Page 24 of Lowering His Guard

His cheeks darken – highlighting his high cheekbones. It’s unfair of a man to be this handsome. And is he embarrassed? How can a man who weighs more than twice as much as me look cute when he’s embarrassed? It should be impossible. I’m quickly learning nothing is impossible when it comes to Brock Porter.

“Sorry. I don’t give out my phone number to anyone.”

“No problem,” Jace says. “I gave it to her.”

I expect Brock to berate me. He’s obviously big into privacy. Which makes sense. The man is a football player on one of the most popular teams in the NFL. He probably has women chasing after him all the time.

My stomach curdles with jealousy.

I’m being ridiculous. I have nothing to be jealous of. I barely know Brock. I have no rights to him.

“Good,” Brock says and my jaw drops open. Does he want me to have his phone number?

“Okay,” I manage to speak. “I’ll let you know the next time the class is cancelled. In the meantime…” I nod to Jace.

“We’re going go-kart racing.” I nudge him. “If that’s okay with you.”

“Go-kart racing?” Brock scratches his chin. “I haven’t been go-kart racing in a while. I’ll join you.”

“Um…” I inch backwards. This is now a family affair. I don’t belong with them. “Have fun.”

“May,” Jace whines. “Come with us.”

“Are you afraid to lose, pint-sized?” Brock taunts.

I glare at him. “I’m not afraid to lose.”

“Then, let’s go.”

His gaze meets mine and I’m helpless to say no. “Okay.”

He herds us toward the parking lot.

“Mr. Grumpy! We’re playing football here!” Tanner shouts but Brock ignores him.

“Don’t you need to…” I motion to where his teammates are gathered.

“Nope.”

We reach the parking lot and I make my way to my car. “Hop in.”

Brock grunts. “No.”

“What’s wrong? You don’t like Mer-Mini?”

Mer-Mini is awesome. I painted her light blue for the ocean before adding mermaid scales. She’s one of a kind.

“I like her,” Jace pipes in. “Can I drive?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Do you have a driver’s license?”

“Learner permit.”

“Sorry. No one drives Mer-Mini except me.” I hit the button to unlock the doors. “Now, get in. Shipwreck Speedway waits for no one.”

“Not getting in the toy car,” Brock grumbles.

I gasp and clutch my chest. “Mer-Mini is not a toy car. Don’t let her hear you!” I pet the car’s side. “It’s okay, Mer-Mini. The grumpy football player didn’t mean it.”