"But I love golfing. And I love trying to get better at it."
My dad laughs as he walks behind us. "Hear that, Barb? Told you she wanted to go."
My mom sighs. "Then maybe we'll sign you up if it's not too late."
"Really?" I turn back to my dad. "Can you get me in somewhere?"
"Of course. I'll do it right now." He gets his phone out as we stop at the driving range. He's already calling someone. "Artie, how's it going?" He laughs as he listens. "Yeah, we'll definitely have to do that sometime. Hey, I was calling because I was wondering if I could get my kid a spot at one of your camps this summer. I know it's last minute but maybe if there's a cancellation." He pauses to listen. "No, this is for Taylor, not Cal. And I don't want a co-ed camp." He eyes me. "Girls only." He smiles. "Great! I knew you'd come through for me. She's here now. She's jumping up and down she's so excited. Thanks again. We'll talk soon."
He hangs up and I stop jumping and hug him. "Thanks, Dad!"
"Look how happy she is," he says to my mom. "And to think you weren't going to let her go."
My mom smiles. "I guess both my children were born to golf. They take after their father."
I let my dad go and hug my mom. "Sorry, Mom. I just really love the game."
"I know, honey, but I'll miss you." She looks at my dad. "When's the camp?"
"Not until July, so you'll have plenty of time for mother-daughter activities before she goes. And it's only for a week."
"A week?" I say. "That's barely any time to learn anything."
"There was a spot open at a two-week camp but it's co-ed and I'm not letting my daughter go to a co-ed camp."
"Why not? I'm going there to work on my game not go on dates. I won't even notice the boys."
My mom laughs. "Your father's smarter than that, honey."
"Dad, it's true! Why would I care about some stupid boys at camp?"
Just as I say it, three guys around my age come up beside us with their golf clubs and a bucket of balls. One of them is kinda cute, with blond hair and a dark tan.
"Taylor?" I hear my mom say.
"What?" I look at her and see her looking at my dad. He's shaking his head.
"You're going to the girls camp," he says. "End of story."
He sounds mad. I don't get it. Is he mad because I was checking out the guys next to us? It's not like I was going to ask them out. I was just looking at them. Big deal.
My dad is way too overprotective of me. If he had his way I'd never date.
Ten minutes later, Cal shows up.
"They gave me the wrong key," he says. "It's for the wrong cabin."
"Then go back and exchange it," my mom says.
"The line's too long. I'll go back later. Let's hit some balls before it gets too crowded."
The four of us practice our swing. My dad was a pro golfer and my mom played in college. We all love the game but my mom worries Cal and I are missing out on stuff because we spend all our time on the golf course or at the driving range or working with our coaches. But I've never felt like I'm missing out on anything. I'm doing what I love and what I hope to do for a career someday.
"I'm back," Birdie says, startling me and messing up my shot.
I take her arm, leading her away from the teeing off area. "What happened with Hottie Check-in Guy?"
She frowns. "You were right. He has a girlfriend. Or maybe he just said that to get rid of me."
"You hit on the check-in guy?" Cal asks as he takes his swing.
"Cal, pay attention." My dad is now filming Cal, making his "before" video.
"I can talk and swing, Dad," Cal says. "And besides, it's not a good day to film me. I'm feeling off today. I don't think I slept well last night."
"Anyway," Birdie says to me, "I met this other guy and gave him my number so that's a possibility."
"You see why I'm not sending you to co-ed camp?" my dad says. "You girls can't go two seconds without getting distracted by a boy."
"Lou, that's not fair," my mom says. "Boys are just as bad as girls when it comes to that. Remember when Cal went to that co-ed golf clinic last spring?"
"Hey." Cal laughs. "That chick was hot. Even Dad said so. Everyone was looking at her, not just me."
"That's enough video for today," my dad says, putting his phone away. "We need to get going. You have orientation soon."
We pack up our clubs and head back to the car.
"We're going to miss you," my mom says as we tell Cal goodbye.
"If you talk to a guy named Steve," Birdie says to Cal, "put in a good word for me."
"His name's Steve?" Cal asks.
"Yeah. Why?"
"There aren't any guys named Steve here. I know everyone on the roster. There's no Steve."
"Yeah, right." Birdie rolls her eyes. She and my brother have a contentious relationship. That's a nice way of saying they hate each other.
"I'm not making it up. See for yourself." Cal takes a piece of paper from his back pocket and hands it to her. It's a list of all the guys attending the camp.
She scans the list. "Maybe he showed up last-minute." She hands him the list back.
"That'd never happen," Cal says. "This camp is invite-only and they only give out a few. If you get an invite you show up. That's how it works. Whoever said his name was Steve was making it up. It's a fake name."
"C'mon, let's go," my dad says to Birdie and me. "Get in the car, girls. We'll stop for lunch on the way home."
"That bastard!" Birdie says, ignoring my dad. She storms off toward the row of cabins, determined to find this Steve guy.
"Did you have to get her all riled up?" my dad says to Cal.
He smiles. "She had to know. Better to find out now than later."
