Chapter thirty –



I couldn't believe it. For the first time in my career, I was heading to the Stanley Cup Finals. Not only did we win the game, but I was fortunate enough to end it in over time with the game winning goal.
The media was all over me after the game; more so than usual. Everyone wanted to congratulate me on the game winning goal that would send us to the finals. Our team was ecstatic; the fans that did come to Colorado to cheer us on could be heard despite being drowned out most of the game by the Avalanche fans. It felt surreal; and I felt on top of the world.

After what seemed like hours of answering the same question, we were finally able to head out to the bus to head to the airport. We would be heading back tonight to Dallas for a day and a half before flying into Montreal for game one of the Stanley Cup Finals, which began in three days time.

It didn't give us much time to be home, and didn't give me much time to see Haley. But my focus couldn't be on her right now; it had to be on the finals.

We seemed to be doing okay since she discovered that I had known about Derek cheating on her. True to her word, she did forgive me; and it hasn't been brought up, despite not being very long ago. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about her not truly forgiving me.

“So captain, how's it feel to be heading to the Stanley Cup Finals?” Tyler asked, taking a seat next to me on the bus. He was the last one on, the bus heading on the road as soon as he settled comfortably in his seat. I turned to him, win a goofy grin.

“Amazing”

“Captain clutch coming through again” Tyler shook his head, patting my back with a chuckle.

“Thank Spezza for the pass” I reminded him with a smirk.

“Thank the Avs for the power play” Tyler pointed out with a grin. His phone went off, signalling a new text message; I noticed it was from Erica.

“Dude, you never finished telling me how you guys met” I suddenly remembered. Derek had spoken and interrupted the story of how the pair of them had met; he wasn't here to interrupt this time around.

“It's embarrassing for her, not me” he informed me with a mischievous grin. “I was driving one day, when all of a sudden I was rear ended when I was stopped at a stop sign. I got out of the car, admittedly ready to rip whoever was behind the wheel to shreds, when I saw her”

“Where does the coffee come into play?” I asked, remembering Erica's words.

“She was completely flustered, saying she spilt her coffee all over herself in the car and that was the reason why she crashed into me” he snickered, probably picturing the moment in his head.

“Ha!” I laughed, wondering if Haley had asked Erica for her version of the story yet.

“She started rambling on about how she was a klutz, and she accidentally let slip that she thought I was hot- so I asked for her number. Cause, you know, she's hot” Tyler shrugged it off like it was nothing.

“So are you guys like dating or some shit?” I asked with confusion.

“Just fucking”

“Since when do you take a fuck buddy to a work party with you?” I asked, referring to Erica inviting Tyler to the same work function Haley had taken him to.

“I dunno” he shrugged it off.

“Do you like her?” I wondered aloud.

“No”

“You sure? I see the way you look at her” I bit back a laugh. I had no idea what relationship the two of them had, nor did I really think he was lying. I just had to use this opportunity to use his famous line against him.

“Fuck yourself” Tyler snapped, rolling his eyes.

“Now you know how it felt” I shot back with a glare.

“It was different with you guys” Tyler answered back with a glare. When I didn't answer, he continued. “You guys were obviously meant to be. Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out”

“Considering you’re not a ‘rocket scientist’ I guess not” I chirped playfully.

“Hey now” Tyler muttered. “But were just bed buddies. That's all”

“Right…” I trailed off eyeing him skeptically.

“Give it up, Benn” he growled before putting his headphones in and shutting his eyes. I laughed to myself before looking out the bus window at the passing scenery. We would soon be arriving at the airport to take the short flight back home to Dallas. I was grateful for the short flight; I was absolutely exhausted.
I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed next to Haley when I got back. Pursing my lips I took out my phone, noticing I had a missed text from her from an hour ago.

Haley – way to go captain! Congrats on heading to your first Stanley cup finals! I love you and am so proud of you :)

I found myself swell with pride. I never grew tired of her telling me that.

Jamie – thank you Hales! If you don't work tomorrow you should be in my bed when I get home

I didn't have to wait too long before I received a reply.

Haley – I'll leave my door open. I work tomorrow but I'd like to see you :)

Jamie – should be home in a few hours

I shut my phone into airplane mode, the bus arriving at our destination.

“Do I even have to ask if you'll be home tonight?” Tyler asked with a wink.

“You can ask, but I think you already know the answer” I winked back, the pair of us making our way into our complex. He would be heading back to our place, but I would be heading across the way to Haley's.

“Use protection” Tyler snickered.

“Dude” I shook my head laughing. “I'm way too fucking tired tonight” I confessed with a yawn. I was absolutely exhausted.

“Whatever you say bro” he replied back, dropping his bag forcefully in front of our door, taking our the key and unlocking the front entrance. “See you at practice tomorrow” he waved before slipping inside.

I slowly turned the handle to Haley's place and closed the door behind me, trying to make as little noise as possible. It was nearing two in the morning; she was probably asleep. Her door was ajar, a small light emitting from the room. I found the reading lamp next to her bedside table on, and had to chuckle at what I saw on the bed. She must have fallen asleep reading; her glasses were still on, the book was half open laying across her face.

I chuckled softly, taking the book off her face before removing her glasses and setting them next to the book. I shimmied out of my clothes, just my boxers remaining before I shut the light off and slid into bed next to her.

“Jame?” I heard her shuffle in the dark once I had gotten myself comfortable. I laid on my back, Haley finding her way into my arms, laying her head on my chest. “Congratulations captain” she muttered so quietly I'm surprised I even heard her.

“Thanks babe” I kissed her head softly, my eyes growing heavy. “I'm sorry I woke you up” I whispered against her head. I had thought I was pretty stealthy slipping into bed pretty quietly. I guess I didn't intend on her having fallen asleep reading.

“It's okay” she mumbled quietly. “I missed you”

“I missed you too” I smiled happily.

“When do you leave for Montreal?” She asked sleepily.

“Day after tomorrow” I told her with pride.

“Then I need to enjoy this” she answered back softly, kissing my cheek. I chuckled, my eyes finally closing. “I love you”

“I love you too” I whispered, before I finally felt myself drift off into a much deserved sleep.

Notes

This got posted twice because the first time I posted it not the entire chapter showed up! Sorry for any confusion :)