"Guys, we fucking did it. We tied it!" I yelled to my team over the loud cheers of our fans. With minimal time left in overtime I got lucky on a breakaway, and was able to end the already long game in the result we had hoped for coming in. We were off to game seven; our playoff hopes were still alive.

"Way to go, cap!" Tyler yelled, tapping my helmet smiling like crazy. The rush I felt never left, even during the post game interviews. Time seemed to be flying; I felt on top of the world. I felt on top of the world, until I saw them walk in together, hand in hand.

Jealously surged through me; it was unbelievable the way I felt when I saw them together. A few weeks ago I never would have admitted I even had more than friendly feelings for this girl; but there's only so long you can deny stuff like that.

I caught Tyler's sympathetic gaze out of the corner of my eye; and it made me feel a million times worse. I didn't need his sympathy; hell, I'd rather him just brag about how he was right! A sympathetic Tyler wasn't one I wanted to deal with; at least not about this, anyway.

"Jame!" Her voice knocked me out of my thoughts. Looking around I noticed Tyler and I were the last left in the dressing room; who knows how long I had sat in my stall mind in the clouds. Haley had been down in the dressing room post game a few times, but typically waited until everyone else had left. "You did it! I told you!" She shouted. I smiled slightly, surprised when she pulled me into a big hug. I wrapped my arms around her, temporarily forgetting the hurt I was feeling.

"Thanks Hales" I smiled once she pulled away. The grin on her face was huge; I was ecstatic. Though I'd never admit it, it was pretty cool having her in the crowd cheering me on. She looked so good in my jersey; but I bet she would look better out of it....

"Great game man. Nice goal" Derek told me with an awkward smile. I returned the smile, just as awkwardly, desperately hoping Tyler would get his ass over here.

"My boy, captain clutch" Tyler came over and I silently thanked the gods.

"Did you have to take it to overtime though? Seriously I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack..." Haley trailed off with a smirk. I shook my head, kind of agreeing; overtime wasn't something I enjoyed playing. It was nerve racking as hell, and every chance the opponent got your heart skipped a beat.

"Least we can go celebrate now!" Tyler offered with a grin.

"Hell yeah! You in?" I turned to Haley, asking. "Erm- and you too Derek" I added as an afterthought, earning me a weird look from Tyler. I figured that was coming but hey, I wasn't an asshole. If Haley was going to be dating this guy the least I could do was try to like him for her sake, regardless of how much I wanted to punch him out right?

"I wish, but I'm stuck with the early shift tomorrow" Haley pouted. Dammit.

"Hey, I'd love to go" Derek shrugged his shoulders, accepting my invitation. Fuck. My. Life. When I invited him, it was only for Haley's sake; assuming she was going to come out. If she wasn't coming, I didn't want him to come either. But of course me being me, I couldn't say no.

"I guess we'll have to have a few drinks for you" I laughed awkwardly, wishing someone would just come shoot me now.

"You guys want a ride? I won't be up to pick you up but save on a cab at least" Haley offered.

"Sure, we'll be ready soon" I agreed, looking to Tyler for help.

"Great, we'll leave you to it" Haley smiled, her and Derek leaving the room.

"Way to go captain stupid" Tyler shook his head at me.

"What!?" I asked defensively.

"Need I even say anything?" Tyler continued to shake his head in disappointment.

"Yeah yeah" I mumbled, busying myself with getting ready.




The bar was busy upon our arrival. Loud music blared as we made our way over to the bar. I wasn't planning on celebrating too much; tomorrow night we'd take a flight to Chicago to play game seven in two games time; it was do or die all over again, just like it had been for the past three games.

"Vodka on the rocks" I shouted to the bartender, whilst having a look around. I noticed a lot of hot girls, but it didn't seem to matter; Haley was the only one on my mind. Regardless of the fact she had a boyfriend, and I knew I was deep in the friend zone I couldn't help the way I felt.

"Hey sexy" I heard a female voice sing. I looked up, to see a very hot blonde to my right. Tyler was busily talking to Derek and a group of girls, leaving me no exit or escape. I couldn't deny she was pretty; her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, her tight blue dress hugging every curve.

"Hey there" I smiled, downing my vodka faster than I had intended. I flagged down the bartender, asking for two double shots of tequila.

"Cheers!" We shouted, clinking our shot glasses together and downing the shots.


The longer the night wore on, the more I drank. Originally I had promised myself I wouldn't get trashed, but the times had changed. Blondie stood next to me nearly all night; Derek seemingly disappearing and Tyler sucking face with some blonde chick of his own.

I hated to say it, but she was your stereotypical dumb blonde. She pretended to know about hockey, probably for the sake of getting it in with a hockey player. And the more I drank, the less it seemed to bother me.

"So, like, did you score a point or whatever tonight?" She asked for what seemed like the one thousandth time. I groaned, trying to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

"Yeah, totally" I tried standing up staggering a little. She smiled, before pulling me in close for a kiss. At first I rejected it; but hey, I was single. Haley was taken, and maybe hooking up with someone would help get my mind off of her.

"What do you say we take this back to your place?" She asked with a suggestive grin. I pulled her close, kissing her before grabbing her hand and leading her out of the club, and back towards my place. I knew I was going to regret it but the alcohol was telling me differently.

Notes