summary: riley and will try and take advantage of a lonely morning in the lake house but it doesn't go as planned.
cw: 18+ | smut (fingering), caught having sex, awkward encounters, fluff | i know i say i don't write smut but i felt like the scene called for it. its probs very cringy tbh
i'm gonna be honest, this is unedited and i might come back and edit it. let me know if there is something crazy that needs to be fixed.
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for will and riley or ryan and ellie. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
series masterlist main masterlist
Summer in Michigan was hot but it was always tempered by the lake.
Riley loved the lake. As a kid, if she wasn’t on the ice, she was in the water. While the family lived in Toronto, their summers were spend in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Riley and her siblings spent every waking moment in the water.
What she loved now, was that she could share that experience with her friends and most importantly, her boyfriend.
Will didn’t grow up on the lake. Will’s summers were spent at country clubs, golfing and playing baseball. He swam in elaborate country club pools that had splash pads and diving boards while Riley was swinging as high as she could from a rope tied to an old knotted tree.
This was a very different experience for him, however. The lake, the raw outdoors was new. There were a few adjustments he’d have to make. He quickly got used to making their own food. No one was bringing them food and with out Quinn there, they were left to their own uniquely minute skills.
Ryan, shockingly enough, figured out how to use the grill after watching several YouTube videos. Ellie was a good cook and she’d usually take care of a few sides to go with whatever Ryan had managed to not burn.
Will had made breakfast. Every. Single. Morning. It was always the same thing: scrambled eggs with bacon. It was getting a little repetitive after four days.
That was where Riley found herself on Thursday morning, laying in her bed, texting back and forth with Gabe and Ryan while Will was fast asleep:
Riley put her phone back on the nightstand before looking down at Will. His beautiful blonde curls were splayed out on the pillow as he was practically snuggled into the pillow.
His back was bare as the sun radiated off of it. Riley couldn’t help herself as she fully turned to her side and slide her hand over his back, rubbing gently. She watched as he shifted, his body moving closer to hers.
He groaned, his morning gravel evident as he started to wake up.
“What time is it?” He groaned.
“8:30-ish” Riley whispered, still drawing smooth shapes over his spine. Will shivered, “You cold?”
“You’re giving me goosebumps.” He mumbled into the pillow before rolling over and staring up at her. “Good morning, beautiful.” He closed his eyes, only briefly as he pursed his lips, expecting a kiss.
Riley eagerly granted his wish, leaning down and mumbling “Good morning, handsome.” Against his lips before pressing a lingering, soft kiss to his mouth.
Will yawned when they separated. “I’ve gotta get up and start breakfast.”
Riley stopped him, putting a hand on his chest. “Actually, the guys went to the store. They wanted something else besides eggs.”
“I asked if they liked ‘em.” He complained, “They said they were the best!”
“Yeah, they just wanted something different.”
Will seemed to ponder her words for a moment before looking over at her. “If they’re at the store, that means we’re alone. Right?”
Riley scrunched her brows, “Yeah?”
“Stay here.” He said quickly as he practically jumped out of the bed in nothing but his underwear. He ran out of the bedroom and down the hall.
Riley stared blankly at the open door, hearing Will’s footsteps thumping on the floor as he sprinted back to the room before slamming the door behind him.
“What were you doing?” She asked with a giggle as he approached the bed, practically throwing himself on top of her. He didn’t say a word as he started placing kisses on her neck.
“Making sure they’re gone. This is the first time we’ve been alone all week. I wanna make the most of it.” He smiled against her skin, sucking a piece of it between his teeth before soothing it with his tongue. Riley let out a deep groan as his hands roamed her body.
They travelled low on her hips, working their way under the rather large NTDP shirt—his own—that, aside from her underwear, was the only thing blocking him from having full blown skin-to-skin contact with her.
His hands were warm and rough, traveling over her skin as his mouth moved lower and lower. Eventually, he detached his mouth from her skin, trailing a string of spit.
Will pulled the shirt over her head, throwing it across the room and onto the floor. “You’re so pretty.” He breathed out, mouth coming down again, this time meeting her own. Riley whined as he kept kissing her, wanting more.
Will read her mind, his hand moving over her stomach before dipping into her underwear.
He wasted no time, earning a quick yelp that mixed with a moan from the girl beneath him. His fingers were magic—at least Riley thought so.
Will rubbed soft, slow circles over her folds before pushing past and stroking her clit. She was practically vibrating, her nails digging into his shoulders as she brought him back down, forcing their mouths to meet, although this time, they barely kissed, Riley couldn’t help it as she kept moaning into his mouth.
He moved lower, inserting a finger, then a second which made Riley jolt. Her brain was growing foggy as she felt her climax approaching. Will was practically humping the mattress as he mouth at her own mouth and then her cheek before moving to her jaw.
Everything was wet. Their kisses, the sounds, it all sounded so sensual, it was good that no one else was in the house.
“Will—” Riley squeaked, “I— I’m gonna—”
“I know,” He groaned, “I can feel it. It’s okay, baby. I’ve got ‘ya.”
Riley clung to his shoulders tighter, her arms wrapping around him, a hand traveling into his blonde curls. She gripped tight, feeling every movement and curl of his fingers, bringing her closer and closer—
“Riley!?”
They froze. It was a voice downstairs. Much too deep to be Ryan or Gabe.
“Hello!?” It called again.
Riley panicked, shoving Will off of her. “Who is that?” Will whispered, scrambling off the bed and when Riley finally got a frantic look at him, he was no where near presentable. His hardon, while slowly dissolving with embarrassment, was still evident. His cheeks were flushed and his hair was a mess.
Riley scrambled off the bed herself, grabbing Will’s old shirt off the floor and a pair of shorts from her hamper, not caring that they were dirty.
“Stay here.” She directed, “I’ll take care of it.”
“No, I should go. What if its a kidnapper?”
“It’s not a kidnapper, Will.” Riley rolled her eyes before darting out of the door.
Riley made quick work of getting down the stairs. When she entered the living room, she was greeted with her worst nightmare. Connor Hellebuyck was standing there, his two-year-old son, Joey, on his hip with the sliding door cracked open behind him.
“Hey,” She breathed out, suddenly realizing how out of breath she sounded and tried to calm herself. “Whatcha doin’ here?”
“Hey, I’m just stopping in. Jack said you’d be here by yourself for a few days and wanted me to make sure you hadn’t burned the house down.” He clarified.
“Oh! I’m doing great.” Well she was until he interrupted her nice morning. “I don’t know if Jack mentioned but some of my friends are staying over too.”
“Are they still asleep?” He questioned, looking behind her as there seemed to be no life in the house, at all.
“Grocery store. I wanted to sleep in so I’m here,” She added, “By myself.” She cursed herself after that one as she heard Will’s footsteps coming down the stairs behind her, “And Will.” She added reluctantly, “He just woke up from his bed.” God, she wished she could stop talking.
“Will?” Connor asked, looking behind Riley as Will came up behind them.
Riley turned around, thankful he’d put on some clothes. A lot of clothes in fact. A sweatshirt and sweatpants, much too odd for summer.
Riley just hoped Connor wasn’t putting too many things together.
“Good morning, Will.” Riley stated, “I see you’re awake.”
“Yes.” Will caught on, “Just woke up. From my bed.”
Okay, Riley was ready to throw herself into the deepest end of the lake now.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Connor stated, stepping forward and extending his hand. “Connor.”
“Yeah— I mean— I know. I’m sorry.” Will finished, shaking Connor’s hand. “I’m Will.”
“Nice to meet you, Will.” Connor smiled, although he could feel Will’s nervousness, Riley could tell, she just hoped Connor interpreted it as being “starstruck” rather than almost getting caught.
“This is Joey.” He introduced the toddler. “We’re about to go out on the boat, do either of you wanna join?”
“We’re good.” The both responded in unison both equally high pitched. Riley was ready to dig her grave now.
Joey finally decided that he’d chime in, just to add to the atmosphere of the event. “What’s on your neck?” He said loudly, pointing at Riley.
Her eyes widened as everyone else’s eyes looked at her neck. Her hand shot up, covering the spot she knew Will had been leeching on just minutes before. “Bug bite.” She rushed out, “Mosquitos.”
