Page 10 of Marring an Athlete

Chapter Four

Michael

Michael studied the counter in front of Teresa, the passenger service agent, who was checking them in. She kept glancing up at him and smiling. Any other time, he would have enjoyed the attention she gave him. But after his a-little-too-intimate moment with Anna just minutes ago, it didn’t feel right.

The feelings that stirred in his stomach had him worried. How was he supposed to pretend to be married to a girl he’d crushed on for this long? This was a mistake.

But there was nothing he could do. Not with the press hot on his story. Thankfully, Christopher hadn’t tried to contact him again. Not since he’d stammered a few incoherent things and hung up. But it was only a matter of time before he was contacted by another reporter.

If only Daisy had cell service, he just might be able to clear this all up. But every time he called, it went straight to voicemail. Leaving the country seemed like the only rational idea. He’d face it all when he got back.

He gritted his teeth as he stared at Teresa who was saying something about how much she loved hockey. Anna seemed surprisingly quiet next to him. He wanted to look back at her. But he needed to process his thoughts without the distraction of her intoxicating smile. She was even more beautiful since the last time he’d seen her. Flirting with her was coming a bit too naturally to him. He needed to keep his distance from her.

“They’re here!” Anna exclaimed as she made her way to McKenna and Sam who both had strained expressions as they approached.

“Sorry we’re late. Sam forgot his passport, so we had to go back.” She sighed as she forced a smile. “We were almost here and had to turn around.”

“I told you that the cab could have just dropped you off and taken me home,” Sam responded, glancing over at her.

“That’s not what this trip is about. It’s about us doing things together. Besides, I reminded you a bunch of times, and you told me that you had it handled. I just don’t know if I can trust you when you say you’ll do something and then don’t,” McKenna said, her tone strained.

Sam sighed. “I said I was sorry I forgot my passport. I really thought I had put it in my luggage.”

“You should always check,” McKenna blurted out, drawing the attention of the other people milling around.

“Kenna, it’s okay. You’re here, and they are checking us in. It’s not like the plane left without us,” Michael said, stepping away from Teresa and resting his hand on McKenna’s shoulder.

McKenna stared at him with her signature look of death. He met it head-on with the same amount of intensity. There was no way his little sister was going intimidate him. It was almost comical that she thought she could. After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and turned to Sam.

“Sorry. I’m just stressed. Michael’s right. We’re here. Let’s just get on the plane and get to the resort.”

Michael patted her shoulder. “That’s what I’m talking about. Now, the lovely Teresa needs your passport,” he said as he grinned at Teresa, and then turned around to nod at them.

When his gaze landed on Anna, he paused. Her lips had tightened as if he’d said something wrong. But what could he have done? He’d been talking to Teresa the last ten minutes, and Anna couldn’t possibly be mad that he was talking to the woman who was checking them in.

Instead of dissecting her expression. Michael busied himself getting the boarding passes dispersed to the four of them.

Fifteen minutes later, they were dropping off their luggage to a bulky security guard who took them and threw their suitcases on the conveyor behind him with a grunt. Then they got in the security checkpoint line behind a family with five kids.

McKenna had her arms folded and was staring outside. The sun was just beginning to peak out from above the horizon. The sky was streaked with purples and oranges. It was beautiful. But from McKenna’s tight lips and her drawn-together brows, the beauty of the outside was not what she was thinking about.

Sam had a similar look, but instead of glancing out toward the sky, he was staring at his phone. His finger would occasionally scroll the screen. This didn’t look like the lovebirds they had been two years ago. What had happened to them?

Michael shook his head. He knew what happened. Marriage. Responsibility. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen this. A few good friends had had this same fate. Further proof that marriage was the last thing he needed.

At least with Anna, he didn’t have to worry about disappointing anyone. It was actually a relief. Having a fake relationship was better than the efforts a real one took. And from his past experience, he tended to do stupid things when he was tied down. Stupid, foot-in-mouth things. Just ask Daisy.

He leaned over and wrapped his arm around Anna’s shoulders. She tightened at first but then relaxed. “Anna Short, I’m so excited to have you along with me. With Ms. McKenna being such a stick in the mud and Mr. Sam turning into a phone zombie”—he stabbed his thumb in their direction—“it’s a relief I have someone here who’ll laugh at my jokes.”

McKenna turned and shot him another murderous look. Michael laughed and waved her away. “Come on, Kenna. Lighten up.”

She glared at him but then reached in her purse to pull out her phone. Michael glanced down at Anna who was watching McKenna. She had a concerned look on her face.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. We’ll fix this,” he said, leaning down and whispering in Anna’s ear. A coconut smell surrounded him. Her shampoo smelled fantastic. He fought the urge to take in a deep breath.

Anna glanced up, putting her face inches from his. “You think so?” she asked with her eyes wide.

Michael drew back. He didn’t like how his body responded to her close proximity. It was definitely something he should not be feeling. Not for his little sister’s friend. And not for someone he was supposed to pretend was his wife. “I know so. With both of our amazing minds put together, how can we not fix this?”

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