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Elle stared at her phone for a long, confused moment. She really, honestly, hadn’t been expecting Jamie to not take her call for once. The thought had never crossed her mind and now she was really, really worried that she’d crossed some imaginary line of irritation and made him too made to talk to her.

She fell back on her pillows, huffing out in irritation. She should call Tyler, really, because he was probably sitting next to Jamie right now. She was bringing her cell back to her face to poke the proper spots when she heard a scuffle and a disbelieving, “What?!” come from her living room. Where she’d left Tanev.

Her bedroom door creaked ominously in her haste to open it. She found Tanev on the couch, holding his phone away from his head and staring at it in shock. She could hear an angry tirade spilling from the other end.

“What’s going on?”

At the sound of her voice, Tanev sprang to his feet and practically threw her phone at him. “Oh, thank fuck. I did not sign up for death threats from Jamie Benn, Elle. I thought you were going to call him?!”

She fumbled his phone, but didn’t drop it. Jamie was still yelling. She thought she heard something about finding Tanev’s house and rearranging all of his furniture two inches to the right. Both their brows furrowed and Elle shook off the weird. “I tried. It went straight to voicemail. I’m sorry.” He stared at her pointedly and then down to his cell in her hand. “Can I-?” she mimed talking on the phone and he nodded slowly like she wasn’t really picking up what she was putting down.

Elle sighed and brought the phone up. Jamie was quieter, muttering now. “Jamie, its Elle.” There were sounds of laughter and moving around behind Jamie, tires on the road. They must be on the way back to their hotel.

“Of course it’s you. I heard you guys; I’m not deaf. I am, I guess, gullible because he’s still at your house and you couldn’t be bothered to text me back. What the fuck is going on?”

Her heart clenched at his words and she sank to the floor in her hallway. She was a disappointment, she knew. She had always been on top of everything in her life but for some fucking reason, this guy had put inaction in her veins. “I know. That wasn’t right, I know. I-“

“Jesus fucking Christ Elle. Why was Chris Tanev at your house and what is he still doing there?”

Her blood started to rise. She really hated being interrupted. “If you haven’t checked the forecast for the greater Vancouver area, we’re under a blizzard warning. I wasn’t about to send him out in-“

“Why? Why, Elle?” In the background, the noise fell silent except for the hum of the road. He’d shouted his entire team quiet.

He’d also shouted her quiet, a blush rising to her cheeks at the pain she heard in his voice. “We were just hanging out. Nicole and Higgins are hooking up. Right now actually. She brought them over and-“

Jamie huffed in disbelief. Elle shut her eyes and leaned her head against the wall. The tears that sprung up were unexpected. “So you, what? Had a few drinks. Hung out. Then figured since I was across the continent, busting my ass to get you back, you’d invite another man to spend the night?”

“I already told you, there’s a blizzard here. We’ve already gotten feet of snow. He’d be lucky to find a cab in this weather-“

“And you couldn’t send him back to your single friend’s apartment, the next door down? Instead you let Nicole put up that picture and invite him to stay for a sleep over? And then you just let me sweat and think the worst without any care about how that would look to me. That’s a really shitty thing to do to someone, Elle.”

Elle shook her head, not knowing what to say. She still didn’t think she’d really done anything awful. She was being a good friend, giving Nicole some alone-time with a fantasy hook up. But, hearing the situation from Jamie’s point of view made her feel like absolute shit. “Jamie. I’m sorry.” She was at a loss.

“You should be.” A scary finality laced his words.

“I am.” She was really crying now. “This wasn’t a play on Tanev. I would never. Not with him and especially not with you doing everything you can to get me back. I’m not stupid. I know what you’ve been doing. All the flowers and the pictures and everything. I know and it’s been amazing, Jamie. I just- tonight was just a chance to unwind after another shit week of work.”