“Eww!” Joey let out. “I hate bugs.”
“Yeah,” Riley forced a smile. “They’re nasty little bloodsuckers.”
“Alright,” Connor finally interjected, “We’ll get going, now. If you need anything we’re right across the lake.”
Riley nodded with a forced smile as she quickly followed them to the sliding door, smiling with a wave as she slid the glass door closed and clicked the lock quickly.
When they were finally far enough away, Riley turned to Will with a frown.
“Well…” He started, “We could just…” He pointed back toward the stairs with a raised brow.
“No.” Riley crossed her arms over her chest. “The mood is ruined.”
summary: will and riley have a fight right before his draft night
(wc: 2022)
cw: none, just a bunch of angst... actually a lot of angst
this is part one of three and i'm posting it in honor of the sharks win today!!!
part two
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for will and riley or any other person in my series. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
series masterlist main masterlist
Will and Riley had decided pretty quickly that keeping their relationship a secret was best, at least until the ‘right time.'
Mainly it was because Riley didn’t want Will’s achievements to get overshadowed by the news that he was dating the sister of the Hughes brothers. She wanted him to get drafted and have zero comments about if he got any “help” from his girlfriend’s famous family. He had worked so hard and didn’t need any of his shining moments shadowed by her last name.
Will, on the other hand, didn’t see it that way. He, of course, felt like his achievements only mattered if he had someone like Riley to share them with, and he, at least deep down, didn’t care what anyone else thought about it. But Will respected her wish. They’d at least agreed to tell their friends, and Gabe was the hardest to convince to stay silent. He made a good point that he was living in Riley’s house and would have to lie to her parents. Will had to agree to driving Gabe to and from practices and games for the foreseeable future, as well as Riley owing him big time should the need arise. Ryan and Ellie were just excited.
A few months had passed, and it wasn’t so bad. Riley had wanted their parents to know, but if her parents knew, her brothers would find out eventually. If Will’s parents knew, they’d tell her parents. They were already close friends, so hanging out together more often wasn’t too out of the ordinary. Will just had to be careful not to kiss her cheek when he hugged her goodbye or put his arm around her shoulder when they watched a movie if their parents were present. They hadn’t really hit a wall until about a week before Will’s draft day.
“Did you talk to your dad?” Gabe asked with a mouthful of fries. The five of them were crowded in Will’s mom’s SUV. They had gone through a drive-through and were eating in the parking lot.
“Yeah,” Riley commented, swallowing her food. “He said he’d ask, but it should be okay as long as there’s an extra seat.”
“Where are y’all gonna sit?” Gabe chewed out.
“I think with Adam.” Riley commented, “Since my dad is his primary agent.”
“Why not with Will and his family?” Ryan asked nonchalantly, as if it were such an easy question, but from the passenger’s seat, Riley could see Will shift in the driver’s seat.
“Ow!” Ryan groaned, and Riley turned to see Ellie glaring at him from the middle seat.
“We’re just not ready for that yet.” Riley mumbled.
“We?” Will whispered, not even realizing that the word had tumbled out of his mouth until he heard it. He didn’t miss Riley’s eyes snapping over to him, nor did he miss the way they widened.
He decided to just ignore it, just like Gabe, Ryan, and Ellie did, but it left them all in an awkward silence. The sound of fries and burgers being consumed took over the car until Gabe broke it, “Can you turn up the music?”
“Yep.” Will quickly turned up the volume, hoping to fill the car with something other than silence.
As the car filled with music, Will finally looked at Riley. She was completely still, staring at the floor of the car, her food abandoned. Will tried to reach out, physically, his hand inching over the console and grasping for her own, but she stayed limp. At least she didn’t rip her hand away, he thought, but she wasn’t reaching for him either.
He leaned over, just so he could hear her over the sound of the music. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he whispered.
“No, I know.” She rushed out, nodding quickly before she swallowed. “I know.” Her voice betrayed her; she didn’t sound as sure as her words had implied.
Will swallowed too, looking out at the parking lot in front of him; his appetite was gone too.
The drive to drop the others off was suffocatingly quiet, save for the low, frantic whispers between the three in the backseat. Will had leaned back to ask Ryan to give his mom some sort of excuse about driving Riley and Gabe home. Eventually, the doors thudded shut, leaving just Will, Riley, and a very uncomfortable Gabe in the car.
When they pulled into the driveway of the Hughes’ house, Gabe didn't even wait for the engine to fully cut. He was out of the car with a muttered "Goodnight," leaving Will and Riley in a silence so thick it felt like it was humming through the speakers where the radio had once been.
“Riley…” Will started; his body turned toward her, watching her with an intensity that usually made her feel seen but right now just made her feel trapped. “I really didn’t mean to say that. It just slipped out.”
“But you were thinking it,” Riley stated flatly. She refused to meet his eyes, staring at the floor mats as if they were far more intriguing.
“Riley…” he trailed off, his voice pleading for a bridge she wasn’t ready to extend.
“You were thinking it, Will,” she repeated, her voice sharpening, cutting off whatever apology he was trying to form. “You told me it wasn’t going to be a problem. You said it didn’t matter because we’d tell them eventually—that you’d wait until I was ready.”
“It’s been three months, Ry,” Will countered, his frustration finally bubbling over the surface. He wasn't listening to her need for time; he was only counting the days. “That’s longer than I thought. I just figured you meant until the end of the NHL season, but I feel like we’re doing it less out of being respectful or careful and more out of you being afraid.”
She looked at him then, her eyes rimmed with water but burning in defense. “I am not afraid.”
Will didn’t even process what she’d said; he was already halfway through his next point, his guilt fueling the fire. “Do you think this is easy for me? I’ve spent three months keeping a secret from my parents—from Grace! I don’t do that! I’ve never kept a secret from them!”
“I never said it was easy, Will!” she argued, shouting over him. “It’s been hard for me, too! But I know how people are going to react. They’ll make it all about me and my brothers, and you know they will.”
“Then we don’t have to make it public." Will stepped over her sentence, dismissing the nuance of her fear. “Just tell our families. That’s all I’m asking!”
“This isn’t about that!” Riley cried, her hands gripping her knees.
“Don’t change the subject!” Will barked back.
“You made that little comment about your draft night,” Riley yelled, her voice cracking as she ignored his demand. “If I sat next to you, the whole world would know!”
“So?!” Will exclaimed, his arms flying into the air, hitting the roof of the car with a dull thud. “Who cares? Like, really? Who is actually going to care?”
“Everyone!” Riley screamed. “Your whole night will be consumed by me, and I don’t want that! I want you to have your moment to celebrate without anyone commenting on if you truly deserve it!”
“If anyone thinks I haven’t deserved it, then they haven’t seen me play,” Will snapped, his ego bruised.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Sure sounded like it was,” he muttered, turning his head to stare out the driver's side window, effectively ending the conversation on his terms.
“Alright, fine.” Riley gathered herself with a jerky, trembling movement. She snatched her jacket off the car floor, the fabric rustling loudly in the small space, and shoved the door open.
“Where are you going?” Will called out, but Riley didn’t answer. “Riley!”
She didn't look back. She slammed the car door with a force that rocked the frame and ran up the steps to her house. The heavy thud of her front door echoed through the neighborhood.
Inside the car, Will released a heavy, jagged groan, throwing himself back against the headrest and staring at the ceiling.
The heavy thud of the front door felt like a final, jagged exclamation mark on the disaster that was her life.
The foyer was blindingly bright, especially as it reflected in the tears that were forming and streaking down her face. Riley caught the movement of her family in the living room; it seemed everyone was home to witness her breakdown. Quinn was there, leaning back into the couch. The sound of the door nearly swinging off its hinges interrupted their conversation, prompting them both to look up.
"Riley? Is everything—" her mom started, her voice trailing off as she took in Riley's expression.
Riley didn't stop. She couldn't.
"Riles?" Quinn’s voice followed her, sounding genuinely confused and a little startled.
She didn't answer. She didn't have the breath for it. If she looked at any of them, she would shatter right there in the hallway. She would rather not see her mom’s sympathetic face or her dad’s seasoned gaze. She just needed to disappear.
