when the stars align (j.benn)

one last time

I walk out of my bedroom pulling my jacket over my shoulders.
The apartment was eerily quiet.
I was alone in my apartment finally after the Stars left a few hours ago to get ready for the game.
I pick up my pomskie walking to the door with her.
The dog sitter has dropped her off an hour ago so we could head to Dallas as soon as the game was over. I grab my bag with all the few things that were left in my apartment.
"Say goodbye little one." I coo to my puppy before walking out to my car after locking the door and turning the key into the front office.
A heavy feeling was in my stomach but I know this is how it has to be.
If I don't leave I would be stuck in the same position until I retire.
That's not what I want for my life.
I place my puppy, Prada,  into the passenger seat buckling her up so that she wasn't crawling everywhere. I then place the bag in the back seat with the other boxes and bags before getting inside of my car.
I glance back at my building before I start the drive to Bridgestone.
I turn up the volume needing the sound to drown out the thoughts in my head.
~
Twenty-Five minutes later I arrive at the arena with little traffic complications.
I get out with Prada and walk inside showing the security guard my badge and letting him check my bag.
I set my puppy down as we make our way to the locker room to make sure everything in there is set and ready to go.
My attention is grabbed by the sound of laughter and loud feet. I turn the corner almost getting hit in the face by a soccer ball.
  "Oh holy shit!" I scream backing up making Prada bark and growl at the ball.
I look up to see a group of six men staring at me.
Five familiar faces and one I have no idea who is.
  "Good going Segs! You almost killed our new social media girl!" My brother says looking at me.
I smile faintly before looking down at Prada.
  "Prada, calm down. I'm okay. It's okay." I coo picking up my baby.
  "Oh my god how adorable." Tyler says walking up towards me the game was now disregarded as the attention was on my puppy.
I smile seeing Prada bark at him before lifting her paw up.
I glance up looking at Jamie.
  "I left her toys in the car so you don't have to worry about tripping over them." I giggle winking at him.
I stand up straight and run my fingers through my hair.
  "Prada, come on. Mommy has to go get her ear piece and check on the boys. Let's go see P.K. Yeah, come on." I coo to her in my puppy voice before patting Tyler on the shoulder as I walk past him.
  "Glad to see you actually put clothes on, Seguin." I taunt before glancing at my brother.
We were at peace I guess. It was still slightly tense between us but I am sure in a few days all will be well between us.
I glance back not hearing Prada beside me. I smirk seeing that she was stopped in front of Jamie and Miro.
"Did you find two adorably handsome men to pet you?" I ask my puppy who just barks back at me.
"Dogs are just like their owners." My brother snickers from his place beside Rads.
"Oh you think you're funny!" I scoff shaking my head
"Uh, Brie, we can watch her while you go do whatever you have to." Jamie offers looking content with petting my small dog.
It humored me to see all these big tough looking men absolutely amazed and transfixed by a small fluffy dog.
I nod my head not seeing any harm with it.
"I mean if you think you can take care of her without falling over her i have no problem with it. Miro, you have my number so does Ben. If you need me to come get her just text me." I say simply before waving to the guys as I start making my way towards the Nashville locker room.
~
The locker room pre-game jam party was in full swing.
It was tradition that I come in and help the players eat pumped up and ready for the game.
"Okay boys! We have to make this one count. It's my last game as a Pred member. I really want to see you go out there and kick some Dallas Ass! You boys have it in you to win. I know you do. I know that each ad everyone of you wants to win. You just have to play like it! I will be running around all night but I promise I will see you before I leave. Be safe out there and go get us a win." I call out to the full locker room.
I smile before putting my hand out to do our usual chant before games.
"Preds on three! One, two three! Preds!" We all hell together.
I laugh softly as I'm embraced in a tight group hug.
I nudge my way out having to go get my puppy from the Star's locker room.
I smile as in my ear I periodically hear people wishing me good luck and that they will miss me.
It hurt to know what I was leaving behind but I knew what lie ahead was going to be far greater.
I approach the visiting locker room and knock on the door.
I smile warmly was a tall lanky blonde opens the door.
  "Uh? Hello?" He greets in an awkward kind of way. He glances back yelling something at the guys. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying over the volume of the music.
