Page 38 of Lowering His Guard

The truck door slams and the driver wanders over to us. “I’m all set.”

“Can you wait two minutes for the protein bars?” I ask.

Ava frowns. “Sorry, May. We’re already fifteen minutes behind schedule as it is.”

“Damn.”

She pats my arm as she returns to the kitchen while the driver slams the rear doors shut and ambles toward the driver’s seat. Come on, Jace. Come on.

But there’s no Jace when the truck drives off. He arrives at the dock – panting from exertion – as the truck is turning onto the main road.

“It’s gone?”

“Sorry, Jace.” I wrinkle my nose. “Can your dad wait until lunch?” I motion to the truck. “It won’t be long before it’s lunchtime.”

Ava rushes outside with a tray in her arms. “Shit. He’s gone? We forgot this tray.”

“May can deliver the tray when she takes Dad his protein bars,” Jace offers.

“I guess I’m driving to the mainland,” I mutter. “Do you want to go with and say hi to your dad?”

His nose wrinkles. “Nah. I’m meeting the other kids for lunch and then we’re going swimming.”

I sigh. “Fine. Make me drive there on my own.”

Ava smiles. “Excellent. Here you go.” She hands me the tray.

I don’t need much time before I’m in Mer-Mini driving toward the mainland. By the time I’m on the bridge to cross to the mainland, I’ve caught up to the catering truck. I follow it to Coastal State University.

I park beside it and climb out of Mer-Mini. I hand the tray to the driver before making my way into the stadium.

I quickly realize I should have stuck with the driver. This place is a maze. I finally find a sign for the locker rooms and follow it.

I slow when I reach the correct hallway. There’s no one lingering outside. They must still be busy with the weigh-in. And I’m not interrupting.

I lean against the wall opposite the entrance. Since the door’s open, I can listen to Coach Knox give his speech. The man is motivating. I’m tempted to jump on the scale myself.

After a while, I notice Nolan, Gage, Tanner, Brock, and Corbin gather near the door. I start forward but hear my name and stop.

Brock growls and steps toward Tanner until he’s backed up against the wall. “Leave May alone.”

My nipples tighten, and my stomach warms at his dark, protective voice. Every time I think Brock can’t get sexier, he proves me wrong. I don’t usually enjoy being proven wrong, but with Brock I love it.

Tanner shoves at Brock. “But we need to make sure she’s good enough for you. Unlike Jace’s mom.”

Jace’s mom? I wonder what the story is. Jace hasn’t mentioned his mom once. Odd for a teenage boy.

“No need,” Brock grumbles. “May and I aren’t a couple. We aren’t anything. She’s my son’s surfing teacher. End of story.”

Aren’t anything? So much for ice cream dates at the resort. So much for friends.

Why did I ever think I could get the grump to change his tune? To show me his gooey middle? Obviously, he doesn’t have one.

I drop the protein bars on the ground and whirl around to march back to my car. I am done with Brock Porter and his grumpy ass.

Chapter 13

Rule #5: Protein bars are cheaper than relationship counseling.