The Cabin by the Lake

It’s September, it’s been 2 months since I last saw Zac. I’d be a liar if I said I was over him at this point, but I wasn’t. I was mostly hung up on the fact that I’ve texted him and he hasn’t texted back. Hey Zac! Great news…I got the job! It took one day and they loved me! They said hands down they want me to work for them! I guess I’m staying in Boston for a while. I’ll be at the cabin for a few weeks before moving to Boston. Nothing back. But maybe he was busy, I get that. Two days later I texted him again, Hey Zac, how did everything go for you with your job? Again, nothing. I’m more than confused about this, I thought we actually had a thing…I guess not…I moved in with Casey in her two bedroom apartment that is only a 10 minute walk to my job. She was often at her girlfriend’s house, which didn’t bother me. I liked being alone…just not with my thoughts.

One night I came home from a little orientation for work. Casey and Amanda were in the living room, sitting on the floor and watching an episode of “Young and Hungry” on Netflix. Casey had pizza at the ready and Amanda brought the wine (we’re classy). I grabbed a few slices and a big glass of wine and joined them. “So, where are you working again? Casey mentioned it was for a sports team?” I nodded and took a big bite of pizza. “It’s for the Bruins. I’ll be there at home games and any charity events.” Amanda’s jaw dropped, “you’re kidding.” I shook my head no, “How’d you land that? You don’t know anything about hockey! I love the Bruins! They’ve been my favorite team since forever.” I laughed, “Maybe I can snag you guys some tickets.” Amanda jumped up and hugged me, then went to get another slice of pizza out of the kitchen a she talked about how great it was to know someone who words for the Bruins.

I checked my phone, an often occurrence when I want someone to text me. Casey’s eyes went sympathetic, “Still no word from Zac?” I shook my head no, “It’s a lost cause. It’s been months.” Casey nudged me, “Well maybe this charity thing you’re doing with one of the new guys will get your mind off him?” I rolled my eyes, “I really hope so. It will be tough though, they have the same first name.” Casey rubbed my leg as I stuffed my face with more pizza. “I’m sure everything will be fine! And hey, maybe you’ll get yourself a hockey boyfriend?” I laughed, “I’m so done with guys. Maybe I’ll try the lesbian thing? It’s working out for you.” Casey laughed, “You wouldn’t like it, and girls have too many issues.” Amanda walked in, “I’d date you, and you work for the Bruins so that’s a plus.” I laughed, I liked Amanda. Her dark hair was short, but it worked for her. She was slim, but muscular. She had a wicked sense of humor that got anyone to laugh, and she was down to earth. She was reliable and I loved that Casey was with her.

The next morning I got up early to prepare for me meeting with the media director, Jim, and the new player. They just got him from some other team and the Bruins love the charity work he does. They want me to spend 3 days with the guy to photograph the two locations around Massachusetts that are geared towards children and families that have gone through breast cancer, or any type of cancer. It really was a great charity to be a part of. I looked at the picture of Zac and Diesel I had on my desk. I probably should put it out of sight, but I couldn’t. It reminded me of the Cabin and to a simpler time…I looked at my calendar, “Just a few more months until I’m back in my little cabin…”

I arrived to my little office in the Garden. It was decked out in Bruins décor, none of which I bought. I was going through some pictures I got of a few guys who were practicing a few days ago. Jim came in, “Hey Emily, you almost ready to meet the new guy?” I nodded, “Just getting a few things together!” Jim smiled, “great, I have a meeting in a few, do you mind if I just bring him over for a little meet and greet?” I smiled, “not a problem at all!” I had my back turned, trying to organize the pictures and a few other folders “Alright, Ms.Walton I’d love you to meet Mr. Zac Rinaldo, one of our newest players.” I turned around to meet the player I would be spending the next 3 days with. As our eyes met my heart fell through the floor and took my body with it. “Hi…” He gave a weak smile, “Hi…” he replied, Jim just smiled, unaware. “Alright so the plan is this. Emily, you take all the pictures you can of the charity events and send them to me every night, along with a little report; we want to make sure this goes smoothly and that we are able to keep doing it. Over the course of 3 days you guys will visit 2 locations. Zac did these events back in Philly when he was on the Flyers and we loved the idea we wanted to keep it going. Since the locations aren’t in Boston, we have arranged hotel rooms for you both. Alright, I think that’s all! I have a meeting, so I’ll let you two get to know each other.” Jokes on you Jim, we know each other.

