when the stars align (j.benn)

big brother

The day of the Calgary game I tried to keep away from texting Jamie even though he wasn't playing.
I couldn't text him and risk throwing him off when he try to pump the boys up.
The thought that I was the reason of his recent misfortune was killing me.
Morgan has been trying to help me clear my mind by exploring Toronto, going on hikes, working out, the works and nothing was taking off my stress.
"I'm so glad that the boys are coming to Toronto today. You have to talk this out with him, Brie." Morgan huffs glancing over at me.
"I'm still confused. So you two didn't have sex the first night we met her?" Mitch asks looking at me and Morgan.
"No Mitch! She's happily dating Jamie Benn. She was just messing with you. I didn't tell her that you're gullible and would believe it so easily."
Mitch looks at Morgan with a mock look of offense before turning his attention to the video game.
"I know I just. God I feel terrible. He wasn't having this bad of luck before we got together. What if I'm the reason they don't make it into the playoffs?!"
  "This isn't any of my business or anything but I'm pretty sure you're not responsible for the whole team fucking up. I mean maybe Jamie's game is a little off but you can't put the whole teams success on your shoulders." Auston speaks up from his spot beside Mitch.
I glance over at the man before nodding my head slightly.
  "You should get to your hotel. Your boys are probably close to landing and you need to be there when they get there." Morgan speaks up hugging my shoulders.
I nod my head in agreement before standing up and hugging Mo. I bid the boys farewell before walking out to my rental car.
~
I shift from foot to foot as I anxiously await the arrival of the Dallas Stars.
Tom sent me the airplane emoji along with a thumbs up to signal that they had landed thirty minutes ago so they should be here soon.
I look up hearing the loud voices of familiar hockey players.
I pull the keycards out getting the pairs together.
By now I had figured out who roomed together and who preferred a room alone so it was easy to get the kegs distributed.
  "Oh look she's alive! That's good to know."
My body flinches at the comment before shaking my head.
  "Baby-"
Jamie was walking towards me when Tyler pulled him back giving him a look.
A soft dry laugh leaves my mouth before I hand out the key cards not having time to waste.
As I am about to hand the final card to Tyler I let it fall to the ground.
I roll my eyes walking away from him. Yeah it was a petty move but at this point I could care less.
  "Someone want to tell me why we keep her around if she doesn't even do her job?"
This was getting to be painful now. Was he really that hurt about what I said?
  "Okay I get it. You're still pissed at her but she's my baby sister and I'm not going to let you shit mouth her like that." Ben says grabbing Tyler by the arm.
  "Are you serious? She's been a pain in all of our sides for the past week! She hasn't talked to Jamie since before the Edmonton game. What kinda of-"
Jamie was quick to cut his friend off.
  "Before you try to discredit her and make her seem like a terrible girlfriend please look at when your longest relationship was and how long it was. She's an amazing girlfriend, Tyler. What she said to you wasn't nice but it was the truth and I think that's why you're so pissed. She told you the truth and you didn't like it. I'm not on your side and I'm not on her side. I just want you two to make up. I can't stand seeing my two favorite people mad at each other."
I look at Tyler before shrugging my shoulders.
  "I'm sorry for what I said. It wasn't my best moment. It wasn't a good time for me but that's no excuse. You weren't apart of anything and I dragged you into it. I am sorry Tyler."
Tyler huffs before shaking his head.
  "Yeah I'm sorry too. I shouldn't always be the first to jump on your back. I just I've just been trying to find a flaw so Jamie wouldn't like you anymore. You've been stealing my best friend."
A soft laugh leaves my mouth as I shake my head.
  "So this all stems from jealousy?" Ben asks smirking at me then looking at Tyler.
Tyler rolls his eyes before grabbing his bag and throwing it on his shoulder.
Tyler grumbles as he walks to the elevator shaking his head.
"You're breaking up a bromance, Brie."
  "Well shit! Don't let all the Stars fans know! I'll be crucified."
The remaining people laughed at my comment before falling into their own conversations.
Jamie took very little time to walk over to me and pull me into a hug.
  "What's wrong?"
My body tenses at his simply question.
  "Nothing you need to worry about."
Jamie gives me a look before shaking his head. "You're going to end up telling me what's wrong."
I shake my head patting his shoulder.
  "Jamie, just-"
Ben wraps an arm around me smiling at Jamie.
  "I'll find out what's wrong with her. You got get some rest for your interviews and stuff. I'll take care of her."
Jamie looks up at my brother before nodding his head. He kisses my forehead before walking to the elevator.
  "Let's go for a little walk, Little Bear."
I roll my eyes at the nickname and still a little upset with him about the fallout before they left for Edmonton.
  "Hey you know I'm sorry about what I said before we left right? I was way out of line and I should have thought about what I was saying instead of just saying whatever."
  "Yeah I know. It's just that whole situation could have been avoid. I shouldn't have let McDavid get to me."
  "What even happened with Connor?"
I take a short breath trying to figure out if I want to tell him or not. "Well, so I interned in Edmonton the year that Connor was drafted. We were both together a lot since we were the newbies and we are pretty close in age. So we started casually talking as friends and then we gradually started becoming more serious. So we started kinda dating, hooking up was more like it but we were exclusive and pretty serious. I then was offered my job with Nashville and I took it. We tried doing the long distance thing but it just didn't work. So, I called it quits. I was like Connor I really like you and what we have is great but the distance isn't working. And everything I said was true. It wasn't working. It was causing me so much stress trying to respond and make time for him because every time I didn't respond to him almost immediately he would get pissed and defensive and it was just hurting me. I hated being punished for having a job especially one that I love so much. When I broke up with him he just turned cold and harsh. Every time I would be in Edmonton he would somehow find out and say something to me. It's just not good between us. I always try not to go to Edmonton whenever the team I work for goes. This time it didn't work out since I'm going to a bachelorette party and need time off."
My brother nods his his taking in what I was saying.
  "So the whole Connor thing is cleared up but I still don't understand why you've been ignoring Jamie."
  "It's just me being superstitious don't worry about it."
  "Bullshit. What's going on? You can't hide it from me I'm your big brother. Do you not like him anymore? Is there someone in Toronto that's made you question-"
  "No what the hell, Ben?!"
My brother looks at me a bit concerned before nodding.
  "Okay then what is it?"
A huff leaves my mouth before I decide to answer him.
  "I just feel bad. Ever since I joined the team Jamie's been I don't know how to say it. More aggressive? More.. I don't know. He's just been out more. He's been in more fights and has been hurt and now he got thrown out and missed a game and half. Like that has to be because of me. I know that him getting thrown in Edmonton was because of me. I just don't know what to do. He can't keep getting into fights and getting thrown out because of me."
Ben sighs heavily shaking his head.
  "I don't know what to tell you. It's not your fault he's being reckless. He could handle his emotions on the ice instead of letting them get the best of him. Sure what he is doing is because of your past and stuff but it's not your fault he's acting this way."
I nod my head slightly taking in what he said
  "Thanks, bub."
He smiles hugging me into his side.
  "You're my baby sister I have to set you straight."
A snort leaves my mouth as I nod my head.
  "Yeah you're just doing this so you can use it as blackmail."
I mean of course he would. What else are older brothers suppose to do?