The Cabin by the Lake

I woke up the next morning nervous. I picked out a black silk top, black and white skirt with a black blazer, black tights and black wedges. I made my hair a little wavy and simple make up. Professional and sexy. I had to be a the Garden at 7 am for the 30 minute drive and set up to our first location. I was happy I wouldn’t be in a car longer than 30 minutes with Zac. But it wouldn’t just be us. We will have two cars, one for me, Zac, and Joe our Driver. The second car has one of the Bruin’s publicist, another photographer for their “Behind the B” series and a few other higher up people to make sure everything went smoothly. I arrived at the garden a half hour early to organize something in my office. I had a passion tea from Starbucks in hand when there was a light knock. I looked up to see Janice, the publicist. “You ready?” She asked me with her caramel macchiato in hand, the drink she always has. Janice and I were pretty close work friends. We were similar in age, just a few years apart, and we both had no idea about hockey when we started. I grabbed my small suitcase and camera bag, “I guess I have to be!” She looked at my outfit, “Damn girl, you have the best wardrobe. You look good.” I smiled, “Thank you.” I hoped Zac thought so.

The other photographer, Chris, and I went over what we would be doing when we got to the location so we didn’t end up in each other’s shots. Zac came walking up with Joe. He had jeans and a ‘fight for the cause’ t-shirt on. He wore a black hat and looked absolutely gorgeous. I shook my head, I can’t get distracted. Joe took my suitcase, “are you ready Ms. Emily?” I smiled, “Yes I am.” Zac looked over at me, but I just kept on walking. No distractions. I took out the folder that detailed the events once we got into the car. Joe was outside waiting to get clearance from the second car that we were ready to go. “Good Morning Emily.” Zac said in a sweet tone, I didn’t look over, “Good Morning Zac.” I pretended to read the paper again, not wanting my heart to sink again when I looked in his eyes. “Can we talk?” I smiled towards him, “Of course.” He smiled in relief. “So the first location is actually pretty close to where I just graduated college.” His eyes went sad, I knew he didn’t want to talk about the event. But I wasn’t ready to talk about anything else. “It will be in the YMCA gym where you will first do a little lesson to the kids about hockey. Just basics. Then the kids and their parents will have a chance to get pictures and autographs from you.” Joe got into the car and started it up, “Just be yourself, they’ll love you. I think the only thing you can’t do is walk out with no explanation for months. We would like to come back to this location with hopefully other players and continue this.” Yes. It was a stab at Zac. It just came out, I couldn’t help it. I was pissed. I deserved an explanation. Zac just sat there, just as amazed as I was that I actually said it. Joe just smiled, he knew it was a stab at Zac too, but he didn’t say anything.

That half hour lasted forever. Zac would glance over at me, and I would glance over at him. We didn’t talk except for the occasional questions from Joe. I got out of the car and took a few pictures of the “Welcome Zac Rinaldo” sign the kids made. I was in job mode, so I had no problem telling Zac what to do and where to go. After I got the pictures I needed we headed inside. We still had an hour before families started to show up. I talked to Chris and we got some shots with the staff members and Zac. I sat on one of the benches reviewing some shots while we had a break before he kids came in. Zac came over and sat next to me, “Everyone was thinking of grabbing dinner tonight at the hotel. Are you in?” I looked over at Janice who gave a smile at me. “Sure, sounds fun.” My words were a little cold, but Zac just nodded, “great.” He said back and walked back over to the others. I watched him and I felt bad. Maybe there was a real reason why I hadn’t heard from him. Maybe his feelings weren’t were I thought they were. I can’t punish someone just because they don’t like me…but I can punish a friend who said they’d text me and never did. I’ve done it to Casey and Sarah many times.

The event went wonderfully. I’ve never seen so many kids excited to see just one person. The smiles Zac created on the families faces was amazing. Zac shared the story of his mom having breast cancer, and it moved me. I had no idea. I thought back to my grandpa’s battle with cancer. I knew he and grandma were here. If she loved Zac as much as she said she did…she’s here supporting him. I was packing up my camera when I felt a tug on my shoulder. I little girl in a pink bruins shirt stood at eye level with me. “Hi.” She said shyly. I smiled, “Hello, what can I do for you?” She paused, her blond hair was crazy, and her blue eyes were innocent. “Are you his girlfriend?” She pointed at Zac and I smiled, “No I am not, why?” She smiled, “Then why are you here?” I showed her my camera, “I have to take pictures of him and of all of you guys. It’s my job.” He put both hands on my face, “Can you please get a picture of him and me?” I wrinkled my nose, “Why? Isn’t he a smelly boy?” She laughed, “Maybe…but he’s my hero. And I love him.” I smiled, “I’m sure we could, follow me.” Zac had just signed a poster when I had the little girl with me. “Zac?” He turned around and smiled. “This is Adriana. She told me you’re her hero.” He bent down to her level and he flashed her his smile. I got my camera and started to snap away. “Why am I your hero?” He looked at me and I smiled. “Well I watched you on the TV with my brother all the time. You were my favorite because you were a fighter, and so is my brother.” She pointed to her older brother sitting in a chair. “When you got to Boston, I was more excited because that meant I could see you on TV more.” I could see Zac’s heart melt. They posed for me, and then Zac went and talked to Adriana and her brother’s parents. They were a family tight on money due to Brian’s surgeries. So he got their contact information to get them to a few Bruin’s game. Any of Brian’s choice. I snapped a few more pictures. Adriana ran over to me and hugged me, “You could be his girlfriend. You’re pretty.” I smiled, “I’ll keep that in mind.” She hugged me again and we watched them leave along with the other families we got to know on a personal level. Zac came over to sit next to me as I packed up my camera.

“That was a really nice thing you did.” He nodded, “How long will you stay mad at me?” I looked at him as I stood up, “I think we both know the answer to that.” I walked out of the gym and towards the car. The staff thanked me and couldn’t wait for me to e-mail them some pictures from the day. I got into the car and texted Sarah and Casey, He was super sweet to all the kids. He’s making it hard for me to be mad. Sarah: Stay mad until you get an explanation! Casey: Don’t cave! Be strong! Zac got into the car, and the smell of his cologne found me. I closed my eyes as the memories came floating in. He is sweet. He wouldn’t hurt me…he said so. “Zac, Why didn’t you…” Joe got into the car and my question was cut off. My phone buzzed No caving! Let him come to you! Sarah said. She was right. He needed to come to me. “Never mind.” I said as I bit my lip and looked out the window.

Notes

I hope you all are still enjoying this!
Drama is going to ensue on these two soon; but what? ;)