Page 55 of Lowering His Guard

“I’m not. He needed help.”

“You’re going to miss this.”

I will. I’ll miss my teammates. I’ll miss the camaraderie. I’ll miss the challenge of pushing my body past the point I think it can handle.

But there are other ways to push your body. I can work out at a gym. Hell, I can buy a gym. I’ll have the time.

I nearly trip at the thought. Is owning a gym the solution to who I am without football?

Chapter 18

Gift wave – Every now and then, the ocean sends you a wave you weren't expecting. Don't waste it.

May

I sing along to the music as I drive Mer-Mini toward Buccaneer’s Whiskey & Distillery. It’s a warm, sunny day. The top is down and my hair flies through the air.

I pull into Buccaneer’s and drive around until I find a parking spot. It’s busy. Good. Since today’s event – Moonshine for Little Smiles – is for charity.

I find a spot and park. And then, because I can, I jump out without opening the door. I bow to my non-existent fans. What can I say? I amuse myself.

I study the distillery as I make my way across the parking lot. It’s owned and managed by the Raider brothers. I’m surprised the place hasn’t blown up. The Raider brothers are notorious for pranking each other and being all-around troublemakers.

Although, the six brothers have all found love and settled down in the past years. They’re all about weddings and babies now.

Babies. I press a hand on my stomach as it rolls with jealousy. I’ll never have my own baby. Never be part of a family.

Knock it off, I order my stomach. Stop being selfish. I force a smile on my face and make my way to the tent set up for the event. The chalkboard sign makes me giggle. Every sip helps local children. Drink responsibly. Give generously.

“Hey, Dakota,” I greet. “How’s it going?”

Dakota is the office manager at the distillery. She’s also married to the CFO, Rhett Raider. A man who’s nearly as grumpy as Brock. Although he’s lightened up since Dakota and their children have come into his life.

“Great!” She beams at me. “This event was a great idea.”

I chuckle. “Because it was your idea?”

She puffs out her chest. “Yes.”

I pay the fee and she hands me a mason jar. On the jar is a mermaid next to a treasure chest. Instead of overflowing with treasure, the chest overflows with tiny hearts. It’s adorable.

“Cute.”

She nods. “It is.”

“Let me guess. You designed it.”

She winks before wagging a bunch of raffle tickets at me. “Want to buy a ticket?”

“What can I win?”

“A private distillery tour. A weekend at Hideaway Haven Resort. A ‘Master Distiller for a Day’ experience.”

My eyes widen. Jaxon is the master distiller at Buccaneer’s. He’s also extremely private and secretive about his whiskey making process. “Jaxon is going to allow someone to help him distil?”

She scans the area before leaning close. “He doesn’t know yet.”

I bark out a laugh. “You are devious.”