Cal loves to rile up Birdie. He's been doing it forever. There was a point last year where I almost thought he did it because he secretly likes her but then I realized that's completely crazy. My brother and Birdie? There's no way that would ever happen. They can't stand each other.
"Go get her," my dad says to me, sounding annoyed. Birdie drives him nuts but she's been around so long she's like another one of his kids. He treats her like a daughter.
"I'll be right back." I run down the grassy area in front of the cabins and find her interrogating some guy.
"Is this him?" I ask her.
"No!" She huffs. "This is Tate, or so he says. It's probably another made-up name!"
"Why is she yelling at me?" the guy asks, directing his question to me.
"She's had a rough day." I grab her arm and yank her away from him. "C'mon, let's go. Just forget about Fake Steve."
"And let him get away with lying to me?" She struggles to break free from my grasp but can't. I'm a lot stronger than her. She doesn't work out and I go to the gym every day.
"Forget him. He's not worth getting upset about." I keep hold of her arm and walk really fast so she doesn't get distracted by all the guys walking past us. "When we get home we'll go hang out at the pool. There are plenty of guys there."
"Guys I already know. We need to meet new people. Let's go to a club tonight."
"We're not old enough. We're not even close to being old enough."
"Then what am I going to do?"
"You're going to hang out with me, your best friend. We have the rest of our lives to go out with guys. This summer should be about us. It won't be long before we're both off at college and then we'll hardly see each other."
Her shoulders slump. "I guess you're right. Guys just piss me off. We should have a guy-free summer." She sighs. "But Fake Steve was really cute. You should've seen him. He had this—"
"Birdie." I stop and turn to her. "No more talking about Fake Steve. He's gone. History. Never to be spoken about again. It's a guy-free summer. Agreed?"
She bites her lip, then shakes her head.
"What's that mean? You're not with me on this?"
She looks back at some guys playing volleyball by the lake. "I can't go a whole summer without guys."
>
"Seriously, Birdie? You can't even go a few months?"
As I say it I notice a guy in a car passing behind her. He's in the passenger side with the window rolled down, his arm resting on it. He's really tan and his hair is dark brown and kind of messy, like it's been blown around by the wind. He's really cute. Hot-cute. More hot than cute.
I keep my eyes on him as the old man driving the car pulls into a parking spot.
"What are you looking at?" Birdie asks.
I blink away from the guy. "Nothing."
She glances behind her but the guy is now hidden by the car parked next to him.
"Something caught your attention," she says. "It's like you were in a trance or something. Did you even hear what I said?"
"Um, I don't think so. What did you say?"
"I was thinking about having Cal poison Fake Steve for me. But I guess that's kinda drastic."
"Yeah. A little." I laugh and start heading to the car. "Let's go."
As we're walking back I look for that guy but can't find him. He was really hot. Like really, really hot. If I went to camp with a guy like that I wouldn't learn much about golfing. I'd be too distracted.
I guess my dad is right. Co-ed camp is a bad idea. And a guy-free summer? Probably not going to happen.
Chapter Four
Luke
"Sorry we're late," Albert says as he pulls up to the camp.
"We're not late," I say. "Orientation isn't for another hour."
Actually we are late but it's not Albert's fault. I was supposed to take a bus here but it broke down soon after we left so I called Albert. He postponed his lunch date and came to get me and we made the two-hour drive to camp.
As Albert parks I take in the scene. The camp is on a golf course with a lake off to the side. There's a driving range just beyond the parking lot and some guys are already out there practicing their swing.
"I can't believe I'm actually here," I say, feeling the huge smile on my face. "This is so amazing. Living on a golf course for two whole weeks. Am I dreaming this? Pinch me, Albert. This can't be real."
Albert chuckles. "It's real." He shuts off the car and looks over at the line of guys at the check-in area, all with golf bags hanging off their shoulder. "I have a feeling you'll fit right in here."
"Maybe, although I'm a little nervous."
"Why would you be nervous?"
"Because everyone here has had more training than me." I look back at Albert. "Not that your training wasn't good. I mean, I'm grateful for everything you taught me. It's just—"
"Luke, you don't have to explain. I know what you're saying. I did my best but I can't teach you the skills you'll need to play professionally. That's why you're here. To learn from the best."
"But it's only two weeks. I'll need more than that if I really want to do this for a living."
He pauses, then says, "I wasn't going to tell you this yet but I might as well."
"Tell me what?"
"When the camp is over, if the coaches here say you have what it takes, I'm getting you a coach back home."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm hiring you a coach. You're fifteen now and need to start entering junior tournaments. To do that, you need more training. You need to be coached."
"Albert, no. I can't let you do that. It's too much."
"As I've told you many times, I'm not worried about the money. I don't need expensive things. I'd rather spend my money helping support your dream. I really think you can do this, Luke. You have the talent, the drive, the desire. You're not like these other kids. You didn't grow up privileged. You've worked for everything you have. And if you want this bad enough, you'll make it happen."
A group of guys walk by our car, all wearing designer polo shirts and expensive sunglasses. I'm wearing a cheap t-shirt and shorts and sunglasses I got for five bucks at the gas station. I don't know what this camp cost but it had to have cost a fortune. Everyone here looks rich.