He was silent for a long moment. The guys on the bus had slowly started talking again in low, hushed tones. She couldn’t hear what anyone was saying but she was willing to bet it was about her and Jamie. Probably deriding her for being such a blatant ass.

“One day you’re going to stop using work as an excuse to treat me like I don’t matter, Elle. At least I hope you will.” He didn’t sound resigned, he sounded resolute.

“Will you forgive me?” Her breath caught as she waited for his answer.

It came long after she would have wanted, Jamie letting her heart twist for almost a full minute.

“Yeah, of course. I wouldn’t have even been made if you’d called or texted or just let me know what was going on. This whole ignoring me thing has to stop. I dealt with it when you broke things off, and I understand, but Elle. I can’t take that feeling anymore. I just can’t. It hurts too much.”

She was nodding as she said, “That’s fair. Thank you for listening. And understanding. I really don’t think I deserve that kind of patience and I promise I’ll make it up to you. I promise you’ll realize exactly how much I appreciate it.”

Elle hadn’t intended for that to sound like a come-on but Jamie sure took it that way. His response was so much lighter than their entire conversation had been. “Oh yeah? Does that include my own sleep over when we come back to Van City?” She laughed at the switch, shaking her head again. She’d learned over the course of their relationship, no matter the status, that he was quick to switch from sad to happy. He was a lot like Tyler in that way and it always made her laugh, that complete 180.

“I think you know the answer to that one.” She couldn’t keep the severity of the night’s discussion out for long, though. “Seriously Jamie. I am sorry. I would hate for this fuck up to make you believe I want you to stop. Because I don’t.”

There. She’d said it. Out loud to someone other than Nicole.

Jamie breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. It’s going to take a lot more than a third liner to scare me off.”

“He’s on the first line with Edler.”

Jamie scoffed. “Semantics.”

The tension broke like a dam. Elle’s head hit the wall again. “Congrats on the win. Are you guys on the way to the hotel?”

He hummed a negative. “Back to the airport. We’re almost there. I’d call when we landed in Montreal but it’s gonna be late by the time we get to the hotel.”

Elle wanted him to call, damn the time, just because. She needed this link to last after the last few hours of disconnection. “I don’t work tomorrow. Feel free. Just, maybe use my number this time.” She could only imagine what Tanev had been doing while she had his phone. She hadn’t heard a peep out of him since he’d tossed the gadget at her. A quick glance behind her showed the living room appeared empty.

“Yeah. For sure. I suspect Tanev won’t be excited about taking another call from me. Serves him right, though. Having fun with my girl without me.”

He stumbled over those last words, realizing what he’d said.

“Something like that. Once I find him.” She stood and cracked her back then went to find the defenseman. He wasn’t in the kitchen and the living room was empty. It was only when she wandered back over to the couch when her eyes lit on a note. “Hmm. He faced down the sex den next door to get out of the way. What a brave soul.”

Jamie’s laugh was deep and delighted. She grinned. “Call me when you get settled? I don’t care what time it is.”

“Facetime?”

She grinned even more broadly. “Sounds good.”

Elle dropped Tanev’s phone next to his note when Jamie hung up. He’d likely come back in the morning and she made some mental notes about the ingredients she had stocked. She should really cook the guy breakfast like she’d promised after subjecting him to an infuriated Dallas Stars captain and hijacking his phone for the better part of two hours. She hoped he had long distance on his cell plan.

-------

Days passed with the new easiness that Elle and Jamie had forged the night of the blizzard. He still sent her lilies in the morning and sleepy selfies at night. For her part, Elle avoided being spotted in any pictures with hockey players not currently wearing number 14 for the Stars. It was made easier when Nicole finally tied of Higgins, almost a month after their first date.

She was also on the fast track to getting her position back, fully. A letter appeared in her inbox two days before the Stars were set to come into town letting her know management had determined her capable of handling her job. It was made all the more sweet when Guerin had actually seemed sad to be leaving her soon. She’d done her best not to laugh in his face at that announcement.

