Page 115 of Putting Out
Reilly popped up and headed for the door. Erica stood outside holding a large box under her arm.
“Hey.”
“Hi, back. This is for you.” Erica held the box out with a wry smile.
“Come in,” Reilly encouraged her.
She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re in there celebrating, no doubt, and I don’t want to rain on the parade. Kenny and I will be cool, you know. Eventually. But considering he dumped me I think it’s better to keep my distance.”
Reilly sighed. “He’s a jerk for doing that on the phone. When am I allowed to say I told you so?”
“Right after I give you this.”
Reilly took the box and opened it. Inside was a stuffed black bird.
“It’s supposed to represent crow,” Erica explained. “But if you push the stomach it quotes Poe, so I’m guessing it’s a raven.”
Reilly pulled the bird out of the box. “Nevermore! Nevermore!”
Erica’s head tilted to the right. “Get it? I watched you play today and now I have to eat some.”
“You were there? I didn’t see you.”
“Behind the legions of Reilly Carr fans, I was there. My parents hooked me up with one of their bigwig friends and scored me a ticket. As an initial non-supporter, I’m letting you know I’m officially on the bandwagon.”
“Good to know.”
“I was really wrong about you doing this. I thought it would be a bad thing for women’s golf. You’re holding your own out there and making us all look good. Even though I know in my life I could never hit the ball as far as you do. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“Kenny told me. The security at the gate is a joke.”
Reilly winced. “So I’ve heard.”
“Anyway, we were friends before all this and I hope we can be friends again.”
“Absolutely.”
Erica smiled. “Good. You are coming back to the ladies tour, aren’t you?”
The question surprised Reilly. “Of course I am. It’s where I belong.”
Then she watched the expression on her friend’s face fade to a sad smile. “No. It isn’t. Not anymore. Good luck tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
“Bitch.”
“Whore,” Reilly returned with a smile.
Reilly watched Erica walk back to her powder blue Beemer and wondered what she meant. Was it a question of not wanting her back on tour? Or did she mean she didn’t belong. What the hell did that mean for her future?
“She didn’t give you anything to give me, did she? Like hate mail or something.”
Reilly glanced behind her to see Kenny walking slowly to the door. A man with a guilty conscience.
“You couldn’t have waited to break up with her the next time you saw her in person?”
