Page 8 of Spring Break With A Gold Medalist

I need to get out of here and I have the perfect idea to both get me out of my funk and have some fun. When I drop off the mail at the reception desk, I check the sign in sheet. Thank god. Maya’s here.

She’s finishing a set of exercises while being spotted by a hulking hockey player. Glaring at the guy, I cross to them. He’s got his hands resting on the weights too close to Maya. If he touches her I’ll lose my shit. The rise of possessive anger doesn’t surprise me. I know she’s mine. Tonight, I’m going to show her. Convince her. Prove to her she’s my one and only.

Managing to get myself under control, I nod a greeting to the guy before moving in front of him and focusing on Maya. “How’s the knee?”

Hockey guy gets my message and steps back. “See ya,’round, Maya.”

Once I no longer feel his presence and my shoulders relax, Maya frowns at me. “That was rude.”

“What? I simply asked about your knee.”

“Why’d you chase Jason away? He’s had a torn ACL and he’s been helping me all week. He knows what I’m going through.”

“He’s not the only one who understands.” I tug on the leg of my shorts to show off my scar.

Her cheeks turn pink. “I’m sorry. I forgot. I didn’t want to bother you. You’ve been busy.”

Hoping the reluctance in her tone is real, I sit on the bench next to her. “It’s been a crazy week. I’m taking the night off. And I’d like to take you with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“How about a cheap, early evening movie, then supper?”

She glances down at herself and her wrinkled workout clothes. “I need a shower first.”

Unable to help myself, I lean closer and inhale deeply. I spend a good share of my days surrounded by the pungent aroma of kid sweat. She smells like heaven. I stop myself from saying that out loud though. I’m not a total idiot. Glancing at my wrist, I tap my watch. “I’ll change here and drive you home. There’ll be enough time for you to take a quick shower.”

Tempted to offer to share the shower her, I catch the inside of my cheek between my teeth and bite to keep from saying more.

“That sounds like fun. Thank you for thinking of me.”

Thinking of her? That’s about all I’ve been doing. That and jacking off.

five

Maya

Phil waits in the living room while I rush through my shower. As the water flows over my body I imagine him entering the bathroom but waiting for me to invite him under the spray. Sometimes he’s very much the alpha male—like when his simple actions chased Jason away. Other times he’s sweet and endearing, one of the most caring men I’ve ever met. I’m not sure which Phil I like better.

I’m greedy. I want them both.

Along with any other aspect of his personality I haven’t witnessed yet.

My hands slow then I plant them at my hips, letting the warm water sluice away the soap. There's always the chance those hidden parts could be one hundred percent unlikeable. Maybe even dangerous. No, not my Phil.

My Phil. I’ve been calling him that in my mind ever since that first day in his gym. I’ve claimed him in my heart. Yet for some reason my head refuses to agree.

Some reason? Heck, I know the reason. There’s no way someone like Phil would be honestly interested in me. I’m too tall. Too… chunky. Not particularly shapely in the way guys seem to prefer. So, what am I thinking?

I’m pretending, like I always have. Even back in high school if a guy paid even the tiniest bit of attention to me, I’d fall for him. Just a crush but still, no matter what happened, it was damaging to my insecure self. Excelling in volleyball helped some. At least I knew why someone was interested in me. Teaming with Ellie brought a stream of interested males to our door. They loved her shape, her long hair, her smile and easy laugh. She barely paid them any attention. Even before she and my brother finally admitted feelings for each other, no man really interested her.

Automatically towel drying my short hair, I stare at my reflection trying to understand what Phil might see in me. Giving up, I make a face at myself, decide to wear the flower print dress Ellie sent me from Hawaii. She and her new partner placed first in the tournament and have secured the top spot in the rankings for the past three weeks. Wearing her gift will feel like we’re celebrating together.

I miss my bestie. And my brother, but I’d never tell him that. Only a few weeks and there’s a break in their schedule and they’ll be coming home.

I pause with only one of my ballet flats on. When did I start thinking of Love Beach as home?

A long, slow wolf whistle greets me when I exit my bedroom. Phil rises from the couch, takes one of my hands and encourages me to spin, showing off the full skirt. “You look fabulous, baby doll.”

---