The Cabin by the Lake

I left Ryan’s room early, before he woke up. I tiptoed into my room, where Chris and Janice were still sleeping. I took a quick shower, put on my long maxi dress and heels, and grabbed my things. I went down to the lobby and finished my report. I sent it off to Jim who didn’t care it was a few days late. Around 10 am every started to come down to the lobby to check out and grab breakfast before we head out. I watched Janice and Chris avoid each other, Zac and Stephanie came down and shared a kiss before she left, and then Ryan. I smiled instantly when I saw him, which caught me off guard. He smiled with a wink before he and Zac went to get breakfast. My phone buzzed, again?! He must be something good. Sarah responded. We need a girl’s night tonight. We need all the details. And Amanda wants an autograph. I laughed at Casey’s response. I watched Zac and Ryan talk after their breakfast. I grabbed my camera and took a few shots of them laughing and smiling.

We arrived at the hospital. Today’s agenda was hanging out with children who aactually are going through their cancer treatments. Zac went with Ryan in Ryan’s car, and I drove with Joe. I liked it better this way, I was able to think…kind of. My mind wandered to random things, not specifically Zac or Ryan. Although it did think about Stephanie’s rather skimpy outfit she wore to leave the hotel…As we entered the cancer ward, I felt a light squeeze on my arm. I watched Ryan walk past me with a smile, which made me smile; which again caught me off guard. I immediately started to take pictures of the all the smiling faces as Zac and Ryan walked in the room. Everyone was decked out in their Bruins jerseys, t-shirts, and posters. I took pictures of the children talking to the boys, getting autographs, and taking pictures of them together. I took pictures of the nurses and doctors, the families, and friends that joined the children. I saw Zac move on to another child, the only child without a Bruins jersey. I walked with him and he talked to the little boy asking how he was…and the little boy looked up at Zac with sad eyes, “Do you still like the Flyers?” he ask Zac. Zac smiled and nodded, “I do.” The little boy lit up and took the Rinaldo Flyers jersey from under his sheets. Zac smiled big, signed his jersey and I got a few pictures of them. It was a successful day, and I got great shots. When the boys were saying their final goodbyes I walked to the front of the hospital and Joe started to help me pack my things in. The boys came out, smiling and laughing and walked over to me. “Man, this was great. I’m so glad I was able to join you!” Ryan said and Zac smiled, “Wasn’t it awesome? All those smiling faces. Man I would give up everything to see that again.” Joe came around with an apologetic face. “I’m sorry Ms. Emily. I think the car broke down…” I turned to Joe, “What do you mean?” He went to try and start the car, but nothing happened. “Joe, I have to get back to the Garden. I need to do my report tonight or Jim will kill me.” He shrugged, “I’m sorry.” I put my hand on his shoulder, “it’s okay. It’s not your fault.” Ryan came over, “I’m heading to the Garden after dropping Zac off, and I don’t mind driving you.” Joe grabbed my bags, “That sounds like the best idea.” He smiled at me and winked, I couldn’t say no now. Joe knew what was going on. He knew everything. Ryan and Zac put my bags in Ryan’s car. We said goodbye to the rest of the group. I got in the back seat on the passenger side, holding onto my camera. Before Ryan started the car, he looked at me, “Do you always carry that thing around?” Zac laughed, “It’s like a third arm. It’s always close by.” I blushed, “I can’t help it. It’s my baby.” Ryan laughed and then looked at Zac and then me. “We’re taking a little pit stop.” He wouldn’t tell us where, but I smelt it when we got close…and then I saw the ocean. “Dude…she’s gunna take pictures of us and we will have no say.” Ryan shrugged, and got out of his car. The beach was empty, no one was there. I took off my shoes and held onto my dress as I walked through the sand and towards the water.

