Page 59 of Wildly Inappropriate

“Eh. Jameson’s a big enough ass to keep the fans interested.”

She laughs out loud, and this time it doesn’t seem as forced as before.

“You two are certainly the two most popular asses on Tour,” she jokes, taking a sip of coffee. “Speaking of ass,” Lila begins, her mouth hidden behind her coffee and her eyes focused on the top of the refrigerator. “Uhm, just so we’re on the same page and everything, will you be getting any this weekend? Ass, that is.”

I start. I hadn’t considered what us being apart this weekend would mean for the casual part of our arrangement. “Oh.” I run my fingers through my hair, wishing I had my hat on to help me think. “I don’t think I will be, no.”

I see the smile she tries to hide, and it lightens the dread that pooled in my stomach at her question.

I cough. “Are you?”

She looks conflicted, and I hate she didn’t automatically say no. Not that I blame her. For me, it’s just a weekend without sex. For her, it’s possibly saying no to someone she might want to date long-term. I want her to tell me she’s not going to hook up with some other guy at the same time as me, but I know I can’t ask that of her. It would be too much like defining this as a relationship. Roommates-with-benefits definitely aren’t exclusive, even if the thought of Lila with someone else makes my blood boil to the point that I’m seeing red.

After what feels like an eternity, though is likely only a second or two, Lila smiles. “No. I’m not going to be getting any ass. But, and I’m sorry if this makes things weird, I’m not going to say no to someone if they ask me out and I’m interested. I don’t think I’ll actively pursue any dates, and I won’t sleep with anyone while we are still doing what we’re doing, but I just can’t…you’re…we both know I’m looking for something long-term.”

My chest is being squeezed by a giant hand, but I do my best to breathe through it. I knew this. There was not one thing Lila just said that I didn’t already know. But hearing her say it and knowing it are apparently two very different things.

“I understand.”

“Iamsorry, JT. I promise I won’t actively pursue anything.”

“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, Lila, and—shit—I’ve got to get in the shower.”

I do have to get in the shower, but I also need to get away from the hurt that her words are causing me. I’m not allowed to feel hurt about her wanting to date someone, so I hurry into the bathroom, washing our conversation off with scalding water before quickly dressing and heading out to the living room, where Lila sits waiting for me.

We drive to the airport in relative silence, the awkwardness of our conversation heavy around us. I want to tell her I’m going to keep my options open, too, but I know I’m just hurt and trying to lash out. I also know it’s not the truth.

I don’t know how I’m going to get over the connection I have with Lila once we aren’t in our situationship, and I most certainly can’t imagine wanting to be with someone else when I know Lila is a viable option. Even if she’s in a different zip code.

We pull up at the little private airport outside of Wild Bluffs, and Lila and I climb out of the pickup. I grab my bag and turn toward the tarmac, but Lila catches my hand. “I’m sorry about this morning, JT. I want to talk about it more when you get back, but let’s just agree that, for this weekend at least, we are exclusive roommates-with-benefits, yeah?”

For the first time since she brought up sleeping with other people, the tension in me releases. “That sounds…fuck, that sounds great.”

I try not to show her how much it means to me, but I’m doing a piss-poor job of it. Fortunately, that seems to be the right move. Lila throws her arms around my neck, and I bend my head down, praising her for her decision with my mouth. Her kisses stoke the fire in my veins, begging me to carry her onto the plane and have my way with her.

Damn. It’s going to be a long, uncomfortable plane ride.

When she finally pulls back, we are both breathing heavily, and Lila is going to have to fix the back of her hair before she heads into town. I’m about to turn away when she darts forward, wrapping her arms around me and snuggling the side of her face into my chest. “You’re going to do amazing, JT. You’ve got this. And if not, I promise I’ll still be here for you when you get back.”

I kiss her forehead and head to my plane, my heart already flying at her words of support.

Chapter twenty-eight

JT

“I told you WildBluffs was the solution to all your golfing woes,” Jameo says as he walks into the locker room late Saturday afternoon. It looks like we’ll both be in the running for the top spot this tournament, which isn’t a surprise for him this summer, but with the way my golf game has been, it’s noteworthy on my part. Unfortunately for Jameson, I think we found the same solution to our problems, it just doesn’t happen to be golfing at Wild Bluffs.

I’m beginning to suspect the women in our lives are the real difference-makers in our games. It might be a coincidence I did so well at the tournaments after I hooked up with Lila last year, but when you add this one into the mix? I’m having a hard time denying the data.

“It’s been a pretty great summer,” I say. “Thanks again for letting me crash at your place.”

“You know you’re welcome any time. I’d prefer I get to hang out with you next time you come to town, though,” he says, and I feel a block of guilt settle into my stomach. I’m sleeping around with his little sister. We’re intentionally keeping it from him. Maybe I should just tell him now? But no. First of all, telling him the night before the final round would be a shitty thing to do, plus, I’m just not willing to risk our friendship over a three-week fling. My heart rebels against my mind at the termfling. Lila and I may be temporary, but it’s not a fling, not something I’m going to throw away easily once it’s done. No, I know these six weeks living with Lila will have changed who I am at a visceral level, and I may never get her out of my system, even if I never touch her again.

“Of course. How has your time away with Bryn been?”

“Fucking fantastic,” he says, pulling his head through his shirt. “The vacation time, seeing Bryn in action at her job, and having her with me at the tournaments have all been amazing, but it’s also made us both feel a bit untethered. We actually have some big news. I talked to a couple of local contractors as well as WBCC, and we’re going to buy a lot and start building a house of our own at Wild Bluffs.”

“What?” I ask, taken aback. They’ve been together for less than a year. They aren’t married. “What’s the rush?”

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