11. Beau #3
“I was taking care of some business,” he says vaguely. “Plus, she didn’t need me for practice rounds. She’s a big girl.”
“I don’t care if it’s her first tournament or her two hundredth, you’re her fucking caddy. You show up.” I can’t believe I’m having to explain this to him. “Also. Business? What the hell business would you have that takes you away from your actual job?”
He tries to shrug like he’s the cool guy in high school leaning against a locker. “Things.”
I just shake my head. “What the hell is up with you? And second question, who are you anymore?”
I’ve long known Chad and I weren’t the same people who grew up playing together. But over the last few years, he’s changed so much I barely recognize him.
“What’s up with me?” Chad parrots. “What’s up with you? Why are you out here giving me shit?”
“You mean instead of sitting around a table with you and your minions reliving shit that never happened? And quit changing the subject.”
Chad has the nerve to look insulted before he gets a little more indignant.
“I’m not. Just asking a question. Since when do you give a shit about Shelby?”
A fire ignites in my stomach. One I’m going to ignore for now. I’ll have time later to unravel the reasons I’m suddenly feeling so defensive about the woman who drives me insane. “Since she’s my playing partner, asshole.”
Chad rolls his eyes. “Sure. That’s it.”
I step closer to him, balling my hands into fists. “What the hell are you implying?”
I’ve always had the size advantage on Chad.
Since we were kids, I was always at least four inches taller and more than a few pounds heavier.
But he never backed up from me then, and he’s not now, as he lifts his chin to me, a smirk on his face like he’s been keeping a secret that he’s about to reveal.
“I think you’re mad that she picked me over you. Again.”
I feel my blood pressure spike in a way I wasn’t ready for. “What the fuck does that mean?”
He laughs and steps back, leaning against the wall, one foot propped against the brick. “I know you had a thing for her back when we were in school.”
“No, I didn’t,” I huff.
It’s only a partial lie. Did I wonder a couple times what it would be like to kiss her? Sure. But that was teenage hormones and spending every day with a girl who always kept you on your toes.
“Whatever you say, Beau. All I know is that she picked me then, and she picked me now. She hates you for cheating—still wonder what happened there—yet she hired me, and I actually did cheat on her. Must kill you, doesn’t it?”
My hands are now cramping, I’m balling them so tight. “She needed a coach. That’s what you are. It wasn’t a competition between us. Never has been.”
“Maybe so…” Chad says as he pushes off the wall and starts pacing a slow circle around me. “But, even now, does she let you touch her? She doesn’t, does she? You saw for yourself that she lets me. Lets me stand behind her to fix her. Lets me comfort her. All the things you’ve never gotten to do.”
My blood is boiling as he talks about Shelby like she’s his.
She’s not. Not in any way. I try to tell myself to let it go.
That he doesn’t realize he’s one foot out the door where Shelby is concerned.
But before I can really internalize how insignificant his words are, he starts running his mouth again.
“Was she asking about me this week? Wondering where I was? I know the answer’s yes. Because she needs me. Not you. Me. It’s always been me. And that drives you fucking insane.”
I don’t think. Not a single thought goes through my brain. All I’m seeing is red, hearing words I know are lies, as I cock my arm back and swing.
“Ow! What the fuck!”
Chad drops to the ground, holding his face. I doubt I broke anything. At least, I don’t think so. But hey, at least he’ll have an actual excuse when he doesn’t show up tomorrow.
I pull Chad up by the collar and shove him back against the brick wall.
“I don’t know what your plan was for tomorrow, but here’s the new one: Stay away.
Don’t you dare step out onto the course.
I don’t want to see you. Shelby doesn’t want to see you.
And if you do, you’ll leave with a matching black eye. Do we understand each other?”
The quick nod and the bobbing Adam’s apple is all the confirmation I need as I drop my hold on him, and Chad nearly slides down the wall.
I turn around, walking back into the hotel, thankful no one was out there to see what I just did. That’s all I need—coming to this tournament in an attempt for some good PR and then becoming the story because of my boxing skills.
My breathing evens out as I slowly walk through the lobby, staring at my red knuckles. I try to find regret for what I just did. I don’t. I’d do it again if I needed to. I’d hit Chad, and anyone else who talked about her like that, every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
But it’s not because I’m in love with her. Courtney was wrong about that. And Chad is way off the mark with his claims of jealousy.
She’s…Shelby. My…I don’t know what she is. But she’s not the woman I’m in love with, that much I know.