Page 11 of Forever Wild

We all laugh and shush each other, drunkenly trying to be quiet as our friends dash back toward us. Becca and Skye return, their faces flushed with adrenaline and the cold air. Kelsey hands them their clothes, and they quickly get dressed, still giggling and out of breath.

As we pack up our golf clubs and make our way back to our cottages, I can’t help but feel grateful for the fun evening we’ve had.

I feel more content and happier than I have in a long time, the buzz of the whiskey and beer still coursing through me. Tomorrow, we’ll all be nursing hangovers, but it will be worth it for the memories we’ve made tonight.

I look up at the sky, with its bright stars and glowing moon, and take a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air. This is what life is all about. Moments like these, surrounded by good friends, my sisters, and laughter, making memories that will last a lifetime. It makes me sad to know I’ve missed out on so much of it, traveling all the time for work.

Izzy and I stay up, sitting outside our rooms on the dark blue Adirondack chairs and chatting about Izzy’s company and my work building out Hungry Guy’s loyalty program. There is a full moon out, lighting up the course and the cottages, offering the perfect view of the stretch of tall prairie I’ve come to see as beautiful.

As we talk, I feel a sense of ease wash over me. Izzy is a good listener. Like I always do when we’re together, I find myself opening up to her. It’s not a coincidence that she is the only one who knows I’m a virgin. I trust her to not make a big deal about it. The whiskey has loosened the tight knot in my throat, allowing me to finally talk about the things that have been weighing on me.

“I’m worried I’m not focused enough on my job. I think freaking Kyle might end up getting the promotion instead of me.”

“Bryn, you are the most focused person I know. In fact, some people might argue you could be a little less focused on your job.”

“Yeah, but being successful at my job is important to me. You know what happened last time I tried to split my focus.” I shift my eyes away from her dark ones, scouring the ground for something, anything to avoid my sister’s all-knowing gaze.

She takes another pull from her beer. “But you are successful. You make more money than you could possibly know what to spend it on. Are you really happy with just you and your dog?”

I sigh, leaning back into the Adirondack chair. She’s right, I do want more than just me and Jack, who happens to be the best rescue mutt and most loyal friend a girl could ask for, but there’s so much I still want to do with my life, so much I still have to prove. And I can’t do that if I’m not 100% dedicated to my job.

“Hey, Jack is a good companion. Plus, you know it’s about more than that. I have to prove to myself, to everyone, that I can be good at something.”

“Bryn.” Iz sighs, the softness in her voice painful on my ears. “Anyone who has spent more than one minute with you knows you are amazing at a lot of things. You’re a great friend. You’re smart. You’re funny. You’re kicking ass at your job.”

“Tell that to Peter. Tell that to Bryn of three years ago who was about to get fired!”

“You were on airplanes multiple times a week, trying to get to all the functions Peter needed you at and all the places work needed you. No one could have been successful with that schedule.”

“Momma Easley sure seemed to think I should’ve been able to do it,” I say.

“Momma Easley hasn’t had a job or a husband in the last two decades. I don’t think she’s a real reliable judge on the subject.”

“But she was right. I couldn’t juggle my career ambitions with a relationship then, and I don’t know why I would think I could do it now. I just need to focus on my job. When Tara leaves in three to five years and I’m promoted to head of North America, then I’ll make time for non-work things. Until then, I need to be one hundred percent focused on work.”

“Honestly?” She hugs herself, pulling her hands into her dark blue sweatshirt. “I wish you were a little less focused on work. Then I’d at least get to see my best friend every once in a while.”

I stare at the grass stain on my golf shoe, not sure what to say. “You…you know I love you, Iz. I wish I saw you more too.”

“I know, B. I know.” She then smirks at me and, with all the gumption of an older sister, says, “I also know there’s a certain pro golfer around here who also wishes he could see more of you…”

“Iz! That is not true!” I run my hand down my very sweaty golf tank seductively. “I mean, he would, obviously, be lucky to get a piece of this, but there’s no chance that man feels anything for me other than mild irritation. Plus, don’t forget, he was a dick. I don’t need that in my life.”

“Pshh. You might not need him in your life, but I can think of somewhere else you need that beautiful man.”

“Izzy!”

“What?” Her eyes are twinkling now. I swear to God, they are actually twinkling with mischief. “You know it’s true. He would undoubtedly be the best lay you ever have. Actually, on second thought, don’t do it. If you lose your virginity to the man, the myth, the legend that is Jameson Walker, it will destroy your chances of ever being fully satisfied with anyone else.”

With that, she finishes her beer, pulling her knees under her large sweatshirt before saying, “You know what? It’s cold as balls out here. I’m going to bed.”

She wanders off to our room, muttering something about hoping Friends is on, since hotel reruns are the best.

Finishing my beer, I pick up my golf bag and head back to the driving range. I need to get a certain professional golfer out of my head before he becomes a distraction. I’ve already unsuccessfully been down that road before.

Chapter six

Jameson

---