when the stars align (j.benn)

drunken talks

A giggle escapes my lips as Ben piggy backs me into the practice building. He insisted that he needed to get his legs stronger so carrying me was the best option. The true reason was probably that I wasn't moving fast enough for him.
While we may have grown up physically we still were little kids at heart.
Ben and I have always had an amazing relationship. He was the cool older brother that let me get away with any and everything and I was the adorable younger sister that always got him girls numbers.
We were and still are the perfect sibling duo.
For years we were inseparable but the bond between us was tested when he started playing hockey.
The bond has never been broken even back then it was just strained.
Distance was never a problem when it came to us either; because, while we had other friends to talk to no one would replace the sibling bond we had.
He was in LA while I was in Nashville and we were still best friends calling each other every night to tell what had happen with the teams and in our own lives.
It was like a dream being able to work at the same building doing what we both love to do.
"You are such a child. Just come out with us after practice! You can't get settled into Dallas if you don't have a little fun!" Ben groans as he lets me down outside of the locker room.
He has been trying for the whole car ride to get me to come to some bar with him and a few of the guys after practice. I really just want to get home and start on the newest video for the Star's YouTube channel but my brother was not as keen on the idea as I was.
"Ben, I need to get this video edited so I can send it in for them to review. I have to get this done before you all go to Arizona."
He frowns watching me before a smirk crossed his face.
"What if I told you Jamie is going to be there. Would you change your mind then?"
My face heats up and I push my brother making him laugh before my attention is caught by a certain curly haired Brampton boy.
"No way! Brie you like Jamie!?" Tyler gasps his own smirk on his face.
I roll my eyes before looking between him and my brother.
"What are we in? Middle school?" I scoff before ignoring their accusations and questions.
"Oh my god she does doesn't she?" I hear Tyler ask Ben before a snort comes from his mouth.
I knew that Ben had gave him some indication that yes I did like Jamie.
"This is why I'm not going out with you guys. I am not subjecting myself to that kind of teasing!" I respond before pulling my phone out of my pocket so I could check a few emails.
The pair before me fall into their own conversation leaving me to my own devices.
I glance up hearing the locker room door open. The two oversized kids before me burst out laughing seeing as it was Jamie who walked out of the locker room.
The captain goes to speak looking very confused.
I cut him off quickly by stating, "you don't want to know."
The man simply nods before looking at the pair before us.
  "Bish you need to get on the ice in ten."
  "I got to get in there too! Uh Faksa needs my help!" Tyler adds giggling like a school boy before pushing Ben into the locker room.
I roll my eyes before glancing at Jamie.
  "I can't believe you chose to come here."
I snort at his comment before blushing softly.
Jamie simply laughs before nodding.
  "That was cute." He says in his usual dry tone.
   "Uh thanks. I mean it was here or Montreal. While I love Max Domi, I could not survive living in Montreal. French-Canadiens kill my soul a little."
It was now Jamie's turn to laugh at my comment.
  "My brother plays there. He says that the team is decent but yeah he can't stand the French-Canadians either."
  "You always compare me to your brother."
He nods his head before shrugging.
  "You remind me of him in a way."
I smile and stuff my phone back into my pocket.
"I hope in a good way, not the annoying sibling way."
Jamie smiles before biting his bottom lip.
  "Yeah I see the good things about him in you. So uh are you coming to the bar with the guys?"
My heart flutters hearing how shy he turns when he asks if I was joining.
  "I don't know. I have a video to edit and I really just don't want to deal with drunk hockey players especially not out in public. People always get the wrong idea and it gets frustrating after a while."
I glance up seeing the softness in Jamie's eyes.
  "If I get the guys to come to my house would you come? That way we're not out in public and you can still edit the video. It's a win win really."
I blush at the effort he is making to try and include me.
  "If you could do that I would definitely try and make it." I hum before glancing back at the locker room.
  "You should probably get in there captain." I tease before going to walk past him. I pat his shoulder on my way to the bench to take a few pictures for the Star's Instagram story.
~
The boys practice hard for a couple hours before they are allowed to leave.
I stand by the locker room waiting for Ben so I can tell him the plan.
