Goodbye Girl

"Em?" Tyler called when he and Jamie walked in the door.

"Kitchen!" She called back.

He put down his bag and walked in. She looked over her shoulder, smiling at him. He walked over and kissed her shoulder, then her cheek, and finally, he turned her face to kiss her lips. She faced him, leaning on the counter.

"I need to talk to you later. Alone." She said, hands holding his neck.

He nodded, pecking her lips. They pulled apart as Jamie walked into the kitchen. Emily gave him a hug, but could tell he didn't want it. She cocked a brow at her. He just shook his head as he walked away. She looked at Tyler who shrugged.

The night went on. Jamie left without a word to either of them. They cocked brows at each other, both confused to his recent behaviour. Emily ignored it and cuddled into Tyler's side. He wrapped an arm around her.

"What'd you wanna talk about?" He asked, tracing shapes on her arm.

"Us."

"I like us." He laughed.

"I like you." She smirked. "But don't you think we rushed?"

His smile fell. "I don't think so. You can't rush your feelings, and it's not like we were strangers." He shrugged.

Jamie walked in the door. He heard mumbling coming from the living room. He quietly crept in and saw Tyler and Emily on the couch.

"I just don't know if either of our hearts are in the right places." She said, staring into his eyes.

"Yeah, I know exactly where your heart's been." Jamie interrupted.

"What?" Emily glared at him.

"Do you fucking forget that James and I talk, Emily?" He hissed. Her face fell. "He told me about the message you sent him last night because he was 'worried' about you." She went to speak but Jamie continued. "You fuck with the guy for months and when he's finally moved on and happy, you slither back in like the snake you are."

Tyler listened to Jamie's words in silence. Emily let out a sigh, looking at him. His eyes stayed focused on the staircase that was in his direct eyesight. She grabbed his hand and he pulled it away.

"What did you say to James?" He said, teeth gritted.

"Tyler," She whined.

"What did you say, Emily?" He shouted, his stare hard.

She let out a sob as tears began to pour out of her eyes. "I was lonely. I just told him I missed how he and I were. I didn't m,"

"I'm not good enough." Tyler spat.

She shook her head. "No, Tyler! That wasn't what I,"

"Save it." He cut her off, standing up. He walked to the stairs before he spun around. "All this fucking time, I thought you deserved more than what James was doing to you, but that was all bullshit. You deserved every fucking ounce of the bullshit he gave you."

He climbed up the stairs. Emily watched him before she fell into hysterics. She turned to look at Jamie. He had a look of anger and disappointment combined.

"Why would you d,"

"Because you're selfish, Emily. You don't even see what was wrong with what you did." He shook his head. "Tyler has been through more in this last year than any kid his age has. He lost his entire team he called a family and had to build anew, and I'd be damned to watch him fall into your trap."

"What trap? I can't control my feelings, Jamie!" She yelled.

"But you can fuck with someone else's and that's what you were doing." Jamie finished before he walked to the stairs.

"I want you out. Both of you." She growled.

"Already talked to Jordie about staying with him. Don't you worry." He smirked as he climbed up the stairs.

Jamie got the the top step and walked over to Tyler's room. He knocked on the door before walking in. Ty was laying on his back with his hands covering his face. His suitcases, that weren't in use, were thrown around his room.

"Hey." Jamie spoke. Tyler nodded at him, not moving his hands. "She wants us out and I already talked to Jordie about staying with him."

"Thank you." Tyler sighed, sitting up. "I don't know how to thank you, Jamie. I mean I kinda wanna kick your ass for doing that to me but I appreciate it."

Jamie chuckled. "Always, man. We're family." He squeezed Tyler's shoulder.

Jamie's phone pulled him from their small moment. He answered it as he walked out of Tyler's room to his.

"Hello?"

"Just got a text from Emily about how much of a prick you are. I'm guessing you called her out." James chuckled.

"Sorry for ratting you out, but I couldn't let her fuck over Tyler." Jamie explained.

"Hey, I understand. It's fine with me." James shrugged. "Seems like a good kid, wouldn't wanna see him fucked over either."

"I thought you'd be pissed about me telling her." Jamie admitted.

James scoffed. "I'm pissed at her for saying that shit to me. She told me to move on for the last two years and then I finally did and,"

"Girls always want what they can't have." Jamie sighed.

James ended his conversation with Jamie after they chatted about more about Emily's antics. He was pissed. He couldn't believe that the girl he considered his best friend would try to do that to him.

He made his way to Bell Centre with his team. They were all loud and James wasn't feeling it. He knew all the guys would pick on him to no end if they knew he was bummed out about being away from a girl. He couldn't help it though. He liked being with Amber.

The ride back to the hotel was a different story. They had lost by a goal. James got both of the team's goals for the night. When he got back to his hotel room, Matty had gone out with the guys so he was alone. He got into pajamas and laid in his bed before calling Amber.

"Hi." She answered.

He smiled at her voice. "Sorry you had to watch such a bad game." He sighed.

"James, are ya kidding? You had a great game. You're not going to win them all." She rolled her eyes.

"I wish I could." He admitted. They stayed silent. "This is gonna make me sound gay but I kinda miss you."

Amber laughed lightly. "I miss you too. It's kinda weird not having you around." She confessed.

"Wow, we're officially annoying." James teased.

"You always were." She added.

"I take it back. I don't miss you at all." He huffed. She giggled. "Ah, so I found out my ex is crazy."

"Oh god, what'd she do?" She rolled her eyes.