She glanced over her living room, looking at the nooks and crannies that she might have missed during her deep clean. Jamie had implied that he’d be able to get away both nights the Stars were staying in Vancouver. A shiver ran up her spine. There was never any question about him sleeping over, not since they’d patched things up. She was nervous, though. Their ease through technology and their ease in person hadn’t really been strictly tied to one another.

Her apartment suitably cleaned and prepped, Elle whistled a little tune as she answered work emails.

-------

In San Jose, Jamie was also whistling a tune as he packed up his bag in preparation for the post-game flight up to Anaheim. He was feeling great with hockey, on a points streak that wouldn’t quit, and only two days away from seeing Elle. His grin was wide as he opened his hotel room door.

Across the hall, Demmer was also leaving his room. He took one look at Jamie’s face and broke out into a sly smile. “You look like a dude that just got laid. But I know you didn’t get laid, because that would be impossible.” Jamie chuckled at his teammate and closed the door. “You totally jerked it before you packed, didn’t you? Thinking about all the shit you’re gonna get up to in Van City?”

His face went through an interesting slide show of emotion: surprise, embarrassment, denial, and finally indignation. “Fuck off, Demmer.”

Demmer laughed and shouldered him into the wall. Jamie bounced back right at him, forcing the other forward into the wall harder than Jamie had intended. Everything was fine when Demmer rejoined him in the center of the hall. “Seriously though. Everyone is pulling for you and Elle. And is willing to make excuses for you so you can get fun sexy times with her in a few days.”

There was an undeniable thrill that accompanied Demmer’s words. “I appreciate that but I’ve already cleared it with Coach.” That had been a fairly awkward but effective conversation. “Turns out when you’re leading the league in points and you’re really insistent that you need a few nights with family while in town management is a little forgiving.”

He got a full belly laugh in response. “Well, if you need anything, let us know. I know Spezz is taking bets for your reaction when you finally see her again at the airport. Stunned into silence is currently the front runner followed by carrying her off on a shoulder, never to be seen from again.”

Jamie smirked. He wasn’t 100% sure how their reunion would go but it would not include either of those options. He’d fantasized about casually sauntering up to the counter and leaning with an elbow. He’d say something about how sharply dressed she was. She’d say something about how great his hair looked. They’d share a glance, knowing they were going home together at the end of the evening. And then he’d continue through check-in, taking his suitcase with him. He’d need to make appearances at team events like breakfast and lunch, but otherwise he had been given a pass for curfew.

He couldn’t help but feel like this was the way his last journey to Vancouver should have been like. Above the table and well planned. Yet, despite all the shit that had come out of that weekend, he didn’t regret it one bit.

They linked up with Fids and Spezz at the elevator. Both of the other two also gave him smirks. It appeared the whole team was in on the ‘Benny’s-getting-laid-soon’ train of hilarity.

The joviality continued into the locker room and through warm ups, guys ribbing him and giving him shit for the grin he couldn’t keep off his face. Even after the puck dropped, he felt elated. Right up until the Sharks scored four minutes into the first off a faceoff Jamie should have won. His mood was further soured when they scored again, off yet another defensive zone faceoff Jamie couldn’t get a stick on. He was growling by the end of the second, the Stars down five to one with nary a point on the board for himself.

Nill was curt in the dressing room but his gaze was heavy on Jamie when he announced if the team wasn’t going to perform now, they had a whole week of bag skates to look forward. Jamie visibly paled. Bag skates meant early practices. And later practices to work on actual mechanics. And that sounded like a whole lot of time on the ice in Vancouver that was meant for Elle.

He stood on shaky legs, his hips were going to be the death of him one day very soon, and cleared his throat. “All right boys. This game is far from over. Tighten up on the back check. If I don’t see you hustle, your ass is mine after every bag skate we get dumped on us if we lose. D, push hard on their entries. They’re falling apart along the boards. Keep play to the outside. Forwards, Nemo’s letting up some really fucking juicy rebounds. Fucking take every shot you can. If you’re not shooting, get your ass to the net and wait for that puck. There’s no reason to lose this game.”
From across the room, Demmer cackled, “But every reason to win it, right Benny?”

