The Friend Zone

chapter twenty-one - got this confession



A win, and a loss; that's how we were coming back to Dallas for game three. Of course I would have preferred us to win both, but I was content with the series being tied. They won the first in overtime, 2-1, we won game two, 3-1.

I'd be lying if I said that thoughts of Haley didn't occupy my mind at any moment I had to think about something other than hockey. Had she been watching? Even after I was such a jerk. Would she watch my game? Would she forgive me for being such an asshole? And, perhaps something I had been wondering forever, would she tell me what the hell she was trying to hide?

At this point I didn't really care what it was she was hiding; I just wanted her back in my life. I needed her; I missed her. I had to apologize for being such an asshole and snapping at her. She was always the one to understand me; always the one to tell me everything and anything. But if she truly trusted Tyler, and wanted to tell him something, why was I to get mad? The more I thought about it, the worse I felt about the whole situation; I hope she didn't hate me.

Tyler and I drove back to the apartment in mostly silence; he knew what I was thinking. He knew what preoccupied my mind; he was being overly supportive about the whole situation; it was rather strange, if you ask me…

I knew she would be at work until 5pm; I had a few hours to kill before that.

“You’re going to drive yourself crazy” Tyler commented. I had spent the past hour pacing around the living room, having an inner debate in my head with what I was going to say to her.

“I know” I muttered simply, not stopping my pacing. “I'm nervous”

“No, really?” Tyler asked with a laugh. I rolled my eyes, finally taking a seat on the living room couch.

“You know, after all of this you'd think I'd be more focused on our game three tomorrow night” I laughed nervously, leaning back on the couch and closing my eyes for a moment. I was exhausted; I hadn't slept much last night; just the thought of talking to her again made my heart race faster than I would have liked.

“Once you talk to her, it'll be the only thing on your mind” Tyler assured me, though his words sort of confused me.

“What if she doesn't want to forgive me?” I asked the question that had been burning in my mind all of last night, and the majority of today.

“You guys are both seriously so ridiculous it's unreal” Tyler scoffed, rolling his eyes. “She's going to forgive you, Jamie. I mean the girl is-“ he stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes going wide.

“She's what, Tyler?” I asked him anxiously.

“She's uh- she's crazy about you” Tyler picked his words carefully. Crazy about me how? Like, crazy as in returned the feelings I had for her? Or crazy as in needed our friendship?

“Crazy about me how?” I asked skeptically and anxiously.

“I- I think that's a conversation you need to have with her not me” he stated vaguely, averting eye contact.

“Come on man, you can't just say that to me” I pleaded, desperate to know what he had meant.

“She needs to be the one to tell you” he repeated turning around and heading towards the kitchen. “You hungry? I was thinking of maybe going out for lunch…” He trailed off thoughtfully, upon probably realizing we didn't have jack shit for food in the place.

“Uh- yeah, I guess so” I shrugged deciding it was best to do something to try and get my mind off of her. Maybe, I thought to myself with an evil smirk, I could talk Tyler into telling me more information.
So here I stood, in front of Haley's apartment. It was around the typical time she usually got home. Tyler wasn't willing to give up any information so I gave up; but it still was the only thing to occupy my mind the whole afternoon.


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So here I stood, in front of Haley's apartment. It was around the typical time she usually got home. Tyler wasn't willing to give up any information so I gave up; but it still was the only thing to occupy my mind the whole afternoon

I had no idea how I had made it this long without knowing what Haley had to say; the suspense was killing me.

“Jame?”

The sound of her voice brought me out of my thoughts.

“Hales” I answered, relief washing over me. She looked just as distraught as I did; but beautiful nonetheless.

“Can we please talk?” She asked desperately. I nodded my head; I wanted nothing more than to patch things up with her; I missed her. She sent me a weak smile; opening her apartment door and allowing the both of us entrance.

We made our way to the kitchen, where she set her purse down on the counter, before turning to me, ready to say something.

“I want to apologize for keeping it from you, Jame. Believe me when I say it's not because I don't trust you. Because I do- more than anyone in my life” she whispered, her words breaking my heart.

“No Haley, you don't have to apologize” I let out a long, heavy sigh. “If you want to trust Tyler with something, that's up to you; that's not for me to judge you. I was a complete asshole, and I'm so sorry” I interrupted her apology.

“Jamie…”

“Let me finish” I urged, and she nodded, waiting for me to continue. “Honestly I don't care of you ever tell me what you told Tyler. I just want you back- I need you Haley” I approached her slowly, ready to pull her in for a hug.

She looked up at me, something clearly clouding her mind. I let her have a moment; I was unsure of what she was thinking.

“No Jamie, I want to tell you. Maybe you'll understand why I was hiding it from you” she whispered, looking up into my eyes. “I just can't lose you Jamie, you're the most important person in my life. I don't know what I would do without you and I-”

She paused, taking in a deep breath.

Without another word, she put her hand on my cheek, pulling me in close to her until our lips met in a soft, gentle kiss

Notes

So yay! Let's all celebrate because she FINALLY did something about her feelings! You guys are all amazing- thank you so much for reading!!

But don't worry, the story isn't over yet ;)