Title: A Date to Play Fore
(#6 of The Dating Series)
Authors: Heidi McLaughlin and L.P. Dover
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Comedy
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Tee up for the long drive, it’s golf season!
After winning the U.S. Open, Greyson Jennings couldn't help but take playful jabs at the expense of his prime competition, Bryan Nelson. His snarky claims during the press junction may have burned off like fog on the green, if a week later they hadn’t found themselves at the same golf resort.
Hungry for a little payback, Bryan challenges Greyson to a grudge match: Grey and his best friend versus Bryan and his sister, Leah. Turns out, Leah is a ringer with a swing—and curves—that turn Grey’s thoughts to a hole in one of another kind.
Unfortunately, Leah’s opinion of him has been formed by the many stories Bryan has shared. That may hurt this golfer’s handicap, but he’s nowhere near ready to give up. It’s game on as Leah agrees to meet Grey on the green and go head to head with the hole as the goal.
Can Greyson prove there’s more to him than an impressive club and a carefully crafted bad boy persona? Or will the sting of Leah’s rejection leave him in need of some alone time and a good ball washer?
Excerpt . . .
“You have got to be kidding me,” Bryan growls.
Heart racing, my eyes snap open. “What?” I gasp.
He points toward the fairway. “Look who it is.”
There’s only one person it could be to earn such a hated look from my brother. And of course, when I focus on the guy about to hit his ball, I recognize his stance. Greyson Jennings has his own style when it comes to golf. I hate the guy, but he’s one of the best. You can’t help but admire how talented he is.
Bryan fumes and clenches the steering wheel. “Of all places he could be, why in the hell is he here?” I’ve been wondering the same thing. Greyson never answered when I asked him. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did it on purpose. The only way he could’ve found out would be through my social media.
Bryan hops out of the cart and reaches for his driver. Eyes wide, I can feel my heart pounding harder. “Bryan, what are you doing?”
He tees up his ball and smiles. “Just having a little fun, sis. If I knock him out, he deserves it.”
This is going to be a disaster. I just know it. The sound of his driver connecting with the ball is so loud it echoes in my ears. I watch it sail through the air, right in the direction toward Greyson. He doesn’t even yell fore, and I’m too shocked to even speak. The ball starts to drop from the sky and when it lands, it’s only about three feet away from Greyson and his best friend, Eli. He jerks around and throws his arms up in the air. Bryan bursts out laughing and flips them both off.
Greyson and Eli jump in their cart and head toward us. This is not what I want. “Just great,” I grumble. “Now look what you did.”
Bryan comes over to me and leans against the cart. “The fucker deserved it. It’s time he knows I’m back in the game.”
The last thing I want is to get in the middle of a testosterone match. I don’t care about seeing who has the bigger balls. When Greyson gets closer, his snarl turns into a smile when he notices me. Definitely not what I want. Bryan steps forward, driver in hand.
“Sorry about that,” my brother taunts, “I didn’t exactly hit what I was aiming for.”
Greyson bursts out laughing and steps out of the cart. “You never do. You obviously don’t know how to handle your shaft.”
Here we go. Groaning, I smack a hand to my forehead. “Really? This is what I’m going to have to put up with today?”
Greyson smirks at me, his gaze roaming over my bare legs before settling back on my eyes. “It’s good to see you again, Leah. I didn’t know you played golf.”
Busted. Bryan’s going to be pissed I didn’t tell him. His shoulders tense but he doesn’t look at me. Instead, he moves to the front of the cart to block Greyson from looking at me. “How about we play teams? My sister and I against you and your caddy.”
The day just got worse. I’m going to kill my brother. Then again, maybe we can teach Greyson a lesson.
“Bryan, no,” I snap. “I suck at golf. We’ll lose.”
His eyes meet mine for the briefest of moments. Even though he can’t read my mind, we have a connection. Bryan stands up straighter and turns back to Greyson. “No worries, sis. I’ll play good enough for us both.”
“What are we playing for?” Greyson asks, moving to the side so he can see me. “Money? A date?”
I roll my eyes. “You can forget that.” I hop out of the cart and join my brother. “How about a thousand dollars?”
Greyson and Eli look at each other and I can see the outright arrogance on their faces. That’s their downfall. Greyson holds out a hand to my brother. “Deal. A thousand dollars.”
