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“A-ya-ya-ya-yala!” Tina’s loud victory cry trilled through the gym. Her teammates cheered, gathering around her with arms raised. Rory clambered over the bleacher and engulfed her in a hug. At long last, she’d reached her goal of lifting twice her weight in hard cold metal, and then some. His respect knew no bounds.
Vi strode in wearing dark jeans, red boots, and a turquoise coat. Over Tina’s shoulder, Rory feasted on Vi’s perky beauty. His pulse ratcheted skyward, and he tried to disengage from the hug. Too late. When Tina spied Vi, she tightened her hold on him, then smacked a sweaty kiss on his cheek.
“Thanks, Tina,” he said wryly. She swaggered over to her fan club, then glanced back, eyes full of mischief. Her teammates egged her on with hoots, knowing full well it was all an act. The woman doted on her husband and son.
He stepped away from the practice area and plopped next to Vi on the aluminum bleacher. Amid the ongoing clamor, he asked, “Did you and Cyrus have a pleasant afternoon?”
“We’re making progress. He had a hard time resisting the goose. And talk about personality. I could have sworn he pouted when I yelled for him to stop chasing Harry.”
“Poor Harry.”
Vi’s face scrunched into a comical frown. “Right. Poor Harry. I hope Cyrus sees the goose as a playmate.”
“Instead of dinner?” When Vi smacked his arm, Rory yowled playfully. Grinning, he rubbed his arm for good measure.
Together, they watched the practice floor until Tavo’s whistle shrilled. “Five minutes.” He ambled over to Vi, wiping his neck with a white towel. “Hey, Magic Hands, whatcha up to?”
“Meeting with Rory after practice.” She tilted her head his way.
“Now, what’s a nice girl like you doing hangin’ out with him?” Tavo’s voice rumbled.
“He’s fixin’ up my house.”
“If he messes with you, let me know. I’ll conk him on the head.” Tavo winked at her.
The way Vi’s lips stretched could have split the sun. “You got it, Chief.”
Rory rose clumsily from the bleacher. A rock-climbing session hiked to the top of his to-do list. He stuck his hand out. “Good going, Coach.”
Tavo arched a brow. “You need a massage, buddy?” He gestured with the towel to Vi, who had suddenly become interested in the gym floor. “She has the best hands on the planet.”
Leave it to Tavo to ferret out what Rory was trying to ignore. He jerked his head in a decisive no.
Faint creases lined Tavo’s forehead. “Now you’re being stupid. I’d live in a world of hurt if it weren’t for her.” He shrugged moose-size shoulders. “If you wanna hurt, it’s your business.” He turned to address a team member.
Rory shook off Tavo’s remarks, wishing the man would mind his own business. He leaned toward Vi. “Have you eaten?”
She swung her head sideways. “I can dash over to the deli before they close while you shower.”
“That’d be great.” If left up to Rory, he’d have pushed for a nicer place. And she would have balked.
His lips twitched as she ran out the door, her fiery mass of curls streaming behind her. When had watching the divine Miss Vi become more than a hobby? In truth, he’d been sneaking peeks at her for months. Even before his breakup with Stella.
Rory stretched, pinwheeling one arm, then the other as he headed to the men’s dressing room. The upper body workout he’d done before practice found muscles he hadn’t used in a while. He’d endure the stiffness because strong back muscles would help his gait.
The deli screen had been closed, and the lights were low when he arrived. Vi waited at a table with their food.
“How did you manage all this?” Rory’s eyes rounded at the various food choices as he slid into the seat across from Vi at the small table. He cherished the privacy the semi-darkness provided.
“I must have looked famished because the staff shared the leftovers.”
He held out a hand. “Do you want to say grace?”
She nodded. Rory leaned forward to hear her soft words. When she finished, he squeezed her fingers, pleased when she returned the pressure.
Vi opened a cup of soup. Rich tomato broth steamed the air. “So, what’s next with the house?”
“Sheetrock, then a fork in the road. But let’s eat first.” Rory unrolled the paper from a chicken wrap.
