The more time you spent with the Dallas Stars, the more you really loved your job. You were caught off guard when Coach offered you a full-time position in place of your current temporary one, but it was exactly what you needed to hear.
You finally felt like you were getting into a comfortable pace in your life, something you were not at all used to. You had a consistent schedule, friends you hung out with when you were off, and an amazing boyfriend that made it hard to have bad days.
Working with Jamie also seemed to come with its benefits. Besides when he had games and was sure to be captured by his media team, Jamie came into work with you every day. He always insisted on driving, and you learned that arguing with him would get you nowhere. To be honest, you enjoyed watching him drive. And, you enjoyed the extra half hour it gave you to get ready while Jamie worried about getting you to work in one piece.
There was also the benefit of being feet away from your boyfriend while at work, but never really having to talk to him. It worked out perfectly that Jamie wanted to stay with Dan even before he met you. You weren't sure how long this would fly, but as long as Coach was okay with it, so were you two.
“How does it feel?” Jamie asked from beside you as you walked from his car into work one morning.
“How does what feel?”
“It’s your first day without the ‘interim’ in your title,” He clarified. “It’s a big day.”
“Yeah, it kind of feels weird,” You responded, shrugging sheepishly. “I’m getting an assistant today, too.”
“You are,” He smiled gently. “I feel honored to be dating such a big deal.”
“You should,” Jamie rolled his eyes at your teasing tone. “What’s on your radar for today?”
“Workout, practice, then another workout.”
This had been his routine for a few weeks now. While you had regular hours, Jamie could often sleep in some days or leave a lot earlier in the day. Yet, he still came in with you every morning and waited for you to be done at the end of your workday. If you thought about it, Jamie contributed to you staying at the arena after hours, because he never rushed you to finish. He always had something he could be working on which gave you more time to overwork yourself.
He wanted to be the best player he could be for the team. He wanted to lead by example and show up as the best every night. To do this, he had to put in the most work. Jamie was never idling around the arena, his time was consumed by either the gym, the ice, or you.
In Jamie's eyes, you had become essential in staying on track with his regimen. He had an excuse to be up in the morning, but more importantly to get about 20 minutes of uninterrupted time with you. He had an excuse to be at the arena and within walking distance of you almost all day. He had an excuse to see you during his active rests.
“That’s basically three workouts,” You said. “You’re going to be tired, and probably in pain.”
“That’s what my day off tomorrow is for,” He responded. “Speaking of, lunch at my place?”
“I will actually be here, so I can’t,” You pouted at him. "And, I'm not letting you drive me to work when you should be sleeping in again."
“I won't fight you on that, I could use the extra sleep," He shrugged. "But, I'll come to you for lunch. I can pick something up on my way in."
“You want to spend your lunch on your day off in the arena?”
“I want to spend my lunch on my day off with you,” He corrected, wrapping his arm around your shoulders. "Wherever you are."
“Well, that sounds like a good idea, then," You held his eye for a moment, squeezing his hip.
"Good," He smiled. He walked with you to your office, before stopping at your door. "I'll see you later."
"Not so fast, Jamie," You grinned, pulling him in by his hoodie so you could peck his lips quickly. “What time do you actually have to be in?”
“Not for another hour and a half but I’m gonna go in 30.”
“An hour before everyone else again?” You questioned, walking over to your desk. He closed your office door before he sat down in one of your lounge chairs. “You stayed two hours late yesterday.”
“The season is picking up.”
“You don’t think that’s going to tire you out?” You bit your lip as you paused. “Don’t answer that, just be careful. You’ve been doing this longer than I have.” And, you were the last person who could be judging Jamie for working too much.
He laughed, “Don’t worry about it, I know my limits.”
“And, you really don’t have to drive in with me to work, you could have gotten more sleep today.”
“Why waste gas when we’re going to the same place, and leaving together later?”
“I’m just saying, I do have a license and car for a reason.”
“I like driving in with you,” He responded. “And, leaving with you. Comfort for having to share your attention with my team while we’re working for most of the day.”
You rolled your eyes at his smile, “Whatever, Jame.”
“Do you have a busy day today?”
“I have a few appointments and a board meeting later but nothing overly busy.”
"What time are you finished? Since, you know, we're leaving together."
You rolled your eyes, "I should be done by 6 but I'll text you and keep you updated."
"Sounds good. I'm gonna head in and let you get settled," He stood up, throwing his bag back onto his shoulder. "Have a good day."
"You, too," You smiled up at him. He leaned over your desk where you were sitting before pressing his lips to yours.
