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“Zeke,” she says, nudging me back.
I smack a loud kiss on her cheek and she cuts into her omelet again, taking a regular size bite.
“Zeke Cooper?” A low voice sounds over my ear.
I turn around and see a face I’ve watched countless times on my TV set growing up, standing next to Liza. I pay her little attention and stand to greet her uncle, one of the legends of the sport.
“Rick Ridgefield,” I say, shaking his hand. “So nice to meet you. I only just heard you might be here.”
“Thanks, man. I’ve been watching your stats pile up since you made the leap to Portland. You’ve been doing some great things out west.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Oh, stop with the sir stuff. Rick is fine.”
“Thanks, Rick,” I say with a wide grin.
“Shame about Freddy Flux.”
“Yes, it is,” I say, nodding. I step back and place my hand on the back of Faye’s shoulders. “I believe you know my girlfriend?”
“I do,” he says with a wide smile, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “You’re looking well, Faye. Your parents say you’re doing great things on sabbatical in Portland?”
“Oh, you know my parents,” she says, gritting her teeth into a smile.
“What does sabbatical in Portland look like these days?” he says with a grin.
“Oh, stop, Uncle Rick,” Liza says, slipping between us and slapping him playfully on the arm. “Faye, it’s time for the rehearsal, and then we’ll leave straight for the spa. I suppose we could leave these boys to talk shop without us?”
Faye’s face drains of color.
“Sure,” she says with a resigned, defeated smile.
I kiss her cheek, holding her to me just a moment longer, before she leaves for the day.
“I know you’re about to start your season, but do you have it in you to play a round of golf?” Rick asks.
“You serious?” I ask. Playing golf with one of my heroes? Instead of waiting in the room and watching game tape I’ve already studied to distract me from wanting to jerk off to the thought of Faye? I’ve been nervous about how I’ll fit into her world, especially without her today, but starting out with an invite to play golf with one of my personal heroes? Seems like a decent way to start.
“Is that a yes?” he asks with a laugh. I nod and we head out for a day on the links.
42
zeke
The sun is weaker here.I haven’t spent much time in New England, but Idaho is at least this far north and the sun is stronger there. Still, the leaves are colorful, at their peak, and it seems as though Rick and I have the entire golf course to ourselves. We also have adult beverages, which feels slightly irresponsible knowing the season opener is in less than a week. But it’s hard to argue with a legend.
“You ready for the season?” he asks, teeing up on the fourth hole.
I wait for him to swing. As he pulls slightly left, I recall the hard hit to his left side that ended his career.
“I’m feeling strong. The team gelled at training camp.”
“Any assholes this season?” He tilts back his insulated tumbler of whiskey and soda. It seems a little early for such a hard drink, but my Bloody Mary is sitting in the golf cart, so I have no room to talk.
“Nothing we can’t manage.” I line up my ball and take a swing at it, feeling more like Happy Gilmore than Tiger Woods.
Rick just grins every time my ball goes flying like a line drive. We jump in the back of the golf cart and our caddy drives us to find our balls.