"Riley Arden!" her dad’s voice boomed from the bottom of the staircase, the authority of a man who had made a "no slamming doors" rule a long time ago. "Get back down here!"
She ignored him, fat hot tears breaking free as she scrambled up the stairs. She made it to her room and threw her weight into the door, slamming it shut with a force that likely rattled the pictures on the walls downstairs.
Riley collapsed against her bed, a heap in the blankets and pillows. Her vision was a blurred mess.
The silence of her bedroom was a stark, ugly contrast to the screaming match in the car. She pulled her knees to her chest, burying her face in her arms. It wasn't just about the draft seats or the secret; it was the exhausting weight of being who she was, the constant fear that she would accidentally dim someone else’s light just by simply existing. She had constantly worried about it in her last relationship, although he also claimed it didn’t bother him. But here they were broken up. And Riley worried that he was just repeating history.
A soft, hesitant knock sounded against the door ten minutes later.
"Ry? It's just me. I’m coming in," Gabe’s voice was muffled.
Riley realized then that her parents and Quinn must have sent him up, probably demanding to know why she’d just bolted past them like a maniac. Gabe was practically family and the only person she’d confide in without Luke there.
The door creaked open, and Riley didn't even look up as the bed dipped under his weight. Gabe didn't say anything at first; he just reached out and pulled her into a lopsided hug, letting her ruin the shoulder of his shirt with her mascara.
"Is he still out there?" she choked out, her voice raw.
"He left," Gabe murmured, rubbing a hand over her back. "He looked like he wanted to punch a wall, but he left. He texted me. Wanted me to check on you. He thinks you're done."
"I'm not," she sobbed, clutching Gabe’s arm like a lifeline. "I just... why can't he see what I'm trying to do? Why does he have to be so stubborn?"
"Because he loves you," Gabe reasoned, his voice quiet and steady. "And you're both being idiots. But you've gotta breathe, Ry. You can't fix this if you're hyperventilating."
Riley just shook her head, leaning deeper into her "fake brother," wishing she could just disappear for the rest of her life.
quinn hughes x sister!riley hughes
jack hughes x sister!riley hughes
luke hughes x sister!riley hughes
summary: riley was born on april 18, 2005 at 6:02 pm. very shortly after, her siblings meet her for the first time.
(wc 889)
cw: none, just a bunch of fluff
today would be riley's 21st birthday and i had the idea to write her brothers (and sammy) meeting her for the first time. also i plan to write a smau/fic on her 21st birthday bc she's definitely going all out. also, i hope this shows how riley and jack's relationship is lol.
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for riley. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
series masterlist main masterlist
Jim Hughes moved down the hospital hallway as if herding four children weren't a full-time job.
Sammy, the eldest at eight, walked as if she were in charge, her hand firmly gripping three-year-old Jack’s. Jack was humming to himself, oblivious to where they were going, while five-year-old Quinn kept trying to break into a sprint every few seconds.
“Quinn, come back." His dad called out, his voice a low, polite quiet. He adjusted one-year-old Luke on his hip. Luke was the only one that was truly quiet, his wide eyes tracking the bright fluorescent lights above him.
Jim stopped at a heavy wooden door and turned to face his huddle of children. “Alright, Mom is going to be very tired and the baby is sleeping, so we need to whisper. Understood?”
They all nodded, though Quinn added a breathy “Okay” as if he were preparing himself for something.
When the door pushed open, the room was bathed in the soft, golden glow of the sun filtering through the windows.
Ellen Hughes looked up from the bed, her face pale but glowing with a weary yet proud smile. Quinn didn’t even wait for a green light; he scrambled onto the edge of the high hospital bed, his small frame vibrating with excitement.
“Are you okay, Mommy?” he whispered, throwing his arms around her neck. Ellen winced slightly at the sudden jostle, but her hand was firm on his back, pulling him into the crook of her shoulder.
“I’m perfect, baby,” she whispered into his hair.
Jack was right behind him, clambering up with a clumsy determination that nearly sent Quinn tumbling off the bed. Luke made a frantic grabbing motion from Jim’s arms, letting out a frustrated “Mama!” until he was settled right in the center of her lap.
Sammy hung back for a second, giving her mom a gentle hug and a knowing look before Luke’s "monkey grip" on Ellen’s neck forced her to migrate to move to the foot of the bed. She sat there, scanning the room until her eyes landed on the clear plastic bassinet tucked in the corner.
“Are you ready to meet your little sister?” Ellen asked.
Quinn and Jack nodded eagerly, going onto their knees with wide eyes. Luke, who didn’t understand the words, listened when Sammy called him over to sit in her lap.
Jim stepped toward the bassinet, rolling it over to the side of the bed before reaching down and lifting a small, six-pound bundle swaddled in a hospital blanket patterned with tiny pink footprints. He moved with tenderness—tenderness that someone who spent his life on hockey rinks didn't usually have—before placing the baby in Ellen’s waiting arms.
The baby was deeply asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling perfectly. A pile of dark brown hair peeked out from under the pink knit cap that was keeping her warm.
“She’s so tiny,” Quinn breathed, his mouth falling open in a look of pure awe.
“She looks like one of Sammy’s dolls,” Jack whispered, leaning in so close that his nose almost brushed the knit cap.
“This is your baby sister, Riley,” Jim said with pride as he hovered near the bed.
“Hi, Riley,” Jack whispered, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
“Can I hold her? Please?” Quinn’s hand shot up like he was in school.
“Chair first,” Jim directed. Quinn tumbled off of the bed and ran as fast as he could to the large vinyl armchair in the corner. Jim quickly piled pillows around Quinn until he was tucked in with no wiggle room. Jim carefully transferred Riley into Quinn’s arms.
Quinn turned into a statue. He sat perfectly still and rigid, his eyes locked on his sister’s sleeping face. He held his breath as if any movement would cause her to break. Jim quickly grabbed the heavy video camera—the same one he’d used to record all four of his kids as babies.
When it was Jack’s turn, the fear was gone, replaced by an immediate eagerness. He hopped into the chair, holding his arms out wide. Jim lowered Riley down, guiding Jack’s elbows into the right position.
Jack didn’t freeze like Quinn. He leaned down immediately, his nose scrunching against her skin as he placed a kiss on her forehead.
“Hi, Riley,” he repeated, his eyes sparkling. “I’m Jack. Your big brother.”
He placed another kiss on her rosy cheek. “Daddy said it’s our job to keep you safe, and I promise I am always going to protect you. No matter what.”
Jim and Ellen locked eyes, both in a silent shock, as Jack was never the one to be so affectionate. He barely liked kissing his mother goodnight because it was “for babies."
“I’m gonna teach you how to skate,” Jack continued, his voice quiet but confident, "and how to shoot pucks. And I will never, ever let anyone hurt you. Not even Quinn or Luke.”
He gave her a tiny, gentle squeeze—her first hug—that was just enough to make the baby shift in her sleep. Riley let out a soft, mewling sound, her tiny fist breaking free of the swaddle to brush against Jack’s chin.
summary: riley and will get suprised for a third and final time
(wc 1562)
cw: panic/anxiety (comedic), extremely awkward, making out, detailed kissing, caught by parents
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for will and riley. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
series masterlist main masterlist
Riley and Will were finally, completely alone. Ryan and Ellie were heading to Boston to see his parents and get moved into their college apartment, while Gabe was flying home to visit his parents in Illinois. It meant that Riley and Will could finally do whatever they wanted—wherever they wanted. They’d locked all of the doors, closed all of the blinds, and pulled all of the curtains shut.
It was relaxing getting to just spend time cuddling on the couch, just basking in each other’s presence for the first time in their relationship.
“I’d say Ryan and Ellie are halfway through Ohio by now,” Riley murmured, her fingers tangled in the curls at the name of Will’s neck.
They were tangled together on the sectional, the only light coming from the golden hues coming through the cracks in the curtains. The movie they’d started an hour ago was long forgotten, playing on mute behind them.
“Good,” Will breathed against her jaw. He shifted, pulling her closer until she was fully draped across him. “I love them, Ry, I do. But I’ve been waiting all week to have no interruptions… no one barging in or coming through the back door. I just get to… breathe you in.”