"Can I ask you something?" I say to Albert.
"What is it?"
"How much did you pay for this?"
His brows furrow. "For what?"
"This camp. I know you paid for it. That story you told me about me getting a scholarship isn't true. I checked the website. They don't offer scholarships. It was you. You paid for it."
"Because I knew it would make you happy." He pats my shoulder. "You need some happiness in your life. Everyone does."
"What about you? You've done so much for me, Albert. What can I do for you?"
"Don't give up on your dream. Go after it. Achieve it. Seeing you work hard toward your dream is what makes me happy."
"You're not going to tell me, are you?"
"It doesn't matter how much it costs. Seeing the smile on your face when we pulled up to this place is worth more than any amount of money. Now hurry up and get out of this car. You need to go hit some balls before orientation."
"You're not staying? Not even for a few minutes to check out the place?"
"I've been here before."
"You have?"
"If you'll recall, I was a golfer myself back in the day."
"And you went here?"
"When I was fifteen, just like you."
"Then that means you were really good."
"I was, but not good enough to make the pros. But you are, Luke. I knew from the first time you hit the ball. You have natural talent that most people just don't have."
A sports car pulls up next to us and a couple guys get out.
"I'm nervous, Albert." I watch as some guys walk by with their designer golf bags. "What if they make fun of me for being poor?"
"Ignore them. You're not here to make friends. You're here to learn. If you happen to meet some young men who could become friends, then all the better, but if not, don't worry about it. Focus on building your skills." He nudges me. "At least there aren't any girls here to distract you."
I laugh. "That's never been a problem."
"Maybe not on the golf course but I've seen you distracted a time or two on other occasions." He give me a wink.
He's talking about the times we've gone out to eat or to the store. I occasionally see a cute girl and can't look away.
"Okay, yeah, maybe a few times," I say, "but never on the golf course. I'm completely focused when I'm golfing."
"Go." He motions to the door. "Get out there and show them what you got. Learn as much as you can. And have fun."
"I will. Thanks again, Albert. When I make the pros I'll pay you back. For everything. I promise." I get out of the car and get my bags from the trunk, then wave goodbye to Albert. I watch as he drives away. I'll miss him. I'm used to seeing him every day and now I won't see him for two weeks.
"Need some help?" a guy says from behind me.
I turn around and see Cal Tuckerman standing there. Holy shit! Cal Tuckerman, son of Lou Tuckerman, the former professional golfer, winner of several major tournaments! I knew his son was here but I didn't expect to meet him on the first day, or at all. I thought he'd think he's better than everyone because of his dad and not talk to unknowns like me.
"I got it," I say, "but thanks for offering."
"Cal Tuckerman," he says, smiling and holding his hand out.
I drop my bags and shake his hand. "Luke Sydel."
"Is this your first time at this camp?"
"First time at any camp," I say, hearing the nervousness in my voice. I shouldn't show my nerves but shit, it's Cal Tuckerman! I wonder if his dad is here. I'd love to meet him.
"Never been to camp, huh? Well, if you like golf, you're gonna love it. I personally haven't been here before but I've heard it's great. My dad went here back in the day and said it really improved his game."
"I've been watching your dad for years. He's an awesome golfer."
"He's retired now," Cal says, "but a few years ago, yeah, his game was pretty impressive. It's a lot to live up to."
"Yeah, I bet."
"Is your dad a gol
fer?"
I laugh. "No. Not at all. In fact, he hates golf and pretty much anyone who plays it."
Cal's smile falls. "But you play it."
"Yeah," I say, looking down at the ground. "He's not my biggest fan."
"Sorry to hear that."
I shrug and look up at him. "It's not a big deal. We have different interests. That's all. So anyway, I should probably check in."
"I'll go with you. The check-in guy gave me the wrong key. I have to get a different one."
We walk together to the check-in table and as we're waiting in line, an image of Cal's sister pops in my head. She's been in my head since I saw her on TV five years ago. Sometimes I look her up online just to see what she's up to. She's really into golf, like her brother. She's even been in some junior tournaments. She's grown up a lot the past five years. She doesn't look like a little girl anymore. She's filled out and has a body that...well, I shouldn't be thinking about that with her brother standing here. I'll just say that she's still the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.
"So is your family here?" I ask Cal.
"They were. They just left. We hit some balls at the driving range and then they took off."
"Your mom golfs too?" I purposely don't mention his sister, although right now she's all I can think about.
"Yeah," Cal says. "So does my sister."
"Is she any good?" I ask casually.
"My mom? Yeah, she's okay. She played in college."
"I meant your sister. How old is she?"
"Fourteen. And yeah, she's good. She's really good at her short game. She needs to work on her drives. She wants to go pro someday, just like me."
A girl who's beautiful AND loves golf? She's my dream girl! I wonder what she's like. She looks nice in her photos but looks can be deceiving. But her brother seems cool so maybe she is too.
I don't know why I care. It's not like I'd ever date her. We don't even live in the same state. When her dad retired he moved the family to Phoenix. That's a long ways from San Diego.
We reach the front of the line and I check in and get my cabin assignment.
Game On: A Sports Romance Box Set Page 34