Page 91 of Unexpected Shot
She gives me a raised eyebrow, but quickly goes back to the topic at hand. “I was asking what your thoughts are if I went for the green?”
I grin as my mind goes back to twenty years ago. During another time when she asked me if she should go for it.
“Am I being stupid?”
I know why Shelby’s asking that. While everyone else is laying up this shot, she’s considering going for it over the water. Bold? Very. But is it Shelby? Absolutely.
Plus, if she goes for it, then taps it in, she’s going to win the Willowmere tournament and the five thousand dollar scholarship. Which…good for her. No one deserves it more.
“Nah,” I say with a wink. “You’re being you. Now go hit the shit out of that ball, Belle. Bring it home.”
I step back to watch the girl I’ve played golf with for years hit arguably the biggest shot of her life. I’ve been there for most of them, but right now, I feel a sense of pride as I watch her bring her three wood back before striking the ball in the most perfect way.
The ball sails through the air, and I hold my breath until I see it go over the water, only exhaling when it safely lands on the green.
Cheers erupt as Shelby starts jumping up and down. I’m celebrating right along with her, until I see her run over to Chad.
I can’t believe she’s dating him. I also can’t believe the lame fist bump he gives her. What kind of congratulations is that? Fuck that.
“You did it, Belle!” I call out, swooping her into a hug and twirling her around. If her boyfriend doesn’t want to be excited for her, I sure as hell will be. “You fucking did it.”
“I did,” she says. But just as quickly, a sad look covers her face. “But…aren’t you mad?”
I set her back on the ground. “Mad? Why would I be mad?”
“Because if I birdie, I’ll beat you.”
I just laugh and shake my head. Would I like to win? Sure. Another victory under my belt. But I don’t need this win. Shelby does.
“Absolutely not. You earned this, Belle. I’m proud of you.”
“You’re asking me?”
She shrugs. “This affects you too. Plus, you tend to not steer me wrong in situations like this.”
Emotions flood through me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think Shelby would ever trust me again with anything, especially golf. But now, being here? At a shot where she has to hit it perfectly over water? Sure, it might not be the same distance or club as it was all those years ago, but the similarities are too similar.
Except, after this tournament, I’m not going to let anything happen to her. To us. Not again.
“I say go for it,” I begin, going into Beau golf mode and focusing on where the pin placement is today and where she needs to hit it. “Use your full nine iron. Hit it toward the top of the green. Put spin on it. Then let it roll back, and I’ll tap it in.”
She softly smiles as she looks up at me. “You don’t think I should lay up?”
I know I told her earlier not to kiss me on the course, but maybe I should’ve told myself that. Because all I want to do right now is lean in and kiss the shit out of her in front of the fans, my family, and any other person watching.
“Nah,” I say, giving her a head nod. “Go hit the shit out of this ball, Belle. Bring it home.”
I’ve won two career majors.
I’ve played on the biggest stages in golf.
And never have I heard a round of applause like this.Because everyone here knows this ball is about to drop into the bottom of the cup.
Birdie.
One-stroke win.
Holy fucking shit! We did it.
