Page 5
Drew
“Alright,Drew.You’reup,” Ted Windell tells me before putting his club back into his golf bag.
It’s the beginning of July and despite starting our game first thing in the morning, it’s already hot as hell outside. I’ve got sweat dripping down my body and into places that just aren’t appropriate to talk about.
Selecting my driver from my bag, I take my place to hit the ball. I’ve got everything lined up for the perfect swing when Brooks, Ted’s youngest son, groans next to me.
“Whose idea was it to walk today? We should’ve taken a golf cart.”
Someone releases a heavy sigh behind me. It’s probably David. David is Ted’s middle son, and he’s way more serious than the other two.
“Shut up. Drew is trying to concentrate.”
I take my swing and watch the ball go flying over the green. Not a bad shot, if I do say so myself. I’d never played golf in my life until Ted started inviting me to golf with him and his sons once a month. Ted is my coworker turned friend and mentor. I was honored to be included in their family golf sessions. And I fit right in since I’m about the same age as his oldest son, Madden. They’re all incredible golfers, though. I’ve had to practice and hit the driving ranges frequently to even come close to their level of finesse when it comes to golfing, but eventually I got the hang of it.
“Great shot, Drew! You’re getting better and better.” Madden claps me on the back as he walks past me, carrying his golf bag.
The five of us make the sweaty trek toward our golf balls. “Thanks, man. When are you heading back to D.C.?”
“Our flight is tomorrow evening. There’s a big event for Independence Day, and Odette isn’t thrilled about it.” He grimaces.
Madden is a congressman for the 4th district of Kansas, and his wife is very pregnant with their second child.
Brooks chuckles behind us. “Hopefully the D.C. humidity doesn’t send her into early labor.”
Madden shoots him a glare. “Don’t even joke about that; she’s already been having Braxton-Hicks contractions like crazy.”
“Braxton’s what?” Brooks asks, scrunching up his face.
David rolls his eyes. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to. I made the mistake last week of asking Madden what the heck a mucus plug is. Literally the biggest mistake of my life.”
Ted and Madden burst out laughing as David walks ahead of the rest of us. Brooks just looks confused.
“Mucus?” Brooks makes a gagging sound. “That’s it. I’m never impregnating a woman.”
Just then, a golf cart drives past us. There are four blondes in it that look to be in their early twenties. A few of them seem to know Brooks and wave at him before whispering to each other and then giggling.
“Hey ladies!” Brooks waves back and winks at them.
It’s no secret that Ted and Diane’s four kids are abnormally easy on the eyes, but Brooks seems to be especially popular amongst the ladies. Madden, Sophie, and Brooks inherited their father’s blonde hair and blue eyes, and then there’s David. The dark and serious one in the family.
Madden and Ted shake their heads in unison at his flirtatious nature. I can’t help but laugh. Brooks is just about the most likable person you’ll ever meet. Ted and Madden walk ahead of us to catch up with David. Brooks throws a sweaty arm around my shoulders.
“Those old married guys are just jealous their prime is over. You and I can still play the field and have fun.” He raises his eyebrows up and down.
I force a laugh as I pull away from his sweaty body heat.
“Yep, we get to have all the fun,” I lie. I can’t even remember the last time I went out with a woman.
Hours later, we finished our game and stride into the country club for a drink. It’s blissfully cool as we walk through the large wooden doors and into the air conditioning.
Ted waves us toward the dining room. “Diane said she’d save us a table after her coffee group finished up.”
“You mean gossip group?” Brooks mutters under his breath.
Ted scowls at him, then continues walking. We follow him through the extravagant clubhouse. Everything in this place is white and makes you feel like you can’t touch a thing or you’ll mess it up. I’d never intended on having a country club membership, but Ted talked me into it when I started golfing. And I do enjoy bringing my daughter, Penny, here to swim on the weekends.
A group of middle-aged women wearing short tennis skirts sway past us, ogling Brooks the entire time. I glance over at him just in time to see him wink at them.