Bryan shakes his hand, the muscles in both of their forearms clenching. “Deal,” Bryan agrees.”
Greyson tips his hat at me and smiles. “I’m happy you’ll be playing with me.”
I grab my driver out of my bag. “I’d rather play with myself.” He finds it hilarious, but I see it as a jab. The guy is an insufferable tool.
Since Bryan already drove his ball to hit Greyson, it ends up being my turn. I tee up my ball and swing. It slices to the right, completely out of the fairway and into the rough. Greyson and Eli chuckle under their breath as they drive away while Bryan glares at me.
“Please tell me you did that on purpose?”
My lips pull up into a smile. “Of course, I did. Think about how much fun it’s going to be when we kick his ass.”
Bryan grins wide. “Let’s show him what we can do.”
Hole after hole, we’re neck and neck with only one stroke between us. It’s a close match, but I’m holding my own, especially for a female in a mostly male dominated sport. It all comes down to the eighteenth hole. It’s a par three with water all around the green. We all managed to get across the water, and now, it’s time to putt. It’s all down to me. If I can birdie my putt, my brother and I will win. If I don’t, we’re screwed. I can’t let Bryan down. He needs this win, and Greyson needs to be taken down a notch.
Taking a deep breath, I look over at the hole and then down at my ball. It’s about an eight-foot-long putt. I breathe in and out and close my eyes. Come on, Leah, you can do this. I open my eyes and tap the ball. It rolls across the green … and right into the hole.
Bryan yells and scoops me up into his arms. “Hell fucking yeah. You did it!”
He swings me around and I laugh. Greyson and Eli both seem impressed. Greyson walks over and pulls out a wad of cash from his wallet. Bryan sets me down and Greyson hands him the money. “Good job. It’s about time you won at something. I hate it had to be because of your sister.”
Bryan narrows his gaze. “But at least she kicked your ass cocksucker. You got beat out by a girl. Wait till everyone finds out about this.”
Greyson shrugs and Bryan walks over to the cart. Before I can turn, he lightly grabs my arm. “I’m impressed. Guess it’s not a surprise since your father’s a legend. He taught you well.”
“Yes, he did.”
His eyes search mine. “Go out with me tomorrow. I think we could have some fun.”
I snort. “I can do that without you.” My smile grows wider. “Besides, I’ll be busy spending that thousand dollars.”
Greyson chuckles. “You do that. Maybe next time.”
I walk backwards toward the cart. “Not gonna happen.”
Heart racing, my eyes snap open. “What?” I gasp.
He points toward the fairway. “Look who it is.”
There’s only one person it could be to earn such a hated look from my brother. And of course, when I focus on the guy about to hit his ball, I recognize his stance. Greyson Jennings has his own style when it comes to golf. I hate the guy, but he’s one of the best. You can’t help but admire how talented he is.
Bryan fumes and clenches the steering wheel. “Of all places he could be, why in the hell is he here?” I’ve been wondering the same thing. Greyson never answered when I asked him. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did it on purpose. The only way he could’ve found out would be through my social media.
Bryan hops out of the cart and reaches for his driver. Eyes wide, I can feel my heart pounding harder. “Bryan, what are you doing?”
He tees up his ball and smiles. “Just having a little fun, sis. If I knock him out, he deserves it.”
This is going to be a disaster. I just know it. The sound of his driver connecting with the ball is so loud it echoes in my ears. I watch it sail through the air, right in the direction toward Greyson. He doesn’t even yell fore, and I’m too shocked to even speak. The ball starts to drop from the sky and when it lands, it’s only about three feet away from Greyson and his best friend, Eli. He jerks around and throws his arms up in the air. Bryan bursts out laughing and flips them both off.
Greyson and Eli jump in their cart and head toward us. This is not what I want. “Just great,” I grumble. “Now look what you did.”
Bryan comes over to me and leans against the cart. “The fucker deserved it. It’s time he knows I’m back in the game.”
The last thing I want is to get in the middle of a testosterone match. I don’t care about seeing who has the bigger balls. When Greyson gets closer, his snarl turns into a smile when he notices me. Definitely not what I want. Bryan steps forward, driver in hand.
“Sorry about that,” my brother taunts, “I didn’t exactly hit what I was aiming for.”
Greyson bursts out laughing and steps out of the cart. “You never do. You obviously don’t know how to handle your shaft.”