Riley smiled, leaning down to capture his lips in a kiss that tasted like heaven. Without the fear of an audience, the kiss deepened quickly. It was filled with knowledge that in a day, Will would have to go home, pack all of his stuff, and move back to Boston. It was the last moment they’d spend together until Thanksgiving when she’d finally be able to visit him.
Riley shifted, swinging her leg over his lap to straddle him, her hands sliding under his shirt to feel the warm, sun-kissed skin of his abs.
Will groaned into her mouth, his hands firmly gripping her hips, pulling her flush against him, his swim shorts riding up his thighs as he did so.
The world outside of the lake house didn’t exist. It was just them.
There was just the rhythm of their breathing and the sound of the water lapping against the shore outside.
Then, the click of the front door unlocking echoed throughout the house.
Riley's heart seemed to stop as she jolted her head up and found herself face to face with her parents.
Not only was she caught straddling a boy’s lap on the couch—sucking his face off; that boy was Will Smith, someone she had assured them she wasn’t seeing.
Will was even more in shock; in a split second, he threw her off of him and stood up from the couch, trying desperately to right himself.
“What are you guys doing here?” Riley asked, realizing instantly that it was the wrong question to ask.
“What are we doing here?” Her mom repeated the question. “We’re here because your brother was pretty adamant that you were using his lake house as some 'hookup spot.'" We figured we’d prove him wrong but… I guess not.”
The silence that followed her mom’s words was deafening. The only sound was the hum of the refridgerator and Will and Riley’s frantic, panicked breaths.
Will looked like he wanted to dissolve into the floorboards. His hair was a bird’s nest of blonde curls, his shirt was wrinkled, and his face a shade of red that Riley had never seen before. He stood as stiff as a board, his hands hovering awkwardly at his sides as if he weren’t sure if he was even allowed to move.
“Mom, Dad, I—” Riley started, her voice quivering as she smoothed down her shirt.
Her dad hadn’t said a word. He was standing by the door with a suitcase in each hand, his expression utterly unreadable, which scared Riley more. But his eyes were trained on Will.
“So,” her dad finally spoke, his voice low and dangerously calm. “When I asked you after the draft if there was anything going on, you lied?”
Neither of them answered, still frozen. The sting of it is harder than any lecture. Riley looked down at the carpet, the guilt taking over her body. “I didn’t want to lie. I just… I knew Jack would freak, and I wanted to tell them at the right time, and then—I don’t know—everything was happening so fast.”
“And you thought we’d react better by finding out—” Her mom paused. “How long has this been going on?”
Riley looked at Will then back at her parents. “Five months.” She whispered.
“Riley Arden! Five months!” Her mom exclaimed, “Did you think we’d react better by finding out like this?
Her dad finally set the suitcases down, moving further into the living room as he stood next to her mom. “You’re a good kid, Will. We’ve known your family for a long time now. But sneaking around our backs? In the boys’s lake house?”
“It was my idea,” Riley jumped in, stepping in front of Will. “He wanted to tell you guys, but I was scared.”
“Scared of what?” Her mom’s voice softened, but the disappointment was still there. “We’ve always told you kids that as long as you’re happy and respected, we’re on your side. But—Riley? She gestured toward the couple. “You’ve been lying to us for months and sneaking behind our backs.”
Will finally found his voice, stepping forward to stand beside Riley. “I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. I really do care about Riley more than anything. We didn’t mean to disrespect you. We just—” Will gulped. “We wanted to make sure this was real. And it is.” He looked at Riley in a reassuring way, trying to subconsciously tell her that he had her back and she wasn’t alone.
The silence after was heavy, but as Riley’s mom, Ellen looked at her daughter’s small smile. She says the way Will wasn’t just standing there; he was being protective.
Ellen let out a long, weary sigh, but this time, it was followed by a small, reluctant shake of her head. “Well, Jim," she looked at her husband, "guess you’re getting a big payday."
Riley blinked, her mouth falling open. “Wait… what?”
Her dad didn’t smile—not yet—but he did have a glint of a smirk. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his phone before looking at the ceiling as if counting his lucky stars.
"Quinn owes me fifty. Jack owes me a hundred. And Luke..." Jim chuckled darkly, finally looking at Will with a glimmer of respect. "Luke thought it was Gabe. I told him he was blind. No one looks at a girl the way Will looked at you when he got drafted, Ry.”
Will’s jaw dropped. “You… you had a bet?”
“Will, we’re a very close family, and Riley is a pretty bad liar.” Her mom said, walking further into the room and around the couch. “We noticed she was spending a lot of time 'at Ellie's' or hanging out with you guys, but Gabe was still at home. We just didn’t know for certain how much time she was spending with you guys.
"We’re not mad that it’s Will," Jim clarified, crossing his arms. "Will is a good kid. His parents are our friends. We’re upset that you felt like you had to hide it. That you didn't trust us enough to just tell us."
"I wanted to!" Riley exclaimed, her voice cracking. "But Jack... you know how he is. He’s so protective, and I didn't want the hockey thing to make it weird before we even knew what it was."
“Riley, the hockey thing was always going to make it weird, but only for a little bit." Her mom said, walking over and finally pulling her into a brief, one-armed hug. “But hiding it just made it weirder. Now, instead of a nice dinner, your father has to tell Jack that he owes him 100 dollars and that he lost the bet because we caught you two basically fused together on the couch.”
Riley winced. “Can we leave that part out?”
Will’s face had turned even more red, if that were possible. “I really am sorry, sir. I should have come to man-to-man.”
Her dad walked over and clapped Will on the shoulder—hard.
“You’re a good kid, Will.” He said, his expression softening, “Clearly she’s happy. But you two are not staying here alone tonight. We’ll help you shut down the house and then we’ll drop Will off at his house.”
Riley let out a breath. "So... you're not gonna kill him?”
"Kill him?" Jim headed toward the kitchen, a smirk finally breaking through as he let out a laugh. "And lose out on the chance to hold this over Jack’s head for the next ten years? Not a chance. Will, help me with the bags. Then you and I can go sit on the porch and you can tell me exactly what your 'long-term' plan is with my daughter.”
Will nodded with wide eyes as he moved past Riley and followed her dad.
summary: will and riley have a fight right before his draft night but now its draft day and riley doesn't want it to be miserable.
(wc: 3830)
cw: none, light swearing, just a bunch of angst tbh
this is part two of three. this is a long one but here we are lol
part one
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for will and riley or any other person in my series. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
series masterlist main masterlist
The silence felt heavy, still echoing with the edges of their argument. Will had been so adamant—and she tried to understand it; she really did. But Riley couldn't shake the image of the fallout. She could already hear the whispers starting the second she stood to hug him, the cameras catching a look that was a little too lingering, a touch a little too familiar.
She would rather not meet his eyes from three rows back any more than he did, but the alternative—his entire day being consumed by her just because of her last name—felt like a ball of resentment that would bite her in the ass later.
It made for a properly glum week, especially as they reached the morning of the draft. Riley stood before the hotel bathroom mirror, her hands slightly unsteady as she put the finishing touches on her makeup. Every stroke of a brush felt like an effort, her mind still looping through the hurt in his voice. Her brothers were back home, unwilling to trade their summer for what was basically a scouting trip, and her mom was tethered to her work. It was just her and her dad in Nashville—him on the clock, and her with a miraculously scored ticket, feeling miles away from someone who was in the same building as her.
Over the low hum of a show playing on her phone, Riley heard muffled voices at the hotel room door. She set her lipstick down, her makeup nearly finished, and eavesdropped as her dad spoke to whoever had arrived.
“You can come in if you’d like,” she heard him say. A moment later, there was a sharp knock on the bathroom door. “Riley? Gabe’s here. He wants to talk to you.”
When Riley opened the door, Gabe was standing there, donning a brown pinstriped suit that fit him perfectly—though he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else on earth.
“Can I—" He glanced around, seemingly worried about being overheard. “Can I come in?”
“To the bathroom?” she asked, eyebrow raised.
Gabe nodded grimly. “We need to talk.”
