Page 51 of Beyond the Stroke

It only added to my sleepless night.

I lean against my locker and take a deep breath. I could probably fall asleep right here, but then I’d miss my meeting with Vivi to create content for two of my sponsors, andthe podcast appearance I have scheduled after that, then my appointment with Dr. Carpenter, the sports psychologist I’ve been working with after my injury.

“What’s going on with you?” Eli asks, dropping on the bench next to me while the other guys hit the showers. “Is this about your parents?”

Eli’s mention of them reminds me I haven’t responded to my parents’ request for dinner on Sunday night at the club. My mom didn’t come out and say it but I know Daphne will be there.

My parents are hoping to get us back together. I don’t know how to make it any clearer that I don’t want to get back together with Daphne, and I need to focus on swimming. I don’t have the emotional energy for any of it, so I’ve ignored it and hoped it would fade into the background, but it hasn’t.

“I spent the night with Summer.”

Eli’s brows shoot up.

“On the floor of her camper van.”

“Ouch.” He chuckles quietly. “Nice to know the Rory Shields charm can be resisted.”

“It’s not like that with Summer.”

“No?” he asks, surprised.

“I’m attracted to her.”Wildly attracted to her, my brain corrects. “But there’s more.”

Eli shakes his head. “What happened to avoiding distractions?”

“That’s the thing. I think I’m more distracted when she’s not around. Like I need to know she’s safe and everything is good with her so I can focus. And she’s got the sweetest pug named Edgar.”

“Edgar? As in Edgar Allen Pug?” Eli asks, cracking a smile. “There’s a pug that has his own social media account.”

“Pretty sure it’s just Edgar.” I make a note to ask Summer when I see her later. Unlike yesterday morning, she didn’t tell me to leave her alone. I think it’s a sign we’re becoming friends.

Eli nods. “So, what are you going to do about Summer? You can’t spend every night on the floor of her van and expect your body to be in its best form.”

“I know. I have to figure something else out.”

A few minutes later, I let the shower’s hot spray melt away the tension in my muscles.

I don’t know what I want from Summer. With my training and travel schedule, I can’t make a commitment, but I know I can’t stay away.

Later when I knock on her van door, Summer opens it with resigned reluctance. She’s not surprised to see me but she’s also not as irritated as I thought she might be.

Maybe I’m growing on her.

Last night, I discovered that she loathes my favorite cheat day snack cakes, but I also discovered things that she does like so I picked them up at a local gift shop on my way over.

When she motions for me to enter, I hand her the reusable shopping bag.

“What’s this?” she asks, peeking inside.

“Some herbal peach tea since I know you like tea before bed. A pack of fairy lights to give you some mood lighting but also to make it easier to see at night if you need to get up. And a mini first aid kit. Since you won’t let me be your bodyguard, I’ll at least be your medical supplier. Oh, and some gourmet pickles.”I pull out the jar. “Marisella at the gift shop said these are the best.”

“This is?—”

“A peace offering,” I interject before she tells me she can’t accept it. “You’ve made it clear you don’t want me intruding in your life, and if you want me to leave, I will.”

I run a hand through my hair, exhaling, because I know what I’m about to say makes no sense.

“I know this sounds crazy, but ever since I met you, I can’t stop wanting to be around you. Now that I know you exist, I can’t just pretend you don’t. I’m not trying to push you into anything, because I can’t make any kind of commitment either. But I like being near you, and if you let me be here for you, I think you might like it, too.”

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