Page 51 of Lowering His Guard

He shrugs. “Being healthy is important. Everyone should have the chance to work out.”

“Too bad there isn’t a fitness club on the island.”

“What about the resort? Why can’t locals use the gym here?”

“Hudson doesn’t allow it. The resort is super exclusive.” I snort. “Why am I telling you this? You know it’s exclusive. Anyway, he guarantees guests' privacy. Can’t guarantee privacy if smugglers are running around hiding weights and having water fights.”

“Hiding weights?”

“And having water fights.”

He appears confused or appalled. It’s hard to tell with him. So, I explain.

“There used to be a gym in Smuggler’s Rest. I don’t know how it began, but it became tradition to hide a weight whenever you were at the gym. One day Kai and Miles Raider were working out and Miles lost it when he couldn’t find a weight he needed. He was training for his first professional surfing competition. He was convinced Kai hid it. He threw his water bottle at him and things just kind of evolved from there.”

“Miles was a surfer?”

“Yep. We trained together with Amos.”

He growls.

“Dude, what’s your problem?”

His hand tightens on mine. “Were you and Miles a thing?”

Is he jealous? Excitement hits me and races through my veins. Brock is jealous. No one’s ever been jealous over me before. I probably shouldn’t like it, but I do. Can you blame me? The big, strong, sexy football player is jealous because of me. Unfortunately, there’s no reason to be jealous.

“Miles and I never dated. He fell in love with Hazel in high school.”

“Hazel?” His brow wrinkles. “The physical therapist?”

“The one and only.”

He grunts and I interpret this to mean ‘tell me more, May. I’m fascinated by your life and this island’.

“He dumped her when he left for Hawaii to compete. Idiot. He ended up getting hurt and returning to the island with his tail tucked between his legs. But did he go straight to Hazel and beg for her forgiveness? No, he did not.”

“Idiot.”

“Exactly! Men can be such idiots. Present company not included.”

“You can include me. I was an idiot over Jace’s mom.”

My stomach drops as jealousy explodes inside of me. But I’m also curious. I force myself to swallow my growl.

“Jace’s mom?” There. I sounded innocent and not jealous at all.

He nods. “Serenity.” He gazes out into the ocean. “My ex-wife. She left us when Jace was five.”

“Left us? As in both of you?”

“Yep. She packed up her shit and ran away. Jace hasn’t seen her since.”

I gasp. “Since he was five?”

“No birthday cards. No calls. She dropped off the face of the earth. To him. Meanwhile, I’m still paying spousal support.”

“Can’t she get a job and support herself?”