Page 63 of Race to the Beach

Owen didn't want to stop.He was anxious to go to Maxi, but he couldn't blow off his brother."I...uh, just left dinner."

"With Regan, I hear."

"How do you know?"

Grant shrugged."I think the whole island is talking about the bidding war between Maxi and your ex."

Owen lowered his gaze to the sidewalk."I didn’t know she’d be there."

"I heard you left with Regan.Bro, how could you do that?Maxi is great."

Owen’s jaw tightened as his back teeth ground together."It wasn't my idea.I only went with Regan because she won the bid."

"Still, what about Maxi?"

He hated how his brother made him feel like a fool.He'd messed up.He knew that."I have to talk to her."

"I think it's going to take more than talking to her."

Owen arched a brow."What is that supposed to mean?"

Grant shook his head."Never mind.”

“How am I supposed to do that?Sounds like you know something I don’t know.”

“It’s just that I can't believe you messed this up.You finally brought home someone that everyone in the family loves.She's so much better for you than Regan."

Owen frowned at his brother."How can you say that?I never even brought Regan home to meet anyone."

"Exactly.She had you sneaking around and avoiding your family for the entire summer.If you thought that was a healthy relationship, I’m here to tell you it wasn't.But Maxi is someone who could fit right into our family.Figure out a way to fix this."His brother strode away as though he'd done his duty as the big brother and set Owen straight.

Owen couldn't believe that things had gotten so bad that his big brother thought he needed relationship advice.There was only one thing to do now.He started walking toward Bonnie’s house.

He didn't know what he was going to say when he saw Maxi.He supposed that he'd beg for her forgiveness.That should be a good start.He'd wing it from there.

As he strode down the street, a number of people shook their heads at him.A few pointedly told him not to lose Maxi.How was it that the whole town seemed to know about his troubles with Maxi?

He strode up to Bonnie’s house.He stepped onto the porch and without giving himself a chance to change his mind, he rapped his knuckles on the door.

When no one immediately answered the door, he glanced at his watch.It was only a quarter till nine.Surely they hadn't gone to bed that early.

He knocked again and waited.

A few moments later, the door opened.Bonnie stood in the small opening.She frowned at him."It's not a good time."

When she went to close the door in his face, he put out his hand, stopping the door from shutting."Please.I need to talk to her."

Bonnie shook her head.In a soft voice that was almost a whisper, she said, "She went to bed."

"She's asleep already?"It took him a moment to realize that his thoughts had been translated into words.

"I highly doubt she's sleeping.”The frown on her face deepened.“You really upset her."

"And I'm sorry.That was never my intention."

"I don't know what your intentions were, but I won't let you hurt my niece again."This time she firmly closed the door in his face.

He had never seen Bonnie so upset with him.He had made such a mess of everything.And now he had no idea how to fix things.

---