"Don't drop the rock!" I goaded Tommy loudly as the locals cheered him on. He threw me a look as we all watched his biceps strain under the weight. I even found myself holding my breath as he lifted it up—up, up, and up it went until his arms were rigidly straight above his head. The people cheered and he dropped the stone wearily. I shrugged.
"Not bad." I stated simply as I watched the sweat that rolled down his chest in amusement. There were only three contestants left. I had not expected Tommy to even last as long as he had. I was more than duly impressed—I was trying my damndest not to feel attracted to the fact. I suddenly felt like one of those gap-toothed cave women living in the Stone Age—picking their man by nothing more than physical prowess. Good God, this tropical environment was turning me into Tarzan's Jane. I shuddered.
"Are you satisfied yet?" Tommy hissed fiercely as he rubbed at his arms. I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit bad about his discomfort. Then I thought about the spider incident and the salt water dunking and I changed my mind. I just grinned instead.
"Careful Hercules, I'd save your anger for the rock." I stated simply as he narrowed his eyes. Something told me I was really in for it now. Tom turned as one of the three men left in the event dropped the boulder—leaving Tom and a large Polynesian man as the only two left in the competition.
"You're already guaranteed the silver." I teased as he kicked sand over the arch of my foot before walking back over to the rock. I held my breath again as he leaned down and lifted it—watching in fascination as the veins in his arms protruded—as his biceps began to shake once the rock got halfway into the air. I suddenly felt myself doing something I had not meant to do—I started cheering him on—even leaning over onto the sand near his feet along with everyone else from the studio.
"Come on, Tom! Just a little higher!" I encouraged as he glanced down at me before putting all of his efforts into it. He finally got it straight into the air before waiting for the sign that told everyone he had achieved victory. I yelled before covering my mouth quickly once I realized what I was doing. Tommy smiled wickedly as if he was completely aware of my slip in decorum. Oh Damn! He edged over to me as his breaths came out ragged.
"Not tired are you?" I asked on a small grin as he threw me a 'screw you' look before resting his arm on my shoulder. I moved away as the second contestant lifted the rock. I held my breath again hoping the man would redeem my pride by winning. No suck luck. He dropped the rock. Oh yeah, Tom was going to be once cocky son of a gun now. I looked over at him with a frown as he crossed his now tired arms across his chest cheerfully.
"I owe you one, Harrison. You've managed to raise my ranks in physical attributes and gain me a small worshipful following all at the same time." Tommy stated winsomely as I glanced at the Polynesian women watching him from the shoreline. I groaned. Leave it to me to try to embarrass the guy only to succeed in lifting him up. I grumbled as Darius came up to announce we needed to get back on board the ship. I had to formulate a plan—ughhhhhh! I watched Tommy's back as he practically limped toward the ship, and I knew then he had been affected by the activity more than he was willing to admit. That was his saving grace because then I knew I had truly gotten to him more than I first suspected or he wouldn't have tried so hard—wouldn't have put himself through so much pain. And then I felt bad again as I continued to watch him as we boarded the ship and headed toward our cabins. He walked into his room—leaving his door open as he went in before collapsing onto his bed. I sighed as I glanced behind me down the hall to see if anyone was looking before following him in. How come he could always make me feel so guilty? I closed his cabin door.