Success.

With a 3-2 OT victory in Montreal, we managed to send the series to a game six. Tyler was the hero of the game, netting a hat trick with only a mints left in the first overtime period. We managed to silence the crowd in Montreal, who was overconfident when we came into the arena. The Stanley cup had been in the building; but it still could be ours.

Currently Tyler and I were on the way to have lunch with Haley and Erica down the street from after our morning skate. Today and tomorrow we practiced, the day after was another do or die situation to try and force game seven in Montreal.

I'd be lying if I said I was confident. I was nervous as hell; this was my shot! The odds of making the Stanley cup finals again next year weren't great, as much as I hated to admit it. All twenty nine other teams were extremely talented; to me, it was now or never for the Cup.

Tyler seemed to be the more calm of us all; having won the cup just years before with Boston. The pressure was on him as he always said to prove the trade was worth it; but I think everyone knew the answer to that when they saw his stats upon coming here.

“I'm famished” Tyler groaned as we sat in traffic. It was just after one; we were running a couple of minutes late. I'm sure the girls didn't mind, but I was finding myself nervous. I knew I hadn't been the best boyfriend in the world lately. I hadn't seen Haley since our brief conversation after the win of game five; and despite us winning, I was cranky.

We still had three more wins to go at that point; there wasn't any sense of getting too ahead of ourselves. But I knew it wasn't fair to her. She was being a saint these past few days with all the added pressure I felt facing elimination every night. I was beyond lucky to be dating her.

If you asked me months ago, I never would have thought we would be dating. It was something Tyler teased me about for so long, something I tried to ignore for ages. Turns out, she had been ignoring it for just as long as I had. How can two people be so blind? I guess we were too concerned with losing each other a relationship wasn't worth the risk; but it felt so right.

“Ditto” I answered back. I could tell Tyler knew something was off with me.

“Calm down bro, they'll still be there when we get there” Tyler laughed. I simply rolled my yes, finally the light turning green after what seemed like forever waiting.

“I know” here I went again with my one worded answers.
He didn't answer me, he just silently looked out the window.

“So, how are things with you and Erica?” I asked, trying to make some conversation.

“They're great” he smiled warmly. “I didn't think I'd end up dating someone who rear ended me” he added with a chuckle. I had to agree; their meeting was definitely a story to tell.

“I guess we both have had happy accidents” I smirked, thinking back to how Haley and I had met. The pair of us had been so awkward back then.

My hair was long, hers having streaks of pink. She told me she did it in spite of an ex-boyfriend, which was why she moved a little bit away for school to become a paralegal.

I was new to town, and didn't know anyone but who was on my team. I didn't speak much, I was really shy; something my teammates never let me forget. But look who was captain now? Not many people saw this coming upon me getting drafted.
Though Haley always managed to believe in me when nobody else did. Hell, she even believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

“You're absolutely right there” he grinned, sighing with relief when we finally pulled into the parking lot of where we were meeting them; only ten minutes late. Oops. “Only ten minutes late, not too shabby all things considering” he added as we walked into the restaurant.

“Oh my god, Tyler Seguin!” Someone screeched. Tyler winced unnoticeably to most, before turning around with a grin on his face; a fan. “I'm such a big hockey fan. You're my favourite player!” The girl grinned. The pair of us took in her appearance. She wore a genuine grin, her smile perfectly straight and white. She wore a pair of short jean shorts, exposing her butt slightly, her long tan legs exposed to the Dallas weather.

“Thanks, that means a lot” he replied honestly. It really felt good to have the support of the city of Dallas. I looked over the girls shoulder to notice Haley and Erica sitting at the table just behind her. Erica looked visibly annoyed while Haley simply looked amused. She's always thought it was funny when girls came up to the pair of us. Considering they often did, I guess I was lucky she had a good sense of humour.

“Can I get a picture?” She asked enthusiastically. “Can you take it?” She turned to me, handing her phone. I looked to Tyler and bit back a laugh. Big hockey fan. Right.

“Certainly will” I obliged. I could hear a small snicker come from the direction of Haley and Erica. The girl pulled in close to Tyler, who tried his best to look comfortable for the second the picture was being taken.

The girl smiled brightly, taking a small piece of paper out of her purse and scribbling what I presumed was her number on it.

“You should take me to a game sometime” she winked, swaying her hips as she walked away.

“Hey Jame- can you take my picture with Tyler? He's like- my favourite player” Haley asked in the same voice the girl had had. Tyler shook his head, taking his seat and trying to suppress a laugh.

“Oh my god like- mine too!” Erica trilled, suddenly looking a lot less annoyed than a little whole ago.

“She must not have high standards for good hockey players if she wanted a picture with you” Haley chirped tossing a wink my way. She grabbed my hand and held it from across the table.

“And who was the one with the hat trick last game?” Tyler asked with a shit eating grin.

“I don't know, maybe I'll ask the one who assisted all his goals” Haley shot back with a smirk.