I need to go home to let Prada out and grab my computer bag before I can head over to Jamie's.
I glance up from my phone when I hear the locker room door open and loud laughter flowing from it.
I smile seeing Klingberg walk out of the locker room.
He too was laughing whatever was happening in the locker room.
  "Waiting for someone?" He ask raising his brow with a playful smirk.
I nod my head and before I can speak he interjects.
  "Does he happen to have a C on his chest?"
My face goes hot before glancing back at the locker room.
How did he know about Jamie? Was it that obvious that I was fascinated by him or did Ben and Tyler really go tell the whole locker room that I like Jamie.
  "Uh I uh no. My brother, the tall lanky goalie." I stamper trying to clear my thoughts.
  "I will see you at Jamie's. I'd bring clothes for tomorrow because you are most likely going to need them." He winks before walking outside.
I gasp hearing his comment. He didn't mean that! Jamie would never, but then again he never said anything about Jamie in that instance anyways.
I stand there in a stunned daze trying to figure out what just happened.
I jump hearing someone speak up in front of me.
My eyes lock with the ones of Miro.
A soft smile forms on my face seeing the rookie.
"Hey bud. You looked great out there today." I compliment hugging him tightly.
"Uh you come to Jamie's?"
I could see there was a uncertain look in his eyes.
"Yeah I'll be there after I take care of Prada and grab my computer bag. What's going on? You and Klingberg are acting weird."
His eyes soften before he rubs the back of his neck.
"They were being uh dirty mouthed to Jamie."
My face turns a hot shade of red. I knew why Klingberg was acting like that to me.
"Miro, please tell me that my name wasn't brought up."
His eyes fall to the ground as he shakes his head muttering an apology.
I shake my head now knowing why John said what he did.
Our heads turn to focus on the locker room as Tyler walks out of the locker room a wide smirk on his face.
His eyes widen as he sees my distraught expression. His smirk fades as he walks closer to us
"Whatever you heard it was all in good-"
I walk off not being able to stomach this. Of course things were said at Nashville but nothing to the point of me wanting to leave and almost all were said to my face rather than behind my back.
I knew the things that Ben had heard come from the Dallas locker room and I definitely do not want to know any part of what was being said with my name.
The worst part is I assumed that Ben would stick up for me but by the way Tyler, Miro, and John were acting that wasn't the case. I fumble with
my phone trying to get it out of my pocket.
I dial the first number that pops up.
"Hey, dove. How is-"
"Arvy, i-i"
I take a deep breath trying to calm myself down and think everything through while I get inside my car.
"What's wrong. Who said what?"
I smile sadly leaning my head against the head rest of my seat.
"My name was brought up in a not safe for work manor in the locker room while they were talking to Jamie. Ben didn't stand up for me. Arvy, what kind of brother does that? I can only imagine what they said behind closed doors because Klingberg was very suggestive when he talked to me."
"Breathe, babe. I know how terrible that must make you feel. Just push through, Yeah? I promise as soon as we face them P.K. and I will have their asses. I am so sorry that Ben didn't stick up for you. I'm sure Jamie was uncomfortable. That guy is so awkward."
I nod before letting out a deep breath.
"Yeah. Thanks Arvy. Love you, bud."
"Love you too, dove. I'm always here."
I toss my phone into the passenger seat. I back out of my spot deciding that Ben could find someone to get a ride to Jamie's.
~
I bit my bottom lip glancing at the house in front of me.
Do you really want to subject yourself to this kind of torture and possible humiliation?
I sigh and grab my computer case before walking towards the door.
I knock on the door staring down at my shoes.
I changed from my all black work attire to one of P.K.'s hoodies with his name and number on the back, black athletic pants, a loose fitting tank top and trainers.
I wasn't here to impress. I was only here because Jamie was texting me and apologizing and basically begging me to come over.
I glance up hearing the door open and loud laughter flow through the opening.
  "Hey, I'm glad you came."
My eyes meet with Jamie's as he looks down at me.
  "I came for the alcohol and WiFi. Mine hasn't been set up yet." I tease him before walking inside.
