Page 20 of The Sweet Spot

“You know, for two people claiming they’re not attracted to each other, there’s an impressive amount of ass appreciation happening,” Jess says.

From somewhere behind her, Max makes a sound that is definitely a laugh disguised as a cough.

JB raises his hand. “I'd like to formally point out that I've never said I was not attracted to Whit.” He takes a beat, as if he's working through the implication of Jess's statement. Then he slowly turns to look at me as his hand lowers. “Does that mean you've been telling everyone you're not attracted to me?”

“Focus on the game,” I say, avoiding answering him and lying to everyone.

“Focusing,” he says with a distinctly somber tone.

I guess there is a way to get him down.

Pushing the guilt to the side, I sit in the golf cart and watch as Max steps up to the tee. He looks at the fairway once and sets himself up with no wiggle or fuss because he has none of the JB flair.

JB flair...

Did I just say that?

What's happened to me?

Max swings and hits the ball. We all watch in awe as it lands ten yards ahead of mine.

Shit.

Maybe I shouldn't have fired up my competitor.

“Nice shot,” Jess says, giving him a high five as he walks past.

“Not bad for a non-athlete,” he says with sarcasm, his eyes landing on me.

Can't hate him for that.

“Good shot,” I say with pursed lips, knowing I'm going to have to push JB to his limits if I have any chance of winning against Max and Jess today.

Jess takes her place and hits a clean draw that lands just beside mine. She turns back with her club tucked under her arm and points at me.

“You're going down, bestie.”

“You wish.”

“I really do. I love you, but one day I'd like to know what it feels like to putt for the championship and win instead of lose every time.”

She shoulders past me, and yeah, hearing her say that kind of sucks. We've been playing on the same circuit together since we were sixteen, and statistically, I've always performed better, but I can't lose on purpose. That would be unsportsmanlike, and Jess would hate that too.

She's different, though. Better than me in every other aspect. She's peppy, with a personality that all the sponsors love. I'm not as open or fun. I know that.

My gaze inadvertently drags to JB, who's talking through the print design of his shirt with Max. Max nods along even though he’s seemingly completely uninterested.

This is what fun gets you.

Jess loops her arm through Max's, pulling him away from my partner for the game and toward their cart. “Come on, Max. I want to see their faces when we birdie this hole.”

Max lets himself get pulled along, probably thankful he no longer has to discuss the intricacies of fish stitching. He glances back at me from over his shoulder, and I narrow my eyes.

Game on, Brennon.

“Cart?” JB says beside me.

“Cart,” I confirm.