Page 68 of Lowering His Guard

Raven clears his throat. I glance over at him. “How are you still standing?”

I wipe the sweat from my eyes. “Because the guy across from me is tired too.”

We do another rep. Another brutal hit. Another touchdown from Tanner.

“I can’t hit any more,” Raven complains when we line up again.

I shake my head. “Stop trying.”

His brow wrinkles in confusion. I tap my thigh pads. “Move your feet.” I point. “Football isn’t won with your shoulders.” I pause. “It’s won six inches at a time.”

Coach blows the whistle. “Porter.” He motions me over. “You’re mentoring.”

“I answered a question.”

Coach grins. “Keep answering.”

I grunt since I have no answer. I have no aspirations to be a coach. If Knox thinks he can recruit me, he’s got another thing coming.

I love football. And I’ll miss the game. But coaching won’t solve the problem of missing Jace. I’d be on the road as much as I am now.

I jog back onto the field. It feels as if hours pass before Coach blows the whistle and orders, “One more.”

Everyone groans. I simply lower my helmet. Bitching and moaning doesn’t win games.

“You heard him,” Nolan calls.

Snap. Collision. Bodies everywhere. Touchdown.

Coach Knox finally ends the training and we trudge off the field. Gage slaps my shoulder. “Thanks.”

He doesn’t need to thank me. I wasn’t blocking for him as a personal favor. I was doing my job.

I grunt.

“That’s another twenty-five cents!” Tanner shouts.

I roll my eyes. Whatever. They can make fun of me grunting as much as they want. I don’t give a shit.

May enjoys my grunting. She finds it amusing.

I shake my head and push thoughts of May out of my mind. I’m not in the market for a relationship. Especially not one with a pint-sized surfer who threatens my hold on my control.

Chapter 22

Spark – Sometimes all it takes is one perfect wave to turn hope into something impossible to ignore.

May

I lean against Mer-Mini as I wait for Jace. I’m beyond excited for this evening. It’s going to be epic. I frown when Brock exits the resort and aims my way. Uh oh. Is Jace sick? Or backing out?

“What are you doing here?”

“Jace told me you needed to speak to me. Something about permission for his class.”

“What?” I rear back. “Jace is supposed to be meeting me.”

He rubs a hand over his jaw. “Gonna be tough. He left the resort.”