Here we go. Groaning, I smack a hand to my forehead. “Really? This is what I’m going to have to put up with today?”
Greyson smirks at me, his gaze roaming over my bare legs before settling back on my eyes. “It’s good to see you again, Leah. I didn’t know you played golf.”
Busted. Bryan’s going to be pissed I didn’t tell him. His shoulders tense but he doesn’t look at me. Instead, he moves to the front of the cart to block Greyson from looking at me. “How about we play teams? My sister and I against you and your caddy.”
The day just got worse. I’m going to kill my brother. Then again, maybe we can teach Greyson a lesson.
“Bryan, no,” I snap. “I suck at golf. We’ll lose.”
His eyes meet mine for the briefest of moments. Even though he can’t read my mind, we have a connection. Bryan stands up straighter and turns back to Greyson. “No worries, sis. I’ll play good enough for us both.”
“What are we playing for?” Greyson asks, moving to the side so he can see me. “Money? A date?”
I roll my eyes. “You can forget that.” I hop out of the cart and join my brother. “How about a thousand dollars?”
Greyson and Eli look at each other and I can see the outright arrogance on their faces. That’s their downfall. Greyson holds out a hand to my brother. “Deal. A thousand dollars.”
Bryan shakes his hand, the muscles in both of their forearms clenching. “Deal,” Bryan agrees.”
Greyson tips his hat at me and smiles. “I’m happy you’ll be playing with me.”
I grab my driver out of my bag. “I’d rather play with myself.” He finds it hilarious, but I see it as a jab. The guy is an insufferable tool.
Since Bryan already drove his ball to hit Greyson, it ends up being my turn. I tee up my ball and swing. It slices to the right, completely out of the fairway and into the rough. Greyson and Eli chuckle under their breath as they drive away while Bryan glares at me.
“Please tell me you did that on purpose?”
My lips pull up into a smile. “Of course, I did. Think about how much fun it’s going to be when we kick his ass.”
Bryan grins wide. “Let’s show him what we can do.”
Hole after hole, we’re neck and neck with only one stroke between us. It’s a close match, but I’m holding my own, especially for a female in a mostly male dominated sport. It all comes down to the eighteenth hole. It’s a par three with water all around the green. We all managed to get across the water, and now, it’s time to putt. It’s all down to me. If I can birdie my putt, my brother and I will win. If I don’t, we’re screwed. I can’t let Bryan down. He needs this win, and Greyson needs to be taken down a notch.
Taking a deep breath, I look over at the hole and then down at my ball. It’s about an eight-foot-long putt. I breathe in and out and close my eyes. Come on, Leah, you can do this. I open my eyes and tap the ball. It rolls across the green … and right into the hole.
Bryan yells and scoops me up into his arms. “Hell fucking yeah. You did it!”
He swings me around and I laugh. Greyson and Eli both seem impressed. Greyson walks over and pulls out a wad of cash from his wallet. Bryan sets me down and Greyson hands him the money. “Good job. It’s about time you won at something. I hate it had to be because of your sister.”
Bryan narrows his gaze. “But at least she kicked your ass cocksucker. You got beat out by a girl. Wait till everyone finds out about this.”
Greyson shrugs and Bryan walks over to the cart. Before I can turn, he lightly grabs my arm. “I’m impressed. Guess it’s not a surprise since your father’s a legend. He taught you well.”
“Yes, he did.”
His eyes search mine. “Go out with me tomorrow. I think we could have some fun.”
I snort. “I can do that without you.” My smile grows wider. “Besides, I’ll be busy spending that thousand dollars.”
Greyson chuckles. “You do that. Maybe next time.”
I walk backwards toward the cart. “Not gonna happen.”
About the Authors . . .
Heidi McLaughlin
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
When writing isn’t occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters’ basketball games.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
When writing isn’t occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters’ basketball games.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter
LP Dover
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything’s sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it’s with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that’s why she’s seriously addicted to chocolate.
Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children’s book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she’s also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you’ll never see her without a smile on her face.
Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Newsletter | Email | Bookbub | Amazon
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything’s sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it’s with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that’s why she’s seriously addicted to chocolate.
Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children’s book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she’s also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you’ll never see her without a smile on her face.
Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Newsletter | Email | Bookbub | Amazon
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