Page 98 of Calling the Shots

“Just quoting my bestie. I believe I was retching over a toilet when you uttered those words of wisdom.”

“Damn. Sometimes I’m too smart for my own good.”

Sloane giggles and we say our goodbyes. I click off, feeling a teensy bit better than I did before.

CHAPTER32

MACK

I’m seething mad the rest of the round and my score reflects that. I drive the ball great, besting my typical yardage through power fueled by rage. But I can’t putt for shit, all my focus on Gracelyn and how to make her feel better.

The situation’s worse with Tinsley shaking her ass in my face every two seconds, giggling and acting stupid.

Like I’d get back with her, particularly after what Gracelyn told me.

“Why so grumpy, Mack?” She knocks her knee against mine, having volunteered as tribute to squeeze into the third row of the SUV with me.

“I’m not grumpy.” I slide my knee away from her, squaring my shoulders up and facing away from her. Trees whiz by as Bobby motors toward the house and I’m struck by the fakeness of everything around me—the landscape, the massive houses, the people.

I can’t wait to be back home in Thunder Creek with Gracelyn.

“Sure seems like it to me.” Tinsley swipes at my knee again and my hand darts out, encircling her wrist.

“Stop it, Tinsley. I’m not amused.”

Her eyes flash with something—anger, hurt. I don’t know what and I don’t care.

“Fine. You’re being a real asshole.”

“Probably why we broke up.”

She pulls her wrist away, folding her arms across her chest. We ride the rest of the way home in silence, my family none the wiser.

“Cocktails at six, Ulysses. Be sure to tell Gracelyn. I do hope her headache’s better.” My mother lifts her sunglasses, sliding them atop her head.

“I’ll give her the message right now.”

Taking my escape route, I hustle out to the guesthouse. Knocking on the door, I shift from foot to foot. I hope Gracelyn’s up to drinks and dinner with the family. It will be hard to explain her absence away if she’s not.

Gracelyn flings the door of the guesthouse open, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me inside. Pressing her mouth to mine, she kisses me long and slow and it’s the best part of the whole miserable day.

“Hey, handsome. How’d you play?”

“Terrible.” I slide my hands down to her ass, lifting her up. She wraps her legs around my waist and I carry her to the bathroom.

“Shower with me.” I nuzzle her neck, inhaling all her goodness, her wholesomeness.

I love this girl.

“Here?” she squeaks, catching my eye in the mirror. “At your parents’ house? What if they have cameras? Rich people always have cameras.”

I chuckle, setting her ass down on the counter and lifting off her top. “No cameras, babe. Pretty sure that’s illegal. My dad was a lawyer, remember? He takes that kind of shit seriously.”

“Oh, right.”

Reaching behind her, I unclasp her bra and slide the straps off her shoulders. The lacy material falls to the ground and I dip down, kissing each of her rosy nipples.

“I love your tits.”

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