Page 17 of Golden Days

Hazel

Good for you!!

I put my phone away in the hidden pocket of my uniform, grab a rangefinder, and head out to meet the lovely person I will be caddying for today. The smile on my face is one of genuine contentment for finally getting to do a job I like. Absolutely nothing can ruin my mood, not even seeing Xander, one of our main caddies, getting ready next to me.

Xander is the type of ass-kisser that will do everything he’s told, exactly as he’s told, and have no original thought or input. And his uncle Ben gives him all the best caddie opportunities. Nepotism at its finest.

But not even that can ruin this glorious day.

I’m so ready for this.

I’ll knock it out of the park and⁠—

My eyes widen as Levi approaches us, lazily carrying his golf bag and talking to his friend, Ezra Ackerly.

I snort a laugh when I see Ezra’s ridiculously good-looking haircut. No wonder Rosie pounced on the opportunity to flirt with him.

Heart in my throat, I approach them and hope my features are schooled enough that I don’t look like a fangirling maniac. When Levi said he’ll put in a good word, I thought he meant broadly—that he’ll suggest to the upper staff that I caddie, not that I would caddie for him.

Shit. Now I’ll look like an idiot who doesn’t know her stuff if I make a mistake in front of him. The man already dislikes my presence generally.

“Good morning. May I take your bag, Mr. Carmichael?” I ask, putting on my nicest, sweetest voice.

Levi’s eyes narrow at me and he mumbles, “Morning.” I try to take the bag from him, but he holds it in an iron grip and doesn’t let me take it.

When Xander goes to take Ezra’s bag, I whisper-yell at Levi. “If you don’t give me your bag, you’re going to make me look bad in front of my peers and my boss. They’ll never let me caddie again.”

Levi considers this and gives me his bag, eyeing it closely. Does he think I’m going to steal it?

“It’s really heavy, don’t hurt yourself,” he says, holding my gaze for a long moment.

Oh.

So he can be a gentleman when he wants to.

The thought that Levi cares for the club workers’ well-being makes my insides flutter for some reason. Maybe I’m just hungry.

Levi puts on his sunglasses and a light blue hat while I just stare at him, my cheeks burning. When he looks back at me, I nod and give him a reassuring smile. Then the four of us are off to the Silver course.

Levi and Ezra play the game with such finesse that I find myself admiring their gameplay more than once, forgetting to keep track of where the balls are landing. When Levi drives a beautiful shot on the fifth hole that goes nearly 311 yards, I think I feel actual butterflies in my stomach. Ezra is just as good and follows close behind Levi, both of them landing on the green.

I subtly fan myself. Is it normal to be turned on by this? Holy hell, it’s hot. I watch the small beads of sweat on Levi’s neck, admiring the way his tendons flex. My gaze tracks the rest of his body down to his firm ass. It looks bite-able.

Am I an ass woman? I’ve never considered that to be a thing until now.

When he’s not busy kissing Ezra’s ass, Xander takes turns between glaring at me, rolling his eyes at me, and generally being a nuisance.

Normally, caddies just follow the golfers around, carry their bags, hand them water and their clubs. Most importantly, they don’t speak unless spoken to first.

Knowing a little bit about Levi’s style, I know he likes his peace and quiet before he has to take a shot. Even though this is very much a social game for him and Ezra, they still take it seriously.

Ezra is chattier and he makes small talk with me, which is why Xander has a stick up his butt. It’s not my fault he has the personality of a cardboard box and that people actually enjoy my company.

On the next hole, Levi takes another beautiful shot, landing about 150 yards away from the hole. When we get to his ball he asks for his 6-iron but I pause. I sneak a glance at Xander, who is cleaning Ezra’s club.

Levi holds out his hand expectantly and I chew on my bottom lip. I pull out his 8-iron instead and say with confidence, “I noticed you’ve been hitting heavy today, maybe you should try this instead.”

He looks at me and I imagine his eyes are narrowing behind his dark sunglasses. I almost take it back, but fuck it. I trust my own judgment. Levi takes a couple steps towards me but so does Xander, who is next to me in an instant.