Page 67 of Golden Days

Hang on, why do you have nothing better to do, Ez?

Ezra

…

Ezra

I’m taking a little break. More than one tournament break, but not too much that I’ll lose my PGA card.

Rowan

Did something happen?

Jacob

Bloody hell. Injury?

Ezra

Something like that. I’d rather not go into details right now.

Levi

Looking forward to it, gents.

My finger hovers over the call button and I dial Ezra. He sends me to voicemail but I’m stubborn and call again. And again. Until he finally gives in and answers.

“Hello?” he asks, sighing.

“Why are you dodging my calls?” I ask, placing one hand on my hip.

Ezra scoffs and I expect him to fight me, but he says, “I’m not. I just had a therapy session with Dolores. Thanks for recommending her, by the way. I just feel a little…”

“Raw?” I ask when he’s quiet for a beat.

“Yeah. Questioning things. You know how it goes.”

I sigh, completely understanding the feeling. “I’m glad you called her.”

“Yeah, well. I didn’t feel like breaking another lamp, so…”

We stay on the phone in silence for a few moments, and I close my eyes tight, unsure if I should tell him about Hazel or not.

“How are things with you?” he asks, breaking the silence.

“Peachy,” I grunt.

He barks out a laugh. “Damn, that bad?”

I laugh too—it’s good to hear him not morose for a minute—and rub my eyebrow with my thumb. “I don’t know what to do about Hazel,” I admit.

“Easy. Sleep with her,” he says, and I can almost see the shit-eating grin he no doubt has on his face.

“I can’t. There’s too much on the line.”

“Bullshit. What are you actually scared of?” he asks.

“Nothing. You know I don’t do one-night stands, and I can’t⁠—”