“Shes got you there Ty” Erica snickered, earning a glare from her boyfriend.

“Just curious, how can you take her to a hockey game if you're playing in it?” I asked with question. The trio of us pondered on it for a moment, before bursting into laughter; we didn't think it was possible.

“Just gotta run to the washroom, one sec” I excused myself after a few moments of chatter. Haley squeezed my hand, gave me a warm smile before I made my way to the facilities.

“Jamie Benn”

Well, guess it felt good to be recognized, right?

“What are you still doing here?” I asked with anger. It was Haley's brother.

“Same as you” he smirked, gesturing to the fact we were using the urinal side by side. I suddenly felt a little self conscious; which was kind of strange.

“You know what I mean” I rolled my eyes, finishing up and turning to leave.

“Wait Jamie- I need to talk to you about something” the worried tone in his voice caused me to actually turn around to hear him out.

“Yes?” I didn't have all day. I only had an hour for lunch with Haley and maybe even some time tonight; and I had every intention on making it up to her for acting like such a prude lately.

“What is it going to take to get Haley to talk to me again? I miss her” he mumbled softly, looking sincere. “I went to AA meetings. I've been sober for two years now. I volunteer a lot of my time at MADD… I'd do anything to make her see I've changed”

His words caught me by surprise. They were the last thing I was expecting coming from him. He really did all of that?

“You've really done all of that?” I asked with surprise.

“She's the only family I have. I don't have many friends, or a girlfriend, or anything. She's all I have left. I'd do anything to show her I've changed; I need her” he finished with a sigh.

“What can I do?” I asked after a few moments of silence.

“Can you talk to her? Get her to at least hear me out? Please?”

“Alright” I was reluctant to agree, but he seemed to have really changed for the better. He was the only family she had left, despite what she believed. You could pick your friends, but not your family. I just hoped she could get on the same page as I was.

“Here's my number” he handed me his business card. The guy had a business card! The kid should have been an NHL prospect; but getting charged with driving while intoxicated kind of put a damper on his plan.

“I'll get back to you” I told him with a nod. He left the bathroom at the same time I did, making a break for the back door. He didn't want Haley to see him until I had my talk with her.

“Remember when you got so drunk at the office party last Christmas you wore a lampshade on your head and whenever anyone went near you you pretended to turn on and you would scream ‘you just got a bright idea!’?” Erica was almost in tears when I rejoined the table.

“I thought we promised we would never speak of that again” Haley muttered through gritted teeth. I remembered her telling me about that party; it was back when we had first met. She had invited me to the party but I had had a game that night; would have been funny to see regardless.

“Jame you look tense” Haley looked to me, dropping the subject.

“I'm fine” I shrugged, and she winced at my one worded answer. I held her hand from across the table and smiled at her. “I think you just want to get out of this story, lamp shade” I added with a smirk.

“Come off it Chubbs” she retorted with a laugh.

“You know I hate when you call me that” I groaned. Worst. Nickname. Ever.

“Oh yeah? Want one worse?” Erica asked, and of course we all nodded. “My cousins last name is Head, right? Anyway, know what my uncles name is? Richard”

Haley immediately burst out laughing.

“Oh my god, who does that to their child!?” She asked in between laughing. It suddenly clicked in for me also.

“Poor Dick Head” I laughed to myself, the four of us losing it laughing in the restaurant. I didn't even remember ordering (guess I was in the bathroom for that) but Haley ordered my usual for me anyway. I was glad; walking in I had almost forgotten how truly hungry I was.

“Chubbs isn't that bad”

“Could be worse” Haley snickered, eyeing Tyler with mischief in her eyes. “Do you know what they call Joffrey Lupul from Toronto?” Now the smile on her face was bigger.

“Lupes?” I guessed, though by the expression on her face I knew it wasn't.

“My Saturday night?” Erica offered; all the girls seemed to be pretty attracted to him: it obviously I didn't see what they were talking about.

“Classy Seguin” Haley bit back a laugh.

“Wait what?” Tyler's jaw dropped; what the fuck!?

“Don't worry, we still love you bro” I told him with a snicker. Maybe Haley was right, Chubbs wasn't so bad after all.

We spent the rest of the lunch sitting and chatting and laughing until, unfortunately their hour break was over. Erica and Tyler walked off to say goodbye, leaving Haley and I, walking hand in hand down the road towards her work.

“I meant when I said you looked tense” Haley spoke up after a moments thought.

“It's nothing, really” I assured her, trying to stay away from one worded responses. “We can talk over dinner? I'll make you something” I offered.

“Don't you have to work out or watch tapes?” She asked, a little surprised.

“We have time for dinner. And I can work out whilst you're still at work” I pointed out. She approached me happily and threw herself into my arms, hugging me tightly.

“I love you Jame. I'll see you after work.”

“I love you too babe, come on over when you're off”

And with that we spilt ways. This gave me the rest of the afternoon to try and figure out a way to tell Haley about her brother.

Notes