Chapter 27
twenty-seven
. . .
RORY
After Summer’s doctor appointment, I went with her to walk her afternoon dogs, then dropped her off to work at the café.
I clean up the house, which takes longer than usual because Summer’s stuff is sprawling all over the house. Her van always appeared tidy, but maybe that’s because there was less space for things to roam.
A trail of her books on the coffee table.
A chipped mug full of paintbrushes on the kitchen counter.
Her favorite oversized cardigan tossed over the back of the couch.
A pair of flip flops abandoned by the front door.
And hair ties, so many hair ties, around doorknobs, next to lamps and every surface in between.
I cheerfully put things back in their place because damn if I don’t get off on it. Summer’s chaos tangled up with my calm makes this place feel more like home.
Then, Edgar and I nap on the couch for an hour before I have to hop on a zoom call to record a podcast with Lane Talk, a swimmer-focused podcast that discusses training, competition, and balancing life outside the pool.
For me, podcast interviews are easy. Talking with people and talking about swimming are two of my favorite things, so it’s not until the hosts, Cullen and Patrick, bring up my marriage that I’m thrown off.
“Speaking of life outside the pool, we got a lot of questions from fans about your recent wedding,” Patrick says.
Cullen laughs. “There are a lot of broken hearts out there.”
“Before we get into it, first we should say congratulations.”
“Yeah, congratulations,” Cullen echoes.
“Thank you,” I say, wishing I’d taken a look at Vivi’s email prep for this.
“Now, I’ll cut to the chase and ask all the burning questions listeners want to know. How is married life? And when did a busy guy like you find time to fall in love?”
“Married life is great. No complaints.”
Except I may be falling for my fake wife.
“Your wife is listening, isn’t she?” Cullen teases with a hearty laugh.
“No, she’s at work, but I think she’d agree we’re having fun.”
“But seriously, what shifted? You’ve always been laser focused and now you’re suddenly married. Was it love at first sight?” Patrick asks.
“I don’t know if it was first sight, but it didn’t take long.” I hesitate, making sure my words are carefully crafted, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my mouth when I think how Summer and I met, and the way I was immediately drawn to her. “It was easy with her. And nothing in my life has ever felt easy.”
Cullen’s brows lift. “Sounds like you’re a goner.”
“She’s someone who gets it. All of it. The pressure, the quiet, the weird schedule. And she makes all of that feel a little less heavy.”
From the looks of Cullen and Patrick’s faces, I nailed it.
They move on to ask about my training focus and upcoming competitions, but I’m only halfway listening. I’m still thinking about my responses to their questions about Summer. And all I can think is that for a fake marriage, everything I just said felt pretty damn real.
Eli was right. A bonfire with teammates and friends is the best way to keep myself distracted from thinking about Summer. Although I’m finding my eyes tracking her every move, which would be much easier if we were alone in the house, not mingling in a large group of people gathered around a roaring fire.
Through the flames, I can see Summer talking with Whitney. I look on as she takes a sip of her seltzer, nodding at something Whitney says before they both start laughing. Since I introduced my sister to Summer, they’ve been talking non-stop about art and design. I know it shouldn’t matter, but I love that they’re getting along so well.
“I’m just saying, American Gridiron is the same damn game every year. They just change the number and expect us to act impressed,” Finn says, shaking his head.
Xio chuckles. “Yeah, and yet you still buy it.”
“That’s because I have hope, Xio. Maybe this time, it’ll be worth it.”
I can’t help but grin at their conversation. “You really think they’re going to fix Dynasty Drive ?”
Finn grumbles, knowing full well I’m right but he’s still going to continue to buy the game anyways.
Logan settles into a chair and crosses his ankle over his knee. “All right, pick one: you either get to be an Olympic athlete in your sport, or you’re a pro gamer making millions. What’s your move?”
Xio smirks. “Olympian, obviously.”
Xio has been focused on making his first Olympic team this year. He’s putting up impressive times and if he keeps it up, I have no doubt he’ll make the team.
Finn shakes his head. “Pro gamer, easy. No early morning training. No ice baths. Just vibes and sponsorship money.”
“You’d wash out in six months.” Xio laughs.
“Okay, rude.”
Finn mock-scowls because he knows that commitment isn’t his strong suit.
“But true.” Logan grins.
This is what I needed. A night with the guys on the beach talking about meaningless shit. Marrying Summer, then Connor showing up to train with the Current all in the span of a week has shifted the foundation of my once predictable life. But this feels good.
“Oh, shit,” Logan murmurs under his breath.
“What?” I ask, half-chuckling as I reach for a seltzer water from the cooler.
“Connor’s here.”
My head jerks in the direction Logan’s looking.
Sure enough, I can make out Connor’s dark, messy hair and arrogant grin through the flicker of the bonfire flames as he greets a group of people. But I refuse to give Connor the satisfaction of a reaction. It’s clear from his actions since the moment he arrived in Coral Cove that’s what he wants from me. So, I’ll ignore him just like I’ve done at practice.
It’s fine. Totally fine. No reason to tackle him into the bonfire.
Sitting back down, I crack open my water and take a large gulp, determined to not put any more energy into Connor’s presence.
“Did someone change the music again?” Charlie asks, checking his phone.
“Hell no.” Logan shakes his head. “We all know how protective you are of your curated playlists.”
Eli chuckles. “Yeah, for a guy whose pre-race warm up song is ‘Call Me Maybe,’ you’re awfully particular about setting the right musical tone tonight.”
