We Can See STARS

Chapter 9: Playoffs 2020

Three days. Three days and no call. Sure, I'd get the occasional text message but it had been a while since I had heard his voice. The Stars were now in the playoffs and looking to go on a deep run. I love Jamie and wanted to support him but I would be lying if I didn't also want his team to get swept so I could have him back. I'd never admit that to him though. I'm pretty sure it would be considered unforgivable. Otherwise, I tried to keep myself busy and occupied with other things to keep away self-doubt about our relationship.

With the playoffs starting a few days after the last regular season game, the team was fully in grind mode. Meetings, practices, rest, workouts, video, on and on. I'm sure it was tough enough for them to get a minute to themselves, much less a few minutes for a girlfriend. Earlier in the season, the WaGs had told me how hard playoffs could be. It wasn't until now that I realized they meant it as a warning and now here I was living it. On the plus side, I had Ana to commiserate with. Her relationship with Benn was only a few months in but I could tell how deeply they cared for each other.

Their post season was due to start tonight and it was not going to be a walk in the park for them. Although they had swept the season series against them, Colorado had a reputation for pulling out all the stops in the postseason. Ana and I made plans to get together and watch the game so I grabbed my jersey and went over to her place. When she opened the door, she was wearing a jersey of her own. The same as mine apart from the 'C' on the front and '14' 'Benn' on the back.

"Woah! Where did you get this?"

"Jamie gave it to me the last time the team was in town." She did a little twirl in it, clearly pleased with her gift. I honestly thought it was so sweet she had one of her own now. Sometimes Benn seemed very aloof when it came to his feelings. It wasn't until he was doing gestures like this or showing affection to her that his intentions were more apparent.

"Have you talked to Benn lately?"

"Yeah, he called me on his way to the arena. He sounded nervous but like he was trying to hide it. What about you? Has JO called?"

"No, not lately. If I'm honest, it's been worrying me. But I'm sure he's just trying to limit his distractions and stay focused."

"Lame"

"I know, but I want to show him that I trust him. I'm hoping for a good game tonight."

"Same here. I won't lie though, I'm excited for my time with Jamie during the off season"

"Oh god, I was thinking the same thing! And I'm ready to be on the beeeeeeach!!"

"YES!"

As the game was starting, the camera zoomed in and out of different players' faces. When it landed on Benn, Ana squealed with delight and we both laughed as he did his classic deadpan stare down the barrel of the camera, no blinking. This was just one of many tricks during the Jamie Benn comedy hour.

As the game went on, Ana and I paid attention to the game at certain points or if one of our guys was mentioned. Otherwise, we were on our phones, we chatted about our upcoming vacation, and ordered in dinner. After the 1st period, the Avs were up by two. It didn't seem likely Dallas was going to score anytime soon until halfway through the 2nd, Seguin scored and in the 3rd, the Avs scored once. We were definitely losing hope that our boys would win this one. But, in the last two minutes of the game, Pavelski and Benn each scored. We cheered as if we were there, wildly excited to see them tie it up. The game was going into overtime. 12 minutes into OT, Radulov got it in net and the Stars won the first game of the series!! Ana quickly grabbed her phone and sent Benn a text about his goal.