Minutes into the final frame, they had finally solved Carey Price; Jamie had scored. To say the entire arena wasn't on their feet would be a lie; everyone was ecstatic. That included Erica and I; who sat amongst the crowd, standing on our feet, clapping and cheering loudly with everyone.

We sat back down, the music dying down and Erica and I took our seats. I let the smile fall off my face; but only for a moment. Unfortunately for me, Erica managed to notice my smile falter for a split second.

“You okay Hales?” Erica asked, and I cringed.

“Yeah I'm okay” I told her, not tearing my gaze from the ice. The Canadiens had taken a time out; they were being ridiculously outplayed this game; it appeared the Stars wanted it more than they did. If the Canadiens own, it would put the nail in the coffin of the Stanley Cup hopes for the Stars; they couldn't go down three games to none in the series.

“I don't buy that for a second” Erica bit her lip nervously; it was obvious she was proceeding with caution. Earlier today I had picked up my fathers ashes, and had said goodbye. His ashes currently sat on the mantel of my fireplace in my apartment, a tomb stone lamenting him laid in the grave yard, despite no body being buried there; he shared a tomb stone with my mother.

“I said goodbye to my dad today” I muttered, even though she already knew. “I just- it was hard without him there, you know? But I know he's got more important things to worry about” and after all, I was the one who told him he should be worrying about more important things.

“Don't say that” Erica shook her head with a frown, the crowd cheering as Price made another spectacular save; the Stars were putting more pressure on, hoping to maintain and build on their one goal lead.

“It's just been a hard few days” I Confessed with a frown. Between the fight Jamie and I had my dad and Derek continuously making life at work for me hell, I was drained. I knew I had to find another job; and quickly.

“Derek still hasn't let up, has he?” Erica asked with a grimace.

“I have to quit” I sighed heavily, Tyler drawing a hooking penalty.
“I love my job more than anything, but I just can't deal with him anymore… He keeps hitting on me because he thinks Jamie and I are done” I reminded her of the night of the party. Erica and I hadn't spoken of Jamie in the presence of the office; I didn't need Derek getting anymore reason to go after him.

“I wish there was something I could do to help” she frowned, her eyes tearing away from the ice for a moment. “I actually think I might be able to set you up somewhere” she paused, biting her lip.

“What?” I asked, a little shocked.

“My cousin- he's opening a law firm down town, and he's in need of someone with your knowledge and expertise” she smiled warmly. “I told him I might have someone who was interested but I didn't give him your name in case-” I interrupted her, tackling her into a side hug.

“Seriously, that's the nicest thing anyone's ever done” I muttered in shock and awe; I was going to get a new job? Away from Derek? Away from Jessica?

“I know we don't see each other very often, now we do more because of Tyler” she blushed. “But you're my best friend, and I'd do anything for you” I simply smiled, a sudden realization hitting me.

“You're my best friend too” I grinned, finally my gaze was torn from the play for a moment. “Even if you didn't tell me you were dating Segs” her cheeks heated up, she was as red as the Canadiens jersey.

“How- how did you…?”

“Jamie told me” I snickered. “But for what it's worth, I'm happy for you; just know I'll kick his ass if he hurts you” I added with a wink. I turned my attention back to the game just in time to see Phil Kessel skating rapidly up the right wing; fuck that man was fast. And before anyone could even blink, the puck was in the back of the net.

It was tied.

“Fuck” I grumbled, the Canadiens all standing up excitedly on their bench. The period was halfway over; plenty of time to take the lead, but also plenty of time for the Canadiens to take the lead as well.

It wasn't hard to see the dejected expressions on the Stars players faces; but that didn't stop them from coming out hard the next shift.

After the end of the third, the game was tied at one. The shots were 38-20 in favour of the Stars; fucking Price.

“I'm kind of thirsty- you want a beer?” I asked, getting up from my seat. If I was going to endure overtime I needed some beer to help mellow my nerves.

“Yes please” she replied; and I could tell she was just as nervous as I was about going into OT. I made my way through the crowd of the America Airlines Centre. Mostly green jerseys could be seen, with the occasional red Montreal jersey. I smiled to myself when I saw how many fans were wearing a Jamie Benn jersey. It made my heart swell with pride; he had proved so many people wrong since he began his career in Dallas, and I was beyond proud.

