Page 96 of Anyone But Her

"We have to get going," Cal says. "See you tonight!"

As the three of them leave, Garret says, "That was a huge win today."

"Yeah, I can't believe I got a hole in one."

"You played well on every hole. You're going to get a lot more attention after today. A lot of companies will be showing interest in you. That's why I wanted to talk."

"About what?"

"About you doing more for us. Golf's a big part of our business and we're trying to attract younger customers so you're the perfect fit for our brand."

"Yeah, but I can't do it. I'm not allowed."

"Not yet, but you can when you're playing professionally."

"I'm not ready for that."

He smiles. "Did you not just win the tournament?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't happen every time."

"No, but the way you played out there today proves you're good enough to move forward. It's time to take the next step, Luke. You can't keep putting it off. Other guys your age already playing pro and you're better than them."

"But I'm not rich. I don't have the kind of money it takes to enter those tournaments and pay for the travel. The travel costs alone would clear out my savings."

"Which is why you need a sponsor and WaveField is ready to commit to being your first one. When we talked last spring I was already prepared to give you a sponsorship deal. I haven't changed my mind. I'm serious about this, Luke. If you go pro, we'll be there to support you. Money won't be an issue."

"Garret, it's a lot of money. The sponsorship won't be enough to cover it."

"It will. I've already run the numbers and as long as your travel plans don't include five star hotels and champagne every night, you'll be covered."

I laugh. "I've never even been in a five star hotel. Cheap motels are more my style. And I don't drink, so champagne won't be an issue."

"Then you'll have more than enough money, and if you win some tournaments, money will be even less of a concern. You can stop worrying about it and focus on your game. So what do you say?"

"I need to think about it. I know I keep saying I'll go pro but...I don't know. I guess I keep thinking I'm not at that level yet. I'm not good enough."

"You are. You're playing better than some of the pros who've been doing this for years." He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Luke, this decision is up to you but if it were me, I'd go for it. What's the worst that can happen? You end up losing every tournament and have to quit? You're going to end up quitting anyway if you don't start earning some money, which you can only do if you declare yourself a professional player. The other thing that could happen is you go pro and end up broke."

"Which I basically already am."

"Right, so you know what that's like and if it happens you're a lot more prepared for it than others players would be."

"Yeah, I guess."

"So what's holding you back?"

I don't answer. I didn't expect to have this conversation with him and now I don't know what to say.

"You're afraid," he says. "You're afraid of losing."

I look at him. "Maybe."

"So let's talk about that. If you fail at golf, what happens? How will it affect who you are? How you feel about yourself?"

"I'll feel like I failed. I'll have no clue what to do with the rest of my life. I'm afraid I'll—" I don't finish the thought, realizing I shouldn't be saying all this to Garret. He's a business colleague, not a friend.

"Afraid you'll become your father?"

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