And I thought the Nashville locker room was loud. It was no wonder Benji could never understand me on the phone. He going deaf because of the volume of the locker room music.
  "I'm here to pick my dog up. The fluffy one." I retort flashing a smile at him.
  "Oh okay uh you can come in. It's with Jamie right now." He explains.
I nod my head walking in. An instant headache taking over me.
God I am going to need some aspirin after I leave.
A squeak comes from my mouth as I'm wrapped up in a hug.
I glance up seeing Tyler as the culprit.
I look at him shocked not knowing where this sudden burst of energy and acceptance of me came from.
  "Uh hi Tyler." I mutter confusion written on my face.
  "Thanks for leaving your dog! Our coach was extra nice to us because he was so focused on the fluff ball. Also Jamie isn't in his usual pre-game grump because of that ball of fuzz."
I snicker at his words now realizing why he was so friendly with me.
  "Well I am glad." I yell over the music.
I really felt like I was in a club at the moment.
I approach Jamie who was sitting in his little area holding my fluffy baby to his chest.
  "I see she's found a new best friend. P.K. is going to be jealous. You're stealing me and now you're stealing my dogs attention. I'd watch yourself out on that ice tonight, Benn."
  "Chubs! Call him chubs!"
I glance back seeing my brother was the one yelling at me.
I snort shaking my head.
  "You dork." I mutter in my brothers direction before looking at Jamie who was amused.
  "Well, i am sure I can take care of myself." He replies in his call collected voice.
I gently take my puppy from him and kiss her head.
  "Thanks for watching her. It made locker room party easier." I laugh softly watching Jamie.
  "Oh my god just kiss already!" A voice yells from behind us.
I could tell it was Tyler.
Anything like that had to be Tyler.
He was just that annoying.
I roll my eyes before shooting him the middle finger.
I am about to speak but I am cut off by a noise in my ear.
  "I would love to stay but I have to go to work. Uh I would say good luck tonight but I need my boys to win tonight. So please suck ass and stay safe. I don't need my first tomorrow post being an injury report on tonight's game." I wink before walking out of the locker room.
~
The game went by in a flash.
While Dallas scores a good five goals Nashville trailed with only one.
Nashville looked terrible tonight.
I could tell that none of them were in the game. They all were distracted and distant.
I knew why because I was the same way.
It was hard to keep working while all I was thinking about was how this was my last game as a Pred.
Corey, my assistant and who is going to take over my position, offered to watch Prada while I went to say my good byes.
My eyes were already watering as I wait for all the cameras to leave. I walk in not bothering to knock.
There was no use of that after being here for so long.
I smile sadly at my boys as they all turn to look at me.
I nod my head slightly as I take my predators badge off setting it on the table near the door.
I was officially a Dallas Star now.
I open my mouth to say something but I couldn't.
I couldn't find the words I wanted to say.
There were no words to describe what I was feeling.
I welcomed the hug by Roman not minding that he was sweaty and disgusting.
At this point there was no stopping the tears from falling.
I was leaving my boys and I wouldn't be coming back as their Public Relations manager.
  "I am going to miss you, little one." He murmurs into my hair as we stand there.
I nod in agreement before pulling away. All eyes were on us.
I knew I had to say something.
  "So this is is? This is how we have to say goodbye to Brianna Bishop, PR manager for the Nashville Predators." I laugh through tears before starting again.
  "I have been with this company for almost four years. I couldn't have asked for a better team to work with. You all are the reason I have stayed here so long. I've had my ups and downs with all of you but there isn't anyone in this locker room that I wouldn't risk it all for. I love each and everyone of you. You all have taught me so much and influenced me as a person. I am going to be forever grateful to know all of you. I know I may be moving to Texas but this doesn't mean that I won't jump on the next flight to come back if anyone needs me. You are still my boys. I just have another set of boys too. They wear victory green instead of navy and yellow." I smile wiping my eyes.
  "I love you all. Thank you so much for being the best team to work with and work for." I end my speech softly.
I laugh as I'm scooped up in the arms of P.K. before the rest of the team joins in.
This was my last Preds group hug.
This was it.
This was my last game as a Predator.
I was now officially a Star.
     Countdown to becoming a Dallas Star:
     Zero hours
     Zero minutes
   And zero seconds.