Riley stepped aside, letting him into the small space. He took a deep breath, hands stuffed deep into his pockets, looking profoundly uncomfortable.
“Okay, look, I don’t want to do this, but it was either going to be me or Leno—and we both know that would’ve been a lot less… pleasant and a hell of a lot more awkward. Leno says I have a ‘gentler approach,’ but… whatever. You’ve- you’ve gotta fix things with Smitty.”
Riley went to speak, but Gabe kept going.
“He called us last night, going on and on. He’s a wreck because he’s worried you’re going to break up with him.”
Riley was speechless. Yes, they were arguing, but the thought of a breakup hadn't even crossed her mind.
“He’s spiraling, Riley. And you’ve gotta fix it in the next three hours, because he isn't going to be able to enjoy a single second of today if he thinks you’re gonna break up.”
Riley just stared at him, stunned. She hadn’t intended to ruin the most important day of his career with her insecurities. Gabe sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as if speaking about any of the topics physically pained him.
“Jesus,” he murmured. “Okay, look—he really loves you, Riley. And I know you're going to say you already know that, but he loves you in a way I haven't ever seen him show anyone. I think he’d do anything for you. If you asked him to go to UMich instead of BC, he probably would.”
“I would never ask him to do that,” she whispered.
“But he would. He’d drop everything just to make you happy, and it’s already eating him up that he might get drafted to a team on the opposite side of the country. Don’t let him go through this thinking you’re mad at him.”
“I’m not mad, Gabe. I just—you understand what I’m saying, right?” She felt her throat tighten; the thought of Will being as upset as Gabe described made her feel physically sick. “I just don’t want his big day to be all about me. He deserves this moment for himself.”
“I do understand,” Gabe reasoned. “But I also understand him. He wants you, Riley. He wants you by his side, not rows away. You both have valid points, but you’ve got to compromise. I told him the same thing.” He looked her in the eye. “This isn’t like your last relationship. Will isn’t Rutger. You can’t just argue and then go silent for a few days. That’s why you and Rutger ended in the first place.”
Damn. He was right. That had been the cycle: they’d argue, Riley would cry to her friends, and a few days later they’d pretend nothing happened. They never actually fixed anything because, deep down, they knew they weren't the "forever" kind of people.
But Will was different. She felt different with him. She loved him differently. And as naive as it felt to say, she wanted the rest of her life to be with him. She loved him more than she had ever loved anything, yet here she was, shutting down just like she used to.
“I’ll talk to him,” she said, her voice finding its strength.
Gabe let out a massive sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God!” He rubbed his palms on his trousers. “This has been very difficult for me.”
Riley let out a small chuckle at his blatant distress. “I can see that.”
“Okay,” he sighed, straightening his suit. “I have to get back before my mom sends out a search party.”
“Alright.” Riley moved forward, wrapping him in a brief, tight hug. “Thanks, Gabe. You’re the best fake brother.”
Gabe returned the hug, a small laugh escaping him. “Any time, Ry.”
When they finally emerged from the bathroom, Riley’s dad was at the mirror, meticulously adjusting his tie. He didn't turn around; he just watched the two of them in the reflection, his eyes narrow and unreadable.
“Gabe’s leaving,” Riley announced. She kept her voice high and light, desperately hoping her dad wasn’t wondering why two eighteen-year-olds had just spent five minutes huddled in a bathroom.
“We’ll see you soon, Gabe. Good luck today,” her dad said, his tone flat.
“Thanks, Mr. Jim,” Gabe replied, giving a small, hasty wave before practically bolting out the door.
The silence that followed Gabe's exit was heavy. Her dad stayed at the mirror, smoothing a lapel that was already perfect. “What was that about?”
“Nothing. He just needed to breathe for a second. It’s overwhelming, you know?”
“It is.” He turned then, leaning back against the dresser and folding his arms. He looked at her with that seasoned father’s gaze—the one that could spot a lie from a mile away. “But I’ve walked three kids through it, and I don’t remember them needing to hide in a bathroom to find their breath.”
Riley felt the heat climb her neck, but she leaned into the defense. “I seem to remember Quinn sitting on the balcony by himself for an hour before he started getting ready.”
Her dad didn't even blink. “Well, yeah, but he talked to us about it.”
The implication hung in the air—he was clearly waiting for her to admit there was something between her and Gabe, and she surely did not have the patience to unpack that right now. Riley grabbed her heels off her suitcase, her heart hammering. She had to get out of there before he started a real interrogation.
“Do you think I can have ten minutes to check on Will?” She felt his gaze sharpen, his focus shifting. She felt her throat go dry and quickly added, “And Ryan? Just to... wish everyone good luck?”
Her dad’s brow furrowed. The suspicion about Gabe was still there, but now it was clouded by genuine confusion.
He lingered on her for a second too long, his silence doing all the heavy lifting. He checked his watch, clearly deciding to save the "What exactly are you doing?" talk for another day.
“Ten minutes, Riley. If I have to come looking for you, we’re going straight to the arena. Don't make us late.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, already halfway out the door. She tripped into her heels on the move, clutching her phone as she made her escape.
She barely heard her dad's final warning as the heavy hotel door thudded shut behind her. She sprinted to the elevator, taking it two floors up and then practically running seven rooms down to the one she knew was Will’s. She knocked, her heart hammering against her ribs, her nerves raw. It felt like an eternity before the door finally swung open.
An older woman stood there, one Riley recognized only from the framed photos in Will’s house. His grandmother looked her up and down, waiting patiently for an explanation.
“Hello, I’m Riley. Will’s friend,” she managed, offering a shy, nervous smile. “I just wanted to say hello real quick before he heads to the arena.”
For a second, the anxiety spiked. What if they won’t let me in? What if Will told them everything—how awful I’ve been—and she slams the door in my face?
But the woman just smiled warmly. “Please, come in, sweetheart.”
Riley stepped inside, not expecting the crowd. This room was far larger than the one she shared with her dad—a suite with a separate bedroom, a sitting area, and a kitchenette. Will’s family was a buzzing hive of activity, and as Riley trailed behind his grandmother, heads turned. She felt like a wild animal paraded into their private sanctuary.
“Colleen!” his grandmother called over the murmurs. “There’s a pretty girl here to see Willy!”
The room went dead silent. Everyone was staring. Riley felt the heat rise in her cheeks, certain that Will had told them—that they knew about the argument, the secret, everything. Will’s mom turned, already moving through the room with the grace of a natural-born hostess.
“Riley!” Colleen exclaimed, reaching her immediately. Grace followed right behind her. “Mom,” Colleen said to the grandmother, “this is Riley, Will’s friend. You remember Gabe? Riley’s family looked after him while he was in the development program.”
Colleen kept talking, but Riley only caught the word "friend." A wave of relief washed over her, followed immediately by a sharp, guilty pang that "girlfriend" hadn't been uttered. She was pulled back to the moment by Colleen’s hand on her arm. “You look lovely, sweetheart.”
“That color looks great on you, Ry,” Grace added sweetly.
“Thank you,” Riley smiled. She bit back the urge to say that Will had helped her pick it out—that he’d practically begged to buy it for her. She checked the time mentally; five of her ten minutes were already gone. “I was just hoping to speak to Will real quick. Just to wish him good luck.”
“Of course!” Colleen led her toward the closed bedroom door. “He wanted some alone time before we leave, but if you ask me...” She lowered her voice confidentially. “He’s been a bit off the last couple days. Just nerves, I’m sure. I think he just needs a little motivation, you know?” She beamed at Riley. “He always does like talking to you.”
Riley didn't have the heart to admit she was the reason he was "off." She just offered a flushed smile as Colleen left her at the door and headed back to the dozen family members waiting in the lounge.
Riley knocked, hearing a faint “Come in” before she slowly opened the door. She stepped inside, softly closing the door behind her, keeping herself against it, as if she were nervous to take another step into the room. The slight comfort she'd felt with his mom outside left quickly.
