Page 85 of Anyone But Her

"Shit!" I turn to bolt out the door but then hear my name.

"Luke, is that you?" Lou turns the main kitchen lights on and I suddenly feel very exposed, not just because I'm only wearing shorts but because I can still feel his daughter on me. I can feel her hands moving over my chest, my back, my neck. I feel like Lou can somehow see that, like she left her prints behind.

I turn around and face him. "I was just getting a snack."

"He came in when I was getting an apple." Taylor picks up the apple on the counter. "Scared the crap out of me." She gives me a dirty look. "You should really announce yourself before just walking in like that, especially at night."

"I'm sure he didn't mean to scare you," Lou says. "He probably thought he had the place to himself."

"I did," I say. "Sorry. I thought you were all sleeping."

"Why don't you get to bed?" Lou says to Taylor.

She goes over and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Night, Dad."

"Sorry, Taylor," I say. "I'll give you a heads-up next time."

She rolls her eyes like she's annoyed with me. She's a good actress. So good that for a moment there I really thought she was mad at me. But as she's leaving, when her dad's not looking, she gives me a smile to let me know she's kidding.

"Want some?" Lou takes a carton of ice cream from the freezer.

"No, thanks. Coach has me on a special diet."

"They tried that with me too." He pats his round belly. "As you can see, I never followed it." He takes a spoon from the drawer and sits down at the counter. "Come have a seat."

I was hoping I could leave. I'm still feeling nervous about almost getting caught and I'm afraid he'll notice.

Taking the stool next to him, I say, "So how was your game today?"

Lou went golfing with friends this morning. He golfs several times a week.

"Not great," he says, opening the container of ice cream and eating right out of the carton. "I was tired. Haven't been sleeping well."

"Why is that?" I ask, then shake my head. "Sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

"It's fine. Actually you're part of the reason."

"Me?"

"I'm concerned Cal is feeling down right now because you're doing so well and he's not. Don't get me wrong, he wants you to do well. He sings your praises more than anyone else, but he also wishes he was on the same path as you. And since he's not, it's hard for him."

"I noticed that too. I wish I could do or say something to make him feel better but if I even bring it up, he gets mad."

"He does the same with me. He seems to like being at college but it's not what he thought he'd be doing so he's feeling a little lost right now."

"Maybe I shouldn't say this but...I think he also worries he let you down."

Lou nods. "I know he does. I tell him all the time it's not true but it doesn't seem to help. I know what he's going through. The same thing happened when I was his age. Having a father who was a golf star was a lot of pressure. Everyone expected me to be the same. Luckily, it worked out that way. If it hadn't, I don't know what I'd be doing. That's how Cal feels now. He wonders what he'll do in life if he can't golf. It's all he's ever wanted. All he's ever been interested in."

"Maybe just give it some time. Staying up worrying about it all night doesn't seem to be helping."

He smiles and holds his spoon up. "It's certainly not helping my waistline."

I laugh.

He nudges me. "Let's talk about you."

"What about me?"

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