That broke the tension. Guys picked their heads up stall after stall, grinning slyly and the joking began anew. When they hit the ice for the beginning of the third, there was an electricity in the air they’d been lacking all night.

The first two goals were made off perfect breakout passes from Jordie, hitting Jamie’s stick right as he crossed into the Sharks’ zone. The first was a saucer backdoor to Segs. The second Jamie sniped himself from high in the slot. Segs crushed him along the boards as they both looked up to the replay. Five to three with seventeen left in the third. They had all the time in the world.

Goals four and five were both on the power play and Jamie on the bench. Yet, no one cheered louder when they tied the game off a clapper from Eaves that left the building groaning. They had three minutes left. Three minutes that felt as promising as the smile he imagined would grace Elle’s face when they landed in Vancouver in two days.

The hope slowly trickled away with the game minutes. Suddenly they were in overtime, Jamie, Jordie, Segs, and Spezz flying down the ice. Jamie had the puck, crossing center ice and looking for Tyler to go deep as soon as he hit the blue line. He was rocked as Burns caught him with his head down. Jamie felt the air leave his lungs and he could almost count the seconds between the hit and his fall back to earth. He connected hard and rolled to his stomach just in time to see Pavelski put one past Kari top shelf.

He groaned, pushing himself back up. He needed to collect the team, give out his congrats, and mentally prepare for what would likely be a really shitty few days.

“I can’t believe we fucking lost. God fucking dammit.” The normally bubbly Segs threw his elbow pads violently at the ground. Around the dressing room, more grumbles and irritated voices joined the cacophony. Jamie was about to open his mouth to quiet everyone down; there was no reason to irritate Nill even more with bad attitudes along with a loss.

He was cut short when Coach walked in and whistled loudly. The room fell silent. “Take a seat boys.” He waited a beat, watching carefully as the players settled in their stalls. “Tonight was a great come-back.” His eyes tracked each of them one by one. When Coach settled his gaze on Jamie, there was almost kindness in his eyes. “Regroup tonight and tomorrow. We’ve got a day for travel than LA. And then, Vancouver. Where I expect a win and a nice end-of season breather.”

Jamie let out a huff, hanging his head in gratitude. No bag-skate. No time constraints. He could have kissed Nill at that moment.

He didn’t mention anything about their almost-missed moment when he called Elle from a hotel room in LA. Instead he talked about how he couldn’t wait to see her, how he had a bunch of cool stuff planned, and how he was a little nervous to see her again in person.

She laughed, almost nervously her own self. “Yeah? Afraid I’ll have decided that you’re not attractive anymore and I don’t want to waste my time on you?”

His responding laugh was almost a little rueful. “More like I’ve forgotten how beautiful you really are and I’ll be tongue-tied because you’ll have stolen all my words.”

She gave him a breathy, pleased gasp of surprise. “Why, Mr. Benn. Such a way with words.” She paused, a cheekiness to her next words. “Tell me again.”

“I’m going to be speechless when I see your face again in person.”

-------

Elle had checked and double checked the schedule she was handed the night of the Stars’ arrival yet the words were still the same. The Canucks had missed an earlier flight out of Winnipeg, something about a plane getting stuck on the tarmac needed for the Canucks’ flight. They were arriving four hours delayed, right when the Stars were set to deplane. Two flights, one domestic and one international, would require at least one person each.

She stared at Rob over the paper. “So, I’m going to assume you could have texted or called a few hours ago to let me know about this.”

Rob nodded. “I sure could have. I would have too, but your least favorite person went over my head and said that he’d handle it. Not sure what he’s expecting to happen, but gird your loins tonight. It’s going to be messy.”

