by Jen Silver
Greeted by the sight of Andi draped only in a towel, Freya’s anger dissipated as quickly as it had appeared but she couldn’t resist saying, “Why didn’t you call Ted? He’s better equipped to handle emergencies.” Ted was their head greenkeeper and lived in the gatehouse by the entrance to the drive.
Andi grinned at her. “You know me. Couldn’t resist rescuing a damsel in distress.”
“I’m the one distressed. How about rescuing me?”
The towel dropped as Andi held out her arms. Freya moved gratefully into her embrace.
“You shouldn’t frighten me like that.”
Andi stroked her hair. “I have a highly developed sense of self preservation.”
“We’ll have to stop people going down there. It’s too dangerous.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. The beach is a great feature of this place. Building some proper steps would be a better solution.”
“You’re getting cold. How about helping me out of these clothes.”
“Your wish is my command.” With practiced ease, Andi drew Freya’s head towards her with one hand placed behind her neck. She kissed her none too gently while her other hand undid the top button of her shorts and lowered the zip. Freya felt herself automatically thrusting her hips to meet the exploring hand.
Andi pulled back to say, “My, you’re wetter than a summer’s day in Cornwall.”
Freya didn’t reply, just placed her hands on Andi’s naked buttocks to close the gap between them again. “Stop talking and put your mouth to better use.”
Half an hour later, her heart still hammering from the intensity of her most recent orgasm, Freya lay back to enjoy the moment. Their times together always seemed to pass too quickly. She wanted to savour every last drop of these few precious weeks.
Breathing in the delicious scent of their lovemaking, Freya gathered herself for an erotic assault on Andi’s body. She started by kissing the breast nearest to her, teasing the nipple with her tongue.
A loud knock on the door startled them both.
“What the fuck?”
Freya wanted to echo Andi’s exclamation but she knew Tris wouldn’t disturb them unless it was important. His voice through the closed door confirmed this.
“You might want to make yourselves presentable. Goran’s on his way from the airfield. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Goran!” Andi sat up. “Christ, I thought he was in Dubrovnik visiting his family. What’s he doing here?”
“I guess we’re going to find out.”
They didn’t have time to shower, certainly not together. In the short time it took them to wash away most of the evidence of their recent intimacy, dress, and in Freya’s case, run a comb through her hair, they could hear Tris greeting the other man effusively. Freya guessed that was for their benefit.
“No need to make too much of an effort, Frey. He’ll know what we’ve been doing.”
Freya checked her hair in the mirror by the door. “Yes, but I don’t want to look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.”
“I like that look on you.” Andi stepped up and hugged her from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.
Seeing their two faces close up in the mirror, Freya found herself matching Andi’s smile and wishing they could just stay like that, enjoying the closeness.
“Come on, lover. Tris is an expert in making small talk but he won’t thank us for delaying any longer.”
“And Goran has the patience of a stampeding elephant.” Andi gave her one last squeeze before letting go. “The sooner we find out what he wants, the sooner we can resume play.”
“Hold that thought.”
Andi held the door open for her and they walked through to the living room.
†
When they entered the room, Goran greeted Freya enthusiastically with a big hug.
“Put her down, you oaf.” Andi slapped his arm and he turned his attention from Freya to give her a brotherly kiss on the cheek.
Twenty years on, Goran Mihajlovic hadn’t changed much in looks from the teenager she married. They had met at a golf resort in Spain. His team was on a winter break, and as part of the relaxation exercise, the ones who played golf had been offered the chance to take part in a pre-tournament pro-am that was taking place on another course nearby. Andi had been paired with Goran. His English wasn’t up to much so they communicated mainly in sign language.
It was evident from the first tee that he wasn’t a golfer. Later, when she knew him better and his command of the language had improved, he told her he had faked an interest in playing because he wanted to meet a nice lady.
“But you’re not interested in women.”
“No, but I have to pretend to be. When we go to nightclubs the other guys try to set me up, laughing at me for being a virgin.”
By this time, only her second year on tour, Andi was already feeling stifled by the conservative conventions of the golfing world. Getting married had started out as a joke between her and Goran. The joke became a serious proposition when they realised it could benefit them both. Goran could excuse himself from his teammates’ off-the-pitch excesses and Andi could blend in with the married women on tour.
To the external eye, the media one that mattered most, they presented the image of the perfect sporting couple. When they were together they would hold hands, smile, and laugh for the cameras. Hiding while in public view became an art form. Those closest to them knew their secret, but they had been lucky in their friends and no one had yet given them away, or tried to blackmail them.
Tris, the perfect host, had already poured out a drink for Goran. It looked like mineral water. Another reason why he had managed to extend his playing career for so long was that Goran didn’t abuse his body with excessive amounts of alcohol.
“Coffee, Andi?” Tris looked at her expectantly. She nodded and when he turned to Freya she nodded too. While they had been busy in the bedroom, Tris had obviously been taking care of hosting duties. He went into the kitchen and returned immediately with a tray filled with cups and saucers, coffee pot, milk, sugar, and a plate of assorted biscuits.
