“Are you sure no one else wants a turn? If Liss wants to drive, I’m fine to stay. Really.”
“What? You love this. And Liss is already out there working the midway station. I swear the pros did a horrible job organizing this year. Though to be fair, it is record numbers. I don’t trust any of these new kids to drive, either. It’s all you! Have fun. Start on eleven, please.”
Augie grew increasingly anxious as she made her way to the lower patio, checked that her cart was stocked with beer and Gatorade (it was impressive and unsettling how plastered these guys could get while still scoring under par), and started the engine. All she could hope now was that the other carts would hit the Crawley group on their rotation, that they wouldn’t fall to her. She said a silent plea as she finally pressed the gas.
The first two holes were fine. The men were tipsy already, their colorful polos vibrant in the sun, but they were harmless. Augiehanded out Leinenkugel’s and waters and took down numbers with no fanfare.
Augie relaxed a little as she drove. It was gorgeous out there. The breeze pulled at the wisps of her ponytail, the blankets of grass spread out around her like an alien planet, and light danced off the lake in the distance like sprinkled salt. Still, everywhere, she searched for Chat.
Another three holes later, Augie thought she might be in the clear when, as she rounded the putting green of hole fifteen, which practically skimmed Crystal Bay, she spotted Mr. Crawley. Then, to make matters worse, she heard the unmistakable cackle of Joshua Mike—finally spotting him leaning on his putter dressed head to toe in lime green. Augie held her breath as she scanned for the rest of their group, confused as she suddenly noticed Wyatt Greene, Leah’s dad. While he and Mr. Crawley were golf rivals and often paired in the same group, it didn’t make sense he was partnered with Joshua Mike.
Mr. Crawley, Joshua Mike, and Wyatt were gathered on the edge of the green now, peering into the valley between them and the water, their silhouettes framed by the blue beyond. They had fallen silent, and Augie braked the cart as she heard the light, hollow clip of a chip, then saw a speck of white arching up across the sky like a spotlight. She focused on the ball as it landed on the green, rolled to the left, right, and straight into the hole.
Joshua Mike screamed in agony. He fell to his knees, his head tilted back as he raised his hands to the sky.
“How!” he yelled.
“That’s my boy.” Mr. Crawley clenched his fist in an excited uppercut. “Excellent shot.” His hand unfolded into a high five as Chatappeared from the other side. He was smiling and wearing a monogrammed white Club hat, tufts of dark hair fighting out above his ears. He pressed his hand to Mr. Crawley’s.
Augie’s heart smacked against her ribs as she waited for the men to notice her. She didn’t want to see any of them—even Wyatt. While she and Wyatt were close (they always teamed up against Leah and Robin, teasing them on trips about being picky eaters or jet lagged), it was strange running into him at the Club. He and Robin were always polite, as were the rest of her peers’ parents, but it humiliated Augie all the same.
“You bastard! You’re too good.” Joshua Mike shoved Chat as they walked off the green.
“Lucky shot.” Chat took off his hat and wiped his forehead with his shoulder.
“Lucky shot my ass; you’re a goddamn prodigy. Next time, I get him as my duo.” He noticed Augie and rushed toward her. “Oh, thank god. I’m parched as hell. You’ve been sleeping on us. What gives?”
Wyatt Greene waved as he put away his putter and headed toward her.
“Our apologies.” Augie hopped out of the cart and headed around back to the cooler, smoothing her shorts. In the moment, even her cutest uniform felt hideous. “We’re a little behind.”
She didn’t look at Chat, but she felt his attention all the same. Her heart pounded even harder; she felt her pulse in her neck, in her wrists, in the soft backs of her knees.
“Afternoon, Aug.” Wyatt pulled off his golf gloves. “How’s it going?”
Despite herself, Augie was relieved by his presence. Wyatt Greene had a gentle, steady demeanor. Like Leah, he was a good listener, though Lyle was the one who had been a carbon copy of their dad.
“Going fine.” Augie forced a smile.
“Let’s hope we can wrap this thing up soon, huh? It’s a hot one.” Wyatt moved closer to Augie as everyone grabbed beers from the cooler. “My guest canceled last minute, as did Josh Mike’s,” he whispered to Augie. “Which leaves me...”
Augie mouthed, “Sorry.”
“Wellwewere sorry you couldn’t join us last night. That really is a fantastic restaurant. And as I told Leah, it was only fitting we got to celebrate her new job on Lyle’s birthday. It’s all the more proof he’s watching out for her. And that lobster bisque. Incredible. We’ll all go back.”
Augie’s whole body clenched. Lyle’s birthday? It had been Lyle’s birthday celebration, too? July eleventh. She usually went out with them every year. It was the one time they spoke of Lyle openly. How could she forget? Her mouth went dry.
“I’m, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I didn’t realize... I’m sorry.”
Wyatt studied her, seemingly surprised by the intensity of her remorse. “No, Aug, don’t worry.” He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Really. I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad. It’s okay. We’ll celebrate again soon. Like I said, I want to go back to that spot.”
Augie nodded and was about to apologize again when Mr. Crawley and Joshua Mike joined them.
“Ugh, no IPAs?” Josh Mike whined as he opened both coolers.
“Oh, sorry, no, not today,” Augie said.
Joshua Mike booed, grabbed a Summer Shandy, and, to Augie’s relief, walked to his cart.
