BEYOND THE SHORE......

Chapter -4

jennade

"Do you think some is really going to come save us?" I found myself asking a little bit later. My phone was starting to die, and I knew if by some chance we needed it, I couldn't let it die just yet. And my need to talk to bridge the silence was overriding my awkwardness.

"Hopefully." Wyatt was still sitting off to the side with his cap down. I felt bad that he had to keep it on, afraid that I would recognize him. I was half tempted to just say I knew it was him and get it over with, but I wasn't too sure that would come off any better.

I didn't blame him for not being all that talkative. I bet someone in his shoes is used to people using him for their own gain. Which was beyond horrible. I had known a few girls in university that were like that, and I hated it.

Not wanting to push him to talk, I reached over and grabbed my camera bag. Might as well look through the football team pictures I took earlier. Not like I didn't have time. We've been in here for maybe thirty minutes, and I was already itching to get out.

As I scrolled through the pictures I couldn't help but grunt at all the photos. Either half of the players had closed eyes or their mouths were open or caught mid-motion. Looking back at them no wonder if took me almost two hours to get the shot.

"Are you a photographer?" Wyatt asked suddenly. I looked over and nodded. "What kind of pictures do you take? Weddings?"

I couldn't help but laugh softly. Everyone always assumed I was a wedding photographer when they saw my camera.

"Uh no. I mean I have done a few, but that's not really what I do." I replied. He looked at me waiting for me to continue. "I work for a magazine called Fusion Weekly, we basically take pictures of everything and anything. One day I'll be taking pictures of the food at a local restaurant, and the next I'll be at some concert." I explained.

"Most of the time it's usually what my boss asks of me but I don't mind. And she'll let me put pictures of things on my own which is pretty cool too." I found myself rambling but I couldn't get myself to shut up. Hearing a soft chuckle come from his mouth I finally got my lips to shut. "Sorry, I tend to ramble until someone tells me to stop." I ducked my head.

"No, don't be sorry. If you are passionate about something you should talk about it." I lifted my head back up to find him half smiling at me.

"I do love my job. It's not everyday someone can say that." I lifted my shoulder in a half shrug. "Even on bad days."

"Was today a bad day?" Wyatt asked. I couldn't really see his eyes but I could tell they were still on me.

"I mean I've had worse days but my boss asked me to do a sudden photo shoot which resulted in me getting hit on by a bunch of 15-18 year olds." Wyatt was quiet for a moment before he started laughing. A grin of my own spread across my face at the sound of his laughter. Of course his laugh was attractive, who even knew that was a thing!

"Seriously?" His shoulders shook as he laughed.

"Oh yeah. Got a 'are you into football players?' with a kid that couldn't be more than 15. And then another one asked me to leave this joint and go grab something to eat.' I asked if he had a car which he clearly didn't."

"Wow, some pretty confident kids."

"Clearly." I laughed alongside Wyatt while shaking my head. "How about you? How bad was your day? Get hit on by any underage kids?" He snorted but shook his head.

"Can't say that I did. But it was..." He trailed off looking away. He reached up and ran a hand across his jaw as if thinking about something. I sat there quietly not wanting to push him to talk if he didn't want to. Although I was silently hoping he would bring up the whole hockey thing to get the elephant out of the room. Or in this case, the elevator.

He let out another sigh before lifting his head back towards me, almost like he came to a decision. Slowly he lifted his baseball cap off. His full face finally came into view. I've always known Jacob was attractive. I've seen him on tv and even in magazines/commercials but being up this close....those things didn't do him justice.

He had a little bit of stubble along his jaw, like he had missed shaving that morning. His nose was a little bit crooked no doubt from being broken so many times playing hockey. My lips twitched at the messy brown hair from being under his hat for so long or because it was wet when he put it on. But what really drew me in were his eyes. Baby blues stared back at me. For some reason they seemed to stick out against his skin.

"Do you know who I am?" His voice came out a bit curt and tense. Almost like he was waiting for me to do something. Looking right into his eyes I replied.

"Of course I do. I'm from Toronto." I raised my eyebrows at him. Even if you don't follow hockey you know who Jacob is.

"And?" His shoulders were so stiff as he sat there staring at me.

"And? Is this the part where I'm supposed to scream or something?" I asked, genuinely wanting to know. He was acting like I was seconds away from launching myself at him. Wyatt stared at me like I had grown three heads. Surprise flitting across his face as well as confusion. Seeing the look I decided to put him out of his misery.

"I knew who you were the moment you sat down," I admitted.

"How?" This time it was his eyebrows that raised.

"Your bag has the Toronto Knights logo and your name is Wyatt. Not hard to put two together." I pointed out shrugging. I swore I saw his cheeks turn a little pink as he looked down at his gym bag.

"Oh."

"I was waiting to see if you'd say anything. Now you can keep your cap out of your eyes."

"You seem really....chill about knowing who I am." He said it with a weird tone that had me chuckling.

"Sorry to disappoint. Do you want me to throw myself at you? I will if you want." I offered. He chuckled and shook his head.

"No, that's okay."

"Is it kind of insane that I am stuck in an elevator with Jacob, yes. But I'm not going to go all bad shit crazy on you I promise." I sent him a small smile hoping he knew I was being serious.

"I...thanks."

"It's nice to officially meet you Jacob." I could see the relief on his face and the tension in his shoulders relaxed.

"Nice to meet you too jennade."