Page 64 of Everlasting Promises

I watch Evan’s chest puff up, and his eyes twinkle with mischief. He’s loving the attention he’s getting from Ben and his best friend, Sebastian. I’m guessing Piney Lakes only produces hot, sexy men if these two are anything to go by.

“I’m gonna do my best.” He swings his club, and Sebastian moves in behind him.

“Hang on. You need to adjust”—he twists Evan slightly—“yourself a little this way. Right. Go ahead,” he tells Evan with a sharp chin lift in the direction of the hole.

“I just want to point out that you two are ganging up on me, and it’s throwing me off my game,” Ben says, tongue in cheek, as he holds his beer off to the side.

Sebastian whispers something in Evan’s ear, and they both chuckle. Then Evan lines up the ball.

For the first time in forever, I’m relaxed and enjoying the moment. The guys’ playful banter continues as Ben tries to distract Evan, and one of my favorite songs comes over the speakers. I move my hips in time with the beat, singing the lyrics under my breath,“Will you meet me in the middle? Will you meet me in the end?”as I tap my feet.

Evan hits the ball, and we all hold our breath, watching as it lands on the green and rolls toward the hole. It rolls about three inches past the hole and comes to a stop. “Damn it!” Evan cries.

I open my mouth to remind Evan about his cursing, but Ben beats me to it. “Hey, Ev. None of that.”

Sebastian claps Ev on the back. “Yeah, Ev. A gentleman never curses in front of a lady.” He tips his chin toward me with a wink, and I feel heat rise up my neck.

Evan dips his chin to his chest. “Sorry, Mom.”

I smile at my son. “I know.” I tip my head toward his wayward ball. “Pretty sure you’ll get it in this time.”

He shoves his shoulders back. “I know I will.” He struts to his ball and hits it, but it rolls about two inches on the opposite side of the hole. I watch his hands tighten around the club and his mouth form a straight line. He tries again, and the same thing happens. Again and again. With each pass of the ball missing the hole, I watch his temper burn hot, but he holds it in. Finally, his ball rolls into the hole, and we all cheer. “About time!” He dipsdown to grab his ball out of the hole. “Stupid ball. It should have been an easy shot.”

Seb shakes his head and pats his shoulder in consolation. “Bad luck, Ev. Happens to the best of us.”

“Yeah, well, that sucked.”

Ben wraps his arm around Evan’s shoulder. “I notice you kept your cool under pressure,” he tells Evan, his voice dripping with sincerity. “Even though that hole totally sucked for you.” He pushes away playfully. “But it was awesome for me!” He laughs as he dances away from my son like a big kid.

“Hey!” Evan shouts playfully as he chases after Ben. “I’ll get you next time,” he declares with a grin.

I giggle under my breath, so happy to see him having a good time. We need to do more activities like this, though I think we’re having so much fun because of the guys and their youthful playfulness. I love how they’ve taken Evan into their circle.

Ben chuckles, places his beer on the high-top table, and steps up to the tee to drop his ball. As he positions his feet and lines up the shot, I sigh at the way his back muscles move beneath his sweater and his ass fills out his jeans.

Sebastian sidles up next to me with a raised brow and a smirk.Busted!My neck heats with embarrassment, and I feel it flaming all the way up my throat. He watches me with amusement filling his eyes, and I die a little on the inside. Thank goodness he keeps any comments to himself, although his thoughts are written all over his face.

Thethwackof the club against the ball draws Sebastian and me back to the game, and, much to Sebastian and Evan’s dismay, Ben lands a hole in one. He’s not humble about it either, streaking across the green, cheering like he’s won an Olympic gold medal. With his arms high above his head, he reveals a sliver of toned abs, and I can’t miss the trail of dark hair that disappears under the waistband of his jeans.

A sensation that I thought I’d never feel again takes me by surprise, and I squeeze my thighs together. Tingles erupt in that area I thought I’d buried along with my husband, and I glance around to ensure nobody can tell how turned on I am.

Since it’s a Monday night, we’re the only people here—a blessing, considering how obnoxious we’ve been. To be fair, I don’t think we’d be as noisy as we have if there were other groups on the course.

“Your turn, Cookie,” Ben says as he saunters back toward us, blowing his knuckles and rubbing them on his sweater, looking proud as punch.

My heart does a little skip at the nickname he’s given me. I figured he used it to make us seem like a couple when the guy at the bake sale wouldn’t take no for an answer, but this is the second time he’s used it since then. My stomach flips and my body warms at the intimacy of Ben calling me Cookie.

I shove those feelings aside quickly because I shouldn’t feel all gooey inside—I’m not even sure how I feel about him giving me a nickname when my husband never did.

I step up to the tee and drop my ball. Feeling three pairs of eyes burning into me is a little intimidating, but I try my best to focus.

“Should I tell her she needs to twist a little to the right?” Evan whispers conspiratorially to the guys, like I can’t hear him, so I shuffle a little to the right.

“Is that better, Ev?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder.

He gives me two thumbs up, and I grin, turning back to the hole, but not before I notice Ben’s eyes on my ass. I’m tempted to give it a little wiggle, but I don’t want to lead him on after what he said to me earlier in the bathroom.

Why a man like him would be interested in a mess like me is beyond my comprehension. He’s a cop, though, so his instinct is to help people, but I don’t need anyone feeling sorry for me.

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