𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐯

There's just something so comforting about having someone to always talk to. Every notification feels like a huge hug that can only leave an equally as big smile in its wake. This is currently how I feel about Jack and I. Trust me, I love Emilie and I won't ever be happy to get a text from her, but talking to Jack feels different. We've been talking non-stop since the day we hung out together and I couldn't be happier. We share an understanding that we're two busy people so whenever there might be times when we don't reply to a message for a few minutes or even a few hours, it's probably because we're working.

Jack somehow manages to always know when I need someone to talk to or even a break from hours and hours worth of filming and editing. We'll usually start talking about what we're up to and he'll always remind me to go eat and drink water. Usually, while I go do that, we'll switch over to Facetime and he'll tell me stories about his day and there's always one that includes something Luke and Quinn have done to annoy him, which makes me laugh.

We've been talking about meeting up again sometime after he comes back from a four-game roadie with the team next week. I honestly couldn't be more excited because it felt nice to get out of the house and spend time with someone who I constantly feel drawn to.

Tonight the team has a game in St.Louis so Em and I have planned a little watch party for the game. Despite not knowing much about hockey, I promised Jack I would watch his games and we're currently on game two of four. The team won their game last night against Minnesota 5-3. Jack didn't score any goals last night, but he did have two assists. Jack and I talked for a little bit last night after the game and he looked like he was beyond happy that I watched the game.

During the Game

The first period started and Jack was on the ice. Em and I couldn't stop staring at the TV hoping for the Devils to score a goal. We sat for over nine minutes on the edge of our seats every time there was an attempt to score a goal. Jack had the puck and was close to the net ready to shoot the puck into the goal, but before the puck could make it in, the goalie stopped the puck. "Oh come on, so close." Em and I jumped off the couch with our hands on our heads, but the next thing I knew Jack was losing his balance and slid straight into the boards. Hard.

It feels like everything stops and the camera is on Jack and he's on the ground holding his head. He's moving, but he's not getting up. Panic sets in "Come on Jack get up, get up." Emilie and I stared at the screen as if he was going to be able to feel it and get up. After a while, Jack gets up and starts to skate towards the bench, but his head is still down and his arms hang loose to his sides. I let go of the breath that I'd been holding in since the moment I waited for him to get up.

A while later Jack goes in for a power play, but doesn't last long on the ice. I started to worry again that it was more than likely that he injured himself when he hit the boards earlier. Getting up from the couch, I let Em know that I'm gonna try reaching Jack to see if he's okay.

iMessage

Lotte💫 jack I saw what happened. Are you okay?

Lotte💫 wow that was a dumb question you're probably not okay after hitting the boards like that

Lotte💫 u probably can't respond right now, but when u can just lmk if you're okay or not I'm worried

For the rest of the game, I can't help but constantly look over at my phone hoping to see a new text from Jack telling me he's okay.

𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐨𝐯

Tonight's game didn't go at all how I hoped it would. During the first period after attempting and having my shot blocked by the St.Louis goalie, I slipped and the next thing I knew, I slid right into the board. Hard. When I hit the boards my right shoulder and my head hit it first before the rest of my body did. I stayed down for a while just holding my head, but all I could feel was a searing pain coming from my shoulder. I won't lie, but I was scared.

After letting myself calm down I was able to get up and skate back to the bench, but it was with my head down and my arms hanging loosely from my sides. I just need a minute to recollect myself before I even think about going back in. Coach sent me back in for a power play a little while later, but my shoulder wouldn't stop bugging me and the searing pain only got worse so I headed back to the bench.

When I came back off the ice, Coach and a trainer talked to me and we all agreed that it was best that I go back home to get my shoulder properly checked out to make sure the hit doesn't pull me out for the season. On the way back home, I finally had a chance to check my phone and I saw that Charlotte had texted me a few times. Amid everything that happened after I hit the boards, I forgot that Charlotte was watching the game and she saw everything that happened.

I decided that it was best not to leave Charlotte hanging and Facetime her so she could stop worrying about me. I know I've only known Charlotte for a while, but I don't want to imagine how worried she must be since it took me a while to respond to her message after the hit.

Facetime
connecting...

Lotte Oh my gosh Jack are you okay? I saw what happened and I was so worried because it took you a while to get back up. What hurts? What's gonna happen? Please tell me you're okay.

As she asks all these questions I can see the worry and concern written all over her face. Her face doesn't hold its usual brightness and she lacks the bright big smile I love seeing on her face. Is she this worried about me? I feel bad now because I can't imagine what's been going through her mind between the time she first texted me and now.