“‘Call Me Maybe’ gets my blood pumping like no other song can.”
“Maybe if you’re prepping for a middle school dance,” I tease.
“Mock me all you want, but it’s scientifically proven to boost performance.”
“I’d love to see the science backing that.”
My jaw relaxes and my mood lifts, until I catch Finn grimacing.
“What?” I ask. Before he can answer, I follow his gaze across the bonfire to where Connor is standing, but he’s not alone this time. He’s talking to Whitney and Summer, and my state of relaxation vanishes.
I know both women can hold their own, but seeing Connor near my sister and my wife sets off a primal instinct to protect what’s mine.
Just the sight of them in the same proximity has me up out of my chair and moving in their direction.
As I approach, I see Connor holding Summer’s hand. When her hand drops, it’s obvious it was a handshake introduction but that doesn’t matter to me. Every instinct in my body flares with irritation.
Seeing him near her twists something deep inside me. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s trying to get too close. He’s testing me, pushing boundaries in a way that feels calculated. I’m sure it’s just a part of his usual game, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.
“There he is.” Connor motions with a lazy grin as I approach.
“Hey,” Summer says with a soft smile. “I was just about to come find you.”
I can tell by the look on her face that she’s trying to diffuse the situation. But it’s not her issue, it’s mine.
“Connor.” My tone is as sharp as the terse nod I give him. “Didn’t expect to see you here,” I say, wrapping a possessive arm around Summer’s waist to stake my claim. Even though I’m focused on addressing Connor, I immediately notice how perfectly she fits against me. The curves of her body beneath the soft fabric of her dress, and the warmth of her body pressed against mine.
She relaxes into me and now my heartbeat quickens for a different reason. Not from the adrenaline of coming over to confront Connor, but the proximity of Summer and how she affects me.
When I turn my attention back to Connor, I see the glee in his eyes. He knows he’s gotten a reaction from me.
Connor leans back slightly, like he’s enjoying the discomfort he’s stirring up. “Didn’t realize I needed an invite. Team bonding, right? That includes me now.”
I don’t know if it’s the way he keeps pushing or just the fact that he’s here when he clearly wasn’t invited, but my irritation is building.
“You don’t get to show up here and act like we’re all good. We’re not. And team bonding usually works better when there’s trust.”
Connor’s lips curl into that annoying half-smile.
“That’s right. I forgot. Rory Shields is perfect. Your training, your medals, your life. Now,” he motions to Summer, “the perfect little wife.”
That’s the last straw. I want to snap back at him, to let the anger loose, but it’s not about him anymore. It’s about her. Summer doesn’t deserve to be reduced like that.
“Say whatever you want about me,” I say, low and hard. “But you don’t get to talk about her.”
Beside me, Summer inhales sharply. Whitney’s eyes go wide, but there’s a knowing smile on her face.
Connor’s smirk doesn’t falter.
“Am I not being clear? Don’t fucking talk about my wife.”
“Whatever you say, golden boy.” Connor’s voice drips with bitterness.
Connor’s older now, but it’s clear he’s still the same punk kid with an attitude. Thinking he can do whatever the hell he wants and screw everyone else.
Beside me, I feel the presence of Charlie, Eli, and Logan.
“Rory,” Eli says, eyeing me with a knowing look. “Everything good over here?”
At my friends and teammates’ arrival, Connor’s smirk turns humorless. “Must be nice having people in your corner when it counts. Not all of us have had that luxury.”
With that, Connor steps back and walks off.
I want to clap back at his declaration. Years ago, I was in his corner, but that changed due to actions of his own doing. He doesn’t like the results of his own behavior, but I don’t see him owning up to it, either.
“You okay?” Summer asks, drawing my attention to her.
I look down to find her staring up at me with a curious expression. It makes me wonder if I took the protective husband thing too far.
With Connor gone, there’s no reason to still be holding her snug against me, but I desperately want an excuse to keep her there.
Does simply loving the feel of her there suffice?
“Let’s go grab the stuff to make s’mores,” Whitney says to Summer.
“Yeah, okay.” Summer nods before shifting out of my hold to leave with Whitney.
With them gone, the guys usher me back toward our chairs on the other side of the bonfire.
“Dude,” Charlie claps me on the back as we walk, “you skipped the jealous boyfriend phase and went straight to ‘that’s my wife’ energy.”
The curious smirk from Eli has me thinking I’m already in too deep.
After s’mores are consumed, and the bonfire is put out, we make our way inside. Most of the guys and Whitney are playing video games while Winnie starts a drinking game for the remaining group—those who don’t have swim practice tomorrow.
“Hey,” Summer says, walking over with rosy cheeks and a lazy smile. She drops down onto the arm rest of the chair, her knees brushing against my thigh. “Some of the ladies are going to go out.”
Summer’s tipsy. But I have to admit, as long as she’s safe, I like seeing her let loose.
“You going to go?” I ask, knowing no matter how much I want Summer to myself, I know what she needs. To make her own choices and feel supported.
“Yeah. I think I will.”
“Okay. You have the key and the door code to get in?”
Summer nods.
“You’re not going to miss me too much, are you?”
I chuckle softly. “I’ll try to survive without you.”
“Hmm.”
I expect her to stand and walk off, but she sits there staring at me.
No, staring at my lips.
I slide my hand along her jaw and dip down to place a kiss on her lips. She tastes like chocolate and marshmallow and contentment. Before I pull her into my lap and kiss her the way I really want to, I release her.
“What was that for?” she whispers, dazed.
“Something to think about while you’re gone.”