Page 134 of Anyone But Her

Chapter Twenty-Five

Luke

It's been two days since I moved out. Cal couldn't find me a place to crash so I've been living out of my car. Taylor assumed I got a hotel room so I just let her think that. I have the money for a hotel but I don't want to spend it, knowing I need that money for other stuff, like food and my phone bill and golf.

I haven't golfed for three days now. I haven't even picked up a club. I've just been sitting here at the golf course, the one I came to the other day, staring out at the grass and thinking. I've been mostly thinking about Taylor because I haven't seen her since I left. Her dad's been keeping her busy from morning to night, probably to keep her away from me.

"Want some lunch?" Pat asks as he walks over to me.

I'm really glad I met him. He's been a real lifesaver. Letting me hang out here all day. Letting me use the locker room to shower. Bringing me food.

"Thanks," I say, taking the sandwich from him. "How much do I owe you?"

"Nothing. The snack shop was just going to toss it. They made it yesterday."

I think he's lying. The sandwich looks like it was just made. He keeps doing this; bringing me food and not letting me pay.

"You can't keep doing this, Pat." I peel the plastic wrap off the sandwich. It looks like turkey today. Yesterday was ham and cheese.

"Do what? Help a guy out? It's just a few sandwiches. It's not like I gave you a car. And when you make it big on the pro tour you can pay me back. Sound like a deal?"

"Sure." I smile. "What do I owe you so far?"

"Just declare yourself a pro, get on the tour, and win a tournament, and then we'll talk."

"I've got a few steps to go before that happens."

"Then get your butt off the grass and do it. What are you waiting for?"

"I don't know if it's possible anymore."

"Playing golf? Of course it is. You're one of the best golfers out there right now."

"And the poorest. I don't even have a place to live. I need to get a job."

"Just giving up, huh?" He nods. "Just like your old man expects you to." He walks off. "Enjoy your lunch."

It takes a moment for his words to sink in. Like your old man expects you to. He's saying my dad expects me to fail. It's true, he does. And right now I'm proving him right. Shit.

"I can't keep doing this, Albert," I say, looking up at the sky. "I need to find a way out of this."

I get my phone out and start searching for lawyers. I don't need Lou to do that for me. I can do it myself. And I don't need Cal to find me a place to live. I can do that myself too. So why haven't I done it?

Clicking on the first lawyer that pops up in my search, I go to her website and find her number.

"Calling Taylor?" a voice asks. I look up and see Lou beside me.

"Lou." I scramble to stand up. "I mean, Mr. Tuckerman. What are you doing here?"

"Let's just say I was offered a free haircut by an old friend."

Pat. He must've called Lou and told him I was here.

"Can we talk?" Lou asks.

"Um, yeah. Sure. But we should go inside. There's no place to sit out here."

"I don't mind the grass." He drops to his knees, then falls awkwardly back on his hands as he tries to sit. "I'm not in good enough shape for this anymore."

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