“You’re a gem,” Freya said, accepting her cup from him. “Now I know why I married you.”
“Oh, I thought it was for the title and the money.”
“That too.”
They smiled at each other, enjoying their in-joke with friends who understood.
After they had discussed the weather and asked after several mutual acquaintances, Goran drained his glass and placed it carefully on the tray.
“There’s something I need to discuss with Andi.”
He looked extremely serious. Andi hoped he wasn’t going to tell them he was ill, but she knew he was scrupulously careful and wouldn’t ever indulge in unprotected sex.
“Do you want us to leave you alone?” Tris asked.
“No, please. I thought maybe Andi could show me around the course. I haven’t seen it since it was completed, and I could do with some fresh air and exercise.”
Chapter Nine
The air was certainly fresh after the storm. The clouds had all cleared away and the sun was beating down on them as they walked out onto the first tee.
“Wow. It looks amazing.”
“We could play a round. How long are you staying?”
Since their first meeting, Goran had learned to play the game and could outdrive Andi on a good day.
“Not long enough for that. I’ll be leaving in the morning.”
They set off down the broad fairway with a glimpse of the sea beyond the green. “So, you better spill it. What’s brought you here? I’m guessing it’s something you couldn’t tell me over the phone.”
“I want a divorce.”
Andi stopped to face him. “You what?”
“A divorce. I want to get married again. Now that we can. And the time seems right.”
“Now that we can.” Andi drew the words out slowly. “You want to marry a man?”<
br />
“Yes.”
“But won’t that mean…?”
“Yes, that means I’m coming out. And that’s why I needed to see you. Because it will out you as well.”
“What about the club? Are they happy with this?”
“Well, that’s the other thing. You know Davor’s been working hard to negotiate another one-year contract.”
She nodded. Davor was Goran’s older brother and manager.
“But it’s no go. They want to bring in some younger players so keeping an old warhorse like me is too expensive.”
“And Davor, your family, do they know about this?”
“Yes and no. Obviously Davor knows but my parents don’t, and that is going to be tough.”
Andi was still trying to absorb the implications. “So, who is he?”
“You’ve met him. Ryan.”
“Ryan, the banker.” She had met Ryan at one of the corporate events they had attended together.
“Yes. He’s already out at work so it’s not a problem for him.”
“And what are you going to do? Be a house-husband?”
“Davor’s got some other business interests. I’ll be working with him.”
Andi didn’t like to think what Davor’s other business interests might entail. She’d always thought he was a smooth operator and only barely tolerated his presence on the few occasions they’d met.
“I’m sorry, Andi, to spring this on you like this. I’ve been thinking about it for some time. And when the contract stuff fell through, I just thought I should do it. We’re not getting any younger.”
As if she needed reminding of that. Television commentators already made comments as if she were headed for a retirement home at the ripe old age of forty.
“So, when is this going to happen?”
“Fairly soon. Davor has a solicitor buddy who can draw up the paperwork. Going for an annulment.”
“Right. Is anyone going to believe we’ve been married this long and have never consummated it?”
“Consummated?”
“Had sex.”
“Oh. Well Davor doesn’t think there will be any problem.”
Andi knew that Davor’s idea of solving a problem was to throw money at it. They had continued walking while they talked and were now at the edge of the first green.
“I know this is a shock for you, Andi. But once I made the decision I can’t believe how free I feel. No more pretending to be something I’m not.”
Andi gazed out over the now calm sea. The storm that had raged not that long ago might never have been. She looked at Goran’s face. There was no denying he had a radiant glow about him that wasn’t just from a healthy diet and regular exercise regime. She reached for one of his hands and held it in both of her own at chest height. “If this is what you want, I’m pleased for you. Really, I am. Congratulations.” She kissed his knuckles. “I hope I’m invited to the wedding.”
“Of course.” He grinned at her. “I’d ask you to be best woman, but that might be a step too far.”
“Why don’t you go back to the house and tell Tris and Freya? I’m sure they’ll rustle up some champagne for this evening.”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“Not just yet. I need some time on my own.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure you’re all right about this?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. I won’t be long.”
She watched him walk away. He turned back once and waved, then set off at a run, back the way they had come. When he was out of sight, she continued walking over to the next tee where she was sure there was a bench.
There was someone sitting on it when she arrived and she was tempted to walk on. She really did want to be alone to sort out her thoughts. Then she recognised the person as Sam Wade and it looked like she was crying.
Andi sat down on the bench leaving a space between them. “Hi again. We’ll have to stop meeting like this. People will talk.”
When Sam looked up, Andi was surprised by the level of pain she saw in her red-rimmed eyes. “What’s happened?”
Sam sniffed and Andi thought she was going to tell her to go away or at least mind her own business. Instead she said, “That Jordan’s a fast worker. She and Beth…” her shoulders heaved and she couldn’t get any more words out.
