"I still don't see why it's a big deal" I huffed miserably. Ever since meeting Derek the night at the club two weeks ago, Jamie had turned into a completely different person. He was distant, cold and barely even talked to me. Having had enough I confronted him; I was tired of him denying there was something wrong when there clearly was.

"I'm your best friend, Hales. Don't you think as your best friend I deserve to know what's going on in your life?" Jamie replied, exasperated. "I'm sorry for acting like a jerk but it just hurt a little that's all" he mumbled, slamming his ass down on my couch.

"I guess you're right" I muttered softly, taking the seat next to him. "I didn't really think of it as a big deal. I wanted to make sure things were going well before I brought him around any friends" I shrugged; it was the truth. Not even my closest girl friends knew of Derek until they met him a day after Jamie had. "I'm sorry, Jame"

"It's okay" he replied with a smile grin. "I kind of overreacted, and I'm sorry for that too" he slung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in for a side hug. "Are we good?"

"Of course we are" I smiled, letting my head rest on his shoulder for a moment.

"So, how are you and Derek anyway?" He asked with a coy smile.

"He's really sweet" I confessed, as I felt the heat in my cheeks rising. "He's been great to me so far"

"I'm glad to hear" Jamie replied with a soft grin. "Because if he ever did anything to hurt you, I'd kick his sorry ass" he added with a wink, taking his arm from around me.

"I appreciate that Chubbs" I smirked and he rolled his eyes. "Nervous for tonight?" I decided on a change of subject. The Stars were playing game six of the conference quarter finals tonight. It had surprised everyone the Stars had taken the Blackhawks to game a game six; but they wouldn't stop there. Down in the series 3-2 tonight was do or die; and they were determined to prove every one wrong.

"You have no idea" the smile immediately coming off his face. "I don't want to lose like we did last year" he murmured softly, referring to last years crushing early exit out of the playoffs. "I really wanna bring the Cup to Dallas, ya know?"

"I know" I smiled warmly. "Based off the way you guys played in game five, I think you've got this game" I added with confidence; and it was true. They were down in the series 3-0 before climbing back to within one; game five being their best game of the post season. They dominated the Hawks, making everyone wonder how they ever lost three games to them.

"You think so?" Jamie asked with happiness. The look in his eye told me he thought back to the game winning goal he scored with five minutes left in the third period; and boy was it a beauty.

"I don't just think so, I know so" I smiled proudly. "The Hawks will know exactly how the Sharks felt last year" I added with a smirk.

"Thanks Hales" he smiled. "But I guess I better go for my pre-game nap. I'll see you at the game?" Like he even had to ask. If they were playing a home game, I'd be there, no questions asked. Even before meeting jamie I was a huge hockey fanatic; my brother and I playing throughout our childhood. Obviously I wasn't as lucky as him; right after college I had no where else to play. But he did; and currently played in the QMJHL for the Halifax Mooseheads.

"Do you even have to ask?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Nah good point. I'll see you later"

"Good luck!" I called, before he shut the door of my apartment.





The puck dropped at centre ice, Tyler winning the first face off. I sat in my usual seat, just two rows away from the penalty box. Ever since moving to Dallas I had season tickets; and for this same seat. Even though I'd be invited to sit with the girlfriends and wives of some of the players, I'd always politely decline; I liked the view where I sat.

Just like my dad, I liked to sit opposite the bench; I liked to see what was going on.

"Hey babe" I snapped my head to my left, smiling when I noticed Derek. In some weird coincidence, the seat to my left had not been purchased; Derek had gleefully bought the ticket. He was a little bit late, but I didn't mind; I liked to get here early, watching the entire warmup.

"Glad you could make it!" I called. Only tearing my eyes away from the action once the ref ruled an offside at the offensive blue line.

"Me too. Wow, these are some crazy good seats" he commented, taking in my normal view.

"Why do you think I've sat here for so many years?" I teased lightly, the first TV time out of the game happening. "How was work?" I seized the opportunity to talk to him; once play started, there was no interrupting me.

"Brutal, as per usual" he rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. "It always sucks when you're not there" I blushed hard at his last comment. I am a paralegal currently working for a law firm in Dallas. Derek is one of the lawyers that works for the firm; he had a busy schedule. I always dreamed of being a lawyer, but my love of hockey and to want a social life prevented me from being able to concentrate hard enough for all the schooling it required. But it didn't matter now; I loved my job.

"I'm kind of awesome, I know" I grinned. "Games back"




Overtime. A teams worst nightmare. If the Hawks scored, they moved on, successfully defeating the Stars in six games. They'd end the Stars playoff run, which would have been shorter than last year. If the Stars scored, they'd push for a game seven, and could attempt to win the series with four straight wins after their three losses.

Toews and Seguin took the face off at centre ice, Jamie on the left wing. Even from my seat I could see the intensity in his gaze; he wanted this; he needed this.

"I hate overtime" I grumbled once the puck dropped. The entire arena was going crazy, chanting "Go Stars Go" as they made their push for game seven.

Every time the puck was in the defensive zone, I cringed. I was so nervous for Jamie; I knew how much this meant to him. It seemed like the Hawks spent the entire overtime period in the Stars end. After taking a bad penalty, the Stars killed it off but were on their heels; it looked like they didn't have any more fight left in them.

There was five minutes left in the first overtime frame. I desperately hoped someone on the Stars would score soon; I had to work early, and I didn't think my heart could take anymore anxiety.


"Come on" I muttered, tapping my leg anxiously. Derek shook his head, laughing, mumbling something about being cute but I didn't hear. "Holy shit!" I shouted, as the entire arena stood on their feet. Jamie was going down on a clear cut break away.

Time seemed to have slowed down. One moment, the crowd was screaming "shoot! Shoot!" The next the puck was in the back of the Hawks net, the entire Dallas team rushing to the ice, engulfing their captain in the biggest hug any of them could muster; they did it. The series was tied.

"Woo! Go jamie!" I yelled, clapping along with the crowd. Nobody in the arena (well, maybe the hawks fans!) was in their seats; everyone stood up, cheering as loud as they possibly could for their team; none of them ever feeling prouder.

"He did it babe!" Derek shouted, taking me into a hug. My heart was hammering a million miles a minute in my chest; he did do it.

"Let's get down there to congratulate the fucker!" I screamed with excitement, taking his hand in mine. No words could describe how happy I felt in this moment. I was beside a guy I adored, while I watched my best friend in the world score the game winning goal to keep their playoff hopes alive; nothing could bring me down.

"Where are we going?" Derek asked, laughing at my enthusiasm.

"To the dressing room, duh!" I rolled my eyes, stating the obvious.

"Wait, you've been in the dressing room?" Derek asked, a little surprised, and a little impressed.

"Hell yeah! Once all the media clears out friends and family file in. I haven't been many times except special occasions; like a huge win" I shrugged. "Don't go fan girling on me" I teased him. He was a little star struck when he had met Jamie; it was kind of adorable.

"No promises" was his reply.

Notes

so glad you guys are enjoying this :) thank you all for reading and your great comments, they made my day :)