Page 57 of The Perfect Putt

“I’m Miles’ assistant, Ellie Hart.”

“Ah so you’re the girl I’ve been hearing about.”

Does Miles talk to his dad about me? I didn’t know he talked to him at all, but I’m not around him 24/7. He could talk to him after I leave for the day.

“I hope it’s all good things,” I try to come off as joking, but my nerves likely come through in my tone.

He takes a step forward, seeming not to care that I’m still standing in the doorway. I stagger backward so he’s not in my personal space.

“Everything all right in here, Red?” Miles’ tone is light. I look over my shoulder and catch his reaction to his father standing in his house. The blood drains from his face. “Dad, I didn’t know you were coming today.” All the sunshine in his voice fades into pure, flat darkness.

“Yes, well, you don’t answer phone calls or emails. Your mother is worried about you. This was the only way I could think to see you.”

“I didn’t know you and Mom were speaking.” I’ve never heard Miles have this much ice in his voice.

How did his father hear about me if Miles isn’t answering phone calls from either of his parents? Anxiety churns in my stomach, forming a painful whirlpool.

“You know we set aside our differences when it comes to you. That’s what good parents do.”

Miles’ jaw clenches. “You can tell Mom that there’s nothing to worry about. I’m merely busy preparing for my next tournament.”

“Yes of course.” A sickly smile stretches his father’s lips. “Wouldn’t want to repeat what happened at the last one.”

I look back and forth between the two men, feeling helpless. I want to step up and defend Miles, but I don’t know if he’d want me to or if it would make things worse.

“Thank you for checking on me,” Miles grits out like the words are painful to utter. “I’ll try to call more once the tournament is over.”

“Trying to get rid of me already?” He walks over and puts his arm around Miles, who tenses beneath him. “I don’t think so, son. We have a few things to discuss today. How about we get some lunch together?”

Miles looks as if he’d rather take a golf club to the head. I make a split second decision to do the only thing I can to help him.

“Actually,” I interject. Two pairs of green eyes shoot to me. “Miles has a very busy schedule today. He doesn’t have time for lunch.”

Gratitude fills Miles’ eyes, while his Dad glares pointedly at me.

“I’m sure he can make time for his father.” He squeezes his shoulders tighter. “Isn’t that right?”

“Of course, Dad,” Miles sighs. “How about we head to the club now?” He looks to me, defeat written all over his face. “Clear my schedule for the next two hours please, Ellie.”

It stings that he’s using my first name, but I know it’s probably for the best right now. His dad seems like the type to use anything and everything against him.

“Will do,” I say with a nod. He didn’t have anything on his schedule except lunch and discussing the travel itinerary for the Open next week. I designed the time frame as a mid-day break for him. The interviews are starting to pick up the closer we get, and Brock is adamant that he takes as many as possible.

“We’ll be back soon,” he says and walks toward the door under his father’s arm.

The door closes behind them and the house is silent for a few moments. The weight of that conversation, of everything said and unsaid hangs in the air.

“That is exactly what we don’t need right now,” Fitz says from behind me.

I turn around to face him. I’d forgotten he was here when everything was going on.

“I don’t even know what’s going on, and I agree with you. Miles looked miserable.”

Fitz sighs. “Miles’ relationship with his parents is rocky at best. He tries to avoid them as much as he can, but they usually worm their way back into his life through guilt trips and veiled threats.”

I wrap my arms around my middle, feeling even sicker than I did earlier. “That’s awful. I know they’re his parents, but you’d think he’d have fully cut them out of his life already if it’s that bad.”

“It’s their money and resources that paid his way through his early years of golf. As you know, it’s not a cheap sport to be a part of. They remind him of that often. In my opinion, the damage they did with their divorce and terrible parenting cost Miles enough to balance out what they paid. But it doesn’t matter what I think.”

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