Elle was not amused. From the top of her perfectly coiffed hair to her best Louboutin’s, she was the intentional picture of calm perfection. This news was seriously trying her ability to look collected and beautiful upon Jamie’s arrival like she’d hoped. The sharp wing of her eye liner made her appear even more dangerous as she glared at her boss. “Tonight is really not the night for a show down with Guerin, Rob. I would just like you to know this now in case something tragic should happen.”

She made a promise to herself at that very moment: if Guerin, in any way, hindered her joyful reunion with one Jamie-Fucking-Benn she would end him. And then she would quit this job and run off to Dallas. She would not put up with the shit she suspected was in store for her. Not for one minute. Because she was better than this. She was better than this company deserved, loading a sexual-harassing douche bag on to her back for months.

But, most of all, she and Jamie deserved tonight. They deserved it. Rob knew all of this. She’d come clean to him about Jamie a week ago and explained, in no uncertain terms, that she was not to be disturbed between the Stars’ arrival and their departure.


“I will make a note, Elle. Just, don’t get arrested.”

She smiled dangerously. “I can’t make any guarantees. Now. Who do we have on the floor that can help delegate?”

All things considered, she was able to draft schedules for both teams that should have kept them moving through check-in and mostly out of each other’s hair. There would be one small amount of time that she’d have them both in the lounge, simply because she only had space for two buses in front of her door at one time.

The evening was set, her plan was in order. Best of all, she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Guerin at 8, when Dallas was on final approach. The Canucks were right behind them. The headlights of the first plane momentarily blinded her as it taxied to her first gate. Part of her imagined that she could almost see Jamie staring out a window to catch a glimpse of her.

She suspected her obsessive focus on the Stars plane distracted her from the reflection of a man walking up behind her in the window.

Just as the flight crew popped the door on the plane, a hand reached down and gently caressed her ass.

Elle cried out and whirled. Guerin had taken a placid step back, not even concerned with the fury written on her face. “Good evening, Cherie.”

“You fucking asshole. How dare you touch me?!” She pointed a finger at him, her heels putting them at equal height. She almost jabbed him in the eye with her gesture.

He raised a hand and glanced at it, nonchalantly picking at his fingernail. “Looks like this is our last night together, euh? Of course, I will take full responsibility when it goes smoothly. I did not get the position here, but it will help further down the road.”

Elle’s palm itched to lash out. “Listen here you piece of shit-“

He laughed, backing up another step with both hands raised. “Now, now. Not in front of the players.” He eyes tracked behind her. She spun back just in time to see Jamie, practically running down the jet way towards her.

His smile was so wide and relief flooded her limbs. God, he looked fucking amazing. There was a split moment when he hit the lounge where he could have nodded and moved past her to congregate his team to the area where her assist for the evening was directing him. Instead he dropped his bag and swept her into a hug.

She felt tears prick in her eyes and buried her nose in his neck to avoid anyone seeing her face. His breath was hot on her own neck and he twirled her twice before putting her down. When he stepped back she followed for half a pace before remembering herself.

She was still at work. No matter how happy she was to see him. He ducked his head and brushed his hair back, holding it out of his eyes while he gave her a dopey grin. “Hi.”

Her hands clasped each other tightly. “Hi.” She felt a blush at his attention start to rise.

They both opened their mouths to talk at the same time when Tyler spotted her. With a shout, he shoved his captain aside and tackled Elle away from Jamie. She squeaked in protest and he squeezed the air from her lungs. It took a frantic tapping on his shoulder to get him to let go. When he did, he was laughing that clear, joyful giggle of his. “Belle Elle! I have missed your gorgeous face. Spending months with only this one’s ugly mug has left me nearly blind.” He hooked a thumb in Jamie’s direct.

