Page 27 of Sundown Somewhere

“No.” His answer is emphatic, like he can’t believe I would even question that the answer could be anything but.

“Would you?”

“You’re out of questions.”

He hits his putt softly, sending it perfectly into the hole. Narrowing my eyes at him, I ignore his comeback, trying to focus on my own shot. Sure enough, it’s wide again, and I end up over again this time. At least it’s only one stroke.

“Let me see that list.” Hux motions for my phone, and I hand it to him. He taps my code in without thinking, and I laugh, loving that he knows me so well that he doesn’t even have to ask. Jeff could never remember it. “Hmmm…”

“Better make it good, Huxley,” I challenge. “You said you wanted to raise hell. So, do it. Piss me off. Embarrass me. Whatever it is you plan to do.”

One eyebrow quirks upward, the same side of his mouth rising with it, as if an invisible string lifted them both in time with each other. I hold out my arms, once again telling him to bring it. No holding back now.

“Oh, this is just the warm-up, Doll.” He winks. My body heats up, a reaction I have no business having considering he’s my best friend of nearly thirty years. But looking at him, standing in the bright sunlight in a tight T-shirt, tattoos on full display, the complete opposite of my ex, does something to me I can’t explain. I’m going to blame the post breakup depression. Because that’s a thing, right? “Worst sexual experience.”

He wants just one? How do I narrow that down? These last six years were generally unsatisfactory on all levels, making it really tough to pick. Unless I can answer with that. Although, there might be one that does outrank Jeff.

“Warren Callahan, after Grandma Dolly’s funeral.”

“Seriously?”

“I think he thought he was being comforting?” I shrug, thinking back to my college boyfriend, who had shown up randomly to pay his respects to my family. “It was weird, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I wasn’t really in the mood, because well, my grandmother just died, so I just lay there.”

“Wait. You spent…” He trails off, and I know exactly where that train of thought is heading.

Because yes, I spent that night at Hux’s house. In his bed. With him. Platonically. Because after losing Grandma Dolly to cancer, Hux, my best friend in the entire world, was the comfort I needed. Not bad sex with someone I’d broken up with months prior.

So I suppose that’s not only one of my worst sexual experiences, but one of my less proud moments. Ooops.

“Please don’t think less of me for doing that and then spending the night at your place,” I whisper.

“I don’t. Although I would have washed my sheets immediately the next morning had I known back then.”

“I showered before coming over!” I swing my club at him playfully, and he dodges out of the way, laughing.

Shaking my head, I press on to the next hole, ready to continue the game. To find a way to improve my game so I can start asking him the embarrassing questions. To return the favor if you will.

It’s five more holes before I get my chance though. My game does improve, saving me from having to divulge any more, but Hux maintains his composure. Until we get to the loop de loop.

“What the actual fuck,” Hux curses, after his third attempt to line his ball up with the metal curlicue that is the only way to the other side of the green. One more attempt and he’s going to be over par before he even gets to putt, making me tingle with excitement. Payback is a bitch after all. “This is ridiculous.”

“Want a break? Should I go? Give you a moment to collect yourself and calm your blue balls?”

He glares at me, stepping out of the way. I prance up to the tee and wiggle my backside to make a show of it. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Hux’s gaze glued to my ass as I shake it, heat crawling up the back of my neck, liking the way that feels.

“Holy shit!” I scream.

My neon green ball hits the curlicue perfectly, whipping around the loops and shooting straight into the hole with a perfect clunk. I jump, my arms raised high, unable to believe my eyes. I got a hole in one!

Strong arms wrap around me, lifting me up off the ground, and send me flying. I scream again, holding on tight as Hux twirls me around, his breath hot against my neck as he holds me close. Holy fuck, does this feel good. No, not good. Perfect.

“I have no idea how I did that!”

“All that matters is you did it.”

“So, dare time, right?”

“As soon as I manage to actually complete this hole,” he answers, returning to the tee. “So be thinking of the damage.”