Page 29 of Beyond the Stroke

“Rory. Give me the plates.”

“Nope. Winnie said rest and ice.”

“And I can’t afford to not work.”

I glance around, beneath the glow of the hanging patio lights, the tables are filled with hungry patrons waiting for their food. The line out the door will keep Summer and the rest of the staff busy for hours. I can only imagine how her wrist will feel after a long shift of hauling these heavy plates. It won’t be good. She needs to rest it so she can get better.

“I’ll help you then.”

Emotion flickers behind Summer’s eyes but she pulls her gaze away and shakes her head.

“I don’t need your help. Now, give me back those plates. The food is getting cold.”

I step back, to keep them out of her reach.

“Then we should get going.” Again, I motion for her to lead the way.

“Rory, seriously. People are staring.”

She’s right. Our little tiff in the middle of the dining room is drawing attention from the tables around us. But I’m used to being interviewed on national television dripping wet and only wearing a jammer so their stares don’t bother me.

“So?”

“So, I don’t need you making a scene. This is where I work. I don’t need my boss thinking I can’t do my job.”

She’s so pretty when she’s annoyed with me. I’m beginning to realize she’s gorgeous all the time but especially when those blue eyes flare with annoyance and her upper lip curls with exasperation.

Beneath the zipper of my chino shorts, my cock stirs. Is that a kink? I never realized a woman being thoroughly annoyed with me could be a turn on.

My ex, Daphne, had a tendency to be annoyed with me, but with Summer, it’s different. It’s playful.

Summer sighs, giving up the fight for the plates for a moment to massage her hurt wrist through the brace.

“When’s the last time you took an ibuprofen?” I ask.

“I haven’t taken anything since the trainer’s office. Now can I?—"

“Rory Shields, is that you?” I turn around to find Alice, one of the owners of The Salty Pirate Café, headed our way. “It is you. I heard you were back in town for training.”

She wraps her thick arms around my waist and gives me a squeeze.

“Hey, Alice. It’s good to see you.” I throw her a friendly smile before awkwardly attempting to hug her back without dropping the plates I’m still holding. “Got back yesterday.”

“And you’re just now stopping by?” She pouts.

“I had to unpack and practice has kept me busy.”

She waves me off. “I’m just kidding. But it’s great to see you.” She glances at the plates in my hands, then to Summer who’s still holding her wrist.

“What happened to your wrist?” Alice asks, concern passing over her features.

“Skateboarding accident,” Summer says.

Alice shakes her head in dismay. “How many times have I said that thing makes me nervous for you?”

Summer shoots me a glare. “Yeah, it is dangerous. People should really know what they’re doing before they jump on one all willy nilly.”

“Willy nilly?” I chuckle, delighting in the sound of the nonsensical phrase.

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