The room was a quiet sanctuary of ivory and navy, typical in its design but transformed by the light that shone through the veil of sheer curtains. The afternoon sun filtered in, turning the air into a golden hum that vibrated against the dark wood of the furniture. Her eyes drifted toward the bed, landing on the boy who stood there with his back to her. The boy that quite literally took her breath away. To Riley, he looked like an angel. The sunlight clung to his golden hair and caught the crisp white of his shirt, wrapping him in a muddled, ethereal glow that made her heart stutter.
He seemed concerned that whoever had entered—assuming his mom had finally returned—hadn’t spoken yet. He began to turn.
He looked perfect.
The navy suit was tailored to his every line; the vest and pants fit him perfectly, and his suit jacket lay draped across the bed in a perfect, careless spill of fabric. And his hair—oh, his hair was the most perfect of all. He hadn’t put too much effort into it, and Riley was so thankful. His mom had suggested gel a few weeks before, but Riley had practically begged him to keep his waves. They made him look kinder, she thought. Softer. More youthful. A slicked-back look would have turned him into some sleazy finance bro, but like this? Like this, he was just her Will.
They were both quiet for what seemed like minutes as they stared at each other.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, hands going to his pockets, and it took Riley back. Any slight bit of hope and confidence she’d possessed had finally dissipated. His voice was flat, frustrated. He didn’t even look sad, just hurt.
“I—I wanted to see you. Wish you luck,” Riley muttered. She wished she were wearing long sleeves so she’d have something to tug on; instead, she picked at the bracelet on her wrist, twisting the miniature pearls restlessly between her fingers.
“Luck with what? It’s not like I’m going to get picked before Connor.”
He was still being short with her. It reminded her of when she’d first started dating Rutger—Will had acted the exact same way back then. He was terse, but his eyes always betrayed him. They remained ten feet apart, neither moving, but Riley could see right through him. His body was rigid, but his gaze was softer than the rest of his face.
“You’re a first-round pick, Will. No matter what happens or where you go, you’re still a star.”
“Not enough to sit beside me,” he mumbled, his eyes dropping to the floor.
“Will…” She tried to plead, but the words felt stuck in her throat. “I just want this day to be about you. The last thing I want is for every headline to be about how you’re dating the Hughes’ little sister.”
“I think that’s my choice to make, Riley,” Will said, finally meeting her eyes. “From where I'm standing, it looks like you’re embarrassed to be seen with me. Like you’re more worried about what people will think than you are about us being together.”
“Are you still mad about Boston?” she asked, her voice small and genuinely wounded.
“Jesus, Riley.” He groaned, turning his head away.
“We talked about this, Will!” she pleaded. She felt a lump forming in her throat as she finally braved the distance between them. “You know it’s about family. I thought you respected that I wanted to uphold the legacy we have at Michigan.”
“I do, Riley. I really do. Why do you think I’m going to BC?” He didn't move, letting her close the gap until she was only a foot away. “I just—”
“You just what?” she begged. “Just be honest with me.”
“Are you worried about Rutger?” he asked, his voice dropping to a low, painful rasp. He pointed to the space between them. “Are you worried that this—that us—will make him jealous? That he'll get upset since you have to work together next year?”
“This isn’t about Rutger, Will. It’s not. Because if I were having this same argument with him, I wouldn’t even be here right now—I’d just let him walk out that door angry just to prove a point, but I’m here. I’m here with you. I don’t want to be stubborn, and I don’t want you to be mad at me, and I—I don’t even want to win this. I just want to be with you. And if that means you want me to meet you right there in the aisle and kiss me in front of every single NHL fan in existence, then fine, we’ll do that. We can do that. Because I love you, and it’s just—it’s so incredibly stupid of me to be this hell-bent on things and not let you have a say. I don’t want to ruin this; I don't want to ruin such an amazing moment just by being... by being so selfish and I—"
“Ry, Riley." Will probably knew that she would keep going and going as she felt a lump forming in her throat with each word and tears about to slip from her eyes. Will reached forward, grasping her by her biceps and pulling her in. “It’s okay. I’m not mad, I promise.” He assured her, pulling her into a full hug, rubbing his hand over the back of her silk dress. “You’re not the only one being selfish. Yeah, I wanna show you off. I want people to know that I have such an amazing and supportive girlfriend, but I do understand what you’re saying and how people might see it.” He pulled back, just enough so they could meet eyes. “We don’t have to change anything. I will gladly stare at the back of your head for hours. As long as you at least give me a hug as I walk down.”
He smiled down at her, and Riley gave him a tight-lipped smile, willing her tears not to fall since she didn’t want anyone outside of this room to know she was crying. “I’ll give you a million hugs.” She tried to laugh, a little lump still in her throat. “Even kisses.”
“I’ll always take those.” He said, leaning down, and Riley went up onto her tiptoes, meeting him halfway in a small peck that fell into a hug.
Riley took a deep breath, suddenly remembering where she was and where she was supposed to be. “I can’t be late. My dad has to get to the arena early to shake hands and stuff.” She pulled back, looking at him, straightening the shoulders of his dress shirt that she’d rumpled. “Here, let me help you with your jacket.” She went over to the bed, gently picking up the suit jacket and helping him slip his arms inside. She then stood in front of him, smoothing over his shoulders and arms and taking a final step back to observe him.
“How do I look?” He asked, his hands trying to find something useful as he messed with the cufflinks his grandfather gave him.
“Very handsome.” She remarked.
He smiled, then looked at her, like really looked at her. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look?”
“Well, let me just say that you look gorgeous. Unbelievably, positively gorgeous.”
“Those are big words for you, Smitty.” She smirked, taking a step closer to him as he chuckled.
He was probably about to respond with something equally as snarky, but there was a knock at the door. “Will? Riley?” His mom’s voice carried under the door. "Riley, honey, your dad is waiting for you in the hall. He says he’s got to leave.”
“Shit,” Riley whispered. “I’ve been here way too long for someone who’s just a friend.”
“True,” He whispered back, and he probably could have added something sarcastic or witty, but he knew she had to go. He leaned down, quickly pecking her lips before letting her go.
Riley felt a wave of sheer embarrassment as she stepped back into the lounge, the bedroom door clicking shut behind her. She forced a polite smile, bracing herself as Will’s entire family stared her down again.
“He’s almost ready,” she said quickly, trying to diffuse the awkward energy she’d left in her wake. She met Colleen’s eyes. “Sorry to keep him. We were just talking...” She scrambled for an excuse that didn't involve, 'we were just resolving a week-long fight.' “He just needed a bit of a pep talk, I guess.”
Colleen’s eyes softened instantly. “Is he nervous? You wouldn’t believe how many prayers I’ve said this morning, asking that he wouldn’t be too worried.”
Riley nodded, the lie feeling heavy. “I mean, who wouldn’t be? All of my brothers were the same way.”
“He’s going first round,” Grace remarked, leaning against the kitchenette counter. “I don't understand why he’s so worked up.”
“It’s the unknown,” Riley countered. “He doesn’t know exactly where he’s going yet. It’s nerve-wracking to think about starting over somewhere completely new.”
“True,” Grace said with a small, knowing smile.
“Well, I’m glad you stopped by, Riley. I know Will really appreciates you,” Mrs. Smith added. Riley managed a smile, her lips still tingling. He appreciates it quite a bit, she thought, considering we were just kissing two minutes ago.
“Well, I’d better go before my dad leaves me here. I’ll see you all at the arena!” She gave Grace and Colleen quick, breathless hugs before practically bolting out the door.
She was met immediately by her dad, who was actively checking his watch with a grimace.
“Sorry,” she said, her heart still racing. “I didn’t realize how long we were talking.”
He gave her a long look—one she couldn’t quite decipher. It was a mix of "I know you're lying" and "I don't have time to deal with this."
“It’s fine,” he said shortly. “But we have to go now, Riley. I can’t be late. It looks bad for the job.”
“I know,” she said, truly apologetic as they hurried toward the elevator. “I’m really, really sorry.”
When the doors closed, Riley felt her dad staring at her, but she just looked straight ahead.
summary: its finally time for the draft
(wc: 2796)
cw: none
this is part three of four. this series was originally a three parter but i had to split the last part bc it was like 4K words and that was just too long lol
part one | part two
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for will and riley or any other person in my series. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
series masterlist main masterlist
The drive to the arena felt like a fever dream and once they were inside, Riley’s dad quickly disappeared into a sea of GMs and scouts, briefly muttering about her finding her friends and meeting him before the ceremony started.
