Overtime

I fell asleep that night feeling something that I don’t think I’d ever felt before. It was mix of I-don’t-know-what and infatuation. Definitely infatuation in there. I’d never fallen for guys really, but I have to admit (maybe it was the glass of wine I had at dinner admitting this) but I was falling for my asshole of a neighbour, Jamie Benn. I lay in bed unable to sleep, because my mind was so fixated on him.

I’d be leaving Sochi in just over a week, so I knew a relationship between the two of us could never work out. He would be in Dallas playing hockey, and I would be back home in Montreal, training for whatever I was scheduled to compete in next. Sure the next two weeks between Jamie and I could go well, but would we be able to make anything of the two of us after Sochi?

After about an hour of thinking the same things, my mind finally decided that it was time to rest. Just as I pulled the white duvet up to my nose, and rolled to my side, I heard the obnoxious chatter of hockey players beside me. I thought this would have ended after tonight, that maybe Jamie would actually think of me needing sleep, but no. I hopped out of bed, and threw a ‘Canada’ sweater on over the sports bra and shorts I was wearing to sleep in, and stomped my way over to Jamie’s room, knocking angrily on the door.

“Benn, open the damn door or so help me God.” I said impatiently. The door swung open to reveal a shirtless Jamie Benn (oh god Abbey, maintain eye contact you can do it), and a group of beer-slinging hockey players gathered around a TV behind him.

“Oh hey Abb, what’s up?” He said, almost oblivious to the noise they were creating.

“Could you please, pleeeeaaase keep it down? I still have the half pipe to compete in this week, and don’t want to lose any sleep thanks to you.” I complained.

“But we’re watching old Olympic hockey highlight reels. Come you should see it!” He motioned for me to come in.

“Did you hear any of what I said?” I laughed at the slightly drunken Jamie in front of me, “Could you guys just keep it down in there?”

“Make me.” He smiled, revealing his perfectly straight, white teeth. Fuck.

“Fine.” I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled his face just inches from mine, his expression went from confused to satisfied, after realizing that I was ultimately giving him exactly what he wanted, which I hoped would eventually shut him and his friends up.

As soon as our lips met, Jamie’s arms found the small of my back and pulled me closer. I can’t say I’ve ever done this before, but it felt right, right now. What do they say in movies? Sparks were flying? Because I think they definitely were. My lips parted, causing me to illicit a small sigh, which made me grin against his soft lips. He bit my lower lip, and my hands tangled in his thick dark hair. I almost didn’t realize when his hands started to find their way up my sweater. I pulled my mouth away from his, and brushed my lips against his ear.

“You guys keep it down and then you’ll get there.” I whispered, as I turned on my heel and pulled my sweater back down, and walked back to my room, and into bed. What I heard from my bed made that kiss worth it.

“AYY JAMIE, NICE ONE BUD!”

“Yeah yeah,” Jamie spoke, “but uh, can we be a little more quiet, she’s going to sleep.”



“Wait so he kissed you at the end of the date?” Emma asked excitedly from her side of the chair lift. We were getting in some practise before the half pipe competition tomorrow, which both of us would be competing in.

“Not exactly.” I said, shaking some of the snow off of my board, watching it fall onto the hill below.

“Not exactly? What’s that supposed to mean?”

I laughed recalling last night’s events, and the glimpse I caught of Jamie’s friends gaping faces after we kissed.

“I mean, he tried to kiss me at the end of the date, but I’m not letting any guy decide that, so it was up to me.” I smiled.

“Anddd again, that means?” Emma questioned.

“Well, you know how they never shut up when I’m trying to sleep? I sauntered over last night and made him shut up.”

“Oh my god, Abbey.” Emma squealed, “You kissed THE Jamie Benn.”

“What’s so special about him anyways?” I asked.

“Oh I don’t know, he’s only one of the most attractive captains in the NHL.” Emma said, as if it were common knowledge to everyone.

As the chairlift reaching the top of the hill, Emma and I pushed up the restraint and slid down the small incline toward the trail map, so that we could navigate where the terrain park was. After finding it, I strapped my feet into my board, and followed Emma down the hill. Boarding came natural to me, so it gave me some time to think. Did the kiss last night mean more than I thought? Sure I liked him- a lot- but I honestly just wanted him to be quiet, and I knew that the kiss would shut him up.

Was he with his teammates right now gushing about the girl he made out with last night? Probably not, like Emma said, he was what? The most attractive captain in the NHL? He obviously got girls on the regular. But then did that not make me special? Was I just a fling that he thought he could shake off after leaving Russia? I shook my head to clear the negative thoughts, before dropping in on the half pipe, so that I didn’t mess anything up.


Jamie POV
I woke up the next morning with a huge smile on my face. Today was the first game of the tournament, and saying I was excited was an under statement. We had a morning skate, and I was up with plenty of time to spare. Something about the date and that kiss with Abbey last night added a little hop to my step. I walked out of my room, and grabbed the envelope with tickets, prepared to give them to Abbey for tonight’s game.

After knocking on her door, and waiting for awhile, I decided she wasn’t in there and I had to make it to the skate, so I couldn’t stand around. Instead I left a small note on the envelope, before sliding it under her door. I whistled a song and walked happily to the rink. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a room of my teammates.

“Jamie, you spending time with your girl there bud? Is that why you’re late?” I saw the smug face of Jonathan Toews from across the room.

“You shut your mouth Tazer.” I joked.

“My man Jamie, gettin’ chicks even in Russia!” P.K. Subban said as I sat down at the stall next to him. I unzipped my hockey bag and laughed, pulling my shirt over my head.

“Oh yeah definitely. And for your information, she’s not just any girl, she’s an athlete too.” I said, as I started to put on my equipment.

I stayed relatively quiet for the practise, going through the drills, really trying to focus on my game. I needed to prove that I belonged on this team, even though many in the media didn’t think I did. They suggested stronger, more powerful players. I needed to put in my biggest effort, and had to show Canada- show the entire world, that I was one of the greatest hockey players in the world, and that I deserved to be here. Despite all this, I couldn’t help but have my mind wander to the stands. Would Abbey come tonight? It would be nice to have someone here to support me, I mean, the FaceTime calls from Seggs were nice, but he was no Abbey Paquet.

Notes

Woooh! Two chapters in one week?? Comment and let me know what you guys think!