Jack Lotte, take a big breath for me and relax. I promise I'm okay and the hit hurt, but Coach and the trainer decided it was best for me to head back home to get checked out. I don't know what's gonna happen just yet, but I'll know once we know what exactly I injured and how long it'll need to heal. I'm sorry if I worried you by taking so long to respond to your texts.

Lotte Jack don't apologize, I know that things were probably hectic for you once the hit happened, but I'm just glad you're okay and talking to me now.

A soft smile accompanies a look of relief that crosses her face once she realizes that I'm okay. Even though I'm still a little worried about what I might hear once I get checked out, I know that regardless everything will be fine because I'll have Charlotte there for me. I can't help but send a smile back to her and we go quiet for a few seconds. I scan her face and notice that she has her glasses on which probably means she's been editing. A few nights ago when I FaceTimed her, Charlotte let me in on a little secret. She told me that sometimes whenever she feels anxious or stressed she'll start editing like a madwoman for hours as a way to forget how she feels.

I've only ever caught her that one time, but ever since then I make sure to text her a reminder to drink water and rest because she can sit at her laptop for hours editing and she'll forget to do it. Since the day we hung out, I've thought about Charlotte whenever I'm at home or practice. There's a nagging feeling in my head that makes me want to check up on her as much as I can and make sure that she's okay. I can't even begin to explain to you this feeling that I get when she responds to my messages. Any time I hear my phone ping, I don't even let the text sit for a second before I respond. Luke thinks I'm going girl crazy and in love, but I just think that I'm being a good friend.

I talked to Charlotte a while longer since I missed hearing her voice and I want her to be fully relaxed before I let her go. For the next five minutes, I asked her about her day and what she'd been up to before I let her know that I would talk to her tomorrow and let her know the results of my check-up. I need to call Luke and Quinn and fill them in on everything. Even though Luke was with me at the game, I still wanted to let him know what was going on since I couldn't say bye to him before I left the game to head back to Jersey.

iMessage
the three muskateers

rowdy👹 hey guys just wanted to let you know that I'm fine and I'm now back in Jersey to get checked out, but idk what's gonna happen

huggy🐻 glad to know you're fine man, but that was a hard hit. you took a while to get up

rowdy👹 yeah I hit my shoulder pretty hard and the whole time I was on the ground I was just in shock

moose🫎 I was so worried when I didn't see you getting up man. Glad to know that you're heading back to get checked out and hopefully everything will be okay

rowdy👹 that's what we're all hoping for at this point lukey

moose🫎 what are you gonna do if you have to stay out for a while? I'm not gonna be home for a few days and I don't want you to be home alone

rowdy👹 I'll just take it easy, stay home, and take it day by day

moose🫎 what if you got someone to keep you company at least for a few hours so you don't die of boredom?

rowdy👹 luke I don't need a babysitter to keep me company I'll be okay on my own

huggy🐻 no jack, luke is right

I take a minute to reread our messages. Something deep down is telling me that these two are scheming and I don't like it. No matter what they tell me after I get checked out, I don't think I'll need someone to watch over me and keep me entertained. I love my brothers, but it's not like I broke an arm and have automatically become unable to care for myself at home.

rowdy👹 you guys are two of the most annoying people I know. trust me when I say that I don't need a babysitter and I can take care of myself just fine.

huggy🐻 rowdy we just don't want you to drive yourself crazy about not being on the ice if you're out for a while

moose🫎 yeah jack just let us find you someone to make you less miserable while your ass stays at home

rowdy👹 you guys are both assholes, but fine I'll do it. Who were you guys thinking of?

moose🫎 wellllll....

moose🫎 you may know her since you quite literally never shut up about her and always talk to her any chance you get

huggy🐻 she's the best and only person that might be able to handle your miserable ass while Luke is gone

rowdy👹 she is not gonna agree to this at all. She's busy with work and I don't want to bother her

moose🫎 how do you know? because quinn and I just had a lovely conversation with her not even two seconds ago and she was more than happy to do it

I knew it. I knew that they were scheming and I fell exactly where they wanted me to. Charlotte already agreed to keep me company for a few hours if I have to sit a few games out. Lotte is a great person, but I don't want her to feel like she's obligated to spend time with me when I know she has videos to film and editing to do. The more that I think about it, we've been wanting to hang out more often so maybe this would be a chance to do just that without me having practices and games to worry about.

Seeing Lotte more often wouldn't hurt. If anything, I'm excited to get the chance to see her big smile more often. Just talking to her feels like a breath of fresh air. I've never had anyone that makes me feel like that. I can't imagine having anyone else have that effect on me as Charlotte does.

Edited: 11/14/24