Page 81 of Sweet Spot
Numb is what I think, but I say, “Okay.”
He doesn’t bring up my sour attitude until I miss the fairway on fifteen. “What’s going on in your head? You’re getting sloppier with each swing. If this is about anything but golf, push it away for later. Next week is it—everything you’ve worked for.”
“Maybe you can compartmentalize your life like that, but I can’t.”
“Damn it, Keira, I won’t let you sabotage yourself like this. You can do this, but you can’t break down now. This is it.”
“And then what? I go pro and live a lonely existence where I never let anyone get close like you do?” I brush past him and put my driver into my bag. I know I’ve gone too far when I turn and see the pain in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.”
He faces off with me, keeping a few feet between us. “I’ve never lied to you about who I am or what I want.”
“I know. I just thought somewhere along the way things changed. I guess they only changed for me.” I feel foolish. Not because of my feelings but because I never expected him to not be able to own up to his.
“Keira—”
“No. It’s okay. You’re right. This is my fault. I’m days away from the biggest event of my life, and I need to focus. Nothing else matters right now.”
He nods. “Okay, let’s get back to work then.”
I unbuckle my golf bag from the cart and sling it over my shoulder. Acceptance, defeat, determination—they each take their turn forcing one foot in front of the other as I realize I’m responsible for what I allow or don’t allow to mess with my head.
Lincoln was right about one thing; I have to push everything else aside and focus on golf.
“I think I need to do this on my own.”
He looks as if he wants to argue, so I say the only thing I can think of to stop him and protect myself. “You’re fired.”
30
Lincoln
“Did you hear what I said?”Kenton asks, and I glance at my laptop.
“No, sorry, what?”
He chuckles. “Jesus. What in the hell is going on with you? I’ve never known you to be so disinterested in talking business before. You watching porn or something?”
“Sorry. Sorry.” I shake my head and force myself to focus on the report we’re supposed to be reviewing. “What was the question?”
“Doesn’t matter. You don’t really need me to review the business shit. Any questions I come up with are ones you probably already asked.”
That is usually true, but today I’m not so sure about that, which is why I’d forced him on the phone to talk it out.
“Keira’s qualifier is coming up, right?”
“How do you know about that?”
“Gram.”
“Ah.” I nod. “Yeah, it’s on Thursday.” I fiddle with the yo-yo on my desk.
“That’s awesome. If she qualifies, it’ll be great publicity for the company.”
“That isn’t gonna happen.”
“Wow, bro, way to have confidence in your mad coaching skills.”
“Not that. Keira’s fantastic and has a good chance of qualifying, but we aren’t working together anymore.”