After a moment it dawned on Andi what Sam might be referring to. “What exactly did you see?”
Sam told her about taking the lunch and the wine to the chalet. “First there’s Jordan just putting her shirt back on and Beth comes out of the bedroom in a bathrobe. Lydia won’t be best pleased. I’ll bet she’s paid for them to stay in that chalet.”
“Right. So, let me tell you what you didn’t see.” Andi filled her in on the cliff-path rescue during the worst part of the storm. “I’m guessing that Jordan was drying her clothes off in front of the fire while Beth went to have a shower. Even though Jordan and I were wearing so-called waterproofs, they didn’t stop us from getting wet and Beth didn’t have any protection at all, just shorts and a T-shirt.”
Sam blew her nose on a tissue that was already wet through and falling to pieces. Searching through her pockets, Andi came up with one that was crumpled but unused. Sam accepted it gratefully and wiped her face.
“Is that true? You’re not just making it up to make me feel better?”
“You might be able to come up with something like that at short notice, but I play golf for a living. My imagination doesn’t extend beyond how to get the ball in the hole in the fewest number of shots.”
Sam gave her a wry smile. “So how are you on relationship advice? What do I do now, having accused both of them of something they didn’t do?”
“I’m absolutely the last person you should ask about relationship advice. However, I suppose a possible idea would be for you to apologise to them individually next time you see them.”
Sam sniffed. “Okay.” She managed a small smile. “I guess I’ll head back. Are you coming?”
“No, I’ll just sit here for a bit longer.”
When Sam had disappeared through the trees, Andi turned back to the scene in front of her. Left alone she started thinking about Goran’s news. What did it mean for her? And more importantly, for her and Freya. She knew that Freya wouldn’t divorce Tris. Part of her also knew that this was one of the main reasons her relationship with Freya had lasted so long. Lady Temperley wasn’t going to make demands of permanent commitment. Meeting her had changed Andi’s life for the better though.
She knew Freya would love it if she quit touring and spent more time with her. Maybe that time would come, but Andi wasn’t sure she was ready for it yet.
†
Goran was out of breath when he arrived back at the apartment. Freya let him in and he collapsed on the sofa.
“Where’s Andi?”
“She wanted to be on her own for a bit.”
“So, what’s going on, Gor? Are you going to tell us?” Tris had joined them from the kitchen where he’d been tidying up.
“I’ve made some big decisions in the last few days.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “And I wanted Andi to know before the press gets hold of things.”
“What things?” Freya felt a rush of fear.
“I’m retiring from playing. The club didn’t want to renew my contract so I feel it’s a good time to stop. Last season I only played ten matches, and for five of those I was a sub for the final ten minutes of the game.”
Freya knew this was a momentous decision for him but didn’t think it could impact unfavourably on Andi. His next words shook her though.
“So, I’ve decided to come out. I’ve asked Ryan to marry me and he’s said yes.”
“Wow, that’s fantastic!” Tris rushed over to give Goran a hug.
“But you’re already married.” Freya couldn’t help sounding dismayed.
“Yes, I know. I’ve told Andi we’re getting divorced.”
Told, not asked. Well, it was an arrangemen
t, Freya reasoned. No wonder Andi wanted some time alone. Although Andi was frustrated at times by the secrecy she’d had to maintain during her career, whenever they had discussed whether or not she should come out, Andi had insisted on protecting Goran. Now he was throwing her to the wolves without any consideration of what she would face. The loss of sponsorship was one thing, although there were more gay-friendly companies around now. Andi was more likely to face a backlash from the gay community, which would be disgusted that she had hidden behind a false marriage for so long. Why not come out and be a role model? The same went for Goran, of course, but he would be excused more readily. Football players, who wanted to avoid hostilities both in the dressing room and from the fans, only dared to out themselves when their playing days were over. If Andi continued to play, she would have to put up with the universal condemnation of the fundamentally religious right, particularly on the LPGA tour.
“I think this calls for a celebration. Have we got any chilled champagne on the premises?”
Freya looked up to see that Tris was already setting glasses on the table. Four glasses.
“Freya?”
“I know this is wonderful news for you, Goran. But don’t you think you should have talked to Andi before making such a momentous decision? It affects her too.”
“She’ll be all right. Everyone on tour knows she’s a lesbian.”
“Knowing is one thing, but making it public is another. Homophobia isn’t dead yet, even in the most liberal countries. You could have waited until she was ready to retire too.”
“That could be ten years away. I can’t wait that long. I’ll be an old man then.”
In ten years he would be forty-nine. Hardly in his dotage. With the way he looked after himself, Freya was sure he would still have an abundance of magnetic sex appeal. She gave the two men an exasperated look and stood up.
“I’m going to find Andi and see if she’s okay.”
“Hey, she was fine when I told her. Even wants an invitation to the wedding.”
“Goran, in case you haven’t noticed, Andi would never say or do anything that would hurt you. It’s a shame you can’t be as considerate towards her.”