Jamie opened his mouth to protest when a throat clearing behind her stopped them. Elle rolled her eyes so hard she could have sprained something. Jamie’s eyes finally caught sight of Guerin and he frowned. When he glanced back to her face, her expression was stormy; he easily translated her anger at the man at her back.

“What’s wrong? What did he do?” His hands warmed her skin as he grasped her upper arms gently. More players were filtering out of the jet way, many calling out greetings to Elle. She was transfixed on the urgency in Jamie’s face though.

“It doesn’t matter. It’ll be over soon, anyway.”

“Miss Merchant, if you would be so kind as to stop molesting our clients, our second plane has also arrived.” She growled at the condescending tone in Guerin’s voice and spun on her heel.

Sure enough, Kevin and the twins were already in the lounge. They were much more familiar with her daily battles with Guerin and were not proceeding to their assigned waiting space. Instead they were beeline-ing straight for the four of them. More Canucks players headed over when they realized who was giving her the stink eye.

“I’m not molesting anyone. Just greeting a couple of friends. Why don’t you go check on the buses, Guerin? I’m sure the Stars would love to get to their hotel sometime soon.”

The Frenchman’s face lit up with glee. “Oh, no, I don’t think so. That would be your job. However, you seem disinclined to complete it in favor of acting the whore. You’d rather foist it upon someone else. I shall, of course, have to make a note about your disregard for your work and your lack of professionalism in my final report.” There was an evil gleam in the man’s eyes. If he was smart, he would have glanced around. He would have realized that he was slowly being surrounded by hockey players. Many of the Stars had come back over when they heard Guerin’s aggressive tone.

Elle felt Jamie’s hand at the small of her back and she leaned into the touch. “You’re going to want to turn around and walk away, right fucking now.” Jamie’s words were low and a shiver ran down her spine when she realized this was likely the tone he used on the ice when he was about to destroy someone’s world.

“That is no way to talk to Elle. She’s the best flight manager on the continent.” This came from one of the Canucks.

“You do not seem to understand how to talk to a woman, friend. You should listen to the angry Canadian.” Henrik now.

“Get the fuck out of here before Benny kicks your ass while we point and laugh.” Tyler’s words were disbelieving that someone would actually dare talk to her like that.

Then, in a move that would surely be told again and again throughout the league in amused whispers at airports everywhere, Guerin stepped forward and grabbed her by the arm. With a sharp jerk, he pulled her away from Jamie. “This is no longer a joke, Miss Merchant. You will do your job or else-“

So many bodies moved as one so quickly that the tale would never have a true hero about who threw the first punch. At least four guys got a fist to Guerin before the twins and Edler managed to form a protective circle. Edler cried out as one of the Stars continued to the lunge for the Frenchman, catching him in the shoulder instead. The coaching staff was kept to the outside of the mob, yelling at their players and at each other to break the scrum up. Security finally caught sight of the fighting and was sprinting down the hall.

Elle’s eyes were wide with horror as the players kept jostling for position, yelling profanities and defending her honor. She was touched, really, she was. But this was moments from turning into a brawl that could be very dangerous to a certain thorn in her side. As much as she wanted to let them beat the fucking daylights out of him, Elle had a responsibility. And she really didn’t want her night with Jamie to include bailing him out of jail.

She brought two fingers to her lips and released a shrill whistle. All movement stopped and sixty pairs of eyes swung to her. She pointed to her left. “All Canucks staff and players over here.” Her other arm raised, pointing to the right. “All Stars staff and players over here.” Sixty pairs of eyes continued to stare. Someone at the backside of the scrub reached through the twins and jabbed at Guerin again. She thought it was probably Jordie from the ginger beard unsuccessfully trying to hide from her glare.

When no one moved, she gritted her teeth, and used her most no non-sense tone reserved almost exclusively for Chicago Blackhawks players, saying, “Now.” Both groups scattered instantly. Security remained, watching her with baffled shock and awe. In the wake of the movement, Guerin stood unsteadily with two black eyes and a broken nose.

