Page 26 of Sundown Somewhere

I blink hard. Once, twice, three times. Making sure I fully register what he said. The kids’ par?

He nods, pressing his lips together, and I can tell he’s trying his hardest not to laugh at me. It’s not going to work though, and he’s going to give in at any moment. Nodding toward the bigger sign at the start of the course with the map and basic instructions, he starts to crack. I huff, marching over to take a look, and it doesn’t take long before I see it. The large note about the two numbers on each par sign—one for kids and one for adults.

Fuck…

“I want a mulligan! That’s not fair!”

“Fine,” he says through his laughter. “I’ll give you a mulligan, but if you still don’t get par, then you’re doing a dare instead.”

I weigh my options. There aren’t many things in this world that Hux doesn’t know about me. Pretty sure I could count them on one hand and not use all my fingers. Dares, however…he’s pretty inventive. And since this game is his invention, I have no doubt he’s had plenty of time to think up things, whereas I’m shooting from the hip. Hux is also much better at mini golf than I am.

Well, shit…

“Fine. Truth,” I acquiesce. Hole one is a little early for this, but what the hell.

“What’s something you’d hate for everyone to find out?”

The real reason I was marrying Jeff…

I sigh, the answer to that question coming so quickly I almost blurt it out. But I can’t share that. Not even with Hux. My own worry that I’ve settled in life as a whole—with Jeff, my career, everything—isn’t a burden he needs. Who knows, maybe it’s nothing more than some post being left at the altar blues that has me feeling this way and I’ll snap out of it. All the more reason not to bring it up.

“What was in Jeff’s letter,” I answer. It’s cliché, but it’s also truthful. “I think I’d rather all of Hickory Hills think I was sneaking around than know that Jeff thinks I’m not wife material.”

“He doesn’t deserve you. You know that, right?”

I shrug, making my way to hole two. I stare at the par sign, making sure I note the correct number this time, before I answer.

“I do. I just wish he knew that.”

I take my turn, coming in one shot under the three I’m allowed. Hux isn’t as lucky, taking an extra two.

“Know what I’ve always wanted to know?” I ask, lining up my shot at hole three.

“What could you possibly have always wanted to know?”

My shot goes wide and I curse under my breath, knowing that is going to cost me in the long run. There’s going to be more truth coming for me at the end of this one.

“Do you have a favorite sibling?”

Hux scoff laughs. “Depends on the day.”

“I’m serious!”

“So am I. Depends on which one of the jackasses is the least annoying that day.”

“Hux!” I stomp my foot, knowing he has a real answer buried in there somewhere. “Truth, buddy.”

“Fine, but you can’t tell Willa.”

“Holy shit, she’s your favorite?”

“No, and that’s why you can’t tell her,” he says, taking his shot. It bounces off the fake rock perfectly, stopping just before the hole. Damn it. “It really is a toss-up, but between Gus and Milo. Don’t ask why. They’re just always the two I’ve been the closest to, and the two I’d save from a burning building first. But I never admitted that.”

“Secret is safe with me.”

“And second?”

“Shit, this is tough.” I reach into my pocket, pulling out my phone and quickly searching questions. I click on a list, scanning until I find one so ridiculous I can’t help but ask it. “Ever done a strip tease for a partner?”