Page 42 of Lowering His Guard

May

I pace in front of my parents’ door. I pick up my phone to cancel. But, for the fifth time, I set my phone down again without cancelling.

There’s no reason to cancel. I’m spending the day with Brock and Jace at an amusement park. I’m friends with Brock, and Jace is a fun kid. No biggie.

Brock’s SUV pulls into the driveway, and I rush outside. Brock frowns at me from beside the driver’s door.

“I was coming to the door.”

“No need. I’m here now.”

He follows me to the passenger door. “I can climb into the seat. All I need is a grappling hook and I’m all set.”

He chuckles. “You obviously don’t climb.”

“Why would I climb rocks? There’s no water nearby.”

“You surf because you love the water?”

“Dude, of course I love the water. When I’m surfing or swimming or even staring at the water, I feel peace.” I shrug. “I can’t explain it.”

“You just did.”

He opens the door and lifts me up.

“Who needs a grappling hook when you have a giant?”

“I thought he was an alien,” Jace says from the backseat.

“Good morning, Jace.” I glance over my shoulder at him. “Your dad isn’t an alien. He has an alien living in his stomach that demands food at close intervals.”

He barks out a laugh. “Gotcha!”

“Are you excited to visit Mermaid Mystical Gardens?” I ask as we drive away from my parents’ house.

“It’s an amusement park, right? It’s not some kiddie thing?”

“Mermaid Mystical Gardens used to be more for kids, but over the past years they’ve added rides that are definitely not for kids. Kraken’s Drop will scare the pants off of you. And Siren’s Spiral is one of the best rollercoasters I’ve ever been on.”

“What’s with the weird names?”

I gasp. “Weird names? Are you making fun of island lore? You are just asking for pirate Black Jack to haunt you. Lucky for you, he keeps to Smuggler’s Grotto.”

“I’m not afraid of a ghost.”

“Because you’ve never met Wally.”

“Who’s Wally?”

“The ghost that haunts the Smuggler’s Hideaway Savings & Loan. They have ghost tours.”

“I’m up for a ghost tour.”

“Don’t get mad at me when you pee your pants. You’ve been warned.”

Brock chuckles as he turns into the parking lot for the amusement park. He slows when he notices the mermaid statue. “Is that a mermaid?”

I roll my eyes. “Duh. Have you not noticed how much smugglers love mermaids?”