Page 61 of Marring an Athlete

Where had she gone? Why was she avoiding him? As much as he tried to ignore it, he missed her. He’d become so accustomed to talking to her that having her gone felt strange. Like a part of him was missing.

“Hey, Michael.” McKenna’s voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see her approaching him. His gaze slipped behind her to see if Anna was around. But only Sam followed her.

“Kenna,” Michael said, bringing his sister into a half-hug. As he pulled her in close, he whispered, “Where’s Anna?”

When he glanced down at her, he saw that she had a fake smile plastered on her face. “Who is this?” she asked, waving toward Daisy.

“Daisy Price. I’m Michael’s real fiancée. And you are?” She studied McKenna.

“McKenna, Michael’s sister.”

“Oh, right. The one with marriage issues.” A forced look of concern passed across Daisy’s face. “How’s that going? Is this place helping?”

McKenna raised her eyebrows and studied Michael. “Well, I just love the fact that complete strangers know my business. Thanks for that.” Then she glanced over at Daisy. “Things are good. Rekindle Resort is pretty amazing. It’s helping us rediscover why we fell in love.”

Daisy clapped her hands. “That’s just great. I’m sure it’s needed, especially with the pregnancy.”

McKenna’s face paled as her gaze shot over to Michael. “My what?”

Michael’s stomach dropped. How could Daisy say that? She had no idea that they were struggling with infertility. That was not something he would have just blurted out. “Daisy, I—”

“Oh, Michael didn’t say anything. I could tell from your complexion. I just have a sixth sense about this. The spirits told me. Besides, you’re in the Pacific Islands, but are paler then a Norwegian.”

McKenna pinched her lips closed as she patted her face. Then she pressed on her stomach as her expression turned contemplative. “I have to go,” she said.

Michael wasn’t going to let her leave without talking to her about Anna. “I’ll go with you.”

McKenna whipped around, and then shook her head. “Fine. Just don’t slow me down.”

“Sam, entertain Daisy,” Michael said as he followed McKenna. Before either could say anything, he was out of earshot. “Where’s Anna?” he asked.

McKenna glared at him. “I think you’ve lost the right to ask where she is. What the heck, Michael? You’re engaged?”

Michael swallowed. Hearing those words from his sister’s lips made him feel even more like a tool. When did he become this guy? “I didn’t mean for everything to go this far. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to fix this mess, but I can’t.”

McKenna stopped and turned so she was staring directly at him. “Do you care about Anna?”

Michael swallowed. More than he cared to let on. “Yes.”

She eyed him. “Do you love her?”

Heat rushed across his skin. He knew the answer to that question. The feelings he had for Anna were plaguing his thoughts. “Have you talked to her? What does she say?”

McKenna raised the hem of her dress as she stepped onto the boardwalk. “Anna’s been with us in our room.” She glanced back at him. “With a broken heart.”

His stomach twisted at her words. “Really?”

“Yes, geez. I ask you to come here to help support my failing marriage and this is what you do? Michael, what’s the deal? You’re moving in on my best friend only to leave her with a broken heart?”

Michael reached out and grabbed her elbow, halting her. She pulled her arm back and turned around.

“I didn’t mean to,” he said. His heart was breaking. How had he screwed this up so badly?

“Michael, you’re a great guy, but you have your head so far up in the clouds that you don’t see what’s going on around you. Or when you have a fabulous girl who would do just about anything for you.” McKenna sighed. “She’d kill me for saying this, but Anna loves you. She’s loved you for a long time. You broke her heart when you kissed her at my wedding and then left, and you’re breaking her heart now.”

Michael scrubbed his face as he let McKenna’s words wash over him. How could he keep doing this? He loved Anna. With all his heart. What was the best plan?

“But, Kenna, what am I going to do? I’m worried I’ll just hurt her.” The emotional lump that had formed in his throat caused his voice to come out deeper.

“Michael, it’s all a mystery. You never know what you’re going to get or what life is going to throw at you. All you can do is pick someone to take the bumps with you. If that’s Anna, tell her. If that’s Daisy, commit. This wish-washy plan of yours isn’t working.” She sighed as she turned. “Now, I’ve gotta go take a test. I have a few stashed in my purse.”

“Kenna,” he said, hoping she’d stop. She hesitated, but didn’t turn around. “Do you think she’ll forgive me?”

McKenna waved him away. “You’ll never know until you ask.” Then the sound of her shoes on the boardwalk marked her retreat.

Michael turned back to the bonfire. He took a deep breath as he studied the people milling around. McKenna’s words floated around in his mind.

You’ll never know until you ask.

Well, that was what he was going to do. First, break up with Daisy and then find Anna. She was all the mattered now. And if she didn’t want him now, he’d wait around until she did.

---