Page 116 of Lowering His Guard

“You’re not letting me do anything. I’m doing what I want.”

I push to my feet. “I can’t.”

He stands and shuffles out of my way. “I’ll prove you’re wrong. I’ll prove you’re the woman I want.”

Those words cause a flicker of hope to arise in my stomach. I immediately douse it with water and banish it from my body. There is no hope. There is no future.

This is the end of us.

Chapter 35

Rule #16: If you want a future, start building it.

Brock

“What did the oatmeal do to you?” Jace asks and I realize I’m scowling at my breakfast.

I set my spoon down. Now’s a good time as any to have this discussion. “I need to discuss something with you.”

“Is it about May? Are you going to propose?” He presses his hands together as if he’s praying.

My brow wrinkles. “Do you want me to propose?”

“Duh. You love her. You’re happier and lighter around her.”

“Lighter?”

“You grunt less. You speak in full sentences. You smile for a change. Basically, you act like a normal human.”

“I am a normal human.”

“When you’re around May.”

He’s right. I am calmer and happier around my pint-sized surfer. It’s one of the reasons I love her. She brings out the good in me.

“Dad. I’m dying of suspense over here. What’s going on? Do you need me to go ring shopping with you?” His nose wrinkles. “You should call Grandma. She’d help.”

Good point. I do need to speak to my parents. Tell them my future plans. Maybe I can fly them to Smuggler’s Hideaway to meet May and her parents. They’re going to love May.

“Good idea.”

“Does this mean you’ll stop trying to murder your breakfast?”

I frown. “No.”

He sets down his spoon. “What is it?”

“May broke up with me last night.”

His eyes widen. “What did you do? Did you hurt her? Damnit, Dad. We were going to be a family.”

A family. May thinks she gets to decide what constitutes a family. What constitutes a fulfilling life for me. She’s wrong. We are a family. Me, her, and Jace.

But I’m not arguing with her. I’ll show her she’s wrong. If Jace agrees.

“Family’s the problem.”

“You’re doing that thing again when you say words but they don’t make any sense.”