Page 14 of Make You Love Me

She laughs as she moves down hole twelve with her putter in hand.

“Well, I might have hustled you a little bit,” she says, looking back at me and catching me staring at her ass again.

Walking her way, trying to distract her. Since this hole took me four shots, I lean into Lottie’s ear. “I’m listening Stacks… how did you hustle me exactly?”

Her breath catches a little before she says, “Don’t be mad, but you know how I told you I haven’t been to mini golf since I was in elementary school? Well, I may have left out that I go to theactualgolf course with my great-grandfather and his buddies every Saturday morning back home.” She lets out a little mischievous giggle.

Of course, as she finishes, she drops the ball in on her second attempt and does a little victory shimmy.

“Mad… I’m relieved to know I’m being beat by a professional. Seeing as how the loser has to buy ice cream and I would never let you buy on a first date anyway… It’s only right that you win,” I say, taking my knuckle to her chin and gently nudge for her to look at me.

I notice she doesn’t hold her head high enough and it really bothers me.I find myself doing this gesture with her often in the short time we’ve known each other and hating the people in her life who have made her second guess herself.

For someone who normally couldn’t give two fucks about getting to know new people, with Lottie, I want to know everything. Hence my next question.

“So, are you really close with your great-grandpa?” I just can't seem to stop myself from touching her. As we walk toward hole thirteen, I put my hand on the small of her back.

“Yes, actually, they’re my guardians… well, he is now. My great-grandmother passed away last year, so it’s just been the two of us lately.”

Where are her parents?I think, but don’t ask because I want her to tell me on her own. Surprisingly, she does.

“I lost my mom when I was in the third grade, and I never knew my dad. My mother was very close with her grandparents, my Gigi and Papa, and since she was young when she had me, they were still at a capable age to care for me. There was always bad blood between my mom and her mother, Ethel, so I only ever really saw her at the holidays or during the summertime… here.” She gestures her hands around her, referring to Nori Beach.

I thought me and the boys had it rough growing up, but damn, even with all the money in the world, I see the loss and devastation she’s had to endure in her short life.

Fuck, thinking about her being in pain feels like a crack to the sternum.

“I can tell by the way you talk about your great-grandparents that they’re special to you. If Ethel is their daughter, what the fuck happened to her?” I say, recalling how she treated her at The Shack the other day.

That gets a laugh out of her, which I find she does every time I insult her asshole grandmother.

“Honestly, I have no clue. My mother was an angel on earth and my great-grandparents are both amazing people. I think money and greed turned Ethel into a very malicious person long before I was even born.” I see she’s fidgeting with the charm bracelet on her wrist… another thing I plan to find out more about.

Before I can respond, some dumbass interrupts us. “Yo, are you two going to hit the damn ball or what?”

I turn around to look at the chump and give him a look…You’re fucking with the wrong one, brother.

“No, but I’m going to shove this club up your ass if you don’t change your tone. How about you ask nicely, seeing as how it’s a slow night and we didn’t realize anyone was behind us,” I say, standing my ground with my arms crossed.

Between the look I'm giving him and my words, he flipped his script real quick and clammed up on me. I know I’m a big, broody looking son of a bitch.Don’t bother me and mine, and I won’t mess with you.

“We are taking our time, so why don’t you guys go ahead of us since you seem to be in such a rush.” I hear Lottie say to the prick as she steps back, making room for them to pass. Thankfully, the jerk listens to Lottie, passing us quickly and quietly. They even skip ahead to the next hole.

I like how she handled that, not meek and timid. She was direct, but still polite. That seems to fit her personality. She’s self-conscious in some ways, yet confident in others.Perfectly her.

“You’re way nicer than me. Hope I didn’t scare you, but we clearly didn’t see them behind us, and I don’t do well with people catching that tone with me for no reason.”

She leans up and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “No, actually, quite the opposite. I’m not used to anyone standing up for me like that. I like how protective you are.”

Relieved that my assholery didn’t scare her off. I’ll show her I can be charming too…at least for her.“You know how in the movies the guy always gets behind the girl and shows her how to swing a bat or a club or whatever.”

She nods her head, looking at me curiously.

“Well, I was thinking since the roles are reversed in this scenario and you’re the expert, maybe you could help me with my putt. I promise to rub my ass on you and everything.”

She bursts out laughing as she moves behind me to attempt to reach around and grab my putter. She can’t even reach my hands once they’re extended.

Now both of us are laughing. “I don’t think we’re going to be starring in a romantic comedy anytime soon. Also, no offense, but you don’t seem to be the type to watch rom-coms, so tell me what ex-girlfriend...” she pauses and swallows thickly, “or current girlfriend, has you watching them?”

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