Page 89 of Lowering His Guard

I motion toward the resort. “Just go. There’s nothing for you here.”

She hitches her bag on her shoulder. “My lawyer will be in touch.”

Her lawyer can do whatever he wants. The terms of our divorce settlement are clear. When I retire from the NFL, her monthly spousal allowance ends. Frankly, I’d forgotten about the clause. But now it’s one more reason to retire.

She starts for the resort.

“Don’t you want to see Jace?” I call.

She pauses for a moment. “Tell him I said hi.”

“Tell him yourself. I’m not passing on a message.”

“Whatever,” she mutters as she stomps away. Or attempts to stomp away. It’s apparently difficult to stomp when you’re wearing sky-high heels on a beach.

I watch to make certain she leaves without bothering May or Jace. She hits the pavement and increases her pace. When the door shuts behind her, I blow out a breath. What a shit show.

I need to check on Jace and May. Are they okay?

Will May retreat from me after having to deal with my ex? Fuck, I hope not. I love her.

Chapter 28

Commitment – Once you paddle for the wave, there's no turning back.

May

“Have you tried a mermaid meltdown sundae yet?” I ask Jace as I herd him toward the ice cream cart.

He glances over his shoulder at his parents. Crap. Ice cream is not a big enough distraction.

“Why don’t smugglers play hide-and-seek?”

He returns his attention to me. “Why?”

“Because Mayor Lana would tell everyone where they’re hiding before lunchtime.”

He chuckles. “We met Mayor Lana at the Mermaid Lagoon Races. She pinched my cheeks and asked Dad to run away with her.”

I laugh. “That’s Mayor Lana.” We reach the front of the line and I order two mermaid meltdown sundaes.

Jace’s eyes widen as the attendant makes the sundaes.

“I can’t believe you haven’t tried one of these yet,” I say as I hand him his sundae. “It’s the best thing in the world. Three scoops of ice cream drowning beneath whipped cream, caramel, chocolate, seashells, gummy fish, sea glass candy, sprinkles, and a chocolate mermaid tail. Don’t worry. The mermaid tail isn’t real.”

He shakes his head. “Mermaids aren’t real.”

“Shush. Don’t let them hear you say they aren’t real. You’ll never meet one then.”

“I’ll never meet one because they’re not real,” he teases.

Good. He’s not worrying about his parents arguing now. I can’t believe he didn’t even recognize his mom. I can’t imagine not having a mom growing up.

I never realized how lucky I was having such a great mom. She showed me how to be a good parent. Too bad I’ll never be a parent.

I force those thoughts away. Now is not the moment to feel sorry for myself. It’s never the moment. What good does feeling sorry for myself do? None.

Trust me. I tried it. Zero stars. Do not recommend.