Page 102 of Here and Now
I go back to lining up my shot and actually make it this time.
“Nice shot, Mr. A!”
I grab the ball out of the hole and lift it up before walking over to Penny. “Just to be perfectly clear, I have no problems finding or getting anything in the right hole.”
Even in the dark I can see Penelope’s cheeks redden. “Right,” she says quickly. “Good to know.”
Well, that worked to my benefit. I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the next starting point where Kai is waiting.
“I apologize in advance.”
“For?”
“Those four.”
She smiles. “After Aunt Marge, I really didn’t think it could get worse, but think of it as a good thing.”
“A good thing that everyone is intent on embarrassing me?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’ll know all the bad stuff in the beginning. So if I agree to a second date, you know I definitely like you.”
I huff a laugh. “I’ll hope for the best then.”
Penelope is a natural, and whatever magic Kai has with golf I’m going to call beginner’s luck.
I apparently have no luck or skill here.
You’d think I’d be excellent. I played hockey for fuck’s sake. The entire game is based on getting the puck in the net.
Yet here I am, at monster mini golf, sucking it up like a loser. I’m going to blame it on the fact that it’s dark and the only light is from black lights. As if we’re in the nineties and in Gran’s basement.
They both golf first and then it’s my turn.
“Don’t miss,” one of the boys says from behind me.
I turn my head and glare. “Remember school starts soon, and I’ll hold all the power then ...”
They quiet down as I focus. I imagine this is the ice and that windmill with the glowing smiley faces that spin is a goalie. I can do this. I’m going to get it in the net—or through the windmill.
I time it, take a breath, and ... fail.
The stupid ball bounces back at me.
“Do you need help, Coach?” Kai asks.
“Apparently I do.”
He comes over and taps the ball, which goes through. Penelope laughs and then covers her mouth.
Yeah, I know, I look like a dumbass.
Thank God the Disc Jocks aren’t here to see this. I would never live it down.
“Thanks, Kai.”
He gives me a big smile. “You’re welcome.”
Tyler comes up behind me and clasps my shoulder. “Mr. A, I gotta warn you, if this is a date, you’re doing a bad job at looking like a stud.”
