Page 34 of Marring an Athlete

Chapter Twelve

Michael

The sound of metal pots and pans banging together could be heard from the dish room at the end of the kitchen. Michael stood next to McKenna and Anna who were both slipping on cooking jackets. They each had their hair pulled up, and Michael couldn’t help it when his gaze fell to the soft lines of Anna’s neck.

He clenched his fists, and turned to Sam who was watching one of the chefs next to him stir something in a bowl.

“How’s your room?” he asked. Truth was, he was not extremely interested in what Sam had to say, but right now, he needed a distraction. Anything to keep his attention away from Anna.

Sam shrugged. “It’s nice, though McKenna banished me to the couch. She said that I made her nauseous when I turned throughout the night.”

Michael nodded. Good, this conversation was just what he needed. “That’s strange. Kenna has always had a stomach like a rock of steel.”

“She thinks something happened on the plane, and now everything makes her feel sick.” Sam shuddered. “I just hope I don’t catch whatever it is.”

Anna was walking McKenna around and showing her all the different kitchen supplies, so Michael took this time to finally have a heart to heart with his brother in law. After all, that’s what he should be focusing on. Not his growing attraction for Anna.

“So, what’s the deal? I’ve heard McKenna’s side of things but not yours.” He leaned against the counter and folded his arms.

Sam’s gazed snapped over to him and then back to the chef. “I—um. It’s complicated.”

Michael straightened. “It’s not though. As long as you haven’t cheated on my sister, whatever is happening between the two of you can be fixed.”

Sam cleared his throat and shifted. “I don’t know.”

“Let’s start simple. You haven’t cheated on my sister, right?”

Sam shook his head. “Of course not.”

A wave of relief washed over Michael. That’s what he wanted to hear. “Good. I didn’t want to have to pummel you because you cheated. I’m not sure what Bora Bora’s extradition policy is.”

An uneasy look passed over Sam’s face as he forced a chuckle.

“Okay. Since it’s not cheating, what is it man? Is it the baby thing?”

The look in Sam’s eyes told Michael, that was it. Sam’s skin paled and he dropped his gaze to the ground.

Michael felt like he should say something. Reassure his brother in law that he could do this. “It’s not the end of the world. There’s always adoption.” He reached out his hand and rested it on Sam’s arm. It felt strange, but he forced himself to keep it there.

Sam stared down at Michael’s fingers and then up to his face. “I don’t know. That wasn’t what McKenna’s dream has been. I don’t even know if I’m part of that dream anymore.”

Michael opened his lips to say something, but then closed them. How was he supposed to advise his family on something that he himself was struggling with? Relationships were a mystery that it seemed he could never solve.

“Listen, all I know is pulling away isn’t the solution either. You need to face these issues head on. You can fix what’s broken. You just need to try.” His words echoed in his ears as he dropped his hand and shoved them into his front pockets.

Why was he even talking? He was telling Sam to not do the very thing he had done. Running away from New York—from Daisy—was probably the stupidest decision he’d ever made. Why did he think avoidance was the solution to all his problems? If anything, it just created more.

Sam nodded and shrugged, turning his attention over to the chef who had clapped his hands like a school teacher. Anna and McKenna made their way over and stood next to Michael.

Grateful for the distraction, Michael leaned over and nudged Anna with his shoulder. “You’re back,” he said, giving her a smile.

Anna pinched her lips together and nodded.

“You’re like a moth to a flame,” he whispered.

“Excuse me,” the sous chef said in a deep French accent.

Michael turned to see the man staring him down. “Yes?” Michael said, snapping to attention.

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