Riley bolted straight to her friends, Ryan was the first to spot her, pulling her into a quick side-hug, one hand occupied with a plate of finger foods before bringing the other up but Riley caught him, “If you ruffle my hair I’m going to kill you.”
It made Ellie laugh before she too gave Riley a hug. She had curled her hair and it laid in beautiful red waves down her back, matching perfectly with the pick dress she’d chosen. “Did you see Will?” She asked.
“Yeah, Gabe’s been so worried I thought he’d give himself an ulcer.” Ryan laughed but Riley could still see the slight panic in his eyes that had been so prevalent in Gabe’s.
“We’re good,” Riley breathed out, smoothing her hands over her silk dress. “He’s… he’s okay.” She swallowed, still feeling guilty that he’d gotten so worked up.
“That’s good.” Ryan added, “Gabe said he was literally spiraling thinking you were gonna breakup.”
“He was,” Riley admitted, “But we talked it out. I’m still gonna sit with my dad but I’ll come out an hug him when he gets called.”
Ellie’s eyes widened, “You don’t think your brother’s will think that’s suspicious, do you?”
Riley gave a dry laugh. “I’m pretty sure I’m already under the microscope. My dad keeps giving me side eyes like he knows whats up, especially after spending ten minutes in the bathroom with Gabe and then another 15 in Will’s room.”
“Yeah that’s not suspicious at all.” Ryan laughed.
Gabe finally wandered over, looking like he’d finally regained his sanity. He looked at Riley with a smug smile, “I guess my plan worked? I told you he’s obsessed with you Riley. He’d literally do anything for you.”
“Shut up,” Riley laughed though her face was getting hot.
“I’m serious,” Gabe stated proudly, as if he’d uncovered a long lost marble statue.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him love anything more, even hockey.” Ryan added.
Riley was blushing hard now and that made her even more embarrassed. “Alright, you all can stop. I get it.”
“Get what?” A voice came behind them, Oliver Moore.
“Nothing, just that Riley has a good life.” Ryan laughed, not spilling her secret just yet.
“You were questioning that?” Oliver asked, “If I were you I’d never shut up about it.”
“You never shut up about anything.” Riley added before the group started laughing.
As their laughter died, Oliver looked around the group. “Where’s Smitty?”
“He’s coming,” Riley said, “He’s got a lot of family so they’re probably holding him up.”
“Speak of the devil,” Ryan muttered, although loud enough for them all to here. Will had entered the arena with his head held high, his navy suit was perfectly tailored to him as he kept pressing it down with his fingers. He looked even more dapper than he had in the hotel room.
Gabe leaned over Riley’s shoulder, whistling low. “Look at him. He actually cleaned up pretty nice. Looks like his hair survived your ‘no-gel’ mandate, Ry.”
Riley didn’t answer; she couldn't. Her breath hitched as Will spotted them but didn’t walk over, he was caught up in a group of scouts that were talking his ear off. But, Will and Riley shared a quiet look a subtle, private smirk playing on his lips just for her. It was a silent "thank you." A silent "I love you.”
Later, as they all made their way into the stadium itself, the chit-chat of the stands was a frantic mix of nervous teenage boys wondering what their future would consist of. Riley and Ellie were still talking while their boyfriends mingled with their childhood friends as if this would be the last time they would all be in the same room together.
“Don’t look now,” Ellie whispered, her voice tightening as she peered past Ryan’s shoulder, “but you know who is coming up here.”
Riley didn’t even have to ask what she meant. Rutger. Riley tried to subtely catch him walking over but the sea of tall teenage hockey players was not helping. When she finally did catch a glimpse at him, Oliver was already smiling and welcoming him into their group conversation. He was much more relaxed than the guys in front of him. He was dressed well in a navy blue suit that fit him perfectly. She knew he was there for Adam and Gavin, his teammates at UMich, and these guys, his teammates in the NTDP. They talked for a few minutes but Riley could see Will glancing over, his eye catching hers every now and again.
She knew exactly what he was thinking. Last year. She’d attended Rutger’s draft, as his girlfriend. She’d sat next to him, hugged and kissed him when he got called, and smiled wide as he put on the Jets jersey. That’s what Will was comparing his entire experience to and Riley hadn’t even considered it. She had barely thought about Rutger at all because he was her past. Will was her now. Will was her future. She might have said the same thing about Rutger a year ago but she wasn’t as sure as she was now. She was sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Will was her future and if he wasn’t, there was no one else.
Something about them was cosmically intwined, connected in a way that, if severed, wouldn’t heal. Something drew them together and kept them together. They didn’t need parameters to stay in touch when they were physically apart. They just knew, they didn’t need assurances, sure they were nice but it wasn’t necessary like it was with Rutger.
Rutger’s eyes finally caught her and all conversation in the group froze. Sure they were on good terms but it was still awkward, especially for a bunch of teenage boys. When Will noticed, he inched closer to her, trying not to be too obvious.
“I didn’t you were coming.” Rutger spoke and she could tell by his face that he instantly regretted it.
“Same.” Riley muttered, realizing this is the first time they’d actually spoken face to face since the last blow out fight they’d had, everything else had been over the phone.
“You look good-I mean nice. You look well dressed.” Rutger spoke quickly, coughing half-way through.
“Wow, okay.” Gabe muttered, eyes wide, “Why don’t we make our way to our seats, huh?” He suggested and everyone was quick to nod and offer brief “Yeah”s before dispersing and Gabe quickly grabbed Riley’s wrist, pulling her away before it got more awkward. Will trailed after them quickly, catching up and stopping Riley while Gabe was quick to leave them alone.
“Just so you know, I wasn’t jealous back there.” Will uttered quickly.
“What?”
“I wasn’t, I promise.”
“You’re allowed to be jealous, Will.” Riley tried desperately not to grab for his hand due to the massive arena they were in. “Just means you like me, a lot.”
“I love you, a lot.” He corrected. “But I also trust you and I know that even though he was being weird and awkward, you weren’t. You don’t love him.”
Riley nodded, “I love you, though.”
“I know.” He muttered, but not in a smart way, in a genuine, reassuring way. “I guess I keep comparing myself but I don’t know, that just proved to me that I shouldn’t.”
“Will,” Riley started, deciding to place her hand on his shoulder which was made much easier with her being a step above him in the aisle, practically making them the same height. “I don’t want you to compare yourself to someone that literally caused me to lose my mind. That wasn’t love, that was stubbornness. What we have is different, very different.” Will nodded before she continued, “Now go sit with your mom before she loses her sanity, okay.”
She pushed him softly back up the stairs but the look he gave her as he turned his head back told her one thing, “I’m gonna need a kiss later.”
Riley had found her dad, squeezing past the Fantilli family with a smile and a hello before taking her seat next to her dad.
She was jittery, the actuality of the event setting in. She remembered the last three times she’d been to the same event. She was never this nervous. Maybe it was the finality of it. No matter where her brothers went, they were still her brothers. But Will… what if they grew apart? What if the distance was too much and in a few months it wasn’t worth it anymore?
She took a deep breath, picking at the charms of the bracelet Will had given her. She turned around, seeing Will who must have sensed her because he turned from whatever conversation he was having with Gabe and smiled at her. He was nervous, she could tell, but not so much as her. He had an anticipatory anxiety.
“You okay?” Her dad asked, making Riley jolt back around, facing the draft floor.
“Yeah, just a little nervous, I guess.” She breathed out, going back to twisting the charms on her bracelet again.
Her dad placed his hand over hers making her look him in the eye, “It’ll be okay.” He assured, “Gabe will still come around.”
Gabe. Of course that’s what he thought she was worried about. He was her dad but he was the type that barely remembered her friends names unless they were scouting prospects. He knew Will, of course, but he had barely noticed how close they’d gotten.
As the light dimmed, now only focussed on the draft floor, Riley took a deep breath. Will was definitetly in the top five, top three of North American players, at least. He’d go early which brought her some relief.
