“Every bit of the truth,” he says. “Slept in the guest room for a month.”
It feels good to laugh, but it fades quickly. “I don’t know what to say, Andy, but thanks for telling me the truth.”
“I don’t deserve your gratitude.” Patting my desk, he stands. “Now go golfing and get Garrett on a sweet contract.”
I eye the golf clubs in the corner of the room. “Golf is hard.”
“It is, but you can do it. I’m here if you need anything, okay?” Then, without waiting for a reply, he leaves my office.
My head spins from the whiplash of that conversation, but I don’t have time to waste. I’ve got forty-five minutes to pull myself together and get to the golf course. The gold polo shirt and black golf pants match the Permian brand, but the pink bow earrings Cade picked out the day we got our ears pierced are in the first hole. I touch the cool metal, feeling a bit more like me.
When my phone chimes, I expect it to be Garrett, but a smile takes over my face before I can stop it.
Cade
Good luck today, Agent Shay.
“If I were a betting man, I’d be dirt poor right now.”
My lips curve into a sly smile as I sink a ball into the fifth hole. “I’m full of surprises.”
“I see that.” Garrett flips his hat backward. “You were so spooked when I asked if you golfed, so I was expecting to whoop you.”
I send Jo a silent thanks. It’s not great, but I’m better than him.
The man who could alter the projection of my career walks up to his ball. Concentration tightens itself between his brows as he draws an imaginary ten-foot line with his eyes from the ball to the hole. Pulling back his putter, he sinks the ball.
“Nice,” I say, holding my fist out.
He bumps my knuckles. “Sure, but you’re still five strokes ahead.”
Shayzilla didn’t come to play; she came to win. After almost letting one group of men beat me today, I won’t let this one get close. Even if he is nice.
“Only a few holes left. Then you can hide in shame at the stadium this evening.”
A boisterous howl escapes him as he hikes the golf bag over his shoulder and leads us to the sixth hole. “This is why I like you, Turner. You’ve got that athlete spirit inside you.”
“It’s hard to let go of,” I admit. It’s why I loved playing in the preprofessional soccer league. Even if there were no stakes, I loved every second of competition.
I miss it every day, but my job is number one. It has to be.
“My fiancée loves golfing with me.” Garrett’s strong features melt at the thought of her. “She’s got crazy luck with a club in her hand.”
“That’s adorable,” I say. “How is Layla doing?”
He gawks at me. “You remember the name of my fiancée from a month and a half ago?”
Has it really been that long since I pitched myself to Garrett in the lounge at Pilot City Stadium? It seems as if time is flying by.
Readjusting my bag, I smile. “She’s important to you, and I told you that those important to you are important to me.”
“Yeah, but everyone says that.” The proud crinkle around his eyes tells me I’ve gained another point in the running. “She’s in town for the series and is dying to meet you. Will you be at any of the games?” He beams when I nod. “Great, and congrats. I saw you started working with Cade Owens.”
My cheeks warm, and I can’t blame it on the weather because it’s perfect out. The clouds and slight breeze have kept me from nervously sweating through my shirt.
“Thank you. It’s going well.”
“Would you feel comfortable juggling multiple baseball clients?”