Despite not making team Canada originally, he found himself there, scoring one important ass goal against the USA. He won gold; he became captain; he won the Art Ross trophy with an amazing four point night his last game of the season, despite needing surgery on both hips. He bounced back from surgery, putting on another amazing year, just five points shy of the Art Ross trophy once more.

And now here he was; in the Stanley Cup finals; just four wins away from becoming a Champion.

“Two bud lights” I smiled to the cashier, who took my money and busied herself getting my order. I stepped to the side, waiting for my beer. I watched the Zamboni on the tv screen behind the bar; I hadn't realized how long I had been gone. I guess maneuvering through the crowd took a little than I would have thought.

“Here you are, dear” the lady smiled, handing me the beer.

“Thanks a bunch” I grinned, turning around and promptly smacking right into the chest of an unsuspecting victim. It was weird; I didn't spill the beer. “Oh god I'm-” I stopped with my apology instantly.

“Haley” he simply smiled, ignoring the stunned look on my face.

“What are you- what are you doing here?” I asked coolly, uninterested in keeping up a conversation with him.

“Dad”

“He's gone, I know” I replied through gritted teeth.

“I came to see if you were okay” how dare he.

“Why does it matter to you?” I hissed, trying to make a break for it. He grabbed my shoulder, turning me around, a saddened expression on his face.

“Hales, were family” he reminded me; as if I didn't know that.
“Maybe by blood, but you're no family of mine” I hissed, making reference to “the incident”.

“How many times do I have to apologize?” He asked, slightly irritated.

“Doesn't matter how many times you apologize, I'll never forgive you” I told him harshly.

“Haley, please” he begged; begging didn't look good on him.

“Don't you ‘Haley please’ me” I hissed, venom dripping from every word I spoke. “You put dad in the fucking hospital. You almost killed him; How the hell am I ever supposed to forgive you for that?”

“I'm the only family you have left” he replied softly, his expression softening.

“Go to hell” I muttered, brushing past him and ignoring any pleas for me to stay. He didn't follow me; and for that I was grateful.

“Long line? Overtime is about to start!” Erica told me nervously, as I sat down and handed her a beer.

“Something like that” I muttered, taking a sip and letting myself get lost in the play.




“So this is what triple overtime feels like” I bit back a nervous laugh. Two overtime periods were gone, bring on the third. It was obvious the team was tired; both teams were. Mistakes were being made, shifts were shorter, chances were few and far to come by; but each player wanted this game finished.

As a fan, I did too. I loved hockey, don't get me wrong. But there was just something shitty about having anxiety for two full extra frames of hockey. Knowing at any moment, the game could be over; their hopes shattered; the game lost.

“It's worse than I ever would have imagined” Erica groaned, now on her fourth beer. I chugged the remainder of my fourth; this was a long as night.

The period started off slowly; the players were absolutely drained. The fans weren't nearly as to it as they were in the first overtime, or even the second overtime; we didn't care how pretty the goal was, we just wanted one in the net.

Halfway through the third overtime, we got our wish. They scored.
Phil Kessel. Sniped it from the high slot, sealing the victory and officially putting the nail in the coffin that was the Stars hopes of winning the Stanley Cup. The Canadiens all tackled Phil into a hug; they were so ecstatic he had ended it. I noted the dejected look on the Stars bench; my heart shattered for Jamie; for the entire team.

I knew how he would be feeling after the game; I knew he'd be pissed. I can't say I blamed him. It would take a miracle for them to win the cup now; and as much as I didn't doubt their ability, I wasn't very hopeful.

“Should we wait for them?” Erica asked, after we had spent at least a half hour waiting in our seats for the crowd to die down. I shrugged, unsure of how I was supposed to answer. Did Jamie want to see me? Did he want to be alone?

“I don't know” I mumbled honestly, finally deciding to get out of my seat. “I guess let's go find out” I sighed, not particularly looking forward to the grumpy group of guys that would be siting for us in the Dressing room.

Notes