The top five teams to choose were Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, then Montreal Canadiens. None of them were relatively close to Ann Arbor. Riley had calculated them all, flight times vs drive time and learned that Columbus was closest with an almost three hour drive but a one hour flight although they often required a connecting flight.
The first two picks went quickly.
#1 Connor Bedard to the Chicago Blackhawks
#2 Leo Carlsson to the Anaheim Ducks
That left Columbus, San Jose, or Montreal. Riley’s breath hitched as the Blue Jackets team made their way to the stage, their time ticking down.
“With the third pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets select… Adam Fantilli.” Riley let out a deep breath. Her entire row stood and she quickly realized that she needed to stand too or it would look odd as Adam made his way down the row with handshakes. Adam decided a hug was probably better for her as the handshake felt too official. It wasn’t like they were strangers, he was one of Luke’s closest friends.
Will was now the highest-ranked player left in the room.
“San Jose is on the clock,” A voice came over the speaker system.
It was such an odd feeling, already knowing the answer but not having the confirmation. She came to terms with it quickly. A five hour flight wasn’t so bad, especially if Will was on the other end of it.
She glanced back at him, trying to catch his reaction. His mom was reaching over his dad, patting his hand with a smile. Will sat perfectly still, his jaw set, staring straight ahead at the stage but he looked down, catching her eyes and he relaxed. He smiled and nodded, again.
The Sharks had Patrick Marleau announce the pick. Riley went back to her bracelet, fidgeting again. He cleared his throat. “With the first selection, overall, the San Jose Sharks are proud to select Will Smith from the U.S.A. Development Program.” The arena erupted.
Riley clapped, looking down at the row of seats to her left, analyzing how many people she’d have to step over to get to the isle. She looked back at Will, watching his light up with a big smile as he made his way down the row of his family, hugging them all.
When he was finally making his way back to walk down the isle, Riley stood up. Her dad gave her a look but she just muttered an “excuse me” as she scooted past all of the scouts and toward the isle. Both Ryan and Oliver had held him up, giving him hugs but when he’d turned, making his way down the steps, he met her eyes and his smile got wider.
He tried not to rush but when he’d finally met her, he was quick to wrap her in a hug. His suit was crisp and he smelled like expensive cologne but the heartbeat against her ear was pounding fast, his adrenaline high.
It was definitely not the kind of hug two friends give to each other. It was too close, too long. “Thanks,” He muttered in her ear, “for believing in me.”
She didn’t quite have any words to add, she just squeezed him tighter before pulling back. His hand lingered over hers as he passed her, finally leaving her as he hugged Gabe.
Riley felt like she had blacked out in the seconds following the hug. The roar of the stadium crowd was what pulled her back and filled her with a sudden, sharp realization of what just happened. She felt exposed, even though no one was really even focused on her. She was just standing there, alone, as she was filled with a frantic panic in her chest that she’d have to climb back over almost a dozen people to her seat.
She felt a firm grip on her elbow as she was pulled down into the aisle seat directly behind her. She looked to her left, seeing Luca and his expression which made her want to roll her eyes. He was smirking. Something mischievous.
“What was that?” He questioned, his voice as low as it could be for speaking in a crowded stadium.
“He’s my friend. I’m proud of him,” Riley said quickly, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. She didn’t look at Luca. She couldn’t. Instead, she stared straight ahead at the stage.
She watched Will as he walked the stage. The bright lights caught the sharp edges of his dress shirt. He shook Gary Bettman’s hand with all of the proper composure he’d been taught from a young age. It reminded Riley of how he acted in Boston at one of his mom’s fundraisers.
He used the same poise and stature as he shook the hands of the Sharks’ management team before accepting the teal jersey that had his name splayed on the back. It was still stiff, even as he shook it out and put it on. He fixed the matching baseball cap to his head before he turned forward, smiling wide as he posed for a picture with the team.
He looked remarkable. Remarkable in a way that came from pure, unmuddled pride. The good kind. The kind that drove you forward. He wasn’t just some youth hockey player, he was a first round NHL pick that would soon be playing in the biggest hockey league in the world.
As the crowd murmured and a voice over the speaker announced a commercial break, Riley shifted, bracing herself to stand—seeing now as her chance to make for her original seat without causing a scene again.
“You can stay, hon,” Mrs. Fantilli said, leaning over with a warm, maternal smile that made Riley’s heart ache. “That way you can hug the rest of your friends when their names are called.”
Riley hesitated, her eyes darting between Mrs. Fantilli and her dad a few seats down. Mrs. Fantilli’s smile and kindness was too much to pass on. She relaxed back into the seat, offering a small, grateful smile before her hand moved back to her bracelet, subconsciously twirling it.
will smith x riley hughes
ryan leonard x ellie austen (brief/coming later)
summary: summer is ending and riley wants to spend a week with her friends (and her boyfriend) on the lake but has to get the okay from her brothers
cw: none; maybe innuendos but nothing crazy
this is more of a teaser for coming parts since its just a bunch of texts. btw i've made "gary" their property manager like he takes care of the house during the hockey season when they're all gone.
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for will and riley or ryan and ellie. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
summary: emmy archer got her dream job and a date
cw: none
let me know if y'all want me to write anything else for jack and emmy or any other characters in my series. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
series masterlist main masterlist
liked by pwhl_sirens, dan_archer and others
emmy_arch I’m so proud to announce that I will be reporting rinkside for the @.pwhl_sirens during the upcoming PWHL season. This is truly a dream come true and I am so grateful to the Sirens and the entire organization for giving me this opportunity! I’ll see you all on the ice! 💙🧜🏼♀️
view all comments
pwhl_sirens Can’t wait to see you on the big screen!
emmy_arch I’ll make you proud!
user1 this is actually so exciting!!!!
user2 whoop! whoop!
dan_archer You already know this but I’m so unbelievably proud of you! You’ve worked so hard for this! I’ll be watching every game!
emmy_arch Thanks dad! I couldn’t have done
it without you!❤️
pwhl_sirens we LOVE a supportive dad!
prucenter Can’t wait to see you in the halls!
liked by author
Posted October 18, 2024
liked by user1, user2, and others
hockgoss Jack Hughes taking in some PWHL action! Jack and his sister Riley were seen at the Prudential Center last night for the New York Sirens' home game against the Minnesota Frost.
user1 JACK HUGHES SPOTTED!!!!!
user2 RILEY HUGHES SPOTTED
user3 where’s lukey?
user4 probably at home
user4 he seems like a homebody
user3 true true true
user5 shouldn’t they be home for christmas by now?
Posted December 22, 2024
liked by emmy_arch and others
rileyhughes_05 my wonderful (and now most favorite brother) treated me to dinner and a @.pwhl_sirens game as an early christmas present! 🎁🎄🎅🏻
tagged: jackhughes, pwhl_sirens
view all comments
_quinnhughes what do you mean “most favorite”?
_quinnhughes i bought you your first car?
rileyhughes_05 🤷🏻♀️
lhughes_06 what the heck is that supposed to mean?
lughes_06 this is the same brother that tried to waterboard you for breaking his hockey stick…
jackhughes lets not share that with the
internet…
rileyhughes_05 actually… lets
_quinnhughes yes… lets…
user1 wait i need to hear this story!
elhughes i love when my babies are together!
rileyhughes_05 😘love you mom
lilybhughes how’d you get jack to eat sushi?
rileyhughes_05 he said i could pick where
since it was part of my christmas present
rileyhughes_05 i forced it upon him
rileyhughes_05 he only gagged once tho
_willsmith2 pretty girl 😍
rileyhughes_05 miss you!!!😘😘😘
_willsmith2 see you soon baby 😘😘😘
jackhughes 🤮
jackhughes glad we could spend some time together… away from luke…
lhughes_06 AHEM! AHEM! WHAT DID I DO!!!!
user2 it’s unfair how lucky she is to have ALL THREE as brothers!!!!
user3 and will as a boyfriend!!!!
emmy_arch soooo glad you had fun!
rileyhughes_05 ahhhh
rileyhughes_05 my only regret is that i don’t
get to see you as much on the screen
rileyhughes_05 my brothers and i LOVE you!
emmy_arch that’s sooo sweet 🥰
