Page 5 of Lowering His Guard

“Coach Cha-Cha!” Nolan calls to Coach.

He growls at the nickname. “Are you ever going to stop calling me by that ridiculous nickname?”

Nolan grins. “Nope.”

“I can teach you to dance, Coach.” Tanner dances along the sidewalk, swaying his hips with abandon.

“We getting a drink or what?” I grumble.

Gage slaps my back. “Mr. Grumpy strikes again.”

I scowl at him. Gage is a running back and isn’t usually a troublemaker. He’s loyal and protective.

Tanner stops dancing and wrinkles his nose as if he’s confused. He’s not. The nose wrinkle is a warning his shit stirring is about to begin. “Brock is Mr. Grumpy, and Corbin is Mr. Anti-Social since he refuses to stay at the resort with us.”

The tight end isn’t anti-social. Corbin’s quiet and reserved. He needs time away from the team to decompress. I envy his quiet, but Jace would never agree to stay anywhere but at the resort where the rest of the team is.

“No name calling.” Nolan motions to the door. “After you, Coach Cha-Cha.”

“Whose idea was it to have a team bonding event at Mermaid Karaoke?” he mutters as we enter the bar.

“Not mine,” I grunt as I pass him on the way to order drinks.

Tanner follows me. He sidles up to the bar and immediately begins flirting with the bartender. I roll my eyes. Typical Tanner behavior. But the bartender, unlike the women before her, doesn’t appear impressed. Good. The wide receiver could use a wake-up call.

While I wait in line, I message Jace.

You okay? What are you doing?

I’m fine, Dad. I’m not a kid. I can handle myself for an evening.

I can practically hear the whine in his voice. Teenagers. The bane of my existence.

If you want to order more food, put it on the room.

I know. This isn’t my first hotel room visit.

My chest aches and I rub a hand over it. I hate how Jace has spent so many of his days in a hotel room when he should be at home. But I can hardly leave a teenager at home for a week while I travel to games when my parents are on vacation.

Call if you need anything. I can be there in five minutes.

Aye-aye, captain.

Such a smart ass. I don’t know where he got it from. His grandmother – my mom – is as sweet as pie, and his grandfather – my dad – doesn’t speak much.

It’s my turn to order. I shove my phone back in my pocket and order beers for the group. As I walk toward our table, Tanner joins me. He’s carrying a bottle of liquor and shot glasses. I frown at him.

Coach Knox scowls at us. “You’re supposed to be getting back in shape.”

Tanner shakes the bottle. “It’s moonshine. The bartender insisted we try it.”

I snort. “Insisted? Or gave you the bottle to get you out of her hair?”

Tanner feigns flipping his hair over his shoulder. “She was smitten.”

Coach barks out a laugh. “Smitten?”

“It means to be strongly attracted to someone.” Tanner waggles his eyebrows. “Usually me.”