Page 31 of Marring an Athlete

Chapter Eleven

Anna

After they finished eating, they walked together toward the huts. It was dark, but the water glowed as if an entire world existed below it. It was magical to see. Like all Anna’s childhood fantasies about life under the water were real.

She let out a relaxed sigh and glanced over at Michael who was studying the ground. He looked deep in thought, and she contemplated leaving him alone, but decided against it.

It seemed as if he had the world on his shoulders, and she wanted to help. This was Michael, after all.

“You okay?” she asked, leaning closer to him. She could hear the soft voices of McKenna and Sam behind them. It felt good to hear them talk. It wasn’t about anything groundbreaking, just the scenery around them. But it was a start. Perhaps, there was a chance for them after all.

Michael massaged the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’ll be okay.”

She glanced up at him, and he flicked his gaze over to her. She could tell from the uncertainty in his eyes, he wasn’t okay. Something was wrong.

She threaded her arm through his, hoping it would come across as supportive. “You can tell me, Michael. It’s me. Anna.”

He pulled a goofy expression. “Oh, that’s who you are. I was about to call security about a crazy lady on my arm.”

She smacked his shoulder with her free hand. “You’re so funny.”

He winced as if she’d really hurt him but then straightened and sighed. “I guess I just never saw my life going in this direction.”

“Fake married and at a relationship resort?”

“Well, not that. I saw that.” He smiled at her. “It’s where I’m at right now. I’m hoping things take off with sponsorships, but I’m not really getting anywhere. I’m”—he emphasized his swallow as if what he was about to say was painful—“getting old.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m not always going to be able to play hockey. I’ve made a mess of all my relationships.”

Anna’s heart picked up speed from what he said. What relationships was he talking about? Did she want to know? Instead of focusing on that part of their conversation, she decided to lighten the mood. “Yeah. You’re ancient. Do you need me to get you a walker, grandpa?”

He laughed. It was deep and soulful. And so familiar. “You’re no spring chicken yourself.”

Anna chuckled as they stepped up onto the boardwalk. The sound of their shoes on the wood slats filled the air. She kept their arms hooked as they made their way toward their hut. They paused outside of it and said goodnight to McKenna and Sam.

When they got inside, Anna grabbed her pajamas and slipped into the bathroom to change. Michael mentioned that he was going to do the same. Once she slipped on her nightgown, she paused outside the door.

She didn’t want to walk in on him getting dressed. And she definitely didn’t want to catch him putting his shirt on. She had enough times of seeing him bare-chested to last her a lifetime. Plus, she was about to climb into bed with this man. She needed her wits about her.

So, she knocked on her side of the door.

“You can come out,” Michael said. His voice was muffled.

Anna took a breath and opened the door. She wasn’t too scantily clad. But it was a silk nightgown. And for some reason, the thought of Michael seeing her in it made her heart pound.

Thankfully, he was turned around when she stepped out. He had on a pair of pajama bottoms but when she saw the tight muscles of his back, she tried not to groan. Of course, he slept shirtless. Why had she expected anything different?

When Michael turned around, his eyes widened. Heat raced to her cheeks as she felt his gaze sweep over her.

“Those are your pajamas?” he asked, dropping his gaze and making his way over to the bed.

She glanced down at her nightgown. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing. Just a step up from the My Little Pony set you used to wear.”

Anna made her way over to the bed and began to pull off the pillows. “Yeah. They don’t exactly make them in my size anymore.”

He glanced up at her, a smile playing on his lips.

She decided to ignore whatever it was that he was thinking about. “What about you? Do you just not believe in shirts? I swear, I’ve seen your chest more times in the last two days than in our entire childhood.”

---