AllFreeNovel
Share Us
1
Ty
Harry ploppeddown on the bench beside me in the men’s locker room. “I’m not sure if you’ve heard,” he grumbled, “but Drew won’t be joining us until the 19thHole.” He shook his head sadly.
“Okay. Why’s that?” I tied my golf cleats and stood. “Come on. Tee time is in fifteen minutes. I don’t want to start late. We’ll fry out in this California sun if we’re not careful.”
“I know. I’m just moving a little slower than normal after last night. The after parties were insane and I couldn’t break away. It was four in the morning before I made it back to my place in the hills, then it took me another hour to wind down enough to fall asleep.” He yawned.
“You have a similar story every weekend. So why do we still tee off at nine every Saturday morning?” I sighed. “Is this why Drew isn’t joining us? He finally decided to sleep in?” I smoothed my Polo shirt and pants before exiting onto the course.
“No, of course not. Drew has a funeral. Said something about how he was going to put the fun back in funeral. He’d meet us for drinks.” Harry shrugged.
“Fantastic. When he meets us, maybe we should talk about setting a later tee time.” I met my caddy and we started towards the first tee.
“That’s tough. Then we have to compete with all the married men who are lucky enough to just escape the house, the poor bastards.” He shook his head. “Well, go on. Might as well go first. You’ll probably take me for all I’m worth today.”
“We don’t have to bet on this. Damn, you’re cranky today. Is it that time of the month? Shit, Harry. I could’ve stayed home if I wanted nothing but attitude.” I let my caddy set up for me, then I walked up, took a few practice swings, and then finally connected solidly with the ball. I smiled as it soared towards the first hole. “Your turn.”
“You know, we have to bet. We always bet. It’s our thing.” He frowned as he waited for his caddy to prepare the ball. Then he took his turn. Harry didn’t do things with the same finesse I used, but he was interesting and we had history, which was why I kept him around even if he was miserable with a hangover, which was an all weekend situation. He returned to my side deep in thought. “You know, we’ve been in competition our entire lives, starting with a race from the womb.”
“Which I won,” I joked. “You two just weren’t motivated enough.”
“I’m pretty suremymother claimsyourmother had an unfair advantage in that you were so small.” Harry stared at my pants for emphasis.
“Right, because you were hung up in the birth canal by your dick and not your bulbous head.” I laughed. “How many times must we go over this?”
“Almost every time we get together. I don’t see us breaking a nearly thirty-year cycle.” Harry chuckled. “We come by this naturally.”
“Yes, our fathers were betting on us long before we were old enough to feel the pressure.” We hopped in the cart and rode off to find our balls.
“I felt it,” Harry groaned. “I felt like the biggest disappointment.”
“Why? Because you were born last, crawled last, walked last, and missed making the football team in high school?” I rolled my eyes.
“Yes, but I was laid first.” He laughed.
“And thus, began your lifetime addiction to betting.” I pulled off to the side of path and we climbed out of the cart. “Concentrate today. You’ll have no excuse at all if you lose to just me.” I winked and strode toward the green.
The rest of the eighteen holes flew by as well into a rhythm as easy as our routine meetings. By early afternoon, we were starving and ready to enjoy the 19thHole. The caddies handled our bags while we walked into the bar. Drew was already sitting there by himself, swirling a rocks glass with amber liquid.
“How’s the Scotch?” I laughed as I motioned for him to join us at a table.
He sighed as he stepped down from the barstool and pulled out the nearest chair. “So, who won?” Drew looked at me pointedly.
“What makes you think we kept score?” I grinned.
“Dammit, Drew. Ty won. Ty always wins everything.” He huffed as he pulled out his chair and collapsed into it. “I have got to stop drinking on Friday nights.”
“Yes, that’s like suggesting you’re giving up air.” I rolled my eyes. Then I studied Drew and realized he wasn’t enjoying our banter like he normally did. “What gives, man?”
“Nothing.” He swirled his drink then took a swig before signaling the bartender to bring him another one.
“Quit being the girl in this friendship and just tell us what’s bothering you. We’re all friends here.” I leaned closer and clapped him on the shoulder. “Let us help.”
He pursed his lips and considered my suggestion. Finally, once his fresh drink arrived and the server disappeared, Drew spoke. “I attended my great uncle’s funeral today.”
“Ah, funerals will do it every time.” Harry nodded. “Were you two close?”
