Summer Ever After: A Sweet Romantic Comedy

Chapter 38

“Walker!”My mom rushes through the door of my hotel room, throwing her arms around me. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Thanks for coming all the way to Scotland,” I say, hugging her.

“We wouldn’t miss it.” She pulls back to see my face. “And we were close by.”

“How’s your tour of Europe going?” I reach for my stepdad and give him a quick hug.

“Amazing. But your mom is right. We wouldn’t miss your comeback tournament even if we weren’t already touring Europe.”

“I don’t know if that’s what I’d call it. I’m just hoping to make the cut.”

“How have your practice rounds on the course been going?” my mom asks.

“Decent. I think.”

It’s hard to tell when all I really want to think about is Jane. I used to be good at pushing everything out of my mind and focusing only on golf—that one drive or that one putt. But when I’m not swinging the club, I wonder what Jane is doing—if she’s moved on with her summer plans or if she feels as broken as I do.

“What time do you tee off tomorrow for round one?” Stan asks.

“10:10 a.m.”

“And who’s in your group?”

“Landon Dunlap and Carson Fleck.”

“That’s a great group. You should be able to stay with them or even ahead.”

I appreciate how Stan follows my sport. He keeps track of the other pro golfers, how they’re playing, and where they’re ranked. I don’t think he knew anything about golf until he met my mom. His interest in it is just for me.

“Thanks, Stan.” A shoulder tap is about as much physical contact as I can muster. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much it means to me to have your support. But I really appreciate it.”

“Uh…” His eyes gloss over as he clears his throat. “No problem. We’re always cheering you on.”

My mom cups my cheeks, the sweetest smile covering her lips. “Your sisters told me you had a change of heart when it comes to the family, and I hoped it was true.”

“Mom,” I groan.

“No, you listen.” She holds my face like I’m eight years old, forcing me to look at her. “They said that you’ve really been trying to be part of the family the last few weeks and how nice it’s been.” Her voice cracks with emotion. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me, and I hope you’ll keep it up and not be such a stranger anymore.”

I grab her wrists, pulling her hands down from my face. “I promise I’ll come around more often.”

My heart dips when I imagine visiting Sunset Harbor. It’s not like Jane is going to disappear from my family’s life. So, I’ll show up to a family party, and she’ll be there with some new guy—someone stable who has the right zip code. Everything about that thought completely destroys me.

“Capri also said that you’ve been spending a lot of time with Jane.”

“Mom,” I groan again, taking a seat on the back of the couch. “I don’t want to talk about Jane right now.”

It’s bad enough that my thoughts are tormented by her.

“Okay.” Her hands lift as if she gets the point. “We can talk about her another time. It’s more important that you’re in the right headspace for your tournament.”

“Where’s Pete?” Stan looks around the hotel suite. “Didn’t he fly in with you?”

“Yeah, he’s been here all week. I think he went down to the lobby to get some snacks.”

“And Mick is here too, right?” I nod, answering her question. “Then it looks like you’re all set. Everyone that’s important to you is here cheering you on.”

Not everyone.

Not the most important person.

But part of me hopes she’ll watch on TV back home.

Pelting rain stabs me as I run from my golf cart back inside the city building. Once indoors, I push the hood of my rain jacket off my head.

Mayor Barnes whistles, looking past me out to the road. “This storm is a doozy!”

“Let’s just hope it hits the island as a tropical storm, not a hurricane.” A worried look pinches Betsy’s brows.

I shake the excess water off my coat as I talk. “I heard on the news that it’s already weakening, so we’ll probably be okay.”

“I just worry about you. All alone in that big house.” Betsy moves her pinched expression to me. “Are you sure you don’t want to come ride out the storm with us?”

“I’ve lived on this island my whole life. Hurricane season is nothing new. I’ll be fine.”

“Do you have enough food? Batteries? Flashlights?” Mayor Barnes asks.

“Yes.”

“And you pulled your boat out of the water?”

“Yes.” I smile, trying to reassure them. “I promise I’m all set. I sent out the city evacuation plan to all residents, and there are extra sandbags by the nature park in case we need them for flooding.”

“Jane”—Mayor Barnes shakes his head in awe—“I know I say it all the time, but I really don’t know what this island would do without you.”

I give the same answer I always do. “You’ll never have to find out.” I take a step, putting my hood back on. “You’ll lock up the city building?”

“We’re right behind you.”

“Okay, be safe.” I wave before stepping out into the storm.

I run to my golf cart and lift up the cart all-weather tarp, ducking inside where it’s dry.

My plans are to go home and hunker down in my house until the storm passes. I might take a bath and read a book.

You know, things you do when you’re all alone.

Completely alone.

The one thing I’m not going to do is turn on the television for round one of the British Open.

I don’t need to rip my heart to shreds like that.

It already hurts enough.