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“I’m really happy you got this opportunity.” Rosie smiles, slinging an arm around me.
“I need to not fuck this up,” I tell her, biting my lip.
“You won’t. Even if you fuck him,” she says, winking at me.
I laugh and shake my head. There’s no way I can do that.
“Dad, you won’t believe the updates I have for you,” I say, grinning on my drive back to Levi’s.
“I’m sitting on pins and needles,” he chuckles in that warm familiar voice.
I sigh and relax in my driver’s seat. “Well, do you remember me telling you about Levi, the pro golfer who frequents the club?”
“Of course. Didn’t you tell me he was golfing with Rhodes Bonavich?”
“Yes, Rhodes is his uncle, actually.” I smile thinking about the kind older man. “Well, I’ve run into Levi a bunch of times since that day, and he offered me a spot on his coaching team for the U.S. Open Tournament.”
My dad is quiet for a moment, and I start to ramble to fill the silence. “I mean, not that I would be a coach, I don’t have the experience for that. It’s more of an internship at best, but the best part is that all expenses are paid and the hours will count towards my certification.”
“That—that’s amazing, honey,” he breathes out, but there’s a sense of apprehension in his voice.
“Are you sure? You don’t sound super excited.” I force a small laugh, trying not to let my spirit be crushed. Does he think this is a bad idea? Does my dad not think I can do it?
“No, I am,” he rushes to say. “I just worry about you. Some of the media around him is not exactly favorable.”
I choke on a reply. “Dad,” I chide. “I mean, yeah, he has a past but—” I stop, chewing on my lip. The truth is that I don’t know much about it or about his ex-wife and why that marriage ended the way it did. Although, I don’t fault him for punching the guy she cheated on him with. I remember seeing that in the news a couple years ago.
Taking a deep breath, I continue. “But he’s changed. And who’s to say that wasn’t just a momentary lapse in judgement? My point is, Levi is nice—really nice, actually. Generous too. On top of the team position, he also invited me to play in a televised pro-am with him.”
Dad hums, sounding unconvinced, but I know he can be persuaded. “Just be careful. I don’t want him taking advantage of you,” he says gruffly.
“He’s not. He won’t,” I say, leaving no room for argument.
“Good. So you’re excited about these prospects?” he asks.
“Very.” The grin that has been sneaking out every time I think of the pro-am spreads across my face again. Now that I’ve had the time to let it all sink in, I’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime. “I’ll get you all the details, but you will most likely see me on TV soon.”
“I can’t wait.” Dad laughs. An uncomfortable pause follows before he says, “Your mom has been trying to get ahold of you, wants to talk to you about something.”
I laugh it off. “Yeah, I keep missing her. I’ll text her when I can. I gotta go now, Dad.”
He sighs. “All right kiddo, love you.”
“Love you too.” I hang up the call, panic threatening to overtake me. The last thing I want is to talk to my mom, but it seems like I won’t be able to avoid it much longer.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Levi
I stare at the two smoothies, one in each hand. Seeing Hazel this morning all dressed up for work, sipping her coffee, taking up space in my kitchen, in my life, well…the truth is, she flustered me.
Unsure how I ended up with two drinks, I groan and walk to the guest house across the driveway.
“Please don’t be naked,” I say in greeting as I open the door, smoothies balanced in one hand.
I expect a quip from Ezra but there’s only silence. All the blinds are shut and there’s no music coming from the gym room.
Scowling, I walk to the bedroom. “You better be ready for our practice today—”