"Texted me last night about how much she misses 'us' even though she was seeing another guy and tried to get me to move on for the last two years." He told her.

"Oh, I'll kill her." Amber shook her head.

"Possessive? I like it." He grinned.

"Hey, what can I say?" She laughed.

"So I know I'm only home for like a day after Boston, but I'd like to see you." He sighed.

"Yeah, of course, James." She smiled. "Do you want me to come to your game and we could go out after or before? Or both? I can order a ticket n,"

"Order a ticket? Amber, you never have to pay for a damn ticket." He shook his head. "But yeah, you can buy me dinner and then come cheer me on like my little bunny and then we'll go for drinks."

"Your little bunny? Please." She scoffed. "I go for the pure enjoyment of the sport."

"And it just so happens that you're seeing one of the, if not, the best, looking guys on the team who always gets you free tickets." He argued. "I smell a gold digger."

"What? No way! Pure coincidence!" Ambersaid, sarcasm dripping. "All joking aside, I am not using you for free tickets. You came on to me."

"I'm glad I did because I'd be pretty fucking pissed if I saw a girl as cute as you on any of these mugs arms." He referred to his team.

"Hey, any of those mugs could get it if they tried." She shrugged.

"Enough." James warned. She giggled. "Montreal is boring as hell."

"I've never been and I'm Canadian. Am I a disgrace?" She asked.

"Yes, completely. Might as well become a full American citizen because we don't want you."

"That's so mean." She whined. "What does Montreal even have besides poutine and funny accents?"

"Currently, the most attractive man in the NHL." He smirked.

"Really? I didn't know Colorado was there too." She threw back.

"Colorado?" He gasped.

"Have you seen Gabriel Landeskog?" Amber cooed.

"Yeah and I'm gonna kick his ass next time we play them." James huffed.

"Do it and I'll kiss his ass better." She taunted. He groaned. "Didn't he score a nice wrister back in October against you?"

"You're such an asshole." He growled. "I was injured at that point in time."

She laughed. "It's been nice talking but I have to work at seven and I'm tired."

"Sleep tight, babe." James froze as soon as he spoke, his face going red.

Amber smiled a bit, her cheeks burning. "You too, babe." She mocked before she hung up.

She put her phone on charge before crawling into bed. Her cheeks were still crimson. Something about being called 'babe' did that to her. Or it could have been the person calling her it.

Amber had moved past the point of denying James being into her. It was evident. What was also evident, was her being into him. They complimented each other well. Their sarcastic tendencies and witty remarks would make for a great pair.

That's where the anxiety came in. Amber hadn't talked to a boy, asides from Sidney, since her break up, the second time. She didn't want to burden anyone with her depressive ways. She didn't want to burden Sid, but that kid had a heart of gold and wouldn't let her be alone.

She just started to gain control of her depression. For a long time, it had left her to the point of just staying in her room for a week. Her work was aware of her conditions and was willing to accommodate to her needs. She was thankful for that. She was also thankful for her friends being supportive of her. Sidney was her biggest support, but since he wasn't always around, she had Leigh and Alex to be there.

She exhaled before deciding to text Sid. If she was having any doubts about James being able to deal with her, Sidney was the guy to go to. She sent him a quick text, asking him to call her as soon as possible. Within a second, the phone was ringing.

"Hey." She answered.

"What's up? Are you alright? What do you need?" He quizzed.

"I'm fine, just, worrying." She sighed. "I like James and I don't want him to get scared away when all this shit gets the best of me."

Sidney stayed quiet. He had to think about the situation. A month ago, before James had met Amber, Sid would've told her he'd be no good in that situation and tell him to take a hike. Thinking to James now, he seemed like a different person. There was just something about him that was different. Sid never thought to pin it to Amber.
"Truth be told, you've changed him into a better person." Sid stated. Amber stayed quiet. "No idea how you did it in a month, but he's different. I think he'd be able to handle that and more. I mean, especially if he's as into you as he seems."

She took a deep breath. "I'm scared, Sidney." She sunk into her bed.

"Of what?"

"This!" She exclaimed. "My feelings, my thoughts, getting hurt, James."

"You're scared of James?" Sidney laughed.

She growled. "Do not mock me. I'm seriously freaked out." She whined.

"Amber, for once in your damn life, quit being so paranoid that nothing's going to work out and just go with the flow!" He shouted.

She nodded. "You're right." She mumbled.

"Sorry, what?" He gasped.

She rolled her eyes. Their entire friendship, Amber made a habit of always being right and proving Sidney wrong. On the rare occasion where he was right, note rare, he never let her forget it.

"What?" She played dumb.

"Can you repeat the last thing you said?" He requested.

"Uh, 'I'm seriously freaked out'?" She continued the act.

"No, you just said it." He pried.

She let out an actual growl. "I said you're right, Sid! God." She hissed.

"Perfect. All I needed to hear. Get some rest and chill out." He spoke.

"Love ya, kid." She mocked.

"Love you too. Goodnight." He ended their call.

Amber laid on her back. She stared at the ceiling for no reason. She couldn't see the ceiling, actually, considering she was in the dark. She felt her bed being weighed down and looked. Her fat cat waddled over to her, laying beside her head. She pet him as she thought about what Sid had said.

Quit being so paranoid. Easier said than done, or was it?

She thought about it. She wanted to make it work with James. She just had to push back any doubt and insecurities and make it work. She was going to make it work. As soon as he was home, she was going to start to make it work.

Notes