  "You can always come over if you need to finish work up. I'm either alone or one of the guys are over and we are playing video games like the responsible adults we are."
I blush happily before biting my lip as we walk to his media room where everyone is.
I set my computer case down near a plug and settle myself on the spot of the couch that was free.
I felt the tension in the room but I ignore it as a cup of something alcoholic is shoved in my hand.
  "Drink up, Brie. We all need to be drunk before we can start playing some games."
~
Four hours and way too many drinks later I was so drunk.
I can barely walk let alone think straight. This is probably the reason why I am in my bra and underwear in the hot tub with about seven hockey players, all who were down to their underwear as well.
  "This the first time you've been half naked with more than two hockey players?" Tyler asks sipping his beer while throwing me a suggestive look.
"Hell no! All star game weekend is always eventful for more reasons than just the game and competition." I say as if he was crazy.
"Stop! She's my sister and she's drunk and has no filter! I don't know about all the times she's been half naked with hockey players." Ben whines before hiccuping causing him to chuckle.
"Stop being a party pooper! I'm getting Jamie some insight on what competition he has. Like he's already got P.K. cause he's totally smashed Breeze over there." Tyler says to which I simply nod completely missing the part about Jamie.
"So who have you been with? Like hockey player wise?" Klingberg asks leaning against the side of the hot tub.
I bite my lip in thought before looking at Klingberg.
"Marchand on multiple occasions, P.K. obviously, Arvidsson; that ones a give me though like we dated for a while obviously we had sex, uh Josi and I had a one time thing which was amusing to talk about afterwards, Conner McDavid and i were hook up buddies for a little bit when I did an internship with his team. That's all I can think of. I mean there may be more. I'm a little drunk." I casually say as I sip my drink in the red solo cup it was in.
"Oh shit, you and Brad?" Tyler quips before shaking his head and looking at Jamie.
"Well Chubs, i would say go for it but ole Bradly is really good and I don't want to see you up for failure."
My eyes go to Jamie who was looking rather sober for the circumstance we all were in.
"Tyler, shut the fuck up!" Jamie groans before pulling himself out of the hot tub.
I watch him walk inside drying off on the way.
I frown and get out.
Even in my drunken state I knew I had to go check on him because none of the others were going to.
"Jamie, Chubs, slow down!" I call as I grab a towel.
I giggle hearing a few of the boys whistle and then Ben groaning loudly in annoyance.
I wrap the towel around my body before catching up to Jamie who was in the kitchen leaning against the island.
I touch his bicep before standing beside him.
My eyes scan his handsome figure trying to see if something was physically wrong with him.
The way the water droplets were still on his chest and back made him even more attractive and a certain weight settle itself in my chest.
"What's wrong, Jamie? What was that about?"
His grip on the island tightens as he hears my words.
"You! That's what it's about!"
I jump at his outburst. I was never one to handle yelling well especially not when I'm drunk.
My eyes start watering as I back away.
"Me? What do you mean me? Tyler was just being a dick. How is that my fault?"
Jamie looks at me his eyes clouded and dark. He looked unpredictable and something inside me stirred.
"Brianna! I want you! Can you not tell? The guys have been making fun of me all night. Tyler is asking about your sex life because they want me to get you in bed. I don't want that though. I mean I do but like that's not why I want you. I want to get to know you and all of the things you like! I want to fall in love with your smile and your laugh. I want you to be my biggest fan like you are with P.K. and Viktor. I want to the be the shoulder you cry on the person that you want to text at two in the morning when you can't sleep and are missing Nashville."
My mouth goes dry as I listen to his words. I stare at him with my vibrant blue eyes trying to process what I should say.
My body decides that words won't suffice what I want to express.
I reach up and cup his face bringing him down in a kiss.
A hand goes to my lower back while one of mine travels to his hair.
"I should have said that when you weren't drunk." He mumbles against my lips.
"Yeah but I want that too. I just don't want your friends to make fun of me."
"Not a chance. I won't let them."
My face heats up before I kiss him again.
Kissing the captain.
Good job Brie.
This was suppose to be different.
Dallas was suppose to be a fresh start not a repeat.