“You've got to be kidding me”

I couldn't believe the words that were coming out of my boss’ mouth.

“I'm sorry Haley, but that's the way it needs to be” he shrugged, eyeing me with little sympathy.

“I've had this booked off for weeks now” I protested, trying to make a case for myself.

“You know as well as I do things come up and there's nothing we can do to avoid that” he reminded me sternly.

“I just don't understand- why am I the one who has to stay behind?” I was confused. I didn't consider myself to be anything spectacular; there were plenty of paralegals that worked in the firm; why did they need me for the case?

As soon as the Stars had made the playoffs I admittedly was a little optimistic. But I knew, the chance they'd make it to the finals, I'd want the time off to travel to whatever city they happened to be playing in.
So I took an estimate of when the final games would fall, and took off time accordingly. This was before Jamie and I were dating; I had simply wanted to be there for my best friend when he hoisted the cup for the first time.

My plans to surprise Jamie in Montreal was foiled however, when my boss called me into his office this morning to tell me I couldn't take the time off, and I was needed to stay behind at the office.
If I was the lead on an important case, maybe I might have understood. But I was just a paralegal- and while that might sound like I was putting myself down, I wasn't. It was reality. There were plenty of paralegals around; why did they need me?

“I'm sorry but Derek was very adamant that you'd be the one to-”

“Wait, wait, wait- Derek's the reason I have to stay?” I asked, anger heard in my voice as much as I tried to hide it. Of course, I should have figured he was behind this.

“I thought you knew?” My boss looked at me with genuine confusion.

“We’re not exactly on great terms” I grumbled miserably.

“He told me you guys were seeing each other? And I know we have a strict rule on inter office dating but-”
“No, we’re not together” I interrupted him with a scowl. How dare he tell people we were together? Especially since he'd been seeing his goddamn secretary behind my back, no less.

“Uh- oh” my boss looked at me sympathetically. “Well I'm sorry, but you'll have to talk this over with him” before I had a chance to reply, he picked up his phone, shushing me and walking abruptly out of his office.

I stood in place, frozen in shock. Why the hell was Derek doing this? He knew, better than anyone I was planning on going to this game; I had told him when we were dating if the Stars happened to make it to the finals I was going to make sure I was at the game that could possibly lead to a Stanley Cup victory.
With a bit of confidence, I marched from the office I was standing in and burst into his. He didn't look surprised to see me, a smug expression on his face; like he knew I was coming. Like he knew I'd come to say something to him.

“Haley, what a pleasant surprise” he grinned playfully.

“Save the theatrics, Derek” I spat harshly, not buying into this one bit. “You know exactly why I'm here right now” I added with a scowl.

“I'm afraid I don't” he smirked, putting down the papers he was previously holding, folding his hands neatly on his desk, waiting for me to continue.

“I'm taking the time off” I blurted for lack of a better thing to say. His expression didn't change even slightly at my words; again, like he knew I was going to confront him about this. He simply chuckled. “What's so funny?” I had to ask him why he was laughing at me.

“Seems strange you'd put in so much effort just to go see a ‘friend’ play a hockey game”

“He's not just a ‘friend’ he's my boy-” fuck. I cut myself off before I could finish my sentence. He looked at me knowingly, an evil smirk playing on his handsome features.

“I knew you were dating. Did you think you could hide that from me?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. It was never my intention to hide it from him; I didn't care who knew who my boyfriend was; but he had already tried to break the pair of us up; as far as I was concerned he didn't need to know my personal life.
“Not hide, it's just none of your damn business” I hissed back.

“I made him a promise, Hales” I winced at the use of my nickname. “I promised him if he ever took you from me I'd end his career. Is that what you want?” I couldn't believe the words coming out of Derek's mouth. So now he was threatening me?

“Don't try and threaten me, Derek” I snapped immediately, refusing to be intimidated by the likes of him. “We didn't work out because you were, and probably still are, screwing your goddamn secretary. This has nothing to do with Jamie; he didn't do anything to you” I reminded him firmly.

“Do you not remember the choice you made?” He asked, referring to the time he made me choose between him and Jamie, ultimately ending our relationship. I simply nodded my head yes. “Well I'm gonna give you another one”

I rolled my eyes.

“You're unbelievable” I muttered.

“You can date him. But don't be surprised if that fuckers career is over” he rattled off my first ‘option’. “Or, you dump him; and I'll never bug you about this again”

“Can I ask you something?” I asked, feeling a sudden surge of confidence. “Are you fucking twelve? Do you really have to resort to threatening me to get what you want? Like the fucking whiny baby you are? I'm in love with Jamie, not you. He's more of a man than you will ever be; and he doesn't deserve to be threatened by the likes of you. So if you don't lay the fuck off him, I swear to god I'll make your life a living hell. Normally, I'd be scared of your threats; but there isn't a goddamn thing you could ever do to taint Jamie's career. He's come further than anyone thought possible; he's one of the most underrated players, one of Dallas’ big stars. I'm sorry to say, you're shit out of fucking luck” I ended my rant, letting out a big sig and a slight grin.

I noticed he froze; he didn't expect me to go off on him like that. I wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it sure as hell wasn't this. Did he honestly believe I'd dump Jamie? Did he honestly think the pair of us would ever work out again? I waited patiently, heart racing rapidly in my chest, for him to say something back.

“If you walk out that door, don't think your job will be here waiting for you when you get back”

The words didn't surprise me. It took every fibre of my being to not let out a sigh of relief; the only thing he had over my head was my job. The job I had planned on quitting anyway. The job I was prepared to give my two weeks notice to. Erica's cousin had contacted me this morning; the job was mine in a month.

“See you never, then” I sneered. “I'm done”

I don't think I could have walked faster out of there. Out of his office, out of the building. I could always get Erica to pick up my stuff later. But only one thing currently mattered; I was fucking free.

“Hales hey, what's up?” Erica asked, completely aware of the situation. I found myself calling her as I made the small walk to my apartment, ready to pack up some stuff to leave on our impromptu trip to Montreal for game seven tomorrow night.

“Get your bags packed, were headed to Montreal!”

Notes