Page 63 of Crimson Promises
Once unlocked, I swiped past the black-and-white beach background and scrolled through her apps. I spotted the green and white message icon. I was tempted to look, but it’d be an invasion of privacy.I’m doing this to earn her trust, not break it.Loading Google Maps, I punched in the address for outdoor mini-putting. I smirked, thinking of what Aurora's reaction would be when I demolished her with my superior skills.
Just as I was about to hit go, Riley Jones' name popped up along the ribbon at the top of the screen. My blood ran cold.She’s still talking to him!My excitement evaporated.
For the rest of the ride, I alternated between looking straight ahead or outside the window. Aurora’s in the mood for country today, I noted, as Kane Brown, Luke Combs, and Kelsea Ballerini serenaded us for the rest of the drive. Fittingly, most of the lyrics talked about loss, love, and heartbreak. All things I can actually relate to. She hummed along to each song, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel in time with the rhythm.
She pulled to a stop at the parking lot and shot me a look. “We’re going golfing?”
“Mini-putting,” I corrected her.
She clambered out of the car at lightning speed.
“Whoa, slow down.” My longer legs caught up to her shorter strides in no time. “Have you done this before?” Her cheeks were pink, and her hands were clasped together.
“No, I haven’t. But I’ve seen it in many movies and always wanted to try,” Aurora said.
We headed towards the counter. A girl with pink hair greeted us with a warm smile. “Welcome to Pine Creek Miniature Golf Course.”
“Thank you,” Aurora piped up giddily.
“We have our Logging Camp course at 18 and our Shipwreck course at 19 holes, a driving range, and batting cages—baseball, softball, and slow pitch. What’s it going to be?” The girl kept the smile plastered on her face.
I looked at Aurora. “Go bananas. You can decide whatever you want to do.”
She rubbed her hands together. “Hm…two for the Shipwreck course, please.”
“Of course,” the attendant said. She pulled out two putters and a glass bowl filled with golf balls in neon colors. Aurora picked a deep violet, and I fished out a bright orange one. “That’ll be twenty-six dollars.”
Aurora looked into her purse, but I was already prepared. I gave the attendant the cash. “Thank you. Feel free to keep the change.”
Aurora closed her purse and readjusted the strap on her shoulder.
“Wow, thank you. Appreciate it! You two have fun. I almost forgot: we also have ice cream if you want a treat after your round.”
“Great thing to know.” I smiled and gave her a brief wave.
I handed my golf ball to Aurora to hold and collected both clubs along with miniature pencils and a scorecard.
“What’s the big smirk on your face for?” asked Aurora.
“Nothing except looking forward to seeing your expression when you lose the game.”
“Oh, a big smack talker, are we?”
“It’s not smack talking when I’m stating facts.”
“You just crossed the line from confidence to cockiness, but that’s okay. Because clearly, you haven’t watched enough movies about sports, they all have one key fact in common. Never underestimate the underdog," she said.
“Now, who’s talking smack?” I teased.
“It’s not smack talking when I’m just stating facts.” She spewed my line back at me.
"Touche.”
A devious glint was in her eyes. “What do you say to make this a tad more interesting?”
“I’m game.” I was never much of a gambler, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to take the game a little further. “What are you proposing?”
She swung her purse back and forth on her shoulder. “Okay. If I win…” Aurora bit her lip. “If I win…you give me one night as non-friends. No complications or whatever it is that is going on in your life. No strings, just fun, and see where things go from there.”