"Bye, baby." Your neck felt hot, not only because of the pet name but also the sound of his voice against your lips. He kissed you once more, before standing up straight.
"I'll see you tonight."
Part of your assignment for the day was to observe the guys at their afternoon practice. The energy was light, the team had just come off of another win. Guys were zooming on the ice, others were skating leisurely and exchanging laughs.
At a particular slow moment, you watched as Jamie skated around the boards, his speed picking up with each second. He moved so gracefully and quickly, that you couldn’t remove your eyes from him. You still found it hard to believe that he was yours. Out of all people, Jamie Benn. You were so different but so similar, and it just seemed to work. Everything was easy with him. And, so nice.
“Wow, does he still have clothes on in your head?” Your head snapped to Tyler who was smirking at you. You let out a breath of relief that it was only him that had caught you redhanded. He always seemed to be lurking around, but he also had become one of your closest friends inside and outside of work so it made sense.
You and Tyler had a friendship separate from your relationship with Jamie. You both had a similar sense of humor, and obviously an admiration for the Captain. Tyler appreciated you more than anyone, finally feeling like he had someone to talk to about the things that went on in his head. He wasn't one for therapy, but the friendship he had with you outside of work made him more comfortable talking to you during sessions.
“Shut up, Seguin.”
“You’re undressing Chubbs in your head, right?”
“No,” You rolled your eyes, looking away from him. You tried to find something else to hold your focus but failed when your eyes scanned past Jamie again.
“Liar,” He continued.
“Tyler, aren’t you supposed to be on the ice?”
“I’m not, actually,” He shot back. “I’m supposed to be making fun of you because it's one of my favorite parts of the day.”
“You’re evil,” You shook your head. "And, annoying."
“So, how are things with you and Jamie?” He asked.
“Good, it’s not like you don’t ask Jamie every day,” You replied. "He tells me everything you say, by the way."
“I'm sure he does, doesn't he worship the ground you walk on?” He raised his eyebrows.
“I don't know what that has to do with anything,” You shook your head again with a smile. "Mind your business."
“What?” He laughed. “It is my responsibility as the friend of both of you to make sure that this boat stays afloat.”
“This boat is still happily floating, thanks.”
“Satisfied?”
“Goodbye, Tyler,” You said, standing up. “Unless you want me to write you up?”
“You would never,” He gasped.
“Oh, don’t be so sure,” You grinned.
“Now who’s evil,” He said. You walked away from Tyler, moving towards the other side of the bench.
“Anyone, in particular, you’re watching?” You asked Coach.
“Uh, let’s see,” He looked over the roster in his hands. “Actually, everyone looks pretty good today. I do know that Dan’s out so maybe check in with Anton and Jamie, make sure they’re good. But, other than that, I think we’re all set.”
“Okay, I’ll check in with them.”
You talked to Anton first, seeing as he was only a few feet away from you on the bench. The conversation was fairly short as he had to get back on the ice, but he was all smiles and energy as usual.
Next, of course, Jamie. Just as you finished talking to Anton, Jamie skated to the bench, sitting down and beginning to take off his skates.
“Jamie,” He turned around, smiling once he saw you.
“Y/N,” He responded. “What’s up?”
“Dan’s not in so I’m just checking in. How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good, actually,” He shrugged. “I feel really loose today and I think the game in a few days is going to be good.”
“That’s great,” You nodded. You stood in front of him, your back against the wall. “Are you still doing twenty workouts today?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I could, but I don’t want to overdo it,” He said.
“That makes sense.”
“How’s your day going since this morning?” He looked up at you.
Considering he just got off the ice, you swore you had never seen Jamie look as good as he did at that moment. He was sweating, which you usually thought was repulsive, but looking at him now, you wished you could kiss him. You wished you could do a lot more than that but you preferred keeping your job for the time being.
Coach wasn't an issue. He knew you two were dating, hell, he gave Jamie the "okay" to ask you out. You had absolutely no PDA with Jamie anywhere outside of your office and kept a safe distance from him at other moments. It helped that you hardly had to talk to him at work, only when Dan wasn't in which seemed to be more often than usual lately.
You spent a lot of time in your head. You had been intimate before but it was with amateurs, no one like Jamie. This man is a professional hockey player, captain of a National Hockey League team. A professional athlete who is clearly one of the most disciplined and focused on his craft. Hockey always came first, except you still feel like a priority in Jamie’s life and routine.
