Page 15 of Playmaker

“How the hell did you find this condo? I didn’t give you my address.”

He shrugged. “When you bid on the silent auction at the benefit, they asked for some information, like an address.”

“And they gave it to you?”

“I might have told them that I wanted to surprise you with flowers.”

“You lied?”

“I’ll send flowers. But not when you expect them. Surprise, remember?”

That had to violate some laws but what was I going to do? Mr. Hockey here wouldn’t be the one hurt, and now he had my address. “I’m not happy about this, but it’s obviously too late. Don’t bother with the flowers.”

I reached for my canvas bag, glad I was ready so I could get Cooper out of here.

I frowned at him so he knew I wasn’t happy with him coming up to skooch me along. “I’m ready. I was just heading out for the coffee shop now, if you hadn’t barged in here.” I turned to my roommate. “Not sure when I’m back, Darce, so I’ll probably see you tomorrow.”

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I whipped back around, stepping away from that grip.

“You’re not ready.” Cooper held out the bag he was still holding. I recognized the name on it. A high-end sporting goods store. I hadn’t even bothered looking at their website.

“What’s that?” I was already frowning, but I upped the wattage.

“Clothes. You know, the stuff you put on over your naked body so that the country club lets you in.”

Behind Cooper, Darcy put a hand over his mouth. I’d deal with Darcy later.

“Believe it or not, Cooper, I do understand what clothes are. In fact, I’m wearing clothing. And I checked and this meets the rules for your country club.”

Cooper set the bag down on the coffee table and crossed his arms. “First, it’s not my club.” He shuddered. “Second, we’re not just working on golf lessons, are we? We’re learning how to fit in at the country club. And whatever that is you’re wearing is not going to cut it. Truthfully, the cleaning staff wear better than that.”

Darcy choked down a laugh. I turned to him with my best killer glare, while Cooper gave him a smile.

Cooper turned back to me. I don’t know what he saw on my face, but his voice softened. “At this club, you don’t just satisfy the rules. You’ll be ever so politely run off even if you follow every rule that’s written down because what you need is to follow theunwrittenrules. You have to look like you belong there. Otherwise you might as well forget your golf tournament.”

He stopped and ran his gaze up and down my body. I felt it, and I didn’t like that. I stared back. I wanted to tell him what he could do with his country club and his rules and his bag of clothes and his judgment. It would feel really good. But I’d learned a long time ago that indulging in what felt good didn’t get me anywhere. I needed to use my head. And my head told me that the guy was probably right. Ego big enough to need its own postal code, but still, right.

I shot another look at Darcy. He nodded.

“Fine.” I didn’t ask what was wrong with what I had on, because Cooper was just waiting to tell me. And as much as I wanted to learn, I didn’t want to hear him tear apart my choices. “What did you bring?”

He picked up the bag again and passed it to me.

“I guessed on size, but golf skirts and tops, and a couple of dresses.”

“Dresses?” I needed a dress? What the hell for?

“For the dining room.”

I stopped myself before I repeateddining room, since he’d probably tell me it was a room where people sat down to eat. “I didn’t know we were going to be there for a meal.”

He shrugged. “Part of the country club lessons.”

The man was infuriating, and way too sure of himself. But again, my head kept my temper in check. The golf lessons I could get elsewhere, and I would definitely look something up after today. But being familiar with the clubhouse, and the dining room, and what was expected there was something I couldn’t take lessons for. He was right.

“Receipt in the bag?” Because I was damn well going to pay for my own clothes.

“Receipt?”

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