In Good Company: Chapter 16

I can’t help but laugh at the sight in front of me. “You look like hell, Davenport.”

Ryker groans before leaning forward and massaging between his eyes. “I was going to just donate double today and nurse this wicked hangover at home, but someone wouldn’t let me do that.” He looks behind him where a group of our friends is standing.

Camille, Ryker’s babysitter for the summer, plasters on a smile after hearing Ryker’s words. “Nothing cleans up an image more than a charity event. I’ve told you for a week you were participating. It’s not my fault you drank too much last night.”

Ryker tosses a dirty look her way. “Maybe I wouldn’t feel the need to drink if you’d leave me alone.”

Camille opens her mouth to respond, but before she can, her eyes land on Lucy. “Hi, again,” she says excitedly, sounding friendlier than I’ve ever heard her.

Lucy returns the smile, making me wonder if they know each other through Pembroke. “Hi, good to see you again,” Lucy responds, taking a step closer to Camille.

Charlotte catches wind of the conversation and steps next to Lucy before giving Camille a knowing smile. “Is this who you’re having to babysit?” Charlotte asks playfully.

Everyone but Ryker smiles. His eyes shoot to Camille as his mouth falls open. “You’ve been telling people you’re babysitting me?”

Camille shrugs before nodding. “Of course I have. I am babysitting you. I ran into these two when I was escaping you a few weeks ago. They talked me down from plotting your murder.”

I raise an eyebrow as I look over at Lucy. Her eyes meet mine with a growing smile. She tries to rub her lips together to hide it, but it doesn’t work.

“First off, you’re not my babysitter,” Ryker grits. His eyes are angrily trained on Camille. I have to give her credit—she doesn’t back down under his stare. If anything, it seems like she finds his anger funny. “And second,” he continues, “don’t tell people you are.”

Camille pretends to pick at a piece of lint on her skirt. She wears an all-black outfit, the fabric almost as dark as her hair. It’s hilarious how seriously she takes her job of keeping an eye on Ryker and how little she actually cares for him. She rolls her eyes before focusing on Lucy and Charlotte again.

“So are you guys here for the couples event too?” She hooks a thumb over her shoulder and gestures at Ryker. “Unfortunately, I’m stuck with this asshole because, despite his protests, he’s very much stuck with me as his babysitter.”

“Couples event?” Lucy asks, her eyes moving to me.

“We’re here,” a voice calls from behind Ryker. Margo, Beckham Sinclair’s wife, pops her head around Ryker’s large frame.

“Hi,” Camille says, proving she does know how to smile, just not when dealing with Ryker. “I didn’t know you guys were going to be here too.”

Margo smiles before looking over her shoulder, where Beck comes to a halt. He runs a hand through his blond hair and gives everyone a smile.

“We’re excited to take home the prize. Almost missed it because our nanny was running late this morning,” he explains, wrapping his arms around his wife and pulling her body against his.

“Winnie and Archer and Emma and Preston should be here soon too,” Margo explains, her eyes finding Lucy and Charlotte. She breaks free from Beck’s hold and steps forward, holding her arms out for a hug. “Charlotte, Lucy, it’s so good to see you out here with us today. It’s about time you took some time off work and enjoyed the other side of Pembroke.”

Lucy steps into Margo’s embrace. “It’ll be fun,” she responds before pulling away. Her eyes meet mine as Margo goes to pull Charlotte in for a hug as well.

“Although,” Lucy begins, looking around at the crowd of people who’ve gathered around us, “I didn’t know this was a couples tournament. I thought you just needed a caddy.”

Before I can respond, Jude chimes in with a shit-eating grin. “That was my fault. I thought the word ‘couples’ would deter you from saying yes, and you deserved a day of fun…so I told a little white lie.” He does seem sincere as he watches Lucy closely for her reaction. “Don’t be mad at me, Luce. It’s going to be a fun day. Pretend the word ‘couple’ has nothing to do with it.”

Camille reassuringly grabs Lucy by the arm. “It definitely isn’t couples couples. I’m stuck with Ryker…the last person I’d ever want to couple up with.”

Ryker coughs, his eyebrows lifting to his hairline as he looks at Camille. A sinister smile crosses his lips. “You sure about that, princess?”

Jude whistles, catching my attention as Ryker and Camille continue to argue. He loops his arms around Lucy and Charlotte before pulling them to his sides. “So which one of you wants to couple with me?”

For a moment, I see red. I can’t stomach the mental picture of Lucy riding around with Jude all day, undoubtedly laughing at his stupid jokes and blushing at the way he flirts.

Stepping forward, I grab Lucy by the wrist and pull her to me. “Lucy will be with me.” The direct tone of my voice leaves no room for discussion.

At least, I thought it left no room for discussion.

Jude snickers. “What if Lucy wants to be with me?”

Lucy takes a tiny step closer to me as my fingers stay firmly wrapped around her wrist. I know that Jude doesn’t actually want to pair with Lucy for the day. Anyone with eyes can tell he’s interested in Charlotte. He’s just doing it to piss me off—and it’s working.

“Lucy?” Her name leaves my mouth tight, almost like a question. “Would you like to ride with Jude or me today?”

“Is it riding or playing?”

I press my lips into a thin line for a moment. “Technically, you’re supposed to play two holes. But just two of the nine.”

Lucy’s mouth falls open as she shakes her head. She looks at Jude with wide eyes. “I can’t believe you lied to me, Jude. Because of that, I’ll play with Cal for the day. Is that okay with you, Charlotte?”

Her friend bites back a smile as she looks from Lucy to Jude. “I’m along for the ride today. Jude doesn’t seem like terrible company…as long as he knows nothing will happen between us.”

Jude playfully pouts. “Why stop the fun before it even starts?”

I finally drop Lucy’s wrist, missing the small connection the moment it’s over. “Now that it’s settled, let’s go check in and get our cart.”

Lucy follows my lead as we leave my friends behind. Stopping for a moment, I place my hand on the small of her back and guide her through the large group of people that are gathered outside the pro shop. I tell myself the only reason I found a way to connect our bodies again is because I don’t want to lose her in the crowd.

When she looks at me from over her shoulder with a wide, nervous smile, something weird happens in my chest. The sight of her hesitant smile is stunning, and it’s like I feel it throughout my entire body. “I hope it doesn’t ruin your day if we lose. I’m a horrible golfer.”

My fingers twitch against her back as I guide her to one of the staff members helping coordinate the event. “I get to spend the day with you. My day could never be ruined.”