The water was cold, but it felt nice on my feet. Feeling the water come in and out against me made me feel at peace. I heard the boys playing around, so I took some pictures of them horsing around. The sun was just setting and the lighting was perfect. “Let me take some of you!” Ryan said as he ran towards me. “Um…no thanks.” I said with a laugh. “Come on, don’t you trust me?” I bit my lip, “Not with my camera.” He put his hands on mine, “I’ll treat it like a baby, come on.” His eyes met mine, and I gave him my camera. “Get next to Zac.” I did as he said. Zac put it arm around me, and a flash back to the summer came into my mind, but I shook it out. The summer was over. We smiled and Ryan took the pictures. Zac took the camera next and took some of Ryan and I, after more protesting on my part. I felt more comfortable next to Ryan, more natural…with Zac it felt almost forced...Things started to fill my mind; why was I suddenly not as comfortable with Zac? We took the camera and tried to use it selfie style to get the three of us in it. Zac put his arm around my neck, and Ryan put it around my waist…it was my sign. Zac definitely saw me as a friend, and Ryan could eventually be more than a friend…maybe.

We dropped Zac off at his apartment, “Sit up here with me.” Ryan smiled at me. I nodded and moved to the front seat. We started to drive towards the Garden in silence. “Will you need a ride home too?” I shook my head, “I live in walking distance.” He put his hand on my thigh, “It’s pretty late. I can drive you.” I smiled and he started to rub my leg, “Sure.” I smiled at him, and it felt nice. It felt nice to have someone next to me…someone that wasn’t so complicated.
I sent all the pictures and my report of the day to Jim in under two hours. I sent the ones of the guys and I to my person e-mail so I could print those later. Ryan leaned against my doorway and smiled at me. “You ready to head out?” I closed my computer and grabbed my camera and purse. “I’m all set, wait…can you sign this to Amanda?” He laughed and signed a picture I printed out that I took of him at the beach. He handed me the picture then went back against the door frame. He smiled at me. “Go on a date with me.” I laughed and locked up my office and leaned against the door. “Ryan…I’m flattered but…” He smiled and kissed me against the door, my legs wants to give out. “Ryan…” He kissed me again, my heart fluttering. “Every time I say your name are you going to kiss me?” He smiled, “Only when I don’t get an answer.” He kissed me again, and I kissed him back. “Let’s just be friends first…I need to figure some stuff out, with myself.” He kissed me again, “I gave you an answer!” I laughed and he smiled, “I know, I just wanted one more kiss.” I leaned forward and kissed him, “take me home.” He put his arm around me, and I put mine around his waist.

I walked through the door thinking about Ryan, how he kissed me that last time because he wanted one more…I flashed back to Zac, He grabbed my hand and pulled me close. He kissed me again, “What was that one for?” He smiled against my lips, “That one was for me.” I shook it out of my head and saw Sarah and Casey sitting on the couch. “Okay girl. We need details. Now.” I handed Casey the picture that Ryan signed and grabbed a glass of wine on the table, “This is for Amanda.” Sarah and Casey looked at the picture, “This…this is the guy you’ve slept with?” I nodded, “Yup. That’s Ryan. He also asked me on a date.” Sarah took a sip of her wine, “And?” I shrugged, “I told him I had to think about it.” The girls rolled their eyes at me, “is yes too hard to say?” Casey asked and Sarah smiled, “Apparently not to sex, just dates.” I laughed as I drank my wine and sat between the girls, “I’m just all sorts of confused. First Zac has a girlfriend after our amazing summer…and now I’m sleeping with his teammate?” Sarah placed her hand on my shoulder, “Ems, you have to let it go. Zac moved on, why can’t you?” I couldn’t move on because despite all my efforts, I was in love with him.

Notes

Again, thank you all for reading! :)
Things are going to sort of be fast forwarded from here.
Since this is during this season, and I can't predict how the Bruins will do at each game, there may be some games they win in my story by lose in real life and vice versa!
It's a fictional story! So not every detail will be perfect :)