My blood boiled, I was so angry I didn’t know how to function at first. Jim walked away and Zac just stood there. “Emily…” I disregarded him, “So you did this type of work with your previous team?” He nodded, “Yeah.” I nodded, “It is a great cause. Brining families together who have fought all types of cancer, it’s really great.” He nodded again, “I’m happy to be a part of it.” He nodded again, almost confused. “Well, I think this will go well, these next three days will be fun…It was great to meet you, really. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early, for our first location.” I grabbed my bags and closed my office door. “Emily…” he said again, and just I smiled, “Bright and early.” I called over my shoulder, not wanting to turn back around.

When I got out of the building I called Casey immediately on my phone. “Hey! How’d it go?” I laughed, “Well, he won’t help me get over Zac.” I heard her sigh, “Is he ugly?” I laughed, then I paused, “Not even the slightest…he IS Zac.” Casey didn’t say a word. Neither of us did. “What?” was all she could get out. “I’ll explain later…” We hung up and I just walked as fast as I could back to the apartment. The wind blew at my hair and my eyes causing them to water; or was I crying? I texted Sarah, “Emergency meeting tonight. Wine will be served.”

I started to pack for my 3 days with Zac…how do I pack? Do I try to look good? Sarah came in my room with Casey, “Okay. What happened?” I threw some things at them to put in my bag, “Well I go to meet this guy that I apparently have no idea who he is…turns out its Zac. You know, the guy who I spent all summer with and then don’t hear from for 2 months. Yeah that Zac. Apparently he’s a hockey player and he just got traded to the Bruins, so he’ll be living in Boston.” Casey and Sarah just had their mouths open. “And now, I don’t know how I should pack.” Sarah jumped up, “You got to look sexy! Flaunt what he should be missing!” I laughed, “But here will be kids around…so how do I look sexy and professional?” Casey looked through my closet, “Dresses. You can easily make them look professional.” Sarah joined her at my closet, “You have to wear this maxi dress, with thee heels!” It was a strapless dress, a black top but a teal and floral bottom. A black cover went to about my knees, and the floral part was sheer, to show off my heels. I put them in my bag. “How about this too?” Casey pulled out a black pencil skirt with a maroon button top with another pair of black heels.” I put it in my bag. They threw a few more outfits at me that I put in. “How should I act? Like nothing happened? Or like it all happened?” Casey and Sarah looked at each other and then at me, “What do you want?” I sat on my bed, “I have no idea…I mean I want what we had back…but if he doesn’t feel the same…” I trailed off, not wanting to think about it. “Maybe you have to find out how he feels about you? Find out why he never responded to you.” I laid on my back, “But how? Do I just ask him?” Casey grabbed the stuff animal monkey I had on my dresser, “Maybe just wait? See what he does.” Sarah laughed, “Or get him drunk, that’s how I got Eric to spill the beans that he was thinking of proposing.” We laughed, she was always manipulative like that. “Speaking of the wedding….” Sarah handed Casey and I two off white colors envelopes. We opened them and squealed, “Your save the dates came in!” They were white with pink lace over them. “Sarah Jones and Eric Tompson invite you to their July 09, 2016 ceremony to celebrate their marriage.” Casey read, “This is perfect!” I said, reading the rest of the invite. “And we decided no bride’s maids or groom’s men…but you guys are my unofficial bride’s maids!” We all hugged each other, excited for our friend’s wedding. “I know you guys will be there, so you don’t really need to send it back. But if you do just check off ‘plus one’ because if you come single, then you get more food.” We laughed, and I had a feeling she was hinting at me.

Notes

Thank you again to all the lovely readers! <3
I added a few more characters, I personally like to put a face to my stories. So more characters will be added if they are somewhat significant!