when the stars align (j.benn)

game 3

The stress level of being in the playoffs was through the roof. Not only is the team worried about making it through the first round the media team is stressing over clever one liners and puns to post on every form of social media.
  "Brie, breathe girl." Kaitlyn, one of the few girls on the media team, chastises as we jog down the hall late for the editing session that was happening in the lounge of the AAC.
  "Seriously, Brianna. If you don't calm down and breathe we are going to have to call the medics or Jamie." Juliet hums a deadly type of seriousness in her voice.
I pause my motions looking at the girls beside me.
  "No." Is all that I can manage to say.
  "Then calm down! Just relax. You haven't slept in over forty-eight hours. You've barely ate, you're making yourself sick, and you're driving yourself into insanity." Juliet huffs giving me a serious look. Even though she was only a few years older then me she treated me as her child, while Kaitlyn and I were practically sisters at this point.
All that left my mouth was a heavy sigh as we walk into the conference room. I was taken back seeing a few of the Nashville media team members in the room as well.
  "So glad you all finally found the room." Andrew hums giving us a playful look as we find our seats.
  "So the Nashville media team is in here for a bit for a consultation on our Open Ice video that we've started on. We wanted a second opinion from an outside source. What all have you gotten done and put together so far?"
The eyes of the women beside me was burning hot against my skin.
  "Well, Brie decided that she would stay up and finish the editing of the Vancouver game and the first two playoff games in addition to the work we got done yesterday."
Andrew gives me a disapproving look before nodding his head.
  "Show it to us."
I plug the computer to the projector and press play.
I settle myself back into the chair watching the screen in front of me.
My mind starts to fog up thinking of that night. 
  (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
My palms are sweaty as my eyes scan the ice before us.
Instead of working I was once again sent to the box to take a break and spend time with Jamie's family.
In theory this was a great idea until i found out that they were just as big of an anxious mess as I was.
  "Come on, Chubs!" Jordie yells as Jamie skates down the ice.
  "You got this baby. Come on." I murmur squeezing Jessi's hand as my other one holds onto the soft fabric of my victory green distressed shirt.
My heart speeds up as he skates into Vancouver's zone before he sends a beautiful pass to Miro.
The young kid lines up the shot before winding back and taking it.
I yelp leaves my mouth as the puck passes the goal line and the horn goes off.
There was no way that Vancouver could get two points in the last minute to tie this game up.
This was it.
The boys were going to the playoffs.
The last minute winds down and the excitement that the boys show on the ice after the buzzer sounds is indescribable.
A soft laugh leaves my mouth as Jamie is sent to the ice by being attacked by Tyler with a hug.
  "Let's go see our boy." Jordie bellows stealing his girlfriend from me and walking out of the press box.
After a short walk and multiple elevator rides we are down near the visiting locker room.
A laugh leaves my mouth as my brother hugs me tightly rocking us around.
  "We fucking did it, Brie!"
I laugh nodding my head at my brother.
  "Yeah you did! You did amazing out there! How many blocked shots? Like 38 out of 39? You did so good."
He chuckles before kissing my head and walking to the locker room.
Miro stops in front of me a giddy smile on his face.
  "Look at you, kid! Game winning goal and the goal that got you in the playoffs! You're on fire."
He chuckles wrapping me in a slightly awkward but warming hug.
  "We uh good luck charms? You and me come to the team and we go to the playoffs."
I chuckle nodding my head.
  "Yeah were just their lucky charms."
He smiles his crooked smile before walking to the locker room behind Roope.
The next person to walk through is Tyler who stops to talk to Jordie.
I lightly push past Radz seeing that Jamie was standing impatiently behind him.
I wrap my arms around his neck as he hauls me up into a hug where my feet are off the ground.
My legs instinctively wrap around his waist to help steady myself .
  "Baby you did it! You're in the playoffs! You're one step closer to the cup."
Jamie just laughs shaking his head. He had taken his helmet off  and given it to Tom Holy who was standing to our right.
He presses a gentle kiss to my lips his eyes bright and lit up off his game high.
  "We did it, babe! It's not just me. Couldn't do it without a support person like you."
"Brianna! Brianna! Hey are you okay?"
My eyes snap up hearing the voice.
  "What oh uh yeah. I'm fine. Just a bit scatter brained. I'm sorry." I apologize.
Andrew gives me a look before looking at the Nashville team.
  "We love it! It's perfectly edited and everything flows so easily. I like how you show each of the players personalities a bit more. It's very well done. Brianna, you have out did your self with this." The two men stand up and shake our hands before walking out.
"You're taking two days off. You're not working either of these home games."
