Page 95 of Lowering His Guard

“You remember May’s parents.” They should, considering how often we eat at Wok the Plank.

Tanner’s eyes widen. “The grump can speak words! It’s a miracle.”

I growl at him.

“Now, there’s the grump we know and love.”

Lin wags her finger at him. “Do not make fun of Brock. He’s my future son-in-law.”

I wait for panic to fill me. The way it did after spending the night with May and realizing I’m falling for her. But it doesn’t. I love May. I want to be a part of her life. We’re dating now. And marriage and kids are in the future.

“Mom,” May warns. “We’re barely dating.”

“Dating?” Lin snorts. “And Brock just came to your house at six in the morning for breakfast.”

Tanner bursts into laughter. “I love you, Mrs. Ross.”

“You love my egg rolls.”

“True. And your sweet and sour pork.”

My stomach rumbles.

“Tanner, be quiet!” May orders. “You’ll awake the alien.”

“I came prepared.” Jace hands me a protein bar.

I don’t hesitate to rip it open and tear into it. When May stares at me, I ask, “What?”

“You ate an entire protein bar in a nanosecond. Did you forget to feed the alien this morning?”

Nolan chuckles. “I love this. May is all sunshine, and Brock is a grump. Didn’t know the two could fit together. But they do.”

We fit perfectly together.

After I finish chewing, I explain the positions my teammates play. I start with Gage. “Gage is a running back. If I do my job, he’s the guy running through the hole I opened.”

May grins. “You’re a snowplow.”

“I prefer bodyguard.”

I nod at Nolan. “Quarterback. He’s the one making the decisions. He tells everyone what we’re doing, then either throws the ball or hands it off.”

I point to Tanner. “Wide receiver. His job is to get open so the quarterback can throw him the ball.”

“And then I score. Touchdown!” Tanner dances his victory dance.

“Knock it off,” I grumble at him.

“Hold on. Don’t stop yet. I don’t have all the moves memorized.” Sure enough, May’s mimicking Tanner’s moves.

“Pint-sized,” I growl.

She blinks up at me. “What?”

“And last is Corbin. He’s the tight end. He does a bit of everything. He blocks. He catches and passes. He lines up next to the offensive line.”

May taps her chin. “So football is basically organized chaos.”