She sighed sadly.

She was going to get fired. There was no way around this. This was exactly what she’d been hired to avoid and clearly she’d failed her job. Guerin knew it too. He smirked, ignoring the pain in favor of thinking a great rebuttal.

Elle crossed the last few paces to him. When his lips finally cracked open to speak, she realized he was also missing a tooth. “Ah, Cherie. I knew this day would inevitably come. I’ve said it for years: you are just not cut out to be in this line of work.” He swayed while he spoke, an arm holding what were likely very tender ribs.

She cocked her head at him and gave him a calculating look. Everything had been fine before his arrival. Everything, in fact, had been fine since she’d escaped from his presence in the mines. He was, without a doubt, the biggest piece of shit she’d ever met in her life.

“I hope one day you realize that you are a terrible person and I hope everyday between now and then is filled with the reminder that you might have tried to break me, but you always fell short.”

“Oh, but I did. I did break you. You will take the fall for this one and I will laugh the day I hand over your termination-“

She threw a fist at his head. It wasn’t pretty; she’d never punched another person before in her life in anger. It was enough, though. She tagged his good right in the eye and he went down, howling.

The guys roared their approval. “That was for every shitty, sexist thing you ever said to me. And this, this is for every time you ever laid a fucking hand on me, you worthless bastard.” She drew a foot back, ready to kick him in the ribs.

A pair of arms grabbed her from behind, Jamie’s voice in her ear attempting to calm her. “You’re going to get arrested Elle. Elle, stop squirming. He’s not getting up soon, relax.” She stilled, her legs no longer fluttering uselessly at Guerin.

Security finally decided to intervene. The guys on this detail were familiar with Guerin’s behavior. He’d kept his hands to himself around other employees, but his language was always course when passengers weren’t present. The guards had sad smiles on their faces when they approached. The head of the detail ordered two of them to get Guerin up. And then he looked at Elle. “Miss Merchant, I’m sorry I have to ask you to come with me.”

She raised her chin and was ready to accept her fate when Rob appeared at her side. “It’s all right Steve. I’ve got this one. Why don’t you get Mr. Guerin down to medical to see to his injuries?” There was no argument to be hand and Steve nodded.

Elle looked at Rob. She hoped he’d at least shuffle her to the privacy of his office. She didn’t need the guys to get riled up because they witnessed her firing as well. “Well. Miss Merchant. I did ask you not to get arrested.”

She nodded. “You sure did. And since I’m not in hand cuffs I’m going to assume that means Guerin won’t be pressing charges.” She spared a glance at the players around her, knowing that if Guerin threw a fit there could be some serious legal repercussions for both clubs.

“He will not. I, however, in a bit of a pickle. I do have to deal with this somehow. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She could feel Jamie stiffen from where he was still holding her arms gently.

“I do.”

“I am willing to ignore both teams’ participation in this blatant abuse of their physical abilities under one stipulation.” He paused and made sure he raised his voice so all could hear. “I am willing to ignore tonight’s mob brawl on the condition of your resignation with no hard feelings from this airline. Just so long as both teams understand how serious this situation is.”

The twins looked crestfallen at the realization of the terms of their forgiveness. There were murmurs of discontent from both sides of the lounge.

Elle grinned. Rob was actually doing her a huge favor. By letting her go and sweeping this under the table he was essentially setting her up to get a job anywhere on the continent. A letter of recommendation from him was as good as gold in the airline management community.

“In that case, I quit.” She held her head high all the way to her station. She retrieved her purse and coat, swinging the light wool material over her shoulders and leaving the Jetz terminal for quite a long time.

-------

The apartment was quiet when he let himself in with Nicole’s borrowed key. Her eyes had been gleeful when he’d met her in the hall outside the elevator. Elle’s instructions had been clear: get to her place, grab the key from Nicole, let himself in and be ready to not leave for at least a day.

