Page 22 of Golden Days

When I’m quiet for too long, Ezra pats my shoulders. “I just like to see you riled up, my friend. You know I’m like, so over you.”

I laugh and place him in a chokehold. “Is the redhead from the country club going to go out with you?”

“I haven’t asked her yet.”

I let him go and shake my head. “Already sexting her, and you haven’t even bought her a drink. No manners.”

“Hey, I’m a fucking gentleman. She’s the one that turned the conversation to sex, I was helpless to it.” He grins, blue eyes sparkling.

His phone dings, but I snatch it out of his hand and place both our devices on a nearby table.

“You, me, workout. Sexting comes after. It’ll be like a reward,” I say, grabbing his shoulders and pointing him to the treadmill.

Ezra slumps against my chest and I squat to hold him up.

“Okay, okay, I’m going,” he says, flailing around as I try to hoist him up.

I give up, setting him down and smacking him lightly over the head. “Focus. I’m going to help you get over those damn yips.”

“Fine, fine,” he grumbles, but goes through the gruesome workout with me. And when he hits the irons on the simulator, his shots seem to be improving.

Later, I stop by the range and keep an eye out for Hazel, but I don’t see her in the restaurant or around the course.

The pro shop is the last place to look, and I find her stocking gloves and tees on one of the retail walls. I take a moment to admire her, but then realize I’m in her place of work and other people around are staring at me.

Cracking my knuckles, I approach her.

“Thomas?”

She startles and spins around. Her wide brown eyes take me in and her face lights up with a smile.

My breath catches in my throat and I swallow. Fuck, she’s pretty. There’s a smattering of freckles across her nose and the tops of her shoulders. The tight curls coming out of her hat bounce with her movement and I need to physically stop myself from reaching out and wrapping one around my finger.

“Sir, how can I help you?” she asks, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

“I need a favor,” I say, clearing my throat. Then I spin on my heels and walk to the simulator.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Hazel

Levi walks away, leaving me staring after him. His entire demeanor is baffling to me. One moment he’s cold, the next he’s standing up for me with Xander. Now he needs a favor, but walks away without telling me what it is?

Unsure what else to do, I follow him to the simulator, taking quick steps to keep up with him.

“What exactly can I help you with?” I ask, curiosity getting the best of me.

“I want to see you take some shots.”

“Really?” I say, frowning. “Why?”

He gives me a small smile and tips his head for me to follow. For some reason, I do. The butterflies from yesterday are back and I try to tamp down the giddy feeling that Levi is actually paying attention to me and my game.

“Pick a driver. I want to see what your distance is.”

So commanding. I roll my eyes behind his back but do as I’m told. I’m not going to say no to some free advice from the best player in the world.

I grab one of the drivers that looks like it fits me the best and take a few practice swings. Then, I line up my shot. I take a deep breath and try to clear my head, but the fact that Levi is watching me with crossed arms doesn’t help. The first shot is not amazing. I can’t tell if it’s the lack of follow through or my wrist position, but the ball slices way to the right.