I huff looking at Andrew.
"We could be out of the playoffs after these two home games!"
"Yes that is true but if you haven't been overworking yourself and sleeping more you wouldn't be sidelined."
I shake my head grabbing my computer handing Andrew the drive with the footage and edited video on it.
"I'm serious Brianna. I will be waiting for you in the WAGs box. You better be there or in Jamie's box."
~
I drag myself out of the elevator thanking the door man before walking to the WAGs box. Shelby told me that I had to at least come say hi to everyone before I disappear to Jamie's box and watch it with Jordie and Jessi and a beer.
Andrew smiles warmly decked out in his suit.
Since I wasn't working I was in heeled boots, a pair of leather jeans, and a grey Dallas Stars shirt tied up so my belly button ring was exposed.
  "Glad to see you made it up here."
I grumble nodding my head.
  "Whatever. I have a beer and a few shots waiting for me in Jamie's box. I just came here by request."
Andrew smiles at me a certain glimmer in his eyes.
I simply roll my baby blues at him before walking into the box.
"Look who decided to grace us with her presence!"
A soft smile forms on my face as I embrace the girls.
Almost immediately a flute of champagne is pushed into my hand.
  "Oh thanks." I murmur taking a sip of the drink.
  "You don't look happy."
I shake my head at Lana taking a soft breath.
  "Playoffs are just not a fun time for someone who works behind the scenes."
  "I get it in a way. Val isn't the happiest person since the loss in game two. How's Jamie taking it?"
My hand drops to look at my shoes.
  "What? What's wrong? Are you two on the outs or something?"
I shrug my shoulders looking up at the girls. 
  "Not really. It's just that we have both been busy since they clinched the playoff spot. I don't think we have really got to spend time together or really talk much since we got back from Vancouver."
  "That's been almost three weeks!" Dominkia gasps shaking her head. "I could never go without my man like that. Not even talking?"
I shrug my shoulders.
  "Not really. The quick good game or be safe and i love you is about all it's been. Playoffs are just not a easy time. It's worth it though. Anything to get them closer to the cup."
Lana nods her head before glancing behind her.
  "Well, even though you and Bennie haven't been together but lately we have you something."
I watch as Shelby grabs a bag before handing it to me while Lana has her phone out.
My fingers pull out the card and open it taking a moment to appreciate the cute picture of a dog on the outside.
  Brie, baby,
i know we have been a little distant lately and I promise to make it up to you. i had the girls get you a little something and i have a little something for you too. the first part is in the bag. call it a playoff present. you deserve a gift for all the hard work you have put in so far. you deserve to be spoiled. see me after the game for the rest of it.
love you princess,
JB.
I look up at the girls before taking the first thing out of the bag.
I examining the dark denim noting the Stars logo on the pocket and the words Dallas Stars on the sleeves before turning it over.
My eyes travel to the girls a dorky smile on my face.
  "No way! Like this is is?"
  "Yes! We aren't total assholes! Now look what else is in the bag! I want to know what he got you."
I laugh softly holding the jacket with Benn 14 on the back before grabbing a small box from the bottom of the bag. I slip it out of the encasing noting that it was from a jewelry company.
I pop the box open gasping at the sight.
Inside was a Mickey Mouse ring encrusted with diamonds.
  "Bret never does anything cute like that!"
I laugh softly before sliding the ring on my right hand before taking out a little necklace taped to the top.
  "Wait girls quiet! There's more!"
The group quiets down while I read over the metal plates on the chain.
  "What does it say?"
  "It has 37 x 14 one one of them. JRB x BBB on the other, and a pair of coordinates."
Shelby rushes to my side before typing the coordinates into her phone.
  "It's to a hotel?"
I glance at the phone before letting out a soft aw.
  "That's the hotel we got stuck in the elevator and he sat there and held me for a good few hours. He said that's where he knew he loved me."
Shelby helps me put the necklace on before hugging me.
  "We all are now jealous of you and Jamie. We all now want playoff presents." She teases.
  "Did you read the card?!?"
Lana laughs shaking her head.
  "No Jamie explained to us kinda what he was planing. Oh sweetie believe me this is nothing compared to the present he has waiting for you after the game."
  "God he better not try and propose. I am not ready for that."
The woman laugh before agreeing.
  "I don't think Tyler is ready to give up Jamie completely yet so that is not probable."
Alexandra raises her glass before smiling.
  "To the badass woman in this room taking care of kinda badass hockey players. May our boys playoff go far and the playoff high go on forever."
Now that is something I could cheers too.
Because nothing is like playoff hockey especially when it's between your new team and your former team.