The space was quiet, lit only by the kitchen spilling light into the living room and the hallway. He glanced in the bedroom first, not seeing Elle. His suitcase was deposited next to the bed and he stripped off his suit jacket before heading back to the living room. That damn couch of Elle’s had a stupid tall back and he was willing to be that’s where he’d find her.

His tie was loose when he finally found Elle. She was buried under the ridiculously soft blanket he remembered from his first visit, fast asleep. A hand curled gently around her phone. He smiled fondly and dropped down to his knees next to her.

Her beauty really was breath taking but there was so much more about her that he was attracted to. She was funny and witty and she really did have a great sense of style. But mostly, she liked his nerdy ass and they were both mostly willing to put up with each other’s weirdness.

Jamie traced the curve of her ear and brushed the few strands of hair he found there back. Elle’s eyes fluttered open and she smiled softly. “Hey, handsome.”

Jamie had to kiss her before he could even respond. Her lips were infinitely sweeter than he’d remembered. “Hey, beautiful.” He kissed her again. Her hands held him close at the back of his head and he groaned. Jesus, she was going to kill him. Jamie spread himself out on the couch, Elle making room for his much larger body. In moments they were deep into an old-fashioned make out session.

“Jamie.” Elle pushed him back with a hand on his chest. He stared down at her, gasping for air. “Jamie I quit my job today.” She bit her lip and looked at him with a strange sense of wonderment, like she’d suddenly realized she was free.

He grinned. “You did. You also punched an asshole in his eye and almost broke a few of his ribs.” That got them both laughing. He dipped his mouth to hers again. He got a few more minutes of kissing before she pushed him back again.

“Jamie, I quit my job today.” She didn’t sound nearly as joyful now. Instead there was a panicked edge to her words. He nuzzled down into the arch of her neck.

“You sure did.” He couldn’t think of any more witty rejoinders with her body so snug against his own. His lips traced her jaw gently, chasing the taste of her skin to her ear.

She was tense enough that he leaned back though. She looked close to tears once more. And he sighed. “Oh babe. I know it’s scary but it was the right thing to do.”

“I just- Jetz was my life. What am I going to do now? Ditch BC and run off to Dallas with you? I can’t be a kept woman Jamie. I’ve worked too hard and too long for everything I’ve got. I’m not like-“

He cut her off with a kiss, which was a dick move when she was ranting but he’d just remembered something terrifically important. “I forgot about something.” She stilled and watched him with wary eyes as he dug around the back pocket of his dress pants. Finally his fingers closed around a business card and he pulled it out with a flourish.

Her gaze tracked the piece of paper and he held it a little higher so he could see the distinctive Stars logo in the corner. “The team services guy for the Stars told me to give this to you, as soon as possible. Like, before any other teams could approach you. I guess he’s been trying to recruit you for years?” She’d never mentioned it and by her confused brow she’d never heard about it before.

“Wait. Like, a job job? An actual ‘move to Dallas to be with you but still get to do what I love’ job?”

He nodded hopefully and she started laughing. He was a little confused by her response until she surged forward and pressed her lips to his. “I have a job. I got a job, Jamie.” She was gleeful, wiggling with barely-restrained energy.

He nuzzled into her neck again. “You also got me back in your apartment, which I feel is a bit more-,“ his hips ground into her thigh, “-pressing than your new job right at this moment.”

Elle let out a groan. “When you put it like that- Jamie?”

He almost groaned too in frustration. “Yes, Elle?”

She was grinning wildly when he leaned back to look at her face. “I missed you Jamie. Take me to bed and fuck my brains out?”

He really didn’t need to be asked twice.

-------

The End

Notes

Not really the end, not quite yet. Soon soooooon the epilogue will be up. Like, within 24 hours soon.

Thank you for your kind words and for keeping up with this whole story :) It's been super fun to write and I can't wait for you to see what's next for the characters in this story.

You're all amazing butterflies and I appreciate you more than you know.