Page 3 of Sweet Spot
“Nothing useful. Go ahead. I’m gonna stay and hit a bucket of balls.”
“Seriously?”
“I have to get my spot back. I’ll sleep here if I have to.”
She chuckles. “Just don’t sleep with him.”
“Ewww.” Bile coats my throat at the idea of seeing that vile man naked. He’s young-ish, late thirties, and reasonably attractive, but his personality kills any and all sexual vibes.
I’m still swallowing my disgust when Abby elbows me. “Look, that must be the swing coach.Damn.”
Slowly, I scan until I locate him. He isn’t hard to find. Tall, dark hair, bronzed skin set off by dress pants and a crisp white polo that he fills out nicely. His body language, even from this far, gives off an air of confidence.
He smiles at something the boys’ coach, Coach James says, and it’s hard to look away. So hard it’s annoying. I’m totally annoyed by his good looks becauseof coursehe’s good-looking. Probably a real jerk, too.
Okay, I might just be projecting my hatred for Coach Potter on all mankind, but I also really despise how the boys’ team always seems to get the outside attention and help.
Abby pulls her hair from the ponytail. “We should go introduce ourselves.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to see that man up close. Don’t you?”
I laugh. “What about Smith?”
“See him; not jump him. Come on, it can’t hurt to make nice.”
“No thanks.” I pick up my bag and shoulder it. “See you back at the dorm later.”
“Don’t forget that we’re going out tonight with Erica and Cass.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. The promise of alcohol is the only thing that got me through that practice.”
“All right, well, I’m headed back to shower and get ready. Don’t stay too long.”
“Just long enough to work out my frustration.”
“Please, it’ll be dark by then.” She smiles smugly and walks off toward the parking lot.
I head to the clubhouse, splash some water on my face in the bathroom and try to wash away my irritation from practice. I grab a bucket of balls and walk over to an open mat on the driving range. The boys team huddles off to the side, Coach James and hottie swing coach the center of their focus.
I don’t need them, and I don’t need Potter. I’m going to prove I deserve that spot all on my own. I bounce the ball on the clubface a few times, the concentration it requires and the familiar movements calming me instantly.
I can do this.
2
Lincoln
Starting a new business is hard.Exhausting. No, exhausting doesn’t even cover the half of it. Travelling the world, a different city every week, early mornings, late nights, sporting event after sporting event. It’s basically everything I ever dreamed of.
Exceptfor the crappy jobs that need to get done but can’t be pawned off on anyone else, which is my current state at the Valley University golf course. Ah, the joys of being the boss. I’m trying hard not to think about the box seats I had to turn down for today’s Cardinals playoff game. A cold beer and a million-dollar view would be pretty great about now.
I find Coach James on the driving range, instructing his team to warm up and give each of their clubs a few swings. A few of the guys notice me, but I hang back until Mark lifts a hand.
“Hey, Mark. Long time. Good to see ya.” I nod to toward the guys and smile.
“You too, Linc.” We shake hands, and then he motions for me to follow him. “Let’s chat before I introduce you to the team.”
