Page 99 of Playmaker

“Not at all. You look nice.”

“Thank you.”

If I’d been left on my own to dress, I’d have looked like some of the others on the bus, whose clothes were too new, or too old, too fancy or too plain. Things I wouldn’t have noticed BC—Before Cooper. I didn’t have the best sense of style or color, but some of those pants? Hurt my eyes.

I didn’t have to worry whether I fit in or looked good. And I wasn’t worried about breaking an unwritten rule. If Benson wanted to keep glaring at me, he was welcome, but he wasn’t going to find anything to complain about. He might have thought today was the day he’d torpedo my partner chances, but he was wrong.

Everyone was punctual, and there wasn’t a lot of traffic on a Saturday morning so we made good time. We soon were turning into the drive of the club. Eva sucked in her breath when she first saw the gleaming white split-rail fences surrounding lush green grass. It was impressive. Beautiful. And for once, I was at ease in that kind of place. Her eyes widened, and she swallowed. I’d probably looked the same the first time I came with Cooper.

I had to stop thinking about Cooper.

“Have you been here before?” She shook her head. “I’ve been a few times, so let me know if you have questions.”

Her brows went up, but she didn’t tell me I was a liar or ask for details to prove it.

We’d been sitting in the back of the bus, so we were among the last people to exit. Our group gathered in a rough circle as everyone stepped away from the vehicle, waiting to be instructed what to do next. I saw two of the partners walking this way, ready to get us organized and out on the greens. That should be it, right? Or did they do a speech or something first?

I took a long, calming breath and then almost choked when I saw Cooper across the parking lot. Seeing him in person hit me like someone whacked a golf club into my stomach. He was behind Mr. Anderson and Mr. Chan who had stopped to talk to us.

I didn’t hear the initial greeting from Mr. Anderson to the group. I hadn’t seen Cooper for almost three weeks, and I drank in the sight of him. He was taller than anyone else, and I swear the stupid sun was making a halo around him. He was wearing golf pants I could remember—I remembered too much about him—and a blue shirt that was obviously the perfect shade. His bright blue eyes under his hat were looking right at me. For a moment, everyone else faded away.

I blinked. Cooper was looking at me, and so were his teammates who I hadn’t even noticed at first. I forced my gaze to move on from Cooper and recognized Seb Hunter and Ducky and JJ. They were a little flushed and sweaty, so they’d probably just finished a round.

Cooper knew this was the day of our tournament. He didn’t even like golfing that much. So why be here, why now? I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt. At least if they were done, he wouldn’t be around for the rest of the day and I might be able to breathe again.

People around me began to recognize Cooper and his buddies. Heads turned his way, and even Mr. Anderson stopped speaking to look. Cooper smiled at me, and my knees wanted to fold.

“Hey, Callie! You ready to knock ’em dead out there?” His voice carried to our whole group.

Those heads swiveled back toward me. I fought to stay still, not throw myself at him. I had to swallow before I could speak. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” Or really, ever again.

“Did I forget to tell you we were playing a round?”

Oh yeah, he’d forgotten that all right. He’d also forgotten that we weren’t friends anymore. He didn’t have to tell me things, and I was better off not knowing what he was doing.

He crossed to stand in front of me and held out a bag of clubs. The ones I’d used when he brought me here. “You left your clubs in the Bentley. Watch out for that spot on the fourth green. Hunts got caught up there, like you did last time.”

I felt the eyes of everyone in our group on me. “Okay. I will.”

What else was I supposed to say? That the last time was four weeks ago? That despite what he was implying, I wasn’t part of this place? That we weren’t a couple? That I was confused and gut hurt and so glad to see him and totally lost?

He looked around, as if he’d just noticed that this whole group of people were watching us. “Sorry to interrupt. I’ll get the highlights later.”

The four of them wandered into the clubhouse. Everyone stared at me.

I’d spent my whole time at this law firm, at school, trying not to do anything wrong. My focus had been on not making any mistakes. I’d hoped if I never messed up, then I’d succeed. Cooper didn’t do that. He didn’t fade into the background. He worked and trained to make things happen, putting himself forward as someone who succeeded, not just someone who didn’t fail. And he was doing that for me now.

How was I supposed to get over him?

Mr. Chan noticed me, for the first time in months. Not because I’d done something wrong or right. But because, thanks to Cooper, I looked like someone who mattered. Someone who knew successful people and came to fancy clubs and played golf with them.

“I didn’t know you golfed, Callie.”

Heaven forbid he thought I was good and then found out how bad I was. “I don’t, not really. I’ve only played a handful of times.”

He put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll do us proud out there.” He smiled.

He saw me as an asset, more than just a brain with taxes. He was noticing me as partner material.

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