Page 78 of His Choice

Daryl had just taken one from Dani’s hand and instead of drinking it, he poured it over his head, then his chest. He had made sure to do it just as Cliff had paused for a break and was watching us. Even I had to admit Daryl looked hot—literally and figuratively.

If I had been Aaron, I might have mimicked his actions to draw Cliff’s attention, but I didn’t think I could compete on a sexiness scale. Instead, I worked even harder, swinging a sledgehammer into the lower cabinets hard enough to send wood fragments flying. I was exhausted, but I wanted to summon every bit of strength I had to impress everyone.

When I lowered the tool, Cliff approached and grasped my shoulder with his wet hand, then slid it over my upper back. Daryl glared.

“Careful not to back up where the floorboards broke through,” Cliff warned.

As Daryl and I had begun wrecking lower cabinets, part of the kitchen floor had broken through. The crew had positioned chairs around the opening to remind people of the potential hazard. I nodded to Cliff to indicate I was being careful.

“I know. If anyone would have an accident, it would be me,” I admitted.

Cliff shook his head. “You’ve been amazing, Mikey. You might have done more than anyone here.” I knew that wasn’t true because Cliff, with his ginormous muscles, had single-handedly ripped out all the upper cabinets and the kitchen sink.

“Thanks.” I doubted he could tell that I was blushing, since everyone was already red from heat.

“Pace yourself,” he added. “You’re a strong guy, but I don’t want you to be aching for the next couple of days.”

Dani was still standing nearby and had overheard. “Maybe you can give everyone a massage as a reward for our work, Cliff.”

Daryl snorted. “Yeah, passing out water bottles is a real workout.”

“It is,” Dani snapped back. “I’ve been carrying the cases into the house too, you know.” He turned his attention back to Cliff. “I think I might have aggravated my butt and lower back muscles when I lifted one of them. Maybe you could give them some attention later? I can return the favor for any…muscle of yours that needs relaxing.”

I rolled my eyes. I wondered if crappy lines like that had ever worked on anyone.

Cliff had a slight smile. “I’m fine, Dani. But thank you. You know, Alex is pre-med. You should have him examine your back later if you’re worried you strained it.”

“The only thing Dani strained is my last nerve,” Daryl muttered. “Go get more water for us and put on a pair of pants while you’re at it. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

“Daryl!” Cliff chastised.

Dani huffed and stormed out, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy Daryl. He cast his eyes my way, a sneer on his face.

“You know what it’s like to publicly humiliate yourself, don’t you, Mikey?” Daryl teased.

“Don’t,” I pleaded.

Daryl glanced at Cliff, who had crossed his arms in irritation.

“Behave yourself, Daryl,” Cliff warned, sounding like the schoolteacher he once was.

“But you should have seen Mikey at the costume shop, Cliff. Mikey had a wardrobe malfunction. He was lying on the floor with his pajamas down. So sad, and I mean that in every possible way.”

“That’s enough!” Cliff snapped.

I had an image of taking the sledgehammer to Daryl’s head. Instead, I backed away, trying to think of how I could exit the scene without making things worse. That’s when my legs hit one of the chairs blocking the busted floorboards. I stumbled, and the weight of my body and the sledgehammer hurled me onto my back, right over the weakened area. More boards gave way, and I fell. I would have ended up in a pile on the basement floor below, had I not braced my arms in time over the secured floorboards near the hole. I looked down, cursing that the cellar had unusually high walls and much of the debris directly beneath me comprised splintered wood with sharp edges and exposed nails.

The camera crew rushed to the scene just in time to capture my disgrace. At least they hadn’t filmed Daryl’s insults.

Cliff rushed to me and grabbed my wrists.

Aaron had appeared on the scene, looked panicked, then ran out of the room. Nice to know he’s good in a crisis!

“Careful, Cliff. You could fall through, too!” someone yelled to him.

“I’ve got you,” Cliff said. I was surprised how soothing his voice sounded despite the chaos.

“It’s an awkward position to pull him up from,” Daryl warned. “Shit, I’m sorry! What can I do?”