Work was long. Especially long since I knew Jamie's game threw was tonight; and it was hella important. I wanted them to make it to the finals; Jamie had worked so hard for this; there wasn't anyone who deserved it more. But, maybe I was bias.

I smiled to myself as I skipped out of work, a happy and silly grin on my face. I had been talking to Jennifer Spezza, Hanna, Jessica and Abbé all afternoon planning our get together to watch the game.
For the first time in a long while, I felt as if things in my life were going the way I wanted them to. I had great friends, a great paying job I loved, an amazing boyfriend and I lived in an amazing city. Things couldn't get any better.

“Hales, can I talk to you?”

I turned around to see Erica, looking distraught and nervous. I nodded, stopping in my place. I looked at her with concern; she seemed upset about something.

“Yeah, what's up?” I asked as she finally caught up to me.

“I just- I mean- I…” She looked around before pulling me into the closest empty office.

“What is it? You're scaring me” I informed her seriously.

“I walked in on Jess and- and Derek” she mumbled.

“Uh- okay? Yuck” I didn't understand why she was telling me this. Derek and I weren't together anymore; he was free to hook up with whomever he pleased. It stung a little knowing he hooked up with Jessica, however.

“You don't understand” she whispered, looking around to make sure nobody was listening in on us. “They've been- they've been hooking up for two months”

“You mean-”

“Yeah. Derek and Jessica slept together while you guys were dating”

The words hit me like a knife to the heart. I felt my mind go numb; he cheated on me?

“He- he cheated on me the entire relationship?” I whimpered, still feeling the shock of her confession. Unreal. Un-fucking-real.

“I'm so sorry Haley” Erica apologized in a near whisper.

“You don't have to apologize- it's not your fault” I told her with a small nod. All of a sudden I wished Jamie didn't have game three tonight. I wished I could just call him; even to just hear his voice; even for a second. I needed him.

“It was my sister” she spat angrily.

“You can't control what your sister does, Erica” I told her honestly.

“You're not mad at me?” She asked, a little surprised.

“Why would I be mad at you?” I asked with confusion. She didn't know. She wasn't the one who slept with Derek; Jessica was.

“I- I dunno honestly” she laughed t her own stupidity. “I just thought you should know”

“I appreciate that” I laughed a little. “You have plans tonight? A few of the girls and I are going to the game tonight, wanna come?”

“I'd love to” she smiled, the pair of us coming out of who Evers office we were in.

“Meet us there at 6” I smiled, before we parted ways.




“What a cheating bastard!” Jessica exclaimed. “I swear not all girls named Jessica are cheating sluts though” she said in a serious tone. All of us laughed; me especially hard.

“We know, don't worry” I snickered, tugging on the ends of my Benn jersey. I was exceptionally nervous about tonight. I knew how much winning the first home game of the western conference finals meant to Jamie and the rest of the Stars; they wanted this.

“Anyone else incredibly nervous?” Abbé asked biting her lip.

“I haven't stopped shaking since we got here” Jennifer confessed with an awkward smile.

“How awesome would it be if they made it to the Stanley cup finals?” Erica asked, taking a sip of the beer she had just purchased. We all nodded in agreement.



The national anthem was sang, and the Dallas crowd was vibrating with excitement; we were ready for game three.

After the first period the Stars were tied 1-1. They were leading in shots; 10-7 despite spending six minutes of the first period down on the penalty kill. It was obvious they needed to be a more disciplined team in the second if they hoped to win this.

The second period started on a high note; just a minute and fifteen seconds in a hook on Segs meant a penalty shot. It was obvious even from the distance I was sitting he was feeling the pressure; he wanted to pull his team ahead. A lead this soon into the frame would be a huge momentum booster for them; they needed this.

He went in for the shot, all of the Stars fans sitting up, crossing their fingers. With a nifty little deke to the backhand- goal! The crowd erupted into cheers; they were up by a goal.

“Tyler baby!” Erica shouted, clapping loudly.

“Did you just call him baby?” I asked with a smirk. I don't think I've ever seen her blush a darker shade of red before.

The rest of the game went by in a blur; but the end result was what we had hoped for; they won! They fucking won! They were up in the series two games to one. To say all of us weren't excited was a lie; we were over the moon! Tyler fucking Seguin was amazing in recording a hat trick; Jamie getting three assists.

After waiting around to ensure the media and most of the players were cleared out, I made my way into the dressing room, where luckily only a few players still sat.

“Great game Tyler!” I smiled when I walked into the dressing room. .

“Thanks Hales” he smiled proudly, accepting my quick hug. That boy really had to shower.

“Hey, what about me?” Jamie pouted jokingly. I turned to Jamie, who was clad in just a pair of dress pants and a back wards hat. I had to say, regardless of how many times I saw him shirtless, I swore I was attracted more and more every time. I had to stop myself from staring too long.

“Oh, I guess you played okay too…” I trailed off, biting back a laugh. I chuckled before pulling him in and kissing him lightly. “You played great too, captain. What did you get all three assists on his goals?” He nodded with a smirk. “You guys are something else” I shook my head.

“Hey Jamie, Tyler, you guys coming out tonight?” Kari asked the pair of them. I knew what his answer would be; he was never one go out to party during a playoff series.

“Nah, I think I'm just gonna stay in” he replied, looking to Tyler who nodded.

“Count me in” he patted Jamie on the back, saying his goodbyes before their of them left with Spezza. Jamie grabbed what he needed and slung his arm around me,, walking slowly towards our car.

“You seem off” he pointed out after a few moments of awkward silence.

“What do you mean?”I asked, a little surprised he picked up on it so quickly. Truthfully I had been a little off since finding out Derek had been cheating on me just hours ago. It still stung; regardless of the fact we weren't together anymore.

“Is something bothering you?” He asked, and I could tell that he was a little concerned. “You can't lie to me Hales, I've known you for years” he teased me lightly; I cracked a small grin. A little realization hit me.

“I found out Derek was cheating on me” I told him, feeling a bit better about it.

“What!?” He asked, a look of surprise on his face. .

“Him and his damn assistant or secretary or whatever the fuck she is” I rolled my eyes.

“Are you okay?” He asked tentatively.

“Why wouldn't I be?” I asked with a shy laugh. “Sure, I liked Derek, and it sucks it didn't work out” I paused for a moment and turned to him, grabbing his hand and holding it lightly. “But I have you, I definitely don't need someone like Derek. Besides, I'm so much happier with you” .

“I'm glad. I'd do anything to make you happy, Haley” he informed her, taking my hand and pressing a soft kiss to it. That was the reason it didn't matter that Derek had cheated on me; I was in love with Jamie.

“I know” I whispered gratefully. “Do you want to re-watch the game? To get prepared for game four?”I asked softly. We hadn't done it much, but it was something I knew he loved. .

“Well I was going to, but if you don't want to you don't have to” He told me simply..

“I want to” I smiled widely.

“You're great, you know that?” He asked with a big grin.

“Obviously” I snickered and he rolled his eyes.

******


We spent the night watching the game, repeating plays, laughing and having a great time. It reminded me of why I became friends with Jamie in the first place. He was so sweet, caring, kind hearted, hilarious, sarcastic… Not to mention attractive as fuck. It was obvious to me that I had already fallen in love with him.

But what if he didn't fall as fast as I did?

Notes