Page 70 of The Perfect Putt

“So you see, you’re not even the first of many. You’re merely another skirt for him to chase in between tournaments.”

I clench my jaw. She’s wrong about everything, but it still infuriates me that she feels she can speak to me this way. That assistant was a frenzied stalker, not someone he was hooking up with. And we’re in love.

I’m debating on whether or not I should respond when we walk up to the green. Or what I think is the green. It’s hard to see past all these people, and I’m disoriented because of this conversation.

“I see that you think you’re too good to speak to me. That’s fine. I know a gold digger when I see one. How much money will it take for you to leave my son alone?”

“I don’t want your money,” I grit out. A few people shoot us dirty looks over their shoulder. We’re supposed to be silent, but it’s difficult when she’s saying such ridiculous things.

“Oh really? You don’t need any money to help that struggling, widow sister of yours?”

Something inside me snaps at the mention of Naomi. I whirl on her and step so we’re toe-to-toe. Surprise mixed with fear flashes across her face before she schools her expression again.

“Don’t you dare speak of my sister ever again. You can tear me down all day. Call me a gold digger, call me trash, I don’t care. But you will not bring my family into this.” She doesn’t say a word, merely stares at me with icy blue eyes. “And as for me, I cannot be bought. So you better get used to my face, because I’m not going anywhere.”

Applause erupts around us. I look up and find everyone walking to the next hole’s tee box. No. I missed my moment. Frustration rises in me. Suddenly, everyone starts looking around, confusion written all over their faces. I see Miles on the edge of the crowd. His eyes meet mine and I can see the worry in them. He came to find me.

I’m okay, I mouth to him. But I know it won’t help. It wouldn’t if our roles were reversed. He nods, a helpless look on his face, then starts walking toward the next hole with Fitz. The eyes of the crowd are on me, which is the last thing I need right now.

“I’m sure you’re eating this up,” Winona seethes. “Girls like you love the spotlight. When Miles loses, it’ll be your fault for distracting him.”

I stop and let everyone walk ahead of us. I want her to hear me loud and clear.

“Miles is going to win. And when he does, I’ll be the one celebrating with him.” I meet her icy gaze with one of my own. “I’ll be the one by his side in pictures. The one at dinner with him that night. Meanwhile, you’ll be alone, because you’ve hurt your son so much that he doesn’t want you anywhere near him.”

“How dare you speak to me that way!” Her voice raises to a screech. A few heads at the edge of the crowd turn our way.

“After the way you’ve spoken to me, I have every right to say much worse than the simple truth. And if you raise your voice again, I will be sure to find the nearest official and inform them that there’s a disruptive fan in the crowd that needs to be escorted off the premises.”

“They won’t listen to you,” she says, but I can hear the fight draining from her voice.

“Maybe not, but they will listen to Miles. What will it be like, I wonder, to have everyone at the club talking about how your own son kicked you out of his tournament because you were making a scene?”

Her lips curl up into a snarl. “I’m not listening to this any longer. You can tell Miles that his mother left because of you.”

I give her a saccharine smile. “I’ll be sure to let him know the good news.”

She stomps off in the opposite direction of where Miles is playing. My shoulders slump once she turns around. I don’t have time to process how awful she was though, I need to get back to Miles. Arthur is still over there, and I don’t know that he’ll back down as easily as his ex-wife did.

Chapter thirty-four

Miles Day

End of day two of the U.S. Open

As soon as I’m out of the press tent, I head to Ellie. I had Fitz and Jada go stand with her and make sure neither of my parents went anywhere near her. She spots me heading her way and rushes toward me. I wrap her up tight in my arms.

“I’m so sorry,” I say to her.

“Don’t apologize for them. None of this is your fault.” She pulls back slightly and takes my face in her hands. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m more worried about you. I saw you talking to both of my parents. What did they say?”

“Nothing important.” Her expression is drawn.

“Ellie,” I plead and she shakes her head.

“Let’s at least get out of here first. I feel like everyone has been staring at me all day.”

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