Overlooked

Luke and I had been dating for almost two months and things had been going great so far. Joff and I stayed friends, but we definitely weren’t as close as we were before. We still hung out, but usually in a group and never back at my apartment without Luke being around. Luke was such a nice guy and I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.

This weekend was going to be crazy. The Flyers were due in Friday for a Saturday game which meant Luke’s entire family was staying in Toronto this weekend. We were taking them out to dinner on Friday night after Brayden’s plane landed. They were excited to meet me and I was nervous as could be. I had less than twenty-four hours before dinner and my stomach was doing flip-flops. Luke and I were at the mall, looking for a gift for his sister, Macy, who was turning eleven.

“Are you sure she won’t like it babe?” He yelled, holding up a purse covered with monkeys. It wasn’t cute, it was hideous. I shook my head and found a pale pink hand bag that was small and not too expensive. I paid for it and ushered him into an accessories store where I picked out some light colored make up and an electronic diary.

“Babe, I seriously think she is too little for makeup.” I just raised my eyebrows at him.

“Come on now and stop being a pain and I will let you pick out what is going underneath the dress I buy.” I said and he grinned. “You are like a little boy Luke.” I said and he pulled me in for a kiss as the two girls working at the store gave me death glares. He noticed my hesitation and whispered in my ear.

“They are just jealous little girls. Don’t let them bother you.” He said and let his arm snake around my waist as we went towards the counter. I let him pay for the stuff and we walked towards the exit of the mall. “Eat lunch with me before I go home and sleep?” He asked and I agreed.

“Gotta make it quick though, I have class in an hour. They were playing Edmonton tonight and I was hoping to go to my class, do some homework and then hit the game tonight. Heather was supposed to be there tonight. Apparently her and Joey had hit it off and had went out at some point last week. Luke didn’t know too much about it and I hadn’t had the chance to call her.

We ate at a small Italian restaurant, him carb-loading and me trying hard not to stress about getting to class on time. I couldn’t really let him know my stomach was in knots about tomorrow. He was completely family-orientated and I was scared to death his family wouldn’t like me. He made me promise that once we got passed this weekend, I would call and invite my family here for a game. We finished eating quickly and he dropped me off on campus, even walked me to the building my class was in. “Go sleep sweetheart, you need rest for the game tonight.” I said as he held me close to him.

I entered the building amid the stares of my classmates. Heather was already seated in the classroom. I gave her a smirk and asked how Joey was. She blushed red and told me he was awesome. I just shook my head. “So you are going to the game tonight right?” I asked and she grinned.

“Yep, I got some running around to do but I will be there tonight. So Luke’s brother is coming this weekend, are you excited?” She asked and I shrugged as our professor entered the room.

“More nervous, he is so excited for it though.” I said as I pulled my laptop out. After class I rushed back to my place and got on my studying. I ended up finishing early and taking an hour nap before I showered and headed back out the door. I was lucky, off today and tomorrow. I got to the game with twenty minutes to spare and settled in for the pre-game, my gaze locked on Luke as I walked down the steps towards the ice.

Lupes looked up and smiled, shooting a puck at the glass. The girls beside me shrieked. He made a motion for me to call him later and I nodded. I wondered what the hell he needed me for now. Luke gave me a grin as he shot around the ice.

“You know you are so lucky. He is one of the most genuine people.” Heather said as she approached me and I smiled and waved back at him then turned to her.

“You are right you know.” I said and made my way back to my seat. The boys won a huge game against the Oilers and insisted on dragging Heather and I out to celebrate with a few beers. After three, Heather was sitting in Joey’s lap and I knew she wasn’t going to make it to class tomorrow. I convinced Luke to drop me off and go back out and have fun. I needed some sleep and he was enjoying himself.

I changed into shorts and a tank top and was just climbing into bed when my doorbell rang. I rushed to the door, thinking it was Luke deciding to stay and was greeted by a sullen Joffrey Lopul.

“Can we talk Car?” He asked looking sad and I nodded. I opened the door wider and he entered, going right for the sofa. “Lena and I broke it off.” He said and I couldn’t say I was surprised. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want this life Carly. I don’t want to turn around and realize I am a forty-year old washed up athlete with no family, no one to love.” He said, looking close to crying.

“Umm, Joff, what do you want? I mean none of that stuff will come over night. You have time to prioritize your life you know.” I said as I rubbed his neck.

“I need help. I need someone to tell me when I’m wrong and kick me in the ass when I need it. I want someone who loves me for me and not the game I play.” He leaned over and tried to kiss me. I saw it coming from a mile away and turned so he got my cheek.

“Someone will come along Joff. Someone who will appreciate you for who you are. I think you should leave. I don’t think Luke would like it if you stayed.” I said. The hurt in his eyes were evident as he said goodbye and left. I knew he wasn’t drunk. Hell, we were only out for an hour, but I would be damned if I would be someone’s second choice.

About an hour later Luke let himself into my place, climbed into bed and wrapped himself around me. “I cannot wait for my family to meet you tomorrow.” He whispered to me as I pretended to sleep peacefully, my thoughts raging.

Notes

Uh oh, drama ...... Luke or Joff.......