Early on in your relationship, with franchise expectations, team meetings, charity work, and your own busy schedule, you both could go days without physically seeing each other for more than 20 minutes, which was very different than how things started. He always made time for you, even if it was just a quick 5-minute phone call while on the road on how we’re doing. And, a lot of impromptu appearances in your office, which you absolutely loved. You liked that your relationship had passed the stage of awkwardness, and now could make time for each other on the fly. It was evident how much you both enjoyed spending time together.
“My day has been pretty smooth so far, “ You shrugged. “I have two meetings later and then the prep for the next few games.”
“Nice, nice,” He said. “You’re going to wear my jersey, right?”
“Jamie,” You blushed. “You know I can't”
“I know, I thought I could make you forget,” He smiled. You sighed under his gaze and he extended his leg out, nudging yours.
“I missed you last night.” You narrowed your eyes at him and obliged, pulling his leg back with a smirk.
“I missed you, too.” It took everything in you to not kiss him right then and there. But you couldn’t help your eyes always finding their way to his lips.
“Are you free after the game?”
You nodded.
“Do you want to come over?”
You nodded again, not trusting your voice.
Jamie smiled, standing up straight. “What is up with you?”
“Nothing,” You responded. He searched your face, moving closer to you.
“You sure?”
“Yes, Jamie,” You said. “I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah, I’ll try to stop by before I start getting ready for the scrimmage.”
“Sounds good,” You smiled. You squeezed his arm gently before leaving the rink. Once you were far enough, you finally let out the breath that you had been holding in. This whole “contain your urges” thing got harder and harder the closer to Jamie you got. Then again, that is the point of being in a relationship. Should you even be containing how you feel at this point? He is your boyfriend, after all.
“Hey, Becky,” You smiled at your new assistant once you got back to your office.
“Hi, Y/N,” She smiled.
“Anything new?”
“Uh, no actually, no messages for you.” She said, searching her computer.
“No, I meant with you. How's the first day going so far? Everything okay?”
“Oh, yes, great,” She said.
“Okay, good,” You nodded. “I might have a few more assignments for you to help get familiar with our tracking system for the players, but we might just start it tomorrow."
“Okay, whatever you think is best. Let me know,” She nodded.
“And, I'm happy you're here. I could really use the help and I think we're going to ge-"
“-Hey,” You heard from beside you. You turned, coming face-to-face with Jamie. “Can I steal you for a second?”
“Sure, but I just saw you,” You laughed. He rolled his eyes, nodding his head toward your office.
“It will literally take a couple seconds. I just have to ask you something.”
“Jamie, this is Becky, my new assistant. Becky, this is Jamie,” You turned your attention to her. “Captain of the Dallas Stars who obviously has no manners.”
"I'm sorry," He rolled his eyes at you before holding his hand out to Becky. "It's nice to meet you, welcome to the team."
"Thank you," Becky responded.
"You'll probably be seeing me a lot, I'm her boyfriend."
"Good to know," Becky looked over at you with a smile.
You laughed, before turning back toward Jamie. "What can I help you with, sir?"
You led him into your office and he closed the door behind himself.
“What do you need to know?” You asked. He laughed, closing the space between you.
“Nothing really,” He mumbled before pressing his lips against yours. He kissed you softly and slowly, making your head spin. You grabbed his arm to balance yourself as he held your face in his hands.
“Jamie,” You mumbled against him. He hummed in response, kissing you again. “Arena.”
“Right,” He sighed. He kissed you one last time before pulling away. “I could kiss you all day.”
“Stop,” You blushed, leaning your head on his chest.
“Okay, I have to get back, but I couldn't stop thinking about doing that,” He said, kissing my head.
“Have fun,” You sighed, pulling away from him. You reached up to slide your thumb over his lips, wiping your lipstick from his face.
“Oh, and,” He leaned down to your height and his smell filled your nose. You closed your eyes, breathing him in. “I was thinking, maybe you could spend the night?”
"That would be nice," You opened your eyes, being met by his.
"I hope you know," He smirked. "You have me wrapped around your finger."
"I'm glad to see we're on the same page," You replied.
“Then, what do you say?” He searched your face, although he was so close to yours that you could feel his breath on your upper lip. “Spend the night with me?”
You lowered your arms, nodding, “Yeah, that sounds good.”
“Good,” He smiled, before pressing his lips to yours. “At some point, I'm not going to be able to make eye contact with you at work. I think it's happening soon.”
“Shut up,” You blushed, lightly pushing him. “Have a good workout, or whatever you’re doing.”
“I will,” He said. “I’ll see you before the game?”
“Yes,” You nodded. He smiled before leaving your office.
