Page 22 of Putting Out
The sound of voices at the front door could be heard. There was a banging sound, probably Kenny seeing to Erica’s bags and golf clubs. She never traveled anywhere without hers, either.
“Holy shit this is like a real farm! I thought I was going to step in cow crap or something.”
Erica’s dulcet tones echoed through the house and Reilly heard her Grams whimper. Pop flushed purple and Luke closed his eyes in resignation. He knew as she did Grams and Pop had already formed their first opinion of Erica and it wasn’t good.
“Hey, bitch!” Erica came jogging into the dining room and gave Reilly a playful slap on the back of the head. “How about that fucking announcement? Can you believe it?! Thirty-eight!”
Reilly stood and pulled Erica aside. She made it look as if she was kissing her cheek but instead muttered in her ear.
“Grandparents. Old-fashioned. Lose the swearing.”
“Oh, shit,” Erica exclaimed. “I mean, oh… rats.” Erica gave a small little wave to the group situated around the table. Reilly noted that her Pop was still sitting. Not because he didn’t deem Erica less than worthy, she was sure, but if the stunned expression on his face was any judge, he was in shock. Erica’s mouth, like Kenny’s, was legendary on the tour.
“Hi,” Erica tried again. “I’m Erica Kim. I play with Reilly…”
“We know who you are,” Pop announced, finding his tongue. He stood up and offered his hand. “I’ve seen you play. You’re a fine putter.”
“Uh… thanks.”
“Erica, this is my grandfather, Seamus O’Reilly and my grandmother, Roberta.”
“Nice to meet you,” Grams said politely.
A little too politely, Reilly knew.
“You know Luke Nolan.”
“Sure, I’ve seen you play.” Erica nodded. “I heard you gave up golf? Wow. I don’t think I ever could. Well, maybe if I had won as much as Reilly. I mean, once you’ve got all that money, why bother with the grind of getting up and practicing every day?”
“Because you love the game,” her Pop answered.
Uh-oh. The situation was fast deteriorating. Sure, Reilly hadn’t been all that keen for her friend and her brother to get serious about each other, but Erica was her friend and there were certain obligations that came with that.
The woman was drowning. The least Reilly could do was throw her a life vest. “Erica, would you like some pie? Grams baked a fresh one just for your arrival.”
“Pie.” Erica drooled. “Pie is my favorite.”
Score one for the new girlfriend. Reilly watched Grams perk up at the revelation. She tried to stand so that she could lean over the table and cut a slice, but her legs wouldn’t cooperate and she slumped back into the chair. Luke reached for the chair to steady her.
Reilly moved, too, but stopped when she saw the flush of embarrassment on her face. Then Luke whispered something in her ear and the flush turned brighter and Grams was giggling. Giggling!
“Now Luke, you know we love you like a son, but I catch you flirting with my woman again and I’m going to have to get the shotgun out.”
Luke raised his arms in surrender. “You can’t fault a man for trying.”
“I suppose not.” Pop nodded.
“Holy shit, you mean he really has a gun?” Erica whispered to Reilly.
“Told you. Sit and eat pie.”
“Oh, I can’t eat it. You know my season diet.”
“Trust me. Your relationship with Kenny hangs in the balance. Eat the pie.”
“Gotcha.”
Erica took Kenny’s seat at the table and Reilly cut her a healthy slice.
