I throw down my phone and head to the bathroom.
Charlie, Sophie, and Wes are waiting for me on the front porch when it’s time to leave for Bianca’s party. Charlie holds out his phone. “Switch with me,” he says.
“What? Why?”
“Charlie and I are going to the cupcake thing for Bianca while you and Sophie go to the golf course,” Wes says.
Backing up a step, I shake my head. “No. I can’t.”
Sophie pulls my phone from my hand and gives it to Charlie, then hands me his. “Yes, you can. We checked with Lily. The match will be over soon. They’ll tally the scores, then the winner will be announced in about forty-five minutes. We’re going to be there for Leo.”
I blink the tears away. “He won’t want me there. Coach won’t want me there. The officials will lose it if they see me there.”
“They can’t do anything else to you. The awards ceremony is open to family and friends. That’s what we are.”
Sophie starts to pull me to her car, but I resist.
“Hold on,” I say, then sprint back inside. I grab the blue ball cap and put it on, pulling my ponytail through the small opening. And then I’m back outside.
“This is a bad idea,” I say, when Sophie’s car pulls away from the curb.
“We’re full of bad ideas. So what’s one more?”
The entire ride to the course has my stomach in knots. Sophie and I are quiet and the only sounds in the car come from the radio station. I think she’s as nervous as I am.
The guard at the entrance of the country club starts to give her a problem until I lean forward and wave. He lets us through. What a difference a week makes.
“Gosh, there’s a lot of people here.” Sophie circles the parking lot twice and only finds a spot after someone leaves.
Getting out of the car, we walk side by side. I have a strong urge to grab her hand for support, but instead I take a deep breath and throw my shoulders back. I have every right to be here.
We bypass the clubhouse and walk around the building until we’re on the back side, where the big board showing everyone’s daily score is. Today’s numbers haven’t been put up yet. There’s also a podium there now, along with a microphone and a table full of trophies.
Sophie wants to get closer, but I grab her arm, holding her back. “This is far enough.” I’m happy I’m here, but I don’t need to be front row.
The golfers are in a cluster on the far side while the parents are standing right in front of the trophy table. Coach Cantu is nowhere in sight.
Mr. Williams approaches the podium and checks the mic before saying, “First, I’d like to welcome all of the parents and friends who are here to support our golfers. We could not do this without all of you! And we’d like to thank Ellerbe Hills Country Club for allowing us to use their incredible facility. And thanks to the weather for cooperating!”
A low chuckle rumbles through the crowd. I’ve been keeping an eye out for Leo since the moment we arrived, and I finally spot him when the guy in front of him leans over to pick something up.
He looks exhausted. After what Lily said about some people being mad he wasn’t disqualified, I was worried he’d be off by himself, but he’s got a group surrounding him. Tears spring to my eyes when I see him.
Mr. Williams’s voice booms out, “It’s my honor to present the trophies and awards for the winners of this year’s tournament! It’s been a wonderful three days and I’m very excited for the future of these golfers.”
He shuffles his papers and a ripple of nervousness and excitement races through the crowd. Yesterday Leo killed it and was sitting in first place going into today. I hope he was able to get his game back.
Mr. Williams starts with the girls and I’m thrilled to hear Tanika got third place. She’s beaming when she walks up to accept her small trophy.
Now it’s time for the guys.
“In fifth place is Christopher Locke.”
Everyone claps, including us.
“In fourth place is Kenneth Jung.”
I squeeze my hands together in prayer. Leo needs to make top three to get his scholarship. My eyes are sealed shut and I chant silently,Top three, top three, top three.
