Page 39 of Lowering His Guard

Brock

My body hums in anticipation as I make my way through the tunnels in the stadium to the parking lot. We’re going to Wok the Plank for dinner. According to Jace, May is working.

I shouldn’t be excited to see her. I shouldn’t want to spend time with her. She tests my carefully controlled life. But her bright smile makes me forget all about my rules.

I dig out my phone to message Jace.

How does Chinese sound for dinner?

Is it okay if I go to the boardwalk with my friends?

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I contemplate my answer. I want Jace to have friends. I want him to have fun. But I don’t know this island. Is it safe?

And, dammit, I want to spend time with my son, too. It’s the whole reason I’m retiring this year. To spend time with Jace before he leaves for college.

I blow out a breath. I’m being selfish.

Is a parent going with you?

Yeees.

I can hear the whine in his answer. My son is the best, but he’s still a teenager.

Okay. If I text, you respond. No exceptions.

This mean I can go?

Yes.

Awesome! You’re the best!

I shake my head. I went from being annoying to being the best. A teenager can give you whiplash if you’re not careful.

Do you have money?

Yes.

Okay. Have fun.

He gives my response a thumbs-up and I know I’ve lost him to his friends now. Maybe I should plan an activity for the two of us for the weekend. Smuggler’s Hideaway has a ton of fun things to do. Such as the Mermaid Lagoon Races.

Where May was running around without a bra on. My cock twitches and my mouth waters at the memory. I want my mouth on May’s breasts. I want my hands on her skin. I want—

A horn blaring from Nolan’s car cuts off those thoughts. Good. I shouldn’t be imagining my son’s surfing instructor naked. I glance over at Nolan and he motions for me to follow him.

My teammates are joining me at Wok the Plank. I shouldn’t be going to the Chinese restaurant. I missed weight for the first time in my career today. Only by two pounds, but still. Two pounds over is not making weight. This is not how a professional football player should start the season. Even if it is his last.

But I spoke to Coach Knox and he’s giving me a second chance. I didn’t know he gave those. I thought he’d have me running around the field all weekend. Instead, he told me to get my shit together this weekend and he’d weigh me again on Monday. If I miss weight then, there will be hell to pay. I won’t miss weight.

I follow Nolan’s ridiculous sports car as we drive out of the parking lot toward Smuggler’s Hideaway. We hit the bridge and anticipation is a live wire running through my body. In a few minutes, I’ll see May again.

This is the reason I’m going to Wok the Plank despite not making weight today. I can’t resist the pull of May. I have no idea why not. I’ve had plenty of women since Serenity. But somehow one pint-sized surfer is the one to test my control.

The parking lot is packed when we arrive at the restaurant. We should probably carpool instead of driving five different vehicles. But Gage drives like he’s late for his own birth. Tanner doesn’t pay attention to the road. Corbin isn’t staying at the resort. And no one wants to ride in Nolan’s tiny toy car.

Speaking of toy cars. I spot May’s blue mini covered in mermaid scales. I can’t believe she named her car Mer-Mini. It’s ridiculous and totally May.

We meet up at the entrance to the restaurant. I push my way to the front. I’m going in first.