that she was feeling like this at all,” 

“When did you notice that she was feeling off?” she questioned. He stopped short and looked towards the ceiling. 

“I guess–I only really noticed it last night. God, I’ve been an awful boyfriend,” he mumbled as he wandered towards the couch as he suddenly needed to sit down.

“You haven’t been awful, Luke. She might be really good at hiding her feelings.”

“I should still be able to know if she’s feeling like that, I should be able to see that she’s feeling bad,” Luke ran his hand through his hair.

“Try and find out what is making her feel like that, Lukey, it cannot hurt to ask her what is making her feel like this. I know that you are not the reason she is feeling not like herself. I know my son and I know that you love her with everything that you have. I believe that you can make this all better for her.” 

Luke didn’t say anything as he nodded slowly. He felt tears brim his eyes as he straightened his posture. He leaned back as he glanced towards the door, waiting for her to come home.

“Luke?” his mother offered.

“Yeah, I’ll talk to her but what if she says it’s something that I’m doing?” he asked as his voice cracked slightly.

“Then you fix it because you love her,” she said urgently.

The door was pushed open and Y/N entered the apartment, she was keeping her gaze low. He cleared his throat as he stood up from the couch. “I am–I have to go, Mom. I love you an–and thank you,” he expressed before he hung up the phone. 

“Hey honey,” she mumbled as she rested a few bags onto the kitchen counter, “I got you a few things, I wasn’t sure if you would like them but I–” she stopped short as she met Luke’s gaze from across the apartment. He was awkwardly standing still as he rested his hands onto his hips. “Luke, you okay?” she asked with a breathy laugh leaving her lips.

“I found a scale in our bathroom the other day, but I thought we never had one. I didn’t question it but I think now that I should’ve.”

“Honey–”

“You made that joke yesterday but I don’t think that you were joking. I think something happened an–and you’re not talking to me about it. I don’t ever want you feeling worried about your appearance or who you are; because I think you are perfect in every way possible. I think you are the most amazing and most beautiful person I’ve ever met and it makes me feel horrible that you could think anything different for even a second,” 

As he spoke he continued to make his way towards her before he stopped talking he took a hold of her waist and met her gaze. He looked deeply into her eyes to make sure that she heard every word that he was saying. Tears began to brim her eyes as she nodded along to every word that he was saying.

“Luke,” she mumbled as she shook her head. 

“You are everything to me and I don’t ever want you feeling less than that,” he explained as he raised his hand up and took a hold of her cheek. He glided his thumb along her skin.

“Okay,” was all she was able to muster up while she reached towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her tightly against his chest.

“What happened?” he asked quietly. She squinted her eyes harshly as she rested her head against his shoulder. She didn’t reply at first as she ran her hand into Luke’s hair as she took in a deep breath. She never wanted him to find out. She never wanted to create anything, force any conversation with him and his teammates about their partners.

“One of the girls made a comment that I would ruin the pictures because I’m bigger than the rest of them. It got to me but I’ll get over it,” she explained as she pulled her head back. His eyes widened as his lips parted.

“Which girl?” Luke questioned, his heart slamming hard against his chest.

“Luke, it’s not important, I’ll get–”

“No it is because if they are making you feel like this I need to know who it is,” Luke expressed as he tightened his grip around her waist.

“I’m only telling you because it’ll suck for a while but I’ll be alright. There’s no need for you to create any problems with your teammates and the girls. I promise,” she explained as she dragged her hands across his shoulders.

“Well, I’m going to be looking at each girl and trying to figure out who could say such a dumb thing–”

“Luke, I’ll be okay,” she mumbled while forcing his gaze towards her.

“If we’re at a party, can you at least point her out so I don’t have to be nice to–”

“Lukey, you have to be nice–”

“I don’t have to be anything, she made you feel like shit, she doesn’t get nice,” he explained as he swayed her body back and forth subconsciously.

“You’re literally the best boyfriend a girl could ask for, you know that?” she said as she tilted her head to the side. He scanned her features for a few seconds before he leaned towards her and delicately pressed his lips against hers. She hummed into the kiss while pulling his head towards her.