Page 28 of Marring an Athlete

Chapter Ten

Michael

The sound of waves crashing against the shoreline drew Michael’s attention out the open window. The sun had dipped below the horizon, streaking the sky with oranges and pale purples. The lasting light sparkled against the ocean’s water.

Anna had chosen to sit next to McKenna which left him sitting next to Sam who kept arranging his silverware next to his plate. His nervous energy was making Michael anxious.

“How was your massage?” Michael asked and then mentally smacked himself. What guy asks that?

Sam glanced over at him. “It was okay. Yours?”

“They did a good job.” He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. This conversation was about as enjoyable as the sprints up and down the rink’s stairs that coach always made him do when he was late. Anna wasn’t much help. She was busy talking to McKenna about something. He couldn’t really make out what they were saying.

“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked as she stopped at their table.

Everyone nodded and rattled off their order. She wrote it down and then took their menus. Anna and McKenna settled back into their seats leaving Michael alone with Sam. Again.

Make conversation, he told himself. He took in a deep breath and turned. “So Sam, how’s work going?”

Sam glanced over at him. “It’s okay. I just coded a new app to help the finance department. So, that was exciting.” For the first time in their entire trip, Sam smiled.

Michael had begun to doubt that his mouth could even make that shape.

“Wow. That’s. . . interesting.” Except that it wasn’t. Michael knew very little about computers and even less about coding. Sitting in front of a screen was the last thing he found enjoyable.

Sam smiled wider as he nodded. “It’s been a pretty wild ride.”

Wow. How was this guy his brother-in-law? He couldn’t be more opposite of McKenna. When he glanced over at his sister, his heart sank a little. She was watching them with a strange look in her eyes. As if she wasn’t sure what to make of Sam’s suddenly gleeful disposition.

“What are you guys talking about?” she asked, leaning over the table.

Sam’s smile faltered as he turned back to the table and began straightening the silverware again. “It’s nothing. You wouldn’t be interested.”

Michael studied Sam and then glanced over at McKenna who looked as if someone had just shot her dog. Her lips turned downward, and she looked from Sam over to Michael. He shot her a sympathetic look as he turned to Sam.

Michael’s first reaction was to take Sam outside and tell him that he couldn’t treat his sister that way. But, Anna’s words came into his mind. The last thing he needed to do was alienate his brother-in-law. He was here for McKenna. To help her. And if she wanted to stay married to Sam, then he’d help that happen.

The beginning notes of the band caught his attention. They were set up at the far corner, tuning their instruments. A wooden dance floor spread out from the platform. They played a few chords together before they started a slow song.

When Michael turned his attention back to the table, he saw that McKenna was sitting back in her chair with her arms folded. She was drumming her fingers against her skin as her gaze made its way over to Sam every so often.

Anna was staring at him as if she were trying to tell him something. When his gaze met hers, she pursed her lips and tilted her head toward McKenna.

He scrunched his eyebrows together. What was she trying to tell him? She had to know that he didn’t speak girl motions well. Half the time, he misread what was trying to be said.

She pursed her lips again and tilted her head toward McKenna, this time with much more emphasis. He stared back at her and shook his head. Suddenly, a foot slammed into his shin. He yelped, drawing the attention of everyone at the table.

He said the first thing that came to his mind. “I—er, wanna dance, McKenna?” Was that what she wanted? From the relieved look on Anna’s face, that was exactly what she meant. How the heck was he supposed get that from a head nod?

When they got back to the hut after dinner, they were going to have a frank conversation about her secret girl language. And kicking. He wasn’t a fan of either.

McKenna stared at him and then shrugged. “Sure.” She reached out her hand and he took it.

She pushed away from the table and stood. He led her over to the dance floor where he wrapped his free hand around her waist, and she set her hand on his shoulder. He waited for a moment before he stepped forward and she followed.

A shocked expression passed over her face. “Wow. I’m impressed. I didn’t think you knew how to dance.”

Michael feigned a hurt look. “I know how to dance.”

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