Page 110 of Anyone But Her

Chapter Twenty-One

Luke

It's now the middle of July and the summer is going faster than I want it to. Every day that goes by is another day closer to when Taylor has to move back to college. I'm already dreading that day. I'm used to seeing her all the time. When she moves I may only see her once a month. I've been trying to figure out how to see her more than that but between golfing and training, it may not be possible.

My next step to becoming a pro golfer is the qualifying tournaments. They don't start until next year but I need that time to get ready. And I need to save money. I was going to get a part-time job but then Garret called and asked me to do some more commercials. The first one I did turned out to be really popular. When I asked him why, he said "girls think you're hot and guys want to look like you." When he said it, I laughed. I thought he was kidding but he said that's actually what people said when they tested the ad.

From that one ad I somehow became known as a fitness expert and now I've not only been asked to do more work for WaveField but also for a few other companies. I'm doing commercials for a company that makes vitamin-enhanced drinks and one that makes protein bars. I'm making decent money and the ads don't take long to shoot, leaving me plenty of time for golf. And time for Taylor. If I had to pick between the two I'd skip the golf to be with Taylor. Our time together is running out and I want to be with her as much as I can before she leaves.

"Good work today," Darren, my coach, says as I pack up my stuff.

The guy is really good but expensive. He's a big reason why I never have money. But I see him as an investment. To do well at the qualifying tournaments I need the best coach.

"Just a reminder, I won't be here tomorrow," I tell him. "I have that shoot for WaveField."

"Yes, I wrote it down. I'll see you on Friday."

As soon as he leaves I call Taylor. "Are they still gone?"

I'm talking about her parents. They went to Tucson for the day. Cal is out golfing with his college buddies.

"Yeah. They just texted me. They said they'll head home in an hour, so with the drive time back to Phoenix, we have plenty of time."

"Great. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"I'll be waiting," she says in a sexy voice.

"I'll hurry." I toss my stuff in my bag as fast as I can. "I love you."

"I love you too. See ya soon."

Hurrying out to the parking lot, I stop when I see someone standing next to my car.

"Can I help you?" I ask.

The guy's wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses and has a thick beard so I can't see much of his face.

"Is that any way to greet your old man?"

I slowly walk up to him. "Dad?"

"What the hell? You don't recognize me?" He takes the glasses off so I can see his eyes but he still looks different with the beard.

"It's the beard," I say. "It didn't look like you at first."

"That was your mom's doing. She wanted me to grow it and I thought, what the hell? I won't have to shave anymore and it gets her horny. It's a win for both of us."

Seeing him again I feel nervous and sick. He shouldn't be here. This is my new life. A life far away from him and my mom and all the memories from my childhood that I'm trying to forget.

"What are you doing here?"

He walks up to me. "I don't like your tone, boy. I came all this way to see you and all I get is attitude?"

"You didn't come here to see me. You came for something else. So what is it?"

"Why don't we go somewhere to talk?"